Chitraka Moola in Ayurveda: Properties & Everyday Use

What it is

Chitraka is Plumbago zeylanica L. (family Plumbaginaceae), a perennial shrub; moola means root, and the dried root is the part used. The root is light yellow, turning brown when dry, with a short fracture and an acrid, biting taste. IJEDR review Its principal bioactive compound is plumbagin (2-methyl-5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone), alongside related naphthoquinones such as chitranone, droserone and elliptinone. Pharma Innovation review

Classical properties

• Taste (rasa): pungent (Katu)
• Qualities (guna): light (Laghu), sharp (Tikshna)
• Potency (virya): warming (Ushna)
• After digestion (vipaka): pungent (Katu)
• Doshas: traditionally said to settle Kapha and Vata; may increase Pitta

Traditional use

In Ayurveda, chitraka root is classically valued as a deepana (appetizer) and pachana (digestive), used traditionally for colic, loss of appetite and sluggish digestion. Pharma Innovation review It is a common ingredient of classical formulations including Chitrakadi vati, Chitrakadi churna, Yogaraja guggulu vati, Panchatikta guggulu ghrita and Agnitundi vati. Pharma Innovation review Folk practice has also applied the root externally for skin and rheumatic complaints. IJEDR review These are traditional uses, not clinical proof.

What research has looked at

Blood sugar

Plumbagin isolated from P. zeylanica root showed antidiabetic activity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, increasing insulin secretion from remaining pancreatic β-cells and restoring GLUT4 glucose-transporter expression in skeletal muscle. Food and Chemical Toxicology, via ScienceDirect This is an animal study of the isolated compound, not a human trial of the root.

Cancer cells (laboratory only)

A Calcutta University–Bose Institute team reported that plumbagin stifled the growth of human lung cancer (A549) cells in culture by binding directly to tubulin and disrupting microtubule formation, the cell's structural skeleton. Earlier work showed similar effects on intestinal, cervical and ovarian cancer cell lines in mice models. Acharya et al., Biochemistry 2008;47:7838–7845. These are cell-culture and animal findings: not evidence that chitraka treats cancer in people.

Inflammation

A phosphate-buffered saline extract of P. zeylanica root showed anti-inflammatory activity in formaldehyde-induced arthritic rats. Pharma Innovation review An animal finding only; no human anti-inflammatory trial of chitraka was identified.

Antibacterial activity

Petroleum ether, chloroform and ethanolic extracts of the root (but not the aqueous extract) showed antibacterial activity against pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi and E. coli in disc-diffusion tests. Pharma Innovation review IJEDR review This is in-vitro evidence only.

Safety notes

Chitraka root is a strong, irritant drug with a traditional reputation as an abortifacient, so it must be avoided in pregnancy. Pharma Innovation review Its acrid, biting nature means the raw root can irritate skin and mucous membranes on contact. Classical and review sources note it is considered safe only as traditionally prescribed, and its heating potency makes it unsuitable for people with high pitta or active bleeding conditions without practitioner guidance. Pharma Innovation review Swastik does not suggest amounts: use only as directed by a qualified practitioner.

FAQs

What is chitraka moola used for in Ayurveda?

Chitraka moola, the dried root of Plumbago zeylanica, is traditionally used as a digestive stimulant and appetizer for colic, loss of appetite and sluggish digestion, and it appears in classical formulations such as Chitrakadi vati and Chitrakadi churna. Pharma Innovation review These are traditional uses; modern clinical evidence is lacking.

Does chitraka lower blood sugar in humans?

No human evidence exists. The blood-sugar finding comes from diabetic rats given plumbagin isolated from the root, which increased insulin secretion and improved glucose-transporter expression: an animal study of the isolated compound, not a human trial of the herb. Food and Chemical Toxicology, via ScienceDirect People with diabetes should not substitute it for prescribed treatment.

Can chitraka treat cancer?

No. Plumbagin has killed or slowed human cancer cells in laboratory cultures and animal models by disrupting tubulin, but cell-culture findings do not translate into a cancer treatment, and no human trial of chitraka for cancer exists. Acharya et al., Biochemistry 2008;47:7838–7845. Anyone with cancer should rely on oncology care.

Is chitraka safe in pregnancy?

No: it should be avoided in pregnancy. Folk and tribal practice has used the root as an abortifacient, and it is a known uterine irritant. Pharma Innovation review Women who are pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding should not use it.

What is plumbagin?

Plumbagin (2-methyl-5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone) is the yellow naphthoquinone pigment and principal bioactive compound of chitraka root, also found in a few other plants. Food and Chemical Toxicology, via ScienceDirect It is responsible for most of the root's studied laboratory effects, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic actions, and also for its irritant, caustic character.

Sources

Tier 1 — peer-reviewed

• Sharma et al. (2013). "Antidiabetic effect of plumbagin isolated from Plumbago zeylanica L. root and its effect on GLUT4 translocation in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats." Food and Chemical Toxicology. Link
• Acharya BR, Bhattacharyya B, Chakrabarti G (2008). "The natural naphthoquinone plumbagin exhibits antiproliferative activity and disrupts the microtubule network through tubulin binding." Biochemistry 47:7838–7845.
• "Dry root of citraka — Citraka." The Pharma Innovation Journal 7(6):281. Link
• "A Comprehensive Review on the Ethnobotanical Significance [of Plumbago zeylanica]." IJEDR. Link

Educational only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner before use.