Kutkin (also known as picroside or kutkoside) is a principal bioactive compound found in Picrorhiza kurroa, a plant used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine primarily for liver support. Scientific research has increasingly validated its hepatoprotective properties. Several preclinical studies (in vitro and in vivo) have demonstrated that kutkin, and extracts containing it, can protect liver cells against damage induced by toxins such as carbon tetrachloride, paracetamol, and alcohol. The mechanisms appear to involve antioxidant effects, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, and stabilization of hepatic cell membranes.

For example, a review published in Phytotherapy Research (2011) summarizes multiple animal studies showing that kutkin and Picrorhiza kurroa extracts can reduce markers of liver injury (such as ALT, AST), improve histopathological liver changes, and induce antioxidant enzymes. Some clinical evidence also exists: a few small human trials have suggested benefits in viral hepatitis and drug-induced liver injury, though these studies are limited by sample size and methodological quality.

Overall, while much of the robust evidence is preclinical, there is a scientific foundation for the use of kutkin to support liver (hepatic) health, justifying its inclusion in hepatoprotective formulations. Large-scale, high-quality human trials are still needed for definitive conclusions.