Description
LEAD WORT (PLUMBAGO ZEYLANICA)
Plumbago zeylanica (known as ‘Chitrak’) is a useful Indian medicinal plant. The root of the plant and its constituents are credited with potential therapeutic properties including anti-atherogenic, cardiotonic, hepatoprotective and neuroprotective properties. To examine possible mechanisms of action of P. zeylanica (Chitrak), in relation to its reported beneficial properties, antioxidant effects of the aqueous/alcoholic extracts of root, corresponding to medicinal preparations, and the active ingredient, plumbagin, were studied.
It is used as a medicine in Africa and Asia. Orally, Ceylon leadwort is used for birth control, diarrhea, constipation, stomach ulcers, high cholesterol, diabetes, asthma, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
