Wise Mind Herbs

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Gentian - Centaurium erthraea

It's important to first clarify that Centaurium erythraea (commonly known as common centaury, European centaury, or lesser centaury) and gentian (typically referring to plants in the genus Gentiana) are different plants, though they both belong to the Gentianaceae family. This review will focus primarily on Centaurium erythraea, while noting distinctions from true gentians (Gentiana species) where relevant.

Image source and license: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Centaurium_erythraea_kz07.jpg.
Modified by Peter Jorgensen.

Common Names and Botanical Classification

Centaurium erythraea is known by several common names: common centaury, European centaury, lesser centaury, and sometimes simply "centaury." It should not be confused with true gentians (Gentiana species) such as Gentiana lutea (yellow gentian) or Gentiana scabra (Japanese gentian), despite being in the same plant family. Another potential confusion is with American centaury (Sabatia angularis), which is a different plant with some similar traditional uses.

Traditional Uses and Bioactive Compounds

Centaurium erythraea has been traditionally used in European herbal medicine as a bitter tonic for digestive disorders, fever, and to stimulate appetite. The plant contains several bioactive compounds including secoiridoid glycosides (gentiopicroside, swertiamarin, sweroside), xanthones, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. These compounds are believed to contribute to its bitter, digestive-stimulating properties and potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

Evidence-Based Health Benefits

The scientific evidence for Centaurium erythraea's health benefits is limited compared to some other medicinal plants, with most studies being preclinical (laboratory and animal studies) rather than human clinical trials. The following represent areas where some scientific evidence exists:

• Digestive health: Laboratory studies suggest potential benefits for dyspepsia (indigestion) and poor appetite due to its bitter compounds that stimulate digestive secretions.
• Anti-inflammatory properties: In vitro and animal studies have demonstrated some anti-inflammatory effects, particularly related to its secoiridoid glycosides.
• Antioxidant activity: Several studies have confirmed antioxidant properties of extracts, primarily attributed to phenolic compounds and xanthones.
• Antimicrobial activity: Some laboratory studies suggest moderate antimicrobial properties against certain bacteria and fungi.
• Potential hepatoprotective effects: Limited animal studies suggest possible liver-protective effects.
• Mild hypoglycemic effects: Some preclinical evidence suggests potential blood glucose-lowering effects.

Clinical Evidence and Limitations

Despite traditional use and promising preclinical data, there is a notable lack of robust clinical trials examining Centaurium erythraea's efficacy in humans. Most claims remain based on traditional use and preliminary research.

Recommended Dosages

Due to limited clinical studies, standardized dosing recommendations are not well established. Traditional preparations and dosages commonly include:

• Dried herb: 1-2 grams three times daily
• Tincture (1:5 in 45% alcohol): 2-5 mL three times daily
• Fluid extract (1:1): 0.5-1 mL three times daily
• Tea preparation: 1-2 teaspoons (2-4 grams) of dried herb steeped in 150 mL hot water for 10-15 minutes, taken three times daily

Standardization is typically based on bitter principles (calculated as gentiopicroside), but standardization percentages vary widely among commercial products, typically ranging from 2-5% of secoiridoid glycosides.

Safety Profile and Side Effects

Centaurium erythraea is generally considered safe when used in traditional doses for short periods, but formal safety studies are limited. Reported side effects include:

• Digestive upset in sensitive individuals due to its bitter properties
• Potential hypoglycemic effects, which could be problematic for diabetic patients on medication
• Theoretical risk of increasing stomach acid, potentially problematic for those with peptic ulcers
• No data on safety during pregnancy or lactation, so use is not recommended in these populations

High-Dose Studies and Knowledge Gaps

There is a significant knowledge gap regarding high-dose administration of Centaurium erythraea. No systematic studies examining doses above the traditionally recommended ranges were identified in the peer-reviewed literature. The lack of dose-ranging studies means there is insufficient evidence to determine whether higher doses might offer additional benefits or, conversely, present increased risks. This represents an important area for future research, particularly given the growing interest in plant-based therapeutics.

Pharmaceutical Products

Unlike some better-studied medicinal plants, Centaurium erythraea has limited presence in standardized pharmaceutical preparations. Most commercial products are available as dietary supplements or herbal preparations rather than registered pharmaceutical products. No approved pharmaceutical drugs containing Centaurium erythraea or its derived compounds as primary active ingredients were identified. In contrast, some true gentian species (particularly Gentiana lutea) are included in registered bitter tonics and digestive formulations in Europe.

References

Aberham, A., Schwaiger, S., Stuppner, H., & Ganzera, M. (2007). Quantitative analysis of iridoids, secoiridoids, xanthones and xanthone glycosides in Gentiana lutea L. roots by RP-HPLC and LC–MS. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 45(3), 437-442.

El Menyiy, N., Guaouguaou, F. E., El Baaboua, A., El Omari, N., Taha, D., Salhi, N., ... & Bouyahya, A. (2021). Phytochemical properties, biological activities and medicinal use of Centaurium erythraea Rafn. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 276, 114171.

Kumarasamy, Y., Nahar, L., Cox, P. J., Jaspars, M., & Sarker, S. D. (2003). Bioactivity of secoiridoid glycosides from Centaurium erythraea. Phytomedicine, 10(4), 344-347.

Šiler, B., & Mišić, D. (2016). Biologically active compounds from the genus Centaurium sl (Gentianaceae): current knowledge and future prospects in medicine. Studies in natural products chemistry, 49, 363-397.

Mihailović, V., Mihailović, M., Uskoković, A., Arambašić, J., Mišić, D., Stanković, V., ... & Matić, S. (2013). Hepatoprotective effects of Gentiana asclepiadea L. extracts against carbon tetrachloride induced liver injury in rats. Food and chemical toxicology, 52, 83-90.

Sefi, M., Fetoui, H., Lachkar, N., Tahraoui, A., Lyoussi, B., Boudawara, T., & Zeghal, N. (2011). Centaurium erythrea (Gentianaceae) leaf extract alleviates streptozotocin-induced oxidative stress and β-cell damage in rat pancreas. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 135(2), 243-250.

Stefkov, G., Miova, B., Dinevska-Kjovkarovska, S., Stanoeva, J. P., Stefova, M., Petrusevska, G., & Kulevanova, S. (2014). Chemical characterization of Centaurium erythrea L. and its effects on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in experimental diabetes. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 152(1), 71-77.

Tuluce, Y., Ozkol, H., Koyuncu, I., & Ine, H. (2011). Gastroprotective effect of small centaury (Centaurium erythraea L) on aspirin-induced gastric damage in rats. Toxicology and Industrial Health, 27(8), 760-768.

Conclusion

While Centaurium erythraea has a long history of traditional use and shows promising bioactive properties in laboratory studies, there remains a significant gap between traditional knowledge and evidence-based clinical applications. More rigorous clinical trials, standardization of preparations, and safety profiling are needed before specific health claims can be substantiated. The lack of recent meta-analyses highlights the need for more comprehensive research on this potentially valuable medicinal plant.