The scientific name of the Madder is Rubia cordifolia Linn.

Scientific names Common names

Dioscorea verticillata Lam. Kamagut (Ig.)

Galium cordifolium (L.) Kuntze Mankit (Ig.)
Rubia clematifolia Reinw. ex Miq. Pantig-pantig (Bag.)
Rubia cordata Thunb. Patudtud (Ig.)
Rubia cordifolia Linn. Heart-leaved madder (Engl.)
Rubia javana DC. Indian madder (Engl.)
Rubia pratensis (Maxim.) Nakai Madder (Engl.)
Rubia pubescens (Nakai) Nakai
Rubia purpurea Decne
Rubia scandens Zoll. & Moritzi
Rubia secunda Moon
Rubia cordifolia L. is an accepted name

Other vernacular names

BENGALI: Munjeet, manjistha

CHINESE: Hong teng zi cao, Qian cao.
FRANCE: Garance de l'Inde.
GERMAN: Indischer Krapp.
HINDI: Majith, manjit.
JAPANESE: Indo akane.
MALAYALUM: Manjithi..
NEPALESE: Majitho, mangito.
SANSKRIT: Aruna, gandari, manjishta, samanga.
TAMIL: Manjitti, Manditti.

Madder is a slender, branched, creeping or climbing herb growing to a

height of about 4 meters, with numerous small prickles on the stems.
Leaves are 4 to 7 in a whorl around a central stem, ovate, 3 to 5 centimeters
long, pointed at the tip, heart-shaped at the base, and rough above, on the
veins beneath, and especially on the margins, being furnished with small,
white, recurved prickles. Petioles are long - about twice as long as the blade
- with many sharp, recurved prickles on the angles. Flowers are minute,
white or yellow, and on short, smooth stalks. Corolla-tube is thick and very
short, lobes being ovate and obtuse. Fruit is rounded, 6 to 8 millimeters
long, shining, and purplish black.

Distribution

- In thickets and forests chiefly between altitudes of 1,000 and 2,000

meters.

- Common in mossy forests.

- Found in Ifugao, Lepanto, Bontoc, Benguet, Rizal, Laguna and Tayabas

Provinces in Luzon; and in Lanao and Davao in Mindanao.

- Also occurs in Japan to India, Malaya and tropical Australia.

Constituents
- Principle constituents are purpurin, munjistin, xanthopurpurin.

- Roots yield acid ruberthyrin, which through drying, fermentation, and

acid treatment changes to sugar, alzarin and purpurin. Purpurin when
dissolved in alkali become red.

- Munjistin, a coloring principle, has been isolated from the roots. It has
been found to be identical with purpuro xanthin-carboxylic acid. A Perkin
and Hummel study concluded the coloring principles of Rubia sikkimensis
and R. cordifolia are very nearly identical; both contain purpurin, munjistin
and purpuroxanthin.

- Phytochemical screening yielded alkaloids, phytosterols, saponins,

tannins, carbohydrates, phenolic compounds, anthraquinone glycosides,
triterpenoids.

- Dried roots of R. cordifolia yielded mollugin, 1-hydroxy-2-methyl-9, 10-

anthraquinone, alizarin, 1, 3-dihydroxy-2-ethoxymethyl-9, 10-
anthraquinone, lucidin primeveroside, ruberythric acid and three new
anthraquinones, 2-methyl-1, 3, 6-trihydroxy-9, 10-anthraquinone, 2-
methyl-1, 3, 6-trihydroxy-9, 10-anthraquinone 3-O-(6'-O-acetyl)--
rhamnosyl-(12)--glucoside and 2-methyl-1, 3, 6-trihydroxy-9, 10-
anthraquinone 3-O--rhamnosyl (12)--glucoside. (33)

Properties

- Colorant, astringent, deobstruent, tonic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory.

- Roots are bitter, sweet, acrid.

- Roots considered astringent, alterative, anodyne, anthelmintic,

antidysenteric, antiphlogistic, antitussive, diuretic, emmenagogue,
expectorant, hemostatic, styptic, tonic, and vulnerary.

Parts used

Roots, stem, leaves, fruits.

Uses
Culinary

- In Tanzania, ash of burnt stems used as vegetable salt to soften vegetables

in cooking.

- In Indonesia, leaves are used as side dish with rice.

Folkloric traditional medicinal uses and benefits of Madder

- In the Philippines root decoction used for certain disorders of the urinary
tract.

- Worldwide, popular for its use in skin diseases like eczema, dermatitis,
skin ulcers.

- Roots used to lower blood pressure. Also used in rheumatism, bronchitis,

renal lithiasis, dysentery.

- In India, used for treatment of cuts, wounds and burns.

- In Ayurveda, used to cure the Kapha, inflammatory diseases of the uterus

and vagina, leucoderma, jaundice and piles.

- In Hindu medicine, root used as external astringent, applied to inflamed

parts, ulcers, fractures, etc.

- Mixed with honey, it is applied to brown spots of pityriasis versicolor.

- The Mahometans used the drug as deobstruent, prescribing it in paralytic

affections, jaundice, obstructions of the urinary passages and amenorrhea.

