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.