Gentiana lutea Linn. (Yellow Gentian): A comprehensive review

Abstract

Gentiana lutea Lin. commonly known as yellow gentian, bitter root and bitterwort belonging to family Gentianaceae is a common traditional medicine freely available in hilly areas in Japan, Europe and adjoining continents, its medicinal properties are also mentioned in Ayurveda. The plant is reported to posse’s antioxidant, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, stomachic, appetizer and immunomodulatory properties etc.Gentiana lutea is an important source of bitter phytoconstituents such as amarogentin, gentiopicrinor gentiopicroside, gentiolutelin and its dimethyl acetal, gentioluteol, gentanine, amaroswerin, gentioside including a new iridoid named gentiolutelin. Traditionally the plant is used as stomachic tonic, bitter tonic, dyspepsia, gastric inefficiency in infants, digestive tonic, catarrhal diarrhoea, anaemia, malarial disease etc. The present review is an effort to generate an interest among the mosses regarding its immense potential in preventing and treating several diseases.