Swertia ciliata - A New Source of Mangiferin, Amaroswerin and Amarogentin

Abstract

Medicinal properties of mangiferin, amaroswerin and amarogentin are well documented in literature, Swertia chirayita is main source of these compounds. However, scarcity of Swertia chirayita in natural habitat, it becomes necessary to identify new sources of these compounds. Samples of Swertia ciliata were collected from Gulaba (9000 ft), Himachal Pradesh, India, and analyzed for the presence of bioactive compounds. Presence of C-glucoxanthone mangiferin along with bitter secoiridoid glucosides (amaroswerin and amarogentin) increased importance of S. ciliata and open new avenues for further investigations. Thus S. ciliata may be used as a source of mangiferin, amaroswerin and amarogentin for medicinal exploitation.

Keywords:

• Bioactive molecule
• Gentianaceae
• Medicinal plant
• Secoiridoid glucosides
• Xanthone