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ALKANET
Source:Alkannatinctoria(L.)Tausch(Family
Boraginaceae).
Common/vernacular names:Anchusa, alka-
net, alkanna, dyer’s alkanet, orcanette, and
Spanish bugloss.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Biennialorperennialherbabout0.5 mhighwith
hairy leaves and blue or purple trumpet-shaped
flowers; indigenous to southeastern Europe,
particularly Hungary, Greece, and the Mediter-
ranean region. Part used is the dried root.
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
Contains polymeric and napthoquinine pig-
ments (isohexenylnaphthazarins),^1 up to 5%
alkannin (coloring principle also known as
anchusin, anchusic acid, and alkanna red),
which occurs mainly in the cortex. Other
constituents present include pyrrolizidine
alkaloids (7-angeloylretronecine, triangular-
ine, and dihydroxytriangularine),^2 tannin, al-
kannin isovalerate, alkannin angelate,^3 and
alkannan;^4 waxy substances;5,6in the root
are alcohols, methyl esters, and fatty acids
including linoleic, palmitic, 9,2,15-octadeca-
trienoic, oleic, andg-linolenic acid.^1
Alkannin is soluble in organic solvents but
almost insoluble in water. Its buffered aqueous
solutions are red at pH 6.1, purple at pH 8.8,
and blue at pH 10.0.PHARMACOLOGY AND BIOLOGICAL
ACTIVITIESFed to mice for 15 weeks at 1% of the diet,
alkannin showed no toxic effects.^7 Alkannins
have shown antimicrobial and wound-healing
properties and have been used externally for
the treatment of ulcers.^8 Shikonin, the
10 R-isomerofalkannin,has immunomodulato-
ryeffectsatlowdosageand isimmunosuppres-
sive in higher doses (HARBOURNE AND BAXTER).
Alkannin angelate and alkannin isovalerate are
claimed to have 80% and 85% healing effects,
respectively, in patients with leg ulcers.^9USESMedicinal, Pharmaceutical, and Cosmetic.
In lipsticks and hair dyes.^1018 Alkanet