Jatamansi

Generic name: Nardostachys Jatamansi DC.
Brand names: Balchar, Indian Spikenard, Jatamansi, Muskroot, Nardostahyos Radix Et Rhizoma, Sambul Lateeb, Spikenard, Sumbul-ut-teeb

Usage of Jatamansi

Antifungal effects

In vitro data

N. jatamansi essential oil demonstrated fungistatic activity against Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, and Fusarium oxysporum.(Mishra 1995, Sarbhoy 1978)

Anti-inflammatory effects

Animal and in vitro data

Several studies by the SAMe group of researchers reported anti-inflammatory properties of N. jatamansi extracts in vitro and in rodents with induced pancreatitis.(Bae 2012a, Bae 2012b, Bae 2012c, Bae 2013, Bae 2014, Shin 2015) Effects on mediators of inflammation, as well as reductions in secretion of digestive enzymes and cytokine production, have been demonstrated.(Bae 2012b)

N. jatamansi contains various types of sesquiterpenoids, some of which showed antineuroinflammatory effects in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated BV2 microglial cells through inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathways.(Yoon 2018) In another study, nardosinone-type sesquiterpenes from the hexane fraction of N. jatamansi atTenuated nuclear factor kappa B and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated BV2 microglial cells. Findings suggests a potential role for these sesquiterpenes in the treatment of neuroinflammation conditions.(Ko 2018) Desoxo-narchinol A and narchinol B isolated from N. jatamansi also exerted antineuroinflammatory effects by upregulating nuclear transcription factor erythroid-2–related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 signaling; findings suggest that desoxo-narchinol A and narchinol B are potential candidates for the development of preventive agents for regulation of neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative diseases.(Kim 2019)

Antioxidant effects

Animal and in vitro data

Extracts of N. jatamansi have shown antioxidant activity in in vitro and rodent studies.(Chaudhary 2015, Dhuna 2013, Pandey 2013, Razack 2015, Sharma 2012, Singh 2015)

Blood pressure–lowering effects

Clinical data

A single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted in patients 35 to 70 years of age (N=40) with stage 1 hypertension who were using fewer than 2 antihypertensive drugs. Patients received either N. jatamansi 3 g/day (ie, one 1 g capsule 3 times a day) or placebo for 4 weeks. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were recorded at baseline and every week for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks of treatment, there was a statistically significant reduction in the N. jatamansi group in average systolic blood pressure (from 144.2±11.35 mm Hg [95% CI, 138.89 to 149.51] at baseline to 134.3±10.08 mm Hg [95% CI, 129.58 to 139.02] after treatment; P<0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (from 94.9±3.4 mm Hg [95% CI, 93.3 to 96.49] to 83.1±5.29 mm Hg [95% CI, 80.62 to 85.57]; P<0.001). In the placebo group, there were no significant decreases in systolic blood pressure (143.4±8.39 mm Hg [95% CI, 139.47 to 147.33] at baseline to 142±11.68 mm Hg [95% CI, 136.53 to 147.47] after treatment; P=0.148) or diastolic blood pressure (from 95.1±3.7 mm Hg [95% CI, 93.37 to 96.83] to 94.8±3.69 mm Hg [95% CI, 93.07 to 96.52]; P=0.186). A comparison between baseline and posttreatment MINICHAL score showed a significant reduction in the N. jatamansi group (from 10.85±1.27 [95% CI, 10.25 to 11.44] to 6.2±1.77 [95% CI, 5.37 to 7.02]; P<0.001) compared with no significant difference in the placebo group (11.05±1.5 [95% CI, 10.34 to 11.75] to 10.85±1.26 [95% CI, 10.25 to 11.44]; P=0.103). These findings suggest that N. jatamansi may be effective in reducing both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in essential hypertension.(Bhat 2020)

Cancer

Animal and in vitro data

Some studies have demonstrated activity against cancer cell lines(Chaudhary 2015, Dhuna 2013, Kapoor 2017) and protective effects from radiation-induced damage.(Gowda 2013, Madhu 2012)

