Radix alkannae

Authors:Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer, Prof. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles

All authors of this article

Last updated on: 24.03.2025

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Synonym(s)

Alcana root; Dyer's weed root; Radix Anchusae tinctoriae

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DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.

Extract from the root Alkanna tuberculata, the Schminck root.

HMPC: not processed

ESCOP: not processed

Commission E: not processed

Empirical medicine: in antiquity: wound healing, external: skin diseases, internal: diarrhea

used for centuries as a colorant, today only rarely used in the cosmetics industry

IngredientsThis section has been translated automatically.

Alkannin, alkane red, anchusine, alkanoic acid, tannins, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, free fatty acids, partly as methyl esters and n-alkanes.

Spectrum of actionThis section has been translated automatically.

Experimental studies have shown that alkannin and its esters have an antibiotic-like effect. Alkanna root extracts also have an anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effect. Inhibits topoisomerase 1

Field of application/useThis section has been translated automatically.

Internal: no tea preparation: drug classified as questionable!

Recently, alkannin has also been used to treat varicose veins. Its effectiveness has not been sufficiently proven.

LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.

  1. Huu Tung N et al.(2013) Naphthoquinone components from Alkanna tinctoria (L.) Tausch show significant antiproliferative effects on human colorectal cancer cells. Phytother Res 27:66-70.
  2. Karayannopoulou M et al.(2011) Evaluation of the effectiveness of an ointment based on Alkannins/Shikonins on second intention wound healing in the dog. Can J Vet Res 75:42-48.
  3. Papageorgiou VP et al.(2008) Alkannins and shikonins: a new class of wound healing agents. Curr Med Chem 15:3248-3267.
  4. Wang Y et al.(2016) Suppressive effect of β,β-dimethylacryloyl alkannin on activated dendritic cells in psoriasis by the TLR7/8 pathway. Int Immunopharmacol 40:410-418.
  5. Wang R et al.(2014) Synthesis and evaluation of novel alkannin and shikonin oxime derivatives as potent antitumor agents. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 24:4304-4307.

  6. Blaschek W (2015) Wichtl-Teedrogens and phytopharmaceuticals. A handbook for practice. Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Munich. S 56-57

Authors

Last updated on: 24.03.2025

Authors: Prof. Dr. med. Peter AltmeyerProf. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles