Title:Current Status and Medicinal Prominence of Arnebia euchroma
(Ratanjot): A Critically Endangered Plant of Trans-Himalayan
Region
Volume: 17
Issue: 1
Author(s): Sunita Devi*, Pooja Sharma, Rohini Sharma and Meena Thakur
Affiliation:
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Forestry, Dr. YSP University of Horticulture & Forestry Nauni,
Solan, Himachal Pradesh-173230, India
Keywords:
Arnebia euchroma, Ratanjot, medicinal prominence, shikonin, critically endangered, medicinal plant.
Abstract: Trans-Himalayan region has been a major component of the India’s opulent medicinal
plant heritage that encompasses numerous critically endangered plant species.
Arnebia euchroma (Royle ex Benth.) Johnston (common name: Ratanjot), a Trans-
Himalayan native, is amongst them, and it belongs to the family Boraginaceae. Ratanjot
has long been used as a colourant in food and cosmetics besides a major ingredient of traditional
remedies prescribed for curing mild constipation, dermatitis, frostbite, and eczema
like health disorders. Though principally harvested for its roots, almost all the parts of this
plant have been used in pharmaceutical products, food, dyes and beverages since prehistoric
times. Its roots are a rich source of naphthoquinone pigment(s) mainly shikonin, acetylshikonin
and deoxyshikonin, accountable for its medicinal value as antimicrobial, wound
healing, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant agent(s). Considering the medicinal
importance and critically endangered status of this taxon, the need of the hour is to conserve
and propagate it for supplying sufficient raw materials for its commercial exploitation.