The double-edged sword effect of indigo naturalis.

Food Chem Toxicol

Centre for Chinese Herbal Medicine Drug Development, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China; School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China. Electronic address:

Published: March 2024

AI Article Synopsis

  • Indigo naturalis (IN) is a plant-derived powder historically used as a dye and for treating various ailments in ancient cultures like India and China.
  • Recent studies have shown IN's effectiveness in managing autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis and ulcerative colitis (UC), though there are concerns about potential adverse effects from long-term use.
  • This review aims to assess the efficacy and safety of IN in UC treatment, exploring its mechanisms of action and summarizing potential toxicity observed in clinical and pre-clinical studies.

Article Abstract

Indigo naturalis (IN) is a dried powder derived from plants such as Baphicacanthus cusia (Neeks) Bremek., Polygonum tinctorium Ait. and Isatis indigotica Fork. It has a historical application as a dye in ancient India, Egypt, Africa and China. Over time, it has been introduced to China and Japan for treatment of various ailments including hemoptysis, epistaxis, chest discomfort, and aphtha. Clinical and pre-clinical studies have widely demonstrated its promising effects on autoimmune diseases like psoriasis and Ulcerative colitis (UC). Despite the documented efficacy of IN in UC patients, concerns have been raised on the development of adverse effects with long term consumption, prompting a closer examination of its safety and tolerability in these contexts. This review aims to comprehensively assess the efficacy of IN in both clinical and pre-clinical settings, with a detailed exploration of the mechanisms of action involved. Additionally, it summarizes the observed potential toxicity of IN in animal and human settings was summarized. This review will deepen our understanding on the beneficial and detrimental effects of IN in UC, providing valuable insights for its future application in patients with this condition.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2024.114476DOI Listing

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