Rubia cordifolia, also known as Indian madder, is a flowering plant belonging to the coffee family, Rubiaceae. R. cordifolia is often prescribed in the Ayurvedic system of medicine for the treatment of various skin diseases. R. cordifolia contains quinones like glycosides including rubiadin; 1-hydroxy,2-methoxy anthraquinone; 3-dimethoxy 2 carboxy anthraquinone; rubiprasin A,B,C; ruiearbonls; aborane triterpenoids; mangistin; alizarin; garancin; mollugin; furomollugin.1

R. cordifolia has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant effects.1 A study evaluated the role of R. cordifolia in treating eczema. Twenty one patients with different types of eczema were treated with a topical application of R. cordifolia for two weeks. Statistically significant improvement was noted by Student’s ‘t’ test with drop in basal severity index of signs and symptoms from 9.86 + 0.51 (S.E.) to 3.72 + 0.12 (S.E.) after two weeks of topical treatment. Maximum improvement was observed in exudation, secondary infection and itching. The notable improvement in itching suggests the anti-pruritic effect of the plant.2 R. cordifolia can prevent burning, itching and other fungal or bacterial infections and has the potential to promote skin healing by local action on skin and promotion of collagen formation.3 R. cordifolia promotes skin pigmentation in striae, prevents itching and other skin infection and promotes healing of skin.3

Indian madder is therefore a potential agent for managing itchy skin disorders such as eczema and striae gravidarum.

References

1. Verma A, Kumar B, Alam P, et al. Rubia cordifolia – a review on pharmaconosy and phytochemistry. Available from: http://ijpsr.com/bft-article/rubia-cordifolia-a-review-on-pharmaconosy-and-phytochemistry/?view=fulltext.
2. Bhatt NS, Deshpande M. Treatment of Eczema with an Indigenous Drug Manjishtha (Rubia Cordifolia Linn.) - A Preliminary Study. IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences 2014;13(10 Ver. III):94-97.
3. Verma S, Singh DC, Singh R, Sanger RK. Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia) as cosmeceutical remedy for prevention of striae gravidarum. International Journal of Ayurveda and Pharma Research 2017;5(6):60-65.