ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTY OF KIRATATIKTA (SWERTIA CHIRATA): A PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL REVIEW

Abstract

In Ayurveda and other traditional medical systems, Kiratatikta (Swertia chirata Roxb. ex Flem.), another name for Chirayita, is one of the most prized plants. Given the rise in antibiotic resistance worldwide, scientists have focused on its various pharmacological effects, especially its antimicrobial effectiveness. The antibacterial qualities of S. chirata are reviewed here, with a focus on the phytochemical composition, modes of action, and possible medicinal uses of the plant. Swertiamarin, amarogentin, mangiferin, and xanthones are examples of bioactive components that have antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties against a variety of pathogenic microbes. The cumulative evidence suggests that S. chirata holds promise as a source of novel antimicrobial agents. However, standardization, clinical validation, and mechanistic studies remain areas requiring further exploration.