Abstract

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL AND CLINICAL VALIDATION OF SWERTIA PURPURASCENS (D. DON) C.B. CLARKE FROM THE WESTERN HIMALAYAS: A SUSTAINABLE AYURVEDIC SUBSTITUTE FOR THE ENDANGERED SWERTIA CHIRAYITA (ROXB.) H. KARST

Dr. Chinmay Mohanty*, Dr. Chandni Gupta, Prof. Navneet Kumar Sharma, Prof. Ashwani Upadhyay

Abstract

Background: Swertia chirayita Roxb.H.Karst. is a classical Jwaraghna dravya (antipyretic herb) in Ayurveda, now endangered in the Himalayas. Swertia purpurascens (D. Don) C.B. Clarke, traditionally used for fever and liver disorders, is considered its folk substitute. Objective: To authenticate, review, and clinically validate S. purpurascens as a sustainable Ayurvedic substitute for S. chirayita. Methods: Authenticated plants collected from Kangra (H.P.) were studied pharmacognostically and evaluated clinically in 30 patients of Pratishyaya with Jwara. Phytochemical studies were already done in the department. Participants received Chirayata Vati (1 g t.i.d. for 7 days). Fever reduction and symptom scores were statistically analyzed. Phytochemical and ethnopharmacological data were compiled. Results: Quadrangular stems and reflexed purple corolla lobes confirmed identity. Mean fever score declined ≈ 71 % (p < 0.001); 80% patients achieved full remission. Reported xanthones, iridoid glycosides, and flavonoids support antipyretic and hepatoprotective activity. Conclusion: S.purpurascens shows comparable pharmacognosy, phytochemistry, and clinical efficacy to S. chirayita and can serve as its sustainable Ayurvedic substitute.

Keywords: Swertia purpurascens; Swertia chirayita; Jwara; Pharmacognosy; Ethnopharmacology; Sustainability; Western Himalayas.