Veronica anthelmintica: The Benefits of Somraj in Herbal Medicine

General features: In English, it is called Purple fleabane (PF), botanically known as Centratherum anthelminticum or Veronica anthelmintica, which is a tropical medicinal herb called Somraj (সোমরাজ) in Bengali and Hindi. The shrub is highly valued in Ayurvedic medicine for its bitter purple flowers and seeds. The plant belongs to the sunflower family, Asteraceae, and is often classified in the genus Baccharoides as Baccharoides anthelmintica [1]. PF is native to India and Southeast Asia and grows in tropical climates, including deciduous forests across the Himalayan range at elevations around 3,000 ft. In India, it is also found in southern states such as Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Orissa. Beyond India, it grows in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Afghanistan, Laos, Cambodia, and other Southeast Asian countries. Recently, it has been actively cultivated in India, especially for its seeds used in Ayurvedic medicine. At maturity, the plant reaches about 2–5 ft in height, with lance-shaped leaves and purple flower heads. The seeds, which have a strong odor, are the main medicinally used part [2,3]. PF flowers bloom from March to October and are thistle-like, with a vivid purple color. After pollination, mature flowers dry into fruit heads. Botanically, the seeds are achenes—one-seeded fruits that do not split at maturity—and remain tightly packed at the base of the flower. Once harvested, they appear brown or black, cylindrical, and strongly bitter, and are commonly known as bitter cumin [4]. PF seeds are commonly used to treat parasitic infections. Their strong anthelmintic properties help eliminate intestinal roundworms and tapeworms. Traditionally, the seeds have also been used to treat skin rashes, eczema, and related disorders. In various herbal combinations, they are believed to help remove toxins from the blood and regulate blood sugar levels [4].

History of Purple Fleabane/Somraj: PF/Somraj is well known in traditional Indian and Ayurvedic medicine. In Sanskrit, it is referred to as Sahadevi, meaning “God’s companion,” or as Somaraji. Beyond its medicinal uses, it has strong spiritual significance, as recorded in historical manuscripts preserved in Indian archives. In ancient Tantric rituals, it was worn as an amulet around the neck or arms to protect against evil spirits and infectious diseases [5,6]. In Ayurveda, it is considered a potent herb with bitter and astringent tastes that help balance the Kapha and Vata doshas [7,8]. According to Ayurveda, PF can act as a potent febrifuge and natural diaphoretic. The decoction prepared from dry roots can help break down renal canaliculi (kidney stones), prevent bladder spasms, and treat dysentery and colic. Its seeds are traditionally used to expel intestinal worms or parasites. It helps reduce the severity of vitiligo, leprosy, and chronic skin conditions, and it expedites wound healing. Beyond India and Southeast Asia, PF has also been used in traditional Native American and European American herbal medicine, primarily as a diuretic, insect repellent, treatment for bleeding, and remedy for respiratory problems [9]. The Native American tribes, Cherokees and Houmas, used its dried roots as teas or poultices to treat coughs, colds, headaches, or menstrual problems [10]. In recent years, many herbalists offer PF extract to reduce inflammation and fevers and to prevent internal or external bleeding, particularly nosebleeds [10].

Phytochemicals and biological functions: PF/Somraj plant is known for its diverse bioactive phytochemicals that support good health. Nearly 200 phytocomponents have been identified. Among them, the major classes are flavonoids, sesquiterpene lactones, terpenes, steroids, and alkaloids, whose combined effects help treat digestive, respiratory, anthelmintic, and numerous skin problems. Notably, the seeds and leaves contain high levels of Vernolic acid (an epoxy fatty acid), flavonoids such as kaempferol, luteolin, quercetin, isorhamnetin, and butin, as well as several phenolic acids, steroids, and terpenes, making them potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents [11]. About 36 flavonoids and phenolic acids have been identified in the seeds. In addition to flavonoids, the leaves contain steroids, glycosides, tannins, terpenoids, and resin. The major flavonoids in PF are isorhamnetin, luteolin, apigenin, and rutin, whereas notable phenolic acids include gallic acid, ferulic acid, chlorogenic acid, and caffeic acid. Isorhamnetin is a key flavonoid synthesized at high levels in both seeds and leaves. The combined actions of flavonoids and phenolic acids, such as chlorogenic and isochlorogenic acids, exert strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities by scavenging endogenously generated free radicals [12]. The triterpenoids and steroids identified in the stem bark, leaves, and whole plant are lupeol, β-amyrin, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, and α-spinasterol. These phytosterols contribute to PF’s anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory activities. In addition, the seeds contain several sesquiterpenes belonging to the hirsutinolide, vernolide, and vercinolide categories. Furthermore, the flowers, stems, and bark of PF contain several sesquiterpene lactones, primarily vernonioside A and B, Vernolide A, B, C, E-J, and several hirsutinolide derivatives [13]. The synergistic actions of sesquiterpene lactones, known for their anti-tumor actions, and flavonoids with free-radical scavenging abilities contribute to lowering fevers, controlling inflammatory joint conditions, and regulating renal calculi/kidney stones, even aiding smoking cessation [14]. The essential oil of PF is rich in sesquiterpenes and numerous long-chain fatty acids and esters, which are differentially expressed across plant parts and geographic origins. These sesquiterpenes include α-muurolene in the root and aerial parts. β-caryophyllene is produced in leaves and flowers, imparting a spicy aroma, and is accompanied by germacrene-D, α-selinene, α-gurjunene, and cyperene [15,16]. Among the fatty acids and esters, the major ones are methyl linolenate, linolenic acid, palmitic acid, and phytol [17]. The lipid matrix shows high concentrations of tetracyclic sterols, including vernosterol, Δ5-avenosterol, stigmastadienol, and brassicasterol [18]. They compete with cholesterol and block absorption in the gut [19]. Individually or jointly, each one of them is involved in activities like anti-inflammatory, gastric protection, anthelmintic, and dermatological repigmentation, including providing antioxidative effects [20].

