Recent reports suggest thatG. luteahas an
effect on the CNS. A parenterally adminis-
tered methanolic extract exhibited a central
effect in mice that resulted in a significant
increase in their swimming endurance and a
slight analgesic activity.^19 The methanolic
extract of the dried bark potently inhibited
rat brain monoamine oxidase (MAO). The
active MAO inhibitors were determined to
be a chalcone dimer, a chromanone, and
5-hydroxyflavanone.^20
The root extract and two of gentian’s
constituents (sweroside and swertiamarine)
possessed wound-healing properties in a
chicken embryonic fibroblastsin vitromodel.
Stimulation of mitotic activity and collagen
production were speculated to mediate the
activity.^21
Gentiopicrin has been reported to be lethal
to mosquito larvae (JIANGSU).
TOXICOLOGY
The root may not be well tolerated by patients
with extreme high blood pressure or by preg-
nant women (TYLER1).
Highly toxicVeratrum albumL., growing
wild in proximity to gentian has resulted in
several cases of vicarious accidental poison-
ing in Europe among persons making gentian
preparations for home use.^22
USES
Medicinal, Pharmaceutical, and Cosmetic.
Gentian extracts are used in tonic prepara-
tions; also used in certain antismoking formu-
las. They are also used in cosmetics.^23
Food. Gentian and stemless gentian are
widely used in alcoholic bitters and vermouth
formulations; average maximum use levels
reported are about 0.02% (199 ppm) for gen-
tian extract (type not specified) and 0.001%
(12.9 ppm) for stemless gentian. Other food
products in which both are used include
nonalcoholic beverages, frozen dairy desserts,
candy, baked goods, and gelatins and pud-
dings, with highest average maximum use
level of about 0.015% (153 ppm) reported for
gentian extract (type not specified) in baked
goods.
Gentian is also a major constituent of ‘‘an-
gostura bitters’’ (seeangostura).Dietary Supplements/Health Foods. Dried
root and extract used in various digestive
formulations; tea flavoring; also in nervine
formulations. In England, the most popular
of gastric stimulants (WREN).Traditional Medicine. Yellow gentian as
well as related gentians reportedly used to
stimulate the appetite, improve digestion, and
to treat numerous gastrointestinal problems
(stomachache, heartburn, gastritis, diarrhea,
vomiting, etc.) as well as externally for
wounds; also used in cancers.^24
In Chinese medicine several relatedGen-
tianaspecies (e.g., G.scabraBunge,G. trif-
toraPall., andG. rigescensFranch.) are used
for similar purposes. In addition, they are used
for treating jaundice, sore throat, headache,
sores, inflammations, and rheumatoid arthri-
tis, among others, both internally and exter-
nally (JIANGSU;NANJING).COMMERCIAL PREPARATIONSCrude and extracts. Gentian and its fluid ex-
tract, compound tincture, and glycerinated
elixir were formerly official in N.F. Strengths
(seeglossary) of extracts are expressed in
weight-to-weight ratios.Regulatory Status. Gentian and stemless
gentian both have been approved for food use,
the latter in alcoholic beverages only
(§172.510). The root is the subject of a Ger-
man therapeutic monograph, approved for
digestive disorders, such as appetite loss and
flatulence; use contraindicated in gastric and
duodenal peptic ulcers.^25Gentian 317