Khella

Scientific Name(s): Ammi majus L., Ammi visnaga Lam.
Common Name(s): Ammi, Bisnaga, Khella, Khellin, Toothpickweed, Visnaga

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 21, 2021.

Clinical Overview

Use

Khella has traditionally been used for the management of vitiligo, psoriasis, kidney and urinary stones, diabetes, asthma, and urinary tract infections. It is also a potent coronary vasodilator with antispasmodic effects, making it useful in treating angina.

Dosing

A typical dose of khella is an amount that provides 20 mg of the khellin constituent per day. In safety and efficacy studies of khellin use in combination with ultraviolet (UV) light therapy for treatment of vitiligo, pure compound khellin was applied topically as a 5% preparation, and as 100 mg administered orally. In a study evaluating effects of khellin on cholesterol regulation, khellin 200 mg/day orally was administered for 4 weeks.

Contraindications

Contraindications have not been identified.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Khellin should not be used in women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. It possesses uterine stimulant activity. Insufficient information is available regarding use in breastfeeding.

Interactions

None well documented.

Adverse Reactions

Nausea and vomiting have been frequently observed. Elevated AST and ALT have also been reported. Other potential adverse reactions include dizziness, constipation, headache, itching, insomnia, lack of appetite, allergic reactions, and ophthalmologic changes.

Toxicology

The use of oral khellin is limited by its potential for toxicity (eg, elevated liver enzymes, phototoxicity, dermatitis).

Scientific Family

• Apiaceae (carrot)

Botany

Khella is an annual plant found primarily in Egypt, other regions of the Middle East, and the Mediterranean. A. visnaga has been naturalized to parts of the southeastern United States. The plant can grow to approximately 1 m in height. It has a slightly aromatic odor and a very bitter taste. Products of ammi consist of the dried ripe fruits, typically of A. visnaga.Franchi 1985

History

The khella plant has been cultivated for hundreds of years and was known by the Assyrians. A. majus was cultivated for the cut-flower trade. Both species have been used in traditional medicine for millennia, particularly for the management of angina and respiratory diseases. Portions of the plant are made into toothpicks.Mabberley 1987 The fruit has been used in Egyptian folk medicine as a diuretic and for the treatment of kidney and bladder stones.Franchi 1985 Khella has also traditionally been used for the management of diabetes in Israel,Yaniv 1987 and to treat urinary tract infections in Palestine.Jaradat 2017

Chemistry

A. visnaga contains coumarins and furocoumarins (psoralens), the most important of which are khellin and visnagin. Khellin is present in fruits in a concentration of approximately 1%, and visnagin is present in a concentration of approximately 0.3%.Martelli 1984 Biosynthesis of khellin, visnagin, furocoumarin, and visnadin have been investigated.Chen 1969 Xanthotoxin (methoxsalen) and ammidin (imperatorin), 2 furocoumarins from khella fruits, have been discovered.Le Quesne 1985 Two furoquinoline alkaloids with varying cytotoxic activity have been isolated from A. majus.Mohammed 2017 Solubility and dissolution studies of khellin also have been described.Fromming 1989

Numerous reports regarding ...