Radix alkannae

Extract from the root Alkanna tuberculata, the Schminck root.

HMPC: not processed

ESCOP: not processed

Commission E: not processed

Folk medicine: in ancient times: wound healing, external: skin diseases, internal: diarrhea

for centuries dyeing agent, today only rarely used in the cosmetics industry

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

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

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.

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