Pharmacological effects: PF is a highly valued medicinal plant with about 120 bioactive phytocomponents having validated pharmacological actions. A few of them are briefly described below.

Anthelmintic/anti-parasitic effect – The botanical name of PF, Centratherum anthelminticum, indicates its potent anthelmintic action, expelling intestinal worms and gastrointestinal parasites. The seed extract is considered immensely effective in this regard. Furthermore, its strong macrofilaricidal effects result from physical disruption of parasites, thereby inhibiting larval development [21,22].

Effect on Melanogenesis – The PF seed extract has a long history of use in Central Asia for treating pigmentation disorders, including vitiligo. Experimental studies indicate the extract promotes melanogenesis by activating the p38 MAPK → MAPKAPK2 signaling cascade, with tyrosinase acting as a central effector that drives repigmentation in the CAM‑Y7 model [23]. The extract’s principal active constituents, vernodalin and vernolide (highly toxic sesquiterpene lactones), increase tyrosinase expression via the p38 MAPK pathway, thereby enhancing melanin synthesis and supporting skin repigmentation [23,24]. They also act as anti-cancer components, particularly vernolide [25].

Dermatological and antipsoriatic effects – Traditionally, PF has been known to control various skin problems, especially within the Uighur population in Central Asia. It is identified that, besides vitiligo, the fruit and seed fraction enriched with fatty acids extracted by mixing dichloromethane and methanol exhibits significant antipsoriatic effects by modulating keratinocyte proliferation. In vitro laboratory experiments using the human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT) suggest that linoleic, palmitic, oleic, and stearic acids jointly act in this favor [26]. The effect is significant in comparison to the standard drug, Retino–A, at 0.05% concentration in terms of the degree of orthokeratosis [26].

Antimicrobial and antifungal effect – Studies have shown that the PF extracts can disrupt bacterial cell membrane structures, thereby preventing the growth of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative oral and systemic pathogens [27]. The aqueous extract shows potent antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans, a primary bacterium liable for creating oral cavities and tooth decay [28]. The extract also inhibits Gram-negative pathogens like Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas. The identified components are tannins and flavonoids, which facilitate the rupture of the surface membrane, inhibiting biofilm formation and preventing colony propagation. PF can act against eukaryotic fungal pathogens. They potently regulate stubborn fungal infections [29]. Studies using Candida albicans (Yeast infection) have shown that its aqueous extract can significantly prevent the infection by lowering the ergosterol content in fungal surface membranes, causing cellular leakage, thereby killing the fungi [29]. PF is also seen to be effective against filamentous fungi and environmental molds like Aspergillus niger. In that regard, germacrene and its esters are the key components, which are effective even against eczema and dandruff [30].

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects – The actions of PF are largely mediated via the inhibition of inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and IL-1β, as well as reducing NO production and downregulating NF-κβ expression. These inhibitory effects are responsible for reducing headaches, arthritis, joint stiffness, swelling, and pain [31]. As per ancient Indian traditional apothecary, Ayurveda, and several preclinical studies have already established that PF extract has the intense ability to suppress inflammation, alleviating both central and peripheral pain while also lowering the NO-induced cellular stress [32,33]. The efficiency is comparable to that of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) since the phyto-components actively target the triggering mechanisms behind swelling, pain, and tissue damage [34]. The inhibition of prostaglandin production and subsequent blocking of pain receptors are the basic causes behind the peripheral and central analgesic effects. The major identifiable compounds are apigenin, luteolin, and sesquiterpene lactones like vernonioside A and B [33,35]. Whereas the tissue swellings are prevented by tannins and saponins [36].

