International Journal of Medicinal Plants. Photon 105 (2013) 350-363 https://sites.google.com/site/photonfoundationorganization/home/international-journal-of-medicinal-plants Review. ISJN: 6672-4384
International Journal of Medicinal Plants
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A review on potential magic folk herbal medicinal plant: Achyranthes aspera L. Narendra Kumar Pandey*, Sharma H.P., Patnaik Amit, Jain Paras Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biotechnology, University Department of Botany, Ranchi University, Ranchi834008 Jharkhand, India Article history: Received: 27 September, 2013 Accepted: 05 October, 2013 Available online: 22 November, 2013 Keywords: Traditional system, Saponin, Ecdysterone, Achyranthine, Spermicidal Corresponding Author: Pandey N.K.* Research Scholar Email:
[email protected] Phone: +919431335419 Sharma H.P. University Professor Email:
[email protected] Phone: +919431768777 Amit A. Asst. Professor Email:
[email protected] Phone: +919304116099 Paras J. Research Scholar Email:
[email protected] Phone: +919693329694
Abstract Achyranthes aspera Linn. of family Amaranthacae
is a miraculous folk herbal medicinal plant distributed throughout the India. All parts of the plant; root, stem, leaves and seeds are used as medicines for treatment of different diseases. A. aspera is used by the ethnic communities in their traditional system of medicines for remedy of different types of diseases, such as diabetes, piles, rheumatism, cancer, renal disorder and many more. It is chemically rich with its diverse content of bioactive compounds, like saponin, oleanic acid, achyranthine, ecdysterone, alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids and terpenoids, as multipurpose medicinal agents. Large numbers of works have been done on this valuable plant but the detailed information covering the various aspects is not sufficient. Therefore, the present paper gives a detailed account of Phyto-chemical and therapeutic uses of plant highlighting the great potential of the plant to be integrated into conventional medical practices and also the bioactive compounds needs to be isolated for drug designing. Citation: Pandey N.K., Sharma H.P., Patnaik A., Paras J., 2013. A Review on Potential Magic Folk Herbal Medicinal PlantAchyranthes aspera L. International Journal of Medicinal Plants. Photon 105, 350-363.
1. Introduction Plants have been one of the important sources of medicines since the beginning of human civilization. Traditional knowledge of herbal drugs has been inherited from generation to generation by words of mouth and preserved with practice only. Tribal healer’s uses herbal drugs for remedy of different diseases as a traditional system of medicines. In India the reference of the curative properties of some herbs in Rig veda seems to be the earliest record of the use of plants in medicine. Charak and Susruta seem to be very original. Their works have been published in comprehensive volumes, namely, Charak-samhita and Susrutsamhita, respectively describing different types of diseases and their herbal treatment.
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Recently, the importance of the traditional indigenous medicines has been realized because of the side-effects of the modern medicines, failure to treat deadly diseases, costly treatment and unavailability of medical facilities in remote places. The WHO has also recognized the importance of herbal medicines and stated that 80% of the population in developing nations is still dependent on herbal therapy for remedy of diseases. Medicinal plants as a whole are either known to be of therapeutic values or their parts (root, stem, leaves, flowers, seeds and fruits) show medicinal properties. Exploration of the chemical constituents of the plants and pharmacological screening may
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provides us the basis for developing the leads for development of novel agents. In addition, herbs have provided us some of the very important life saving drugs used in modern medicine. However, among the estimated 250,000- 400,000 plant species, only 6 % have been studied for biological activity and about 15 % have been investigated phytochemically (Cragg et al., 1997). This shows a need for planned activity, that guides the phyto-chemical evaluation of herbal drugs. Modern pharmacopoeia still contains at least 25% drugs derived from plants and many others, which are synthetic analogues, built on prototype compounds isolated from plants. Interest in medicinal plants as a re-emerging health aid has been fuelled by the rising costs of prescription drugs in the maintenance of personal health and well being and the bioprospecting of new plant-derived drugs (Hoareau et al., 1999). The secondary metabolites of the plants like saponin, oleanic acid, achyranthine, ecdysterone, alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids and terpenoids are good sources of medicines that cure above mentioned diseases magically. The secondary metabolites of the plants are the major sources of pharmaceutical, food additives and fragrances (Danhankar et al., 2000). Medicinal plants have been used as an exemplary source for centuries as an alternative remedy for treating human diseases because they contain numerous active constituents of therapeutic value (Nostro et al., 2000). Achyranthes aspera L. (prickly chaff flower) has occupied a pivotal position in Indian culture and folk medicine. From the ancient time the tribal and rural people of our country commonly use this herb in various disorders. It has been used in all the traditional system of medicine- (AYUSH) Ayurveda, Unani, Sidha and Homoeopath (Perumalsamy et al., 1998). It is an annual erect woody base weed found in road sides. It is generally used for cough, snakebite, hydrophobia Urinary calculi, rabies, Influenza, piles bronchitis, diarrhoea, renal dropsy, gonorrhea and abdominal pain (Jain et al., 1994; Singh et al.,1996) The methanolic leaf extract of A. aspera possesses antifertility activity and abortifacient activity (Shibeshi et al, 2006). According to Ayurveda, it is bitter, pungent, heating, laxative, stomachic, carminative and useful for the treatment of vomiting, bronchitis, heart disease, piles, itching, abdominal pains, ascites, dyspepsia,
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Figure 1: Achyranthes aspera L. (A) Vegetative stage (B) Flowering stage
A
B
dysentery, blood diseases etc (Bhandari, 1990; Dwivedi et al., 2003). 1.1 Taxonomical position Kingdom - Plantae Subkingdom - Trachaeobinota Division - Mangoliophyta Class - Mangoliophsida Order - Caryophylales Family - Amaranthacae Genus - Achyranthes Species - aspera 2. Photochemistry Achyranthes aspera plant is very rich in phytochemicals (Fig.2). Seeds contain Saponin A and B. Saponin A was identified as D-Glucuronic Acid and saponins B was identified as β-D-galactopyranosyl ester of DGlucuronic Acid reported by Hariharan et al. (1970). Oleanolic acid glycosides present in three forms identified by Rameshwar and Akito
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(2007) in studies of Achyranthes seeds- α-Lrhamnopyranosyl-(1 4)-(β-Dglucopyranosyluronic acid)-(1 3)-oleanolic acid, α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 4)-(β-Dglucopyranosyluronic acid)-(1 3)-oleanolic acid-28-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and α-Lrhamnopyranosyl-(1 4)-(β-Dglucopyranosyluronic acid)-(1 3)-oleanolic acid-28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 4)-β-Dglucopyranoside). Seshadri et al. (1981) isolated two constituents from the fruits and were identified as Saponins C and Ali (1993) isolated various compounds from the stem, Pentatriaontane, 6-pentatriacontanone, Hexatriacontane and Tritriacontane.
Ethanol extracts of the roots isolated a new aliphatic acid and identified as n-hexacos-14enoic acid from the roots of Achyranthes aspera. This compound is reported for the first time from any natural and synthetic source. Certain other were also isolated and identified as strigmasta-5, 22-dien-3-β-ol, trans-13docasenoic acid, n-hexacosanyl n-decaniate, n-hexacos-17-enoic acid and n-hexacos-11enoic acid. Strigmasta-5, 22-dien-3-β-ol is a phytosterol, was obtained as a colourless crystalline mass from petroleum ether: benzene 75:25 elute. It responded positively to Liebermann Burchard test for sterols reported by Sharma et al. (2009).
Khastgir et al. (1958) isolated sapogenin along with oleanolic acid from the seeds of the plant. A new cyclic fatty acid chain was also isolated by Chauhan et al. (2002) in seeds of the plant. Chemical ecdysterone was isolated from whole plant by Banerji et al. (1971).
Figure 2: Structural formulae of some important phyto-chemicals
Banerji et al. (1970) isolated ecdysterone from the methanolic extract of roots of Achyranthes aspera. Ikan et al. (1971) also isolated ecdysterone from Achyranthes aspera root extracts. Banerji et al. (1970) and Rangaswami (1973) isolated ecdysone from the roots of Achyranthes aspera. Michl et al. (2000) reported two new bisdesmosidic triterpenoid saponins were isolated, besides the three known saponins from the Methanolic extract of the aerial parts of Achyranthes aspera. Their structures were elucidated as β-D-glucopyranosyl3β-[O-α-Lrhamnopyranosyl-(1→3)-O-β-Dglucopyranuronosyloxy] machaerinate,β-Dglucopyranosyl3-β-[O-β-D-galactopyranosyl(1→2) -O-α-Dglucopyranuronosyloxy] machaerinate.
Oleanolic acid
The other saponins were identified as β-Dglucopyranosyl-3β[O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl[1→3)-O-β-D-glucopyranuronosyloxy] oleanolate, β-D-glucopyranosyl 3-β-[O-β-Dgalactopyranosyl(1→2)-O-β-Dglucopyranuronosyloxy] oleanolate, β-Dglucopyranosyl 3β-[O-βDglucopyranuronosyloxy] oleanolate. Achyranthine a water soluble alkaloid which possess pharmacological actions like dilation of the blood vessels, lowering of the blood pressure, depression of the heart and increase the rate and amplitude of respiration reported by Neogi et al. (1970) .
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3.1 Cancer chemo-preventive activity The methanolic extracts of leaves, alkaloid, non-alkaloid and saponin fractions shows cancer chemo-preventive action on EpsteinBarr virus early antigen activation induced by tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol13-acetate in Raji cells reported by Chakraborty et al. (2002). In vitro assay the non-alkaloid fraction containing only non-polar compounds showed the most significant inhibitory activity but in vivo stage mouse skin carcinogenesis test the total methanolic extract possessed a pronounced anticarcinogenic effect.
Ecdysterone
3.2 Anti-parasitic activity The ethyl acetate extracts of A. aspera shows antiparasitic activity (dried leaf, flower and seed extract) against the larvae of cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Acari: lxodidae), sheep internal parasite Paramphistomum cervi studied by Zahir et al. (2009).
Saponin A & B Saponin A= R=R' =COOH Saponin B = R= -COOH R’
Saponin C & D Saponin C = R= L- Rhamnopyranosyl Saponin D = R=L- Rhamnopyranosyl 1-(1-4)glycopyranos
3. Therapeutic potential and pharmacology (table 1) The A. aspera plant is highly valued by traditional healers and used in treatment of asthma, bleeding, in facilitating delivery, boils, bronchitis, cold, cough, colic, debility, dropsy, dog bite, dysentery, ear complications, headache, leucoderma, pneumonia, renal complications, scorpion bite, snake bite and skin diseases etc. (Jain, 1991). Traditional healers claim that addition of A. aspera would enhance the efficacy of any drug of plant origin. Ph ton
The acetone, chloroform, ethyl acetate, hexane and methanol leaf extracts of Achyranthes aspera against the early fourthinstar larvae of Aedes aegypti L. and Culex quinquefasciatus. The larval mortality was observed after 24 h exposure. All extracts showed moderate larvicidal effects; however, the highest larval mortality was found in the ethyl acetate extract of A. aspera. In the present study, bioassay-guided fractionation of A. aspera led to the separation and identification of a saponin as a potential mosquito larvicidal compound, with LC50 value of 18.20 and 27.24 ppm against A. aegypti and 1 C. quinquefasciatus, respectively. H NMR, 13 C NMR and mass spectral data confirmed the identification of the active compound. This is the first report on the mosquito larvicidal activity of the saponin from the ethyl acetate extract of A. aspera reported by Bagavan et al. (2008). 3.3 Anti-bacterial activity The extracts of Achyranthes aspera for antibacterial activity against various pathogenic strains such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Citrobacter species, Bacillus subtilis and Micrococcus species using disk diffusion and well plate method. Phytochemical characterization of Achyranthes aspera extracts was done by thin layer chromatography (TLC) techniques and other phytochemical analysis. It was found that extracts of Achyranthes aspera shows the maximum inhibition of E. coli (17 mm) followed by Pseudomonas species (14 mm),
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Citrobacter species (12 mm), Bacillus species (12 mm) and Micrococcus species (12 mm). Achyranthes aspera shows predominant inhibition against gram negative bacteria at a higher concentration of 50µg/ml. In the well plate method the inhibition zone ranges from 7 to 19 mm against pathogenic strains thus by increasing the concentration of extracts. From the TLC analysis it shows that formation of color and the Rf value indicate the presence of different phyto-chemicals in the sample. The samples of Achyranthes aspera were found to contain alkaloids and tannins reported by (Manjula et al., 2009).
controlling mosquito larvae (Hardin et al., 2009) Bioactivity of essential oils of leaf and stem extracted by steam distillation were found to be active larvicidal against Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus (Khandagle et al., 2011) Leaf extracts of the plant have been reported to be active against Aedes aegypti (Kamalakanan et al., 2011).
The alcoholic extract which shows the presence of the triterpenoid saponin with dose dependent inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria causing skin disease in human beings. Minimum inhibitory concentration was found to be highest (0.15 mg) for purified fraction. The identification of the compound on spectral analysis gave a triterpenoidal saponin purified fraction studied by (Sharma et al. 2006).
3.7 Neuropharmacological activity Methanol extract of the plant was reported to have neuropharmacological (central nervous system depressant) activity (Alam et al., 2010). It’s anti-depressant (Barua et al., 2009) and anxiolytic (Barua et al., 2010) activity were reported. The plant was screened in vitro for anti-hypertensive effect (Hansen et al., 1995).
3.4 Anti-helmintic activity The ant-helmintic activity was evaluated on adult Indian earthworms by Anantha et al. (2010). For preliminary evaluation of anthelmintic activity test samples of the aqueous extract of stem was prepared at the concentration of 2.5, 5, 10, 20 mg/ml in Tween 20 (1%) solution diluted with normal saline and 6 worms Pheretima posthuma of 8-10cm were placed in petridish containing 30 ml of above test solutions of extracts. Albendazole (2.5, 5, 10, 20 mg/ml) was used as reference standard and normal saline with Tween 20 (1%) is used as negative control. All the test solutions and standard solutions were prepared freshly before starting the experiment. Observations are made for the time taken for paralysis when movement was lost or no movement. Worms should not relieve even in normal saline. Time for death of worms were recorded after ascertaining that worms neither moved when shaken vigorously nor when dipped in warm water and fading of color of worms. 3.5 Larvicidal activity Ethanol crude extract showed high larvicidal activity on the tick larvae against Boophilis microplus (Chungsamarnyar et al., 1991) Larvicidal saponins from leaf extracts have been tested against Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus 148. Ethyl acetate leaf extract was found to be active against Aedes subpictus mosquito larvae (Zahir et al., 2009) The plant was mentioned to have activity in Ph ton
3.6 Anti-dandruff activity Methanolic leaf extract of A. aspera as a constituent of a poly herbal hair oil (PHO) showed anti-dandruff activity (Suresh et al., 2010).
3.8 Renal disorders Mineralization of urinary stones (calculi) like calcium oxalate, calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate were found to be inhibited by A. aspera (Farook et al., 2009) Methanolic extracts were found to prevent lead induced nephrotoxicity in albino rats (Jayakumar et al., 2009). Efficacy of the roots of the plant was tested on calcium oxalate crystal nucleation and growth in vitro and on oxalate induced injury in NRK-52E (rat renal tubular epithelial) cells (Agarwal et al., 2010). As an approach to antilithiasis, Inhibitory effect of hydroalcoholic extract of the plant on crystallization of calcium oxalate in synthetic urine was studied. 3.9 Anti-obesity The plant was clinically investigated against obesity and showed positive result reported by Mangal et al. (2009). 3.10 Veterinary A. aspera was reported to have diuretic activity in goats (Jahan et al., 2002) and diarrhea preventive activity in piglets Therapeutic efficacy of herbal preparation involving the plant in induced hepatopathy in sheep was tested (Bhaumik et al., 1993). 3.11 Prothyrodic Leaf extracts were reported to have prothyroidic and antiperoxidative properties. In rats, the plant extract induced changes in thyroid hormone concentration and decrease hepatic lipid peroxidation (Tahilani et al., 2000).
