Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Rubia cordifolia (commonly known as Indian madder or Manjistha) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, especially in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine. In these traditions, it has been valued for its purported abilities to purify the blood, reduce inflammation, and treat various infections. Its use for malaria specifically is documented in ethnobotanical literature, where certain indigenous and rural communities in India and parts of Southeast Asia have used decoctions or extracts of Rubia cordifolia as a supportive remedy for fevers associated with malaria. However, these practices are grounded in traditional experience rather than in scientifically validated mechanisms or clinical trials.

Scientific studies on the antimalarial properties of Rubia cordifolia are limited. Some in vitro research and animal studies have explored the potential of extracts from the plant or its bioactive compounds (such as anthraquinones) to inhibit Plasmodium species, the causative agents of malaria. While a few of these studies have shown mild to moderate activity against malaria parasites, the results are not robust or consistent enough to support its use as a standalone or primary antimalarial therapy. No high-quality clinical trials in humans have demonstrated efficacy, and the plant is not included in modern antimalarial pharmacopeias. Thus, while Rubia cordifolia is used traditionally to support malaria treatment, scientific evidence for its efficacy remains preliminary and insufficient.

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