Kutki
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Kutki (Picrorhiza kurroa) is a dietary supplement with 9 published peer-reviewed studies involving 138 participants, researched for Liver Health & Hepatoprotection, Anti-inflammatory & Respiratory.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Liver Health & Hepatoprotection
ModerateAnti-inflammatory & Respiratory
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Liver Health & Hepatoprotection
Picrorhiza kurroa as hepatoprotective agent in viral hepatitis
Study Type
Clinical trial - viral hepatitis
Purpose
Picrorhiza kurroa as hepatoprotective agent in viral hepatitis
Dose
400mg picroliv daily
Participants
78 viral hepatitis patients
Duration
10 weeks
Results
Significantly reduced time for bilirubin normalisation (27.44 days vs 75.9 days in placebo). Liver enzyme normalisation significantly faster. Clinical trial confirms traditional hepatoprotective use.
How They Measured It
Serum bilirubin, liver enzymes, time to clinical recovery
Pharmacology and chemistry of picroliv from P. kurroa
Study Type
Comprehensive pharmacological review
Purpose
Pharmacology and chemistry of picroliv from P. kurroa
Dose
Various
Participants
Review
Duration
Various
Results
Picroliv (picroside I + kutkoside) demonstrates hepatoprotective activity superior to silymarin in experimental models, anti-hepatitis B activity, anti-asthma properties, immunomodulatory effects.
How They Measured It
Literature review of pharmacological and clinical studies
P. kurroa translational potential in fatty liver disease
Study Type
NAFLD review
Purpose
P. kurroa translational potential in fatty liver disease
Dose
Various
Participants
Review
Duration
Various
Results
Anti-lipid peroxidation, antifibrotic, anti-inflammatory, antisteatotic properties relevant to NAFLD. Reverse pharmacology approach validates Ayurvedic applications.
How They Measured It
Review of pharmacological and clinical evidence
Antiviral activity of picroliv against Hepatitis B virus
Study Type
Hepatitis B antiviral study
Purpose
Antiviral activity of picroliv against Hepatitis B virus
Dose
375mg picroliv/day
Participants
HBV-positive patients
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Significantly reduced HBsAg and HBeAg levels with HBV DNA suppression in majority of patients. Unique antiviral property beyond hepatoprotective effects.
How They Measured It
HBsAg, HBeAg, HBV DNA levels
Anti-inflammatory & Respiratory
Antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities of P. kurroa
Study Type
Antioxidant and antidiabetic study
Purpose
Antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities of P. kurroa
Dose
Various concentrations
Participants
In vitro enzyme inhibition study
Duration
N/A
Results
Potent antioxidant activity and significant enzyme inhibition relevant to blood sugar regulation. Picroside I identified as primary bioactive.
How They Measured It
DPPH, FRAP, alpha-glucosidase inhibition, alpha-amylase inhibition
P. kurroa in bronchial asthma as add-on therapy
Study Type
Anti-asthma clinical study
Purpose
P. kurroa in bronchial asthma as add-on therapy
Dose
375mg extract 3x/day
Participants
60 asthma patients
Duration
4 weeks
Results
Significantly improved lung function and reduced eosinophil counts. Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects confirm respiratory application.
How They Measured It
FEV1, FVC, symptom scores, eosinophil counts
Anti-inflammatory mechanism of P. kurroa in allergic airway disease
Study Type
Anti-inflammatory mechanism study
Purpose
Anti-inflammatory mechanism of P. kurroa in allergic airway disease
Dose
100-200mg/kg picroliv
Participants
Allergic asthma animal model
Duration
21 days
Results
Picroliv restored Th1/Th2 balance, reduced total IgE and airway eosinophilia. Immunomodulatory mechanism for anti-asthma activity identified.
How They Measured It
Th1/Th2 cytokine balance, IgE levels, eosinophil recruitment
Immunomodulatory effects of P. kurroa extract
Study Type
Immunomodulatory study
Purpose
Immunomodulatory effects of P. kurroa extract
Dose
100-200mg/kg
Participants
Animal immunology study
Duration
28 days
Results
Significantly enhanced NK cell activity and lymphocyte proliferation. Both stimulatory and regulatory immunomodulatory effects observed.
How They Measured It
Lymphocyte proliferation, NK cell activity, cytokine production
Antioxidant activity and kutkoside characterisation from P. kurroa
Study Type
Antioxidant HPLC study
Purpose
Antioxidant activity and kutkoside characterisation from P. kurroa
Dose
Various concentrations
Participants
In vitro analytical study
Duration
N/A
Results
Kutkoside identified as major antioxidant compound by UPLC-MS. Analytical validation supports standardisation of P. kurroa preparations.
How They Measured It
Online HPLC-DPPH, UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS characterisation
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Kutki research
There are currently 9 peer-reviewed studies on Kutki (Picrorhiza kurroa), involving 138 total participants. Research covers Liver protection & hepatitis, Anti-inflammatory & immunity, Antioxidant and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Moderate.
The evidence is currently rated as "Moderate Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (3 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Kutki has been researched for: Liver protection & hepatitis, Anti-inflammatory & immunity, Antioxidant, Asthma & respiratory health. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 3 out of 9 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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