Antioxidant effect – PF is heavily enriched with flavonoids and phenolics, and other antioxidants, which have powerful free radical scavenging abilities while triggering antioxidant genes like NrF2 and HO-1, reducing oxidative stress and preventing cells from lipid peroxidation and related damage [37]. The extracts of roots, leaves, and stems have shown a huge antioxidant capability by scavenging free radicals, inhibiting any cellular injury [38]. The major bioactive compounds acting as scavengers of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are luteolin, apigenin, rutin, quercetin, gallic, caffeic, and ferulic acid [39]. By scavenging ROS, the extracts repress major pro-inflammatory pathways like NF-κβ and activation of iNOS to generate NO, alongside reducing swelling of tissues and metabolic stress. Studies further indicate that these compounds also protect red cells from oxidative hemolysis and DNA molecules from oxidative damage [38,40].

Antidiabetic and anti-nephrotic effects – PF exhibits a strong antidiabetic effect. It significantly lowers serum glucose levels, helps improve insulin sensitivity, and protects insulin-producing pancreatic β-cells from oxidative damage. Its hyperglycemic action is already known from traditional ethnomedicine, validating the modern approach, targeting primary biochemical pathways to manage diabetes [41]. The extract increases glucose uptake in insulin-responsive organs like the liver, muscle, and adipose tissue, presumably by stimulating phosphoinositide 3-kinase and AMP-activated protein kinase pathways, which mimic normal, efficient metabolic paths to clear glucose from the bloodstream [42]. In the Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model, PF prevents oxidative stress-induced cell death, protecting the β-cells of the pancreas [43]. Histology further indicates that there is a noticeable improvement and recovery in the islets of Langerhans in the case of repeated administration of PF, showing the trend of native insulin production [41]. Additionally, the extracts inhibit carbohydrate-digesting enzymes like α-glucosidase and α-amylase residing on the brush border of the small intestine, minimizing the post-meal glucose spikes [44]. It is also effective against gestational and type-2 diabetes. Significant reductions in fasting blood glucose and Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and a considerable reduction in total cholesterol and triglycerides, are also observed after a month of PF extract use in humans [41].

Anticancer effect – PF extracts show significant anticancer and cytotoxic effects by inducing apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and inhibition of cancer cell proliferation. In that regard, the extract shows a strong anti-neoplastic effect against breast (MCF-7), cervical (HeLa), prostate (PC3), colon (HT29), and gastric (AGS) cancer cell lines, as studied in vitro. The most bioactive components are sesquiterpene lactones, such as hirsutinolide analogs, which directly exert cytotoxicity and induce cell death in those cancer cells and inhibit their metastasis by binding to the DNA-binding domain of the STAT3 signaling pathway [45,46]. In addition, high concentrations of flavonoids, particularly apigenin and luteolin, act as strong antioxidants and help prevent mutation [47]. Furthermore, the extracts disrupt the mitochondrial membrane, releasing apoptotic enzymes, including caspases, and enforcing self-destruction, causing no harm to non-malignant cells [48]. Studies using animal models have shown that extracts can prevent metastasis of aggressive tumors in major organs such as the liver or lungs [49]. These phyto-components also inhibit inflammatory signaling pathways, particularly those involving NF-κB or TNF-α, and block angiogenesis [48].

Antimalarial effect – PF extract shows potent scientifically verified antimalarial or antiplasmodial activities presumably due to the presence of sesquiterpene lactones along with the alkaloids (unidentified), flavonoids, and phenolics [50,51]. The sesquiterpene lactones, hirsutinolides, have significant toxicity, specifically against the virulent multidrug-resistant (chloroquine, quinine, pyrimethamine, sulfadoxine, and cycloguanil) P falciparum strain, W2, which has a defective DNA mismatch repair system that helps mutate developing resistance toward drugs [52]. On the other hand, the methylene chloride-isolated alkaloid-enriched fraction shows strong antimalarial action against another drug-resistant P. falciparum, K1 strain with IC50 ~ 2.56 µg/ml [51]. In addition, the flavonoids and phenolics act by inhibiting Hemozoin formation, which the parasites depend on to store toxic heme byproducts of digested red cells. Disruption of this cycle leaves toxic free heme to destroy the parasite from within [53].

Toxicity: PF is mildly toxic, mainly to pets and livestock, and appears less toxic to humans. In vivo animal studies show that leaf or seed extracts at doses of 2000–3000 mg/kg cause no acute toxicity, death, or behavioral changes. Preclinical evidence therefore classifies PF as relatively safe [54]. Its seeds contain high levels of mildly toxic vernolic acid, several bitter terpenoids, and trace alkaloids, including the pyrrolizidine alkaloids senkirkine and doronine, which may damage the liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, bone marrow, and pancreas [55]. Nevertheless, because of its mild toxicity and long history in traditional medicine, PF has been taken orally to eliminate internal parasites, microbes, and certain unwanted proliferating cells [26].

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