Gentian Root

Latin Name: Gentiana Lutea Radix.

Common Name: Gentian root

Belonging to the Gentianaceae family and having a notorious extremely bitter taste.

Gentian root is found in Central and Southern Europe, primarily in mountainous and Alpine regions. 

Active ingredients:

  • Secoiridoid derivatives such as Gentiopicroside, Amarogentin and Swertiamarin

  • Xanthones such as Gentisin and Isogentisin - antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties

Use/Historical Indication: 

  • In Ancient Rome and Greece, Dioscorides, author of De Materia Medica described gentian root as a powerful digestive tonic used to stimulate appetite and treat stomach discomfort.

  • In traditional Iranian medicine, gentian root was employed to treat stomach pain and liver and spleen inflammation. As well as being used for urinary retention, amenorrhea and conjunctivitis. It was also used against poisonous snake and scorpion bites as an antidote due to its detoxifying effect.

  • In China and other areas of Asia, gentian root was used to treat liver dysfunction and fever

  • Finally, in the traditional medicine of Italy, gentian root was used as a remedy for rheumatism and neuralgia when applied externally.

Mechanism of Action of Active Ingredients:

  • Gentiopicroside is a potent anti-inflammatory agent, inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines, but it also promotes collagen synthesis, has a hepatoprotective role by blocking AMPK activation thus inhibiting fibrosis and decreases Reactive Oxygen Species and lipid peroxidation.

  • Amarogentin is an antioxidant as well as possessing an anti-cancer effect, by inhibiting tumour progression

  • Swertiamarin is hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, an antioxidant and an antidiabetic agent

Side Effects and Contradictions of Gentian Root:

  • Not to be taken during pregnancy due to potential abortifacient properties as claimed in Iranian traditional medicine.

  • May cause Nausea, vomiting, skin rash and stomach discomfort

Sample #24/43

Reference list for Gentian Root:

Ando, H., Hirai, Y., Fujii, M., Hori, Y., Motonori Fukumura, Yujiro Niiho, Nakajima, Y., Shibata, T., Kazuo Toriizuka and Ida, Y. (2007). The chemical constituents of fresh Gentian Root. Journal of Natural Medicines, 61(3), pp.269–279. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11418-007-0143-x.

Lemonia Antoniadi, Bartnik, M., Angelis, A., Wawruszak, A., Halabalaki, M., Wirginia Kukula-Koch and Skaltsounis, L.A. (2023). Gentiopicroside—An Insight into Its Pharmacological Significance and Future Perspectives. Cells, 13(1), pp.70–70. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13010070.

Mirzaee, F., Hosseini, A., Jouybari, H.B., Davoodi, A. and Azadbakht, M. (2017). Medicinal, biological and phytochemical properties of Gentiana species. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, [online] 7(4), pp.400–408. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcme.2016.12.013.

Muhamad Fadzil, N.S., Sekar, M., Gan, S.H., Bonam, S.R., Wu, Y.S., Vaijanathappa, J., Ravi, S., Lum, P.T. and Dhadde, S.B. (2021). Chemistry, Pharmacology and Therapeutic Potential of Swertiamarin – A Promising Natural Lead for New Drug Discovery and Development. Drug Design, Development and Therapy, Volume 15, pp.2721–2746. doi:https://doi.org/10.2147/dddt.s299753.

Patel, K., Kumar, V., Verma, A., Rahman, M. and Patel, D.K. (2019). Amarogentin as Topical Anticancer and Anti-Infective Potential: Scope of Lipid Based Vesicular in its Effective Delivery. Recent Patents on Anti-Infective Drug Discovery, 14(1), pp.7–15. doi:https://doi.org/10.2174/1574891x13666180913154355.

Pedanius Dioscorides, Beck, L.Y. and Georg-Olms-Verlag (Hildesheim U.A (2017). De materia medica. Hildesheim ; Zürich ; New York Olms-Weidmann.