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3.12 Anti-hepatitis Efficacy of the plant was tested as an ingredient of a formulation in patients of acute viral hepatitis reported by Dange et al. (1989). 3.13 Anti-anasacra A clinical trial of the plant in cases of shoth (general anasarca) was reported by Ajaishankar et al. (1980). 3.14 Immunomodulatory activity Achyranthes aspera show immuno-stimulant action in Catla catla. Achyranthes has significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced the BSAspecific antibody titers than the untreated control group throughout the study period. The efficiency of antigen clearance was also enhanced studied by Chakrabarti et al. (2006). Immunomodulatory activity of Achyranthes aspera seed was studied by incorporating it in the diets of Labeo rohita and Rohu fingerlings. Superoxide anion production, serum bactericidal activity, lysozyme, ALP, serum protein. Albumin : globulin ratio was enhanced in Achyranthes treated groups. Higher cumulative mortalities were observed in the control group this gradually decreased with increasing dose of Achyranthes indicating that Achyranthes aspera stimulates immunity and increases resistance to infection in Labeo rohita (Vasudeva et al., 2006). 3.15 Anti-allergic activity The petroleum ether extract (200 mg/kg, i. p.) of the plant shows significant antiallergic activity in both milk induced leukocytosis and milk induced eosinophilia in mice reported by Datir et al. (2009). Thus the antiallergic activity of A. aspera may be due to nonpolar constituents. The phytochemical screening of petroleum ether extract shows the presence of steroids. Literature shows the presence of steroids like β-sitosterol, ecdysone and ecdysterone. Thus these steroids present in the plant may be responsible for the antiallergic activity. 3.16 Diuretic activity Gupta et al. (1972) reported a saponin isolated from the seeds of Achyranthes aspera which shows significant diuretic effect in adult male albino rats. The optimum oral dose of the saponin was 10 mg/kg in rat increase in urine output which was comparable to 10 mg/kg oral dose of acetazolamide. 3.17 Bronchoprotective activity The ethanolic extract of Achyranthes aspera shows bronchoprotective effect in toluene Ph ton
diisocyanate (TDI) induced occupational asthma in Wistar rats. The total and differential leucocytes were counted in blood and bronchoalveolar (BAL) fluid. Liver homogenate was utilized for assessment of oxidative stress and lung histological examination was performed to investigate the inflammatory status of airway. The results suggest that Achyranthes aspera treated rats did not show any airway abnormality studied by Goyal et al. (2007). 3.18 Cardiovascular activity Achyranthine, a water-soluble alkaloid isolated from Achyranthes aspera, decreased blood pressure and heart rate, dilated blood vessels, and increased the rate and amplitude of respiration in dogs and frogs. The contractile effect of the alkaloid at 0.5 mg/ml on frog rectus abdominal muscle was less than that of acetylcholine (0.1 mg/ml), and its spasmogenic effect was not blocked by tubocurarine reported by Neogi (1970). 3.19 Wound healing activity Ethanol and aqueous extracts of leaves of Achyranthes aspera for wound healing activity investigated by Edwin et al. (2008). The wound healing activity was studied using two wound models, excision wound model and incision wound model. 3.20 Spermicidal activity Extracts from the roots of Achyranthes aspera and reported spermicidal activity in human and rat sperm. The hydroethanolic, n-hexane and chloroform extracts were found to be most effective for sperm immobilization, sperm viability, acrosome status, 5’-nucleotidase activity and nuclear chromatin decondensation Studied by Paul et al. (2010). Vasudeva and Sharma (2006) reported the ethanolic extract of the root of Achyranthes aspera shows post coital anti-fertility activity in female albino rats. The said extract exhibited 83.3% anti-implantation activity when given orally at 200 mg/kg body weight. (Shibeshi et al., 2006) studied effects of methanolic extract of the leaves and reported for antifertility activities such as abortifacient, estrogenesity, pituitary weight, and ovarian hormone level and lipids profile in female rats. The abortifacient effect of the methanolic extract of the leaves of Achyranthes aspera was determined by counting the dead fetuses in vivo. Effect on oestrogen was assessed by taking the ratio of the uterine weight to body weight. The ratio of the pituitary weight to body weight was also calculated. The effect of the