- Fruit is used for hepatic obstruction.

- Decoction of roots and stems used as vermifuge.

- Paste made of roots and honey used for freckles and other skin
discolorations. Paste of roots also used for ulcers, inflammation and skin
affections.

- Hakims used root infusions to women after delivery, to procure a copious

flow of lochia.

- In Uganda and Tanzania, leaves used as poison antidote. Decoction of

crushed leaves used for treatment of mouth sores and diarrhea.

- In Rwanda, root decoction used for weight loss during pregnancy, urethral
leaks, dizziness, paresthesias and kidney problems.

- In Ethiopia, leaves used for malaria, itches, and to stop bleeding. Also, for
amoebic dysentery, cancer and cough.
- In Tanzania and Kenya, rubbed and balled leaves used as antiseptic and to
stop wound bleeding. Root decoction used as emetic for certain stomach
problems.

- In South Africa, roots used as aphrodisiac and in the treatment of

impotence.

- In Chinese medicine, used for treatment of cough, joint inflammation,

uterine hemorrhage and uteritis.

Other uses
Dye

- In Hindu medicine, madder is used as coloring agent, providing color

when boiled with medicated oils.

- Used as a dye plant in Asia where red dye extracted from roots and stems
have been used to dye silk, linen, cotton fabrics (chintz) and woolen carpets
and blankets.

- Roots used as ingredient in ink recipes.

- In South Africa, roots are used to dye wool. In Ethiopia use to dye wool
and bread baskets in shades of pink, red, purple or maroon.

- Roots are important ingredients in red ink recipes. Juice of crushed fruits
used as green to bluish ink.
Livestock

- In Burundi a leaf decoction used for hemorrhagic diarrhea in newborn

calves. Also, used in treatment of fleas, ticks and mites in animals.

Scientific proven studies on benefits and uses of Madder

COX-2 Inhibitor / Cancer Chemoprevention:

Study isolated several secondary plant metabolites from the roots of R.

cordifolia and rhizomes of G. glabra. A few molecules showed potent COX-2
inhibitory activity which may serve as lead molecules for cancer
chemoprevention studies. (3)

Radioprotective:

Study of radioprotective potential of alcoholic extract of root of Manjistha

showed a significant radiation protection (67%) as assessed by increased
animal survival when R. cordifolia extract was administered
intraperitoneally before radiation exposure. Results suggest the alcoholic
root extract provides protection against radiation-induced lipid
peroxidation, hemopoietic injury and genotoxicity. (4)

Anti-urolithiasis / Roots:

Study showed a protective effect of the hydro-alcoholic extract of R.

cordifolia roots against ethylene glycol-induced urolithiasis in rats.
Mechanism may be through antioxidant nephroprotection and an effect on
urinary concentration of stone-forming constituents. (5)

Anti-urolithiasis

One of the major constituents of the roots is ruberythric acid, widely used
as phytotherapy in treating urinary tract calcium containing stones.

Neuroprotective / -Amyloid Induced Cognitive Dysfunction:

Study of animals with -amyloid induced cognitive dysfunction pretreated

with an ethanolic extract of R. cordifolia showed significant protective
effect on neurodegeneration and showed improvement in memory
retention activity. The neuroprotective activity of the plant on alzheimer's
type dementia may be due to inhibition of AChE, MAO, free radical
scavenging activity. (6)

Gastroprotective:

Study in Wister rats investigating the activity of R. cordifolia against

experimentally induced gastric ulcer showed the chloroform fraction with
significant activity at lower doses compared to the parent extract.
Mechanism can be attributed to decrease gastric acid secretory activity
along with strengthening of the mucosal defensive mechanism by
prostaglandin synthesis and antioxidant potential. (7)

New Anthraquinone / Rubiacordone / Antimicrobial:

Study isolated Rubiacordone, a new anthraquinone with a known

anthraquinone. Metabolites 1 and 2 showed considerable antimicrobial
activity against Gram-positive bacteria. (8)

Radical Scavenging Activity:

Study of several extracts evaluating the free radical scavenging activity of R.

cordifolia showed very high correlation coefficient of the concentration
used and radical scavenging activity of all the extract/fractions.
Phytochemicals showed presence of anthraquinones and their glycosides.
Results showed constituents that may be exploited in the food industry as
chemopreventive agents. (9)

Wound Healing Activity:

Study of alcoholic extract and its hydrogel for its healing efficacy on an
excision wound model in mice showed significant effects in wound
contracting ability, wound closure, decrease in wound surface are and
tissue regeneration at the wound site and histopathological improvement.
Results provide scientific rationale for the traditional use of the plant in the
management of wounds. (11)

Anti-inflammatory / Analgesic / Roots:

Study in rats of anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of the methanolic

extract of roots showed significant reduction of carrageenan-induced paw
edema and significant increased reaction time in tail flick test. (12)

Anti-inflammatory:

Study on ethanolic extract showed anti-inflammatory effects comparable

with the standard drug indomethacin.

Hepatoprotective / CCl4-Induced Hepatic Damage:

Study in rats showed the hepatoprotective activity of an aqueous-methanol

extract of R cordifolia in acetaminophen and CCl4-induced hepatic damage.
(13)

Antitumor:

Study of a dichlormethane fraction of Rubia cordifolia extract exhibited

potent inhibition of human leukemia cell line and human histolytic
lymphoma cell line. It was also found to be lesser active against normal
human kidney cells, displaying safety for normal cells. (14)

Renoprotective / Cisplatin Induced Toxicity:

Study showed the hydroalcoholic extract of R. cordifolia to be effective in

reducing the renal damage caused by cancer chemotherapeutic drug
cisplatin. It suggests a beneficial adjuvant use in ameliorating renal damage
in patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy. (15)

Antihyperglycemia / Antistress / Nootropic :

Study of alcoholic extract of roots showed reduction of elevation of blood
glucose in alloxan treated animals. There was also enhancement of brain
GABA and decreased brain dopamine and plasma corticosterone levels. (17)

Pharmacognostic Study of Roots / Gastroprotective / Ulcer

Healing:

Study of a chloroform fraction showed potent protective action for stress-

induced complications in mice. R. cordifolia was less potent than ranitidine
but the antioxidant activity was more potent than ranitidine. (21)

Antibacterial / ESBL E. coli:

Results of study of R. cordifolia extract against ESBL (Extended Spectrum

Beta-Lactamase) producing urinary E. coli suggested inhibitory properties
of an ethanolic extract. The plant can be a potential candidate as alternative
antibacterial agent to combat drug resistant organisms. Further studies and
scientific validation are required. (22)

Antihyperglycemic / Antihyperlipidemic / Leaves:

Study of alcoholic extract of leaves in norma and alloxan-induced diabetic

rats showed decreases in blood glucose and promising antidiabetic. Serum
cholesterol and triglyceride levels were decreased and serum HDL was
increased. (23)

In-vitro Anticancer Activity / Hela and Hep-2 Cell Lines:

A methanolic fraction of Rc extract showed promising cytotoxic activity

against human larynx carcinoma and human cervical cancer. (24)

Antioxidant Effect in Lead Nitrate-Induced

Immunosuppression:

A combination treatment with R. cordifolia showed a significant reversal of

lead nitrate-induced toxicity on oxidative stress and immunological
parameters. The RC can prevent LN-induced immunosuppression from
oxidative stress due to it antioxidant property. (25)

Presence of Calcium Channel Blockers:

Study evaluated crude extract of Rubia cordifolia for possible calcium

channel antagonistis activity.. The extract exhibited spasmolytic activity
similar to verapamil suggestive of the presence of calcium channel blocker
like constituents, which may explain the folkloric use of the plant for
disintegration of unrinary stones. (26)
 Anti-Inflammatory / Stems:

Study of an ethanolic extract of stem in carrageenan induced paw edema in

rats showed anti-inflammatory activity. Indomethacin was used as
standard. (28)

Toxicity Profile of Fruits / Dibutyl Phthalate:

Study reports on the presence of dibutyl phthalate in the fruits of R.

cordifolia and evaluated the acute toxicity of crude ethanolic extracts in
Swiss albino mice. No mortality was observed with 100, 500, and 1000
mg/kbw doses, indicating an LD50 value higher than 1000 mg/kbw. Study
showed a significant change in body weight, with differences in ALT, total
protein, triglycerides, glucose and histopatho analysis of the liver compared
to control. Results highlight the toxic potential of R. cordifolia fruit extracts
and its toxicity profile. (29)

Anti-Tumor Cnstituent / Mollugin / Extraction Technique:

Mollygin, a major active constituent of R. cordifolia, is recognized for a

potential anti-tumor compound. Study reports of an extraction method
with a yield higher than conventional extraction methods. (30)

Alizarin / Tablet Film Coating:

Alizarin (1,2-dihydroxyanthraquinone) is the major pigment extracted from

Rubia cordifolia. Study extracted the manjith dye and alizarin pigment
from RC and used it as film coating of triphala guggle ayurvedic (TGA)
tablet. TGA tablets coated with M-extract, M-dye were not very stable, but
TGA tablets coated with alizarin and acetylated alizarin showed stability
beyong six months. Acetylated alizarin can be recommended for TGA tablet
coating. (31)

In Vivo Antioxidant Activity Against Alcohol Induced

Immunosuppression / Roots:

Study evaluated the in vivo antioxdant activity of an alcoholic extract of

roots and its influence on ethanol induced impairment of immune
responses. Study suggests the ethanol-induced immunosuppressive is due
to oxidative stress which can be prevented by RC through its in vivo
antioxidant property. (32)

Antiglycation / Antioxidant / Antidiabetic:

Study showed the root extract of Rubia cordifolia has significant
antiglycation and antioxidant activity indicating a potential for use as as
antidiabetic drug. (34)

Apoptosis in Cancer Cell Line / Root:

Study investigated the influence of an ethanolic extract of root of R.

cordifolia on the induction of apoptosis in HeLa human cervical cell line.
Results showed the extract of root possess significant anti-cancer activity
and shows cytotoxic potential against human cervical cancer. (35)

Availability

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Capsules, supplements, skin care products in the cybermarket.

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