Picrorhiza kurroa: An ethnopharmacologically important plant species of Himalayan region

Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth.commonly known as Kutki, belongs to family Scrophulariaceae.It is found in the Himalayan regions of China, Pakistan, India, Bhutan and Nepal.It is considered as an important medicinal plant which is mostly used in the traditional medicinal system for asthama, jaundice, fever, malaria, snake bite and liver disorders Different pharmacological activities of P. kurroa include anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, antimutagenic, cardio-protective, hepato-protective, anti-malarial, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-ulcer and nephro-protective activities were recorded from this plant.So far, Iridoids (Picroside I and II), Cucurbitacins and Phenolic components are the different phytochemicals which are extracted from P. kurroa.The authentification of P. kurroa raw material for commercially available herbal/botanical products is essential and it is done by the DNA fingerprinting of P. kurroa.Because of the over-exploitation of P. kurroa for medicinal purposes, the conservational status of P. kurroa in different regions became endangered.It is the need of the hour to utilize different conservational strategies and save this medicinal wealth from extinction as it is widely used by the local people for curing different diseases and thus it cause immense pressure on the plant population.