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extract on the level of ovarian hormones and lipid profile were evaluated using electrochemi-luminescence immunoassay. Pakrashi et al. (1977) reported that benzene extract of the whole plant shows abortifacient activity in mice. Paul et al. (2006) reported 50% ethanolic extract of the leaf of Stephania hernandifolia and the root of Achyranthes aspera shows effect on sperm motility and function in a ratio of 1:3 by weight at different concentrations. (Wadhwa et al., 1986) reported n-butanol fraction of aerial parts also shows contraceptive and hormonal properties. 3.21 Analgesic and antipyretic activity The methanol extract of leaves for analgesic and antipyretic activities by using hot plate and brewer’s yeast induced methods using aspirin as a standard drug studied by Sutar et al. (2008). The leaves and seeds of Achyranthes aspera which shows analgesic activity studied by (Mehta et al., 2009). Both leaves and seeds show analgesic activity in mice using acetic acid induced writhing response and hot plate method. Kumar et al. (2009) reported the hydro alcoholic extract of the roots and leaves of Achyranthes aspera shows centrally acting analgesic activity in adult male albino rats using tail flick, hot plate and acetic acid induced writhing method for peripherally acting analgesic activity using aspirin as standard drug. The doses administered were 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg. The animal that administered a dose of 400 mg/kg leaf extract has shown the maximum analgesic activity. (Neogi et al., 1970) reported that achyranthine a water soluble alkaloid had a slight antipyretic activity in rats. 3.22 Hypoglycemic activity Akhtar et al. (1991) studied the aqueous and methanolic extracts of the powdered whole plant, which shows hypoglycemic activity. Blood glucose levels of normal and Alloxaninduced diabetic rabbits were determined after oral administration of various doses. 3.23 Hypolipidemic activity The alcohol extracts of A. aspera at 100 mg/kg doselowered serum cholesterol (TC), phospholipid (PL). triglyceride (TG) and total lipids (TL) levels by 60, 51, 33 and 53% respectively in triton induced hyperlipidemic rats. The chronic administration of this drug at the same doses to normal rats for 30 days, lowered serum TC, PL, TG and TL by 56, 62, 68 and 67% respectively followed by significant reduction in the levels of hepatic lipids. The faecal excretion of cholic acid and Ph ton
deoxycholic acid increased by 24 and 40% respectively under the action of this drug. The possible mechanism of action of cholesterol lowering activity of A. aspera may be due to rapid excretion of bile acids causing low absorption of cholesterol reported by Khanna et al. (1992). 3.24 Anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity The alcoholic extract of the roots of Achyranthes aspera, which shows antiinflammatory activity in Wistar rats using carrageenan-induced paw edema method and cotton pellet granuloma test reported by Vijaya et al. (2009). The alcoholic extracts of leaves and seeds show anti-inflammatory activity in rats using carrageenan-induced paw edema method and formalin model (Mehta et al., 2009). Vetrichelvan and Jegadeesan (2003) reported the alcohol extract of Achyranthes aspera was tested on carrageenin-induced hind paw oedema and cotton pellet granuloma models in albino male rats. The paw volume was measured plethysmometrically at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 h and diclofenac sodium was used as a standard drug. The alcohol extract (375 and 500 mg/kg) showed the maximum inhibition of oedema of 65.38% and 72.37%, respectively, at the end of 3h with carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema. Using a chronic test, the extract exhibited a 40.03% and 45.32% reduction in granuloma weight. (Gokhale et al. 2002) reported the ethanolic extracts of the Achyranthes aspera at the doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg were screened for their effect on acute and chronic inflammation induced in mice and rats using carrageenan and Freund's complete adjuvant model. A. aspera inhibited these inflammatory responses at doses of 100-200 mg/kg (Gokhle, 2002). 3.25 Anti-fertility activity. The methanol leaves extract of Achyranthes aspera on some indicators for anti-fertility activities such as abortifacient, estrogenesity, pituitary weight and overian hormone and lipid profile in female rat was investigated. The extract showed significant arbortifacient activity and increased pituitary and uterine weights in overectimized rats. The extract however, did not significantly influence serum concentration of the ovarian hormones and various lipids except HDL at tested doses (Shibeshi et al., 2006). 3.26 Anti-oxidant activity The studied various extracts of the leaves for anti-oxidant activity by Tahiliani and Kar (2000). Gayathri et al. (2009) also reported antioxidant activity on leaves and roots.
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Malarvili and Gomathi, (2009) reported antioxidant activity on seeds of the plant. Achyranthes aspera is well documented for the presence of phyto-active constituents. Reduction in rate of lipid peroxidation and enhancement in free radical scavenging activity of the herbal seed powder is due to presence of phyto-active constituent. Edwin et al. (2008) reported free radical scavenging activity of the ethanolic and aqueous extracts. Both extracts were assessed using two methods, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and superoxide scavenging activity. The plant exhibited good antioxidant effect by preventing the formation of free radicals in the two models studied. According to Priya et al. (2012) Phytochemical screening of the A. aspera
presence of major phytochemicals in the methanol extract; carbohydrates, phenolic compounds, oil and fats, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids and tannins, whereas, aqueous extract contained phenolic compounds, saponins, flavonoids and tannins as major phytochemicals (Table 2). Danial (2006) reported, the presence of polysaccharides, ecdysterone ,achyranthine, betaine (Alