Rubia cordifolia or manjishtha has long been used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. This bitter-sweet cooling herb reduces inflammation and possesses antibacterial effects. It is known to stimulate the circulation and resolve skin disorders.1

R. cordifolia contains quinones such as glycosides including rubiadin; 1-hydroxy,2-methoxy anthraquinone; 3-dimethoxy 2 carboxy anthraquinone; rubiprasin A,B,C; aborane triterpenoids; mangistin; alizarin; garancin; mollugin; furomollugin.2 The herb is known to have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant effects.2

Bhatt and Deshpande assessed the role of R. cordifolia in treating eczema. Twenty one patients with various types of eczema were treated with a topical formulation of R. cordifolia for a period of 2 weeks. Researchers noted a statistically significant improvement 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 findings thus suggest the anti-pruritic effect of the herb.3

The herb has also been noted to prevent burning, itching and other fungal or bacterial infections and can promote skin healing by local action on skin and promotion of collagen formation.4 The herb also promotes skin pigmentation in striae gravidarum, prevents itching and other skin infections and promotes skin healing. It has antiallergic, antibacterial, and antifungal actions that prevent the skin from secondary infection.4 The plant is also known to have bacteriostatic action against Staphylococcus aureus.5

Indian madder, or manjishtha, is a potential skin protective herb which is used in striae gravidarum to relieve the symptoms of hypopigmentation, itching, and burning and maintains skin luster.4

References

1. Chauhan S. An overview on blood purifier. Int Res J Pharm. 2013;4(9):8-10.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. DeFilipps RA, Krupnick GA. The medicinal plants of Myanmar. PhytoKeys. 2018; (102): 1–341.