Pytochemical Analysis of Rhizomes and Roots of Medicinal Plant Picrorhiza Kurrooa Grown at Different Altitudes

Vinod Kumar and Ashok Kumar

Department of Chemistry, H.N.B. Garhwal University Campus Pauri- 246 001 (India)

Picrotin and picrotoxin contents in rhizomes and roots of Picrorhiza kurrooa (Family - Scrophulariaceae) were analysed with the help of HPLC system. Changes in active constituents were studied in an alpine medicinal plant species P. kurrooa when grown at different altitudes. Young rhizomes and roots of P. kurrooa were collected from three different altitudes viz Tala (1900 m), Phothivasa (2200 m) and Tunganth (3600 m) in Garhwal Himalaya. The picrotin and picrotoxin contents were observed maximum in the samples dried at room temperature. The board leaf variety of P. kurrooa was observed better for cultivation because it has higher contents.

Chemical analysis; P. Kurrooa; HPLC; Picrotin; Picrotoxin