The best known Gentian is the Greater Gentian (Gentiana lutea L.), one of 400 species of the Gentianaceae family that grow in the temperate mountain regions of Asia, Europe, America, Australia and New Zealand. It is a perennial plant that, during the summer, develops a stalk up to 80 cm high with a basal rose of between 4 and 8 oblong leaves. The flowers grow in two opposing groups at different levels above two elliptical leaves with a flower on top of the stem.

The colour of Gentiana lutea varies from yellow to orange and its taste is bitter.

What it is used for and where

Medically, microencapsulated bitter compounds from Gentiana lutea have been shown to reduce daily energy intake in humans (1) and this may be useful for those suffering from obesity and related diseases (2).

The main substances contained include carotenoids, flavonoids, anthocyanins (3), antioxidants and anti-inflammatories  potentially useful in the management of vascular diseases (4).

Gentian studies

References_____________________________________________________________________

(1) Mennella I, Fogliano V, Ferracane R, Arlorio M, Pattarino F, Vitaglione P. Microencapsulated bitter compounds (from Gentiana lutea) reduce daily energy intakes in humans. Br J Nutr. 2016 Nov 10:1-10. doi: 10.1017/S0007114516003858.

(2) Joksić G, Tričković JF, Joksić I. Potential of Gentiana lutea for the Treatment of Obesity-associated Diseases. Curr Pharm Des. 2019;25(18):2071-2076. doi: 10.2174/1381612825666190708215743.

(3) Berman J, Sheng Y, Gómez Gómez L, Veiga T, Ni X, Farré G, Capell T, Guitián J, Guitián P, Sandmann G, Christou P, Zhu C. Red Anthocyanins and Yellow Carotenoids Form the Color of Orange-Flower Gentian (Gentiana lutea L. var. aurantiaca). PLoS One. 2016 Sep 2;11(9):e0162410. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0162410.

(4) Joksic G, Radak D, Sudar-Milovanovic E, Obradovic M, Radovanovic J, Isenovic ER. Effects of Gentiana lutea Root on Vascular Diseases. Curr Vasc Pharmacol. 2021;19(4):359-369. doi: 10.2174/1570161118666200529111314.

Compendium of the most significant studies with reference to properties, intake, effects.

Kesavan R, Chandel S, Upadhyay S, Bendre R, Ganugula R, Potunuru UR, Giri H, Sahu G, Kumar PU, Reddy GB, Joksic G, Bera AK, Dixit M. Gentiana lutea exerts anti-atherosclerotic effects by preventing endothelial inflammation and smooth muscle cell migration. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2016 Apr;26(4):293-301. doi: 10.1016/j.numecd.2015.12.016.

Abstract. In this study we sought to investigate the protective mechanism of Gentiana lutea (GL)  aqueous root extract and isovitexin on endothelial inflammation, smooth muscle cell migation, and on the onset and progression of atherosclerosis in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

Liu Y, Liu Q, Chen D, Matsuura A, Xiang L, Qi J. Inokosterone from Gentiana rigescens Franch Extends the Longevity of Yeast and Mammalian Cells via Antioxidative Stress and Mitophagy Induction. Antioxidants (Basel). 2022 Jan 23;11(2):214. doi: 10.3390/antiox11020214. 

Abstract: In the present study, replicative lifespan and chronological lifespan assays of yeast were used to double-screen antiaging compounds from Gentiana rigescens Franch, a Chinese herb medicine. Inokosterone from G. rigescens Franch extended not only the replicative lifespan of K6001 yeast but also the chronological lifespan of YOM36 yeast. Furthermore, it can enhance the survival ability of mammalian cells. In order to understand the mechanism of action of this compound, this study focused on antioxidative stress and autophagy when performing the analysis.  

Yu T, Han G, Luan Z, Zhu C, Zhao J, Sheng Y. Functional Analysis of Genes GlaDFR1 and GlaDFR2 Encoding Dihydroflavonol 4-Reductase (DFR) in Gentiana lutea L. Var. Aurantiaca (M. Laínz) M. Laínz. Biomed Res Int. 2022 Jan 10;2022:1382604. doi: 10.1155/2022/1382604.

Abstract. Anthocyanins are important pigments for flower color, determining the ornamental and economic values of horticultural plants. As a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of anthocyanidins, dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR) catalyzes the reduction of dihydroflavonols to generate the precursors for anthocyanidins (i.e., leucoanthocyanidins) and anthocyanins. To investigate the functions of DFRs in plants, we cloned the GlaDFR1 and GlaDFR2 genes from the petals of Gentiana lutea var. aurantiaca and transformed both genes into Nicotiana tabacum by Agrobacterium-mediated leaf disc method.

Gendrisch F, Nováčková A, Sochorová M, Haarhaus B, Vávrová K, Schempp CM, Wölfle U. Gentiana lutea Extract Modulates Ceramide Synthesis in Primary and Psoriasis-Like Keratinocytes. Molecules. 2020 Apr 16;25(8):1832. doi: 10.3390/molecules25081832.

Abstract. Gentiana lutea is a bitter herb that is traditionally used to improve gastric disorders. Recently, we have shown that Gentiana lutea extract (GE) also modulates the lipid metabolism of human keratinocytes in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, we investigated the role of GE on ceramide synthesis in human primary keratinocytes (HPKs) and psoriasis-like keratinocytes.

De Vita S, Chini MG, Saviano G, Finamore C, Festa C, Lauro G, De Marino S, Russo R, Avagliano C, Casapullo A, Calignano A, Bifulco G, Iorizzi M. Biological Profile of Two Gentiana lutea L. Metabolites Using Computational Approaches and In Vitro Tests. Biomolecules. 2021 Oct 9;11(10):1490. doi: 10.3390/biom11101490.

Abstract. Natural products have been the main source of bioactive molecules for centuries. We tested the biological profile of two metabolites extracted from Gentiana lutea L. by means of computational techniques and in vitro assays.

EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), Bampidis V, Azimonti G, Bastos ML, Christensen H, Durjava MF, Kouba M, López-Alonso M, López Puente S, Marcon F, Mayo B, Pechová A, Petkova M, Ramos F, Sanz Y, Villa RE, Woutersen R, Brantom P, Chesson A, Westendorf J, Galobart J, Manini P, Pizzo F, Dusemund B. Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of a tincture derived from roots of Gentiana lutea L. (gentian tincture) for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl). EFSA J. 2021 Apr 21;19(4):e06547. doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2021.6547.

Abstract. Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of a tincture from the roots of Gentiana lutea L. (gentian tincture) when used as a sensory feed additive for all animal species.