Manjishtha

Names and identification

Language	Name
English	Manjishtha

What is it made of?

The marker compounds are listed under Dosage forms and preparation, below.

How does it work?

• Anticancer (hexapeptides): Cyclic hexapeptides RA-V and RA-VII inhibit multiple cancer signaling pathways. Mollugin inhibits cell proliferation via suppression of HER2/Akt/SREBP-1c/FAS pathway in breast and ovarian cancer cells.
• Anticancer (NF-kB): Mollugin suppresses NF-kB activation, thereby inhibiting HER2 expression in cancer cells.
• Anti-inflammatory: Mollugin suppresses pro-inflammatory mediators including iNOS, COX-2, TNF-alpha, and IL-1beta in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells in a concentration-dependent manner.
• Antioxidant: Anthraquinones with hydroxyl substitutions modulate antioxidant activity through radical stabilization and metal chelation.
• Neuroprotective: Purpurin exhibits neuroprotection through antioxidant mechanisms and DNA intercalation properties.
• Antimicrobial: Structure-activity relationships of anthraquinones reveal antibacterial properties linked to hydroxyl group positioning.
• Gut microbiota modulation: Prebiotic-like effects suggested in a small human pilot RCT (16S rRNA profiling).
• Key active constituents: Alizarin, munjistin, rubiadin, purpurin, mollugin, cyclic hexapeptides (RA-V, RA-VII), and xanthopurpurin.

What do recent studies show?

• Wen M, Chen Q, Chen W and others 2022. A comprehensive review of Rubia cordifolia L.: Traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, and clinical applications. Frontiers in pharmacology. PMID 36160419 · doi:10.3389/fphar.2022.965390
  Identified over 100 compounds including anthraquinones, naphthoquinones, bicyclic hexapeptides, triterpenoids, and polysaccharides. Established multiple pharmacological activities: neuroprotective, anti-tumor, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunosuppressive.
• Peterson CT, Pourang A, Dhaliwal S and others 2020. Modulatory Effects of Triphala and Manjistha Dietary Supplementation on Human Gut Microbiota: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.). PMID 32955913 · doi:10.1089/acm.2020.0148
  4-week RCT with 2000 mg/day Manjishtha showed modulatory effects on gut microbiota composition evaluated through 16S rRNA profiling, suggesting prebiotic-like activity.
• Balachandran P, Ibrahim MA, Zhang J and others 2021. Crosstalk of Cancer Signaling Pathways by Cyclic Hexapeptides and Anthraquinones from Rubia cordifolia. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 33572569 · doi:10.3390/molecules26030735
  Cyclic hexapeptides (RA-V, RA-VII) showed potent anticancer activity through inhibition of multiple cancer signaling pathways. Anthraquinones play a supporting but lesser role compared to cyclic hexapeptides in anticancer potential.
• Lian C, Liu X, Guo K and others 2024. Dynamic analysis of growth characteristics, secondary metabolites accumulation, and an in-depth understanding of anthraquinones biosynthesis in Rubia cordifolia Linn. Frontiers in plant science. PMID 39840364 · doi:10.3389/fpls.2024.1504863
  Elucidated the biosynthetic pathway of anthraquinones in R. cordifolia, identifying 28 distinct anthraquinones including alizarin, munjistin, rubiadin, purpurin, and xanthopurpurin, with structure-activity relationships for hydroxyl substitutions.
• Mustafa AM, Sayed GA, Hatem S and others 2025. Therapeutic potential of purpurin, a natural anthraquinone dye, in neuroprotection and neurological disorders. Inflammopharmacology. PMID 41045341 · doi:10.1007/s10787-025-01977-7
  Purpurin from Rubia cordifolia demonstrated neuroprotective potential for neurological disorders through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

Only studies that could be traced to a published paper are listed here. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

• Limited clinical safety data; few pharmacokinetic and toxicity studies in humans available.
• Ethanol extract toxicity study: harmful effects on liver observed at doses of 100-1000 mg/kg body weight in rats. LD50 higher than 1000 mg/kg.
• Contraindicated in pregnancy and lactation unless prescribed by healthcare professional.
• May interact with anticoagulant medications, increasing bleeding risk.
• May discolor urine, perspiration, tears, and breast milk (harmless but notable).
• Use with caution in individuals with kidney disorders.
• Common side effects: mild gastrointestinal upset, allergic reactions (rash/itching), nausea in some cases.
• Hypersensitivity to Rubia cordifolia or its components is a contraindication.
• Human toxic dose not yet established from animal studies; clinical trials needed.

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Kwatha (decoction), Capsules, Tablets, Asava/Arishta, Taila (medicated oil), Topical cream/gel, Ghrita (medicated ghee)

Standard Dosage: 3-6 g root powder per day in divided doses; 50-100 mL decoction twice daily; 500-1000 mg standardized extract daily; 15-30 mL Arishta after meals

Optimal Timing: Between meals for blood purification; morning for skin health; Arishta after meals; topical application morning and evening

Storage: Store in airtight, light-resistant (amber) containers below 25 deg C. Anthraquinones degrade with light exposure. Root powder protected from moisture. Arishta at room temperature in glass containers. Topical products at 15-25 deg C.

Marker Compounds: Alizarin, Purpurin, Munjistin, Rubiadin, Rubiadinmethylether, Mollugin, Furanoquinones, Beta-sitosterol

Synergistic Combinations

• Sariva (blood purification premier combination)
• Khadira (skin disease management)
• Haridra (anti-inflammatory and complexion)
• Neem (antimicrobial skin care)
• Guduchi (immunomodulatory and blood purification)
• Lodhra (astringent and hemostatic)