Biologically Active Principles of Crude Drugs : Pharmacological Actions of Swertia japonica Extracts, Swertiamarin and Gentianine

Abstract

The pharmacological effect of a methanolic extract of Swertia japonica, swertiamarin being the main secoiridoid glucoside of this herb and gentianine obtained from swertiamarin in aqueous ammonia, were investigated in mice and rats. Gentianine was found to exert depression of the central nervous system and anti-ulcerogenic action, as well as inhibitory action against gastric secretion, whereas the others had no appreciable action.