Challenges and Perspectives on Plasmid Curing, Medicinal and Pharmacological Traits of Plumbago Zeylanica (Chitraka): A Review

Abstract

From ancient times of vedas, charaksamhita and sushrutsamhita, to modern day developments and research in medicine, the medicinal importance  of Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica) as a wonderful Indian remedy has been upheld through the test of time.  Chitraka is used in ayurveda for  relief  from  many  ailments,  especially  digestive  disorders,  bronchitis,  diseases  of  liver,  leucoderma,  inflammation,  piles,  itching,  laryngitis, rheumatism,  diseases  of spleen,  many skin disorders  etc. The root extracts  of P. zeylanica  have been incorporated  in various  Indian  indigenous ayurvedic drug formulations.  This paper reviews various aspects of Chitraka like different pharmacological  activities, medicinal properties including wound  healing,  antioxidant,  antiulcer,  anticancer,  leishmanicidal,  antifertility,  antimalarial,  antidiabetic,  hypolipidemic,  trypanocidal,  antibacterial, antifungal,  antiviral,  anti-inflammatory,  antimutagenic,  anti-allergic,  larvicidal,  insecticidal  and  anxiolytic  activities.  P.  zeylanica  plant  contains naphthoquinones,  flavonoids,  terpenes,  alkaloids,  glycosides,  steroids,  triterpenoids,  tannins,  phenolic  compounds,  glucopyranoside,  sitosterol saponins,  coumarins,  carbohydrates,  fixed oils, fats and proteins  having a wide variety  of bioactivities.  The important  compound  responsible  for bioactivity  is  plumbagin  which  is  chemically  5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone. Studies  of  P.  zeylanica  roots  resulted  in  identification  of plumbagin  and lawsone as an active principle exhibiting the plasmid elimination  activity. Due to the toxicity of chemical curing agents like acridine orange or ethidium bromide, there is a constant need of developing novel curing agents which are more effective and at the same time their non- toxic nature.  Bacterial strains resistant to multiple antibiotics have emerged to which the invention of new antibiotics  has failed to match up. The effects  of antibiotic  resistance  are serious  with mortality  and morbidity  constantly  on the rise.   Therefore  P. zeylanica  root extracts  containing lawsone  and  plumbagin  would  have  great  potential  as  drugs  of  choice  in  the  treatment  of  antibiotic  resistant  bacterial strains. The  already ineffective  antibiotic therapy can be made effective  by converting  antibiotic resistant bacteria into sensitive ones. The present review for the first time depicts  the use of P. zeylanica  as antimicrobial  and plasmid  curing  agent  in medicinal  formulations  and it is a novel  approach  towards  the spread of antibiotic resistance especially in the hospital environment.