Cardiac effects

Animal and in vitro data

In vitro studies using cardiac tissue showed vascular dilatation, mediated via influencing nitric oxide production, with the volatile oil of N. jatamansi rhizome.(Maiwulanjiang 2014) In in vivo rodent models, N. jatamansi protected cardiac tissues against oxidative stress–induced cell injury and lipid peroxidation, as well as against inflammatory and apoptotic effects.(Singh 2020)

CNS activity

Animal and in vitro data

Results of a serotonin transporter (SERT) activity assay revealed that nardochalaristolones C through D (3 and 4) and nardoflavaristolone A (5 and 6) isolated from the underground parts of N. jatamansi significantly enhanced SERT activity.(Deng 2018) Both the total extract and the selected water-soluble fraction of N. jatamansi have shown antidepressant potential in vitro and in vivo.(Li 2021)

The sedative sesquiterpene valeranone prolonged barbiturate anesthesia, impaired rotarod performance, inhibited electroshock convulsions, and potentiated the hypothermic effects of reserpine.(Rücker 1978) Limited results from behavioral tests revealed that an N. jatamansi extract HAD significant antidepressant activity.(Metkar 1999)

N. jatamansi ethanol extracts ameliorated beta-amyloid 42 cytotoxicity in vitro using a cell culture system and in vivo using a Drosophila Alzheimer disease model. Significant improvements in vivo in locomotor activity, learning/memory, eye degeneration, oxidative stress, and beta-amyloid 42 protein were reported (P<0.01 each). Findings suggest N. jatamansi might have a role in the development of Alzheimer disease treatment.(Anupama 2022, Liu 2018)

In rat brain, 15-day treatment with an alcoholic root extract of N. jatamansi caused an overall increase in levels of central monoamines and inhibitory amino acids, including a change in levels of serotonin, 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and Taurine.(Prabhu 1994) It has been suggested that the anxiolytic effects of N. jatamansi are primarily and plausibly mediated by activating the GABAergic receptor complex.(Razack 2018)

Pretreatment with 250 mg/kg of an N. jatamansi alcoholic extract for 15 days protected rats against focal ischemia caused by middle cerebral artery occlusion. The protective effect may be associated with improved glUTAthione content, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, and activity on the Na+/K+ ATPase and catalase enzyme systems.(Salim 2003)

Clinical data

A small study (N=34) reported positive findings for N. jatamansi in the management of primary insomnia. The powdered rhizome was given at a dose of 4 g with milk 3 times a day after food for 1 month. The comparator natural product, Valeriana wallichii, also showed positive effects on sleep induction, sleep duration, and other parameters.(Toolika 2015)

Hepatic effects

Animal data

In rats pretreated with an alcoholic extract of N. jatamansi dosed at 800 mg/kg for 3 days, hepatoprotective action was observed against thioacetamide-induced liver damage. Rats pretreated with the extract also had reduced levels of serum transaminases (ALT and AST) and alkaline phosphatase.(Ali 2000)

Pancreatitis

Animal data

In in vivo experiments, 8 alpha-hydroxypinoresinol exerted a therapeutic effect on pancreatitis in mice; these beneficial effects may be due to the inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B activation.(Choi 2019)

Jatamansi side effects

None well documented. Avoid use in individuals with known hypersensitivity Reactions to N. jatamansi.

Before taking Jatamansi

Avoid use. Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.

How to use Jatamansi

Hypertension

In a small 4-week study, an N. jatamansi doSage of 3 g/day (ie, one 1 g capsule 3 times a day) was used to evaluate potential blood pressure–lowering effects in patients with hypertension.(Bhat 2020)

Insomnia

N. jatamansi powdered rhizome at a dose of 4 g with milk 3 times a day after food for 1 month was used in a small study evaluating effects on primary insomnia.(Toolika 2015)

Warnings

A study reports genotoxicity of an aqueous and hydroalcoholic extract of N. jatamansi rhizome at concentrations of 5 mg/mL and 10 mg/mL.(Etebari 2012)

What other drugs will affect Jatamansi

None well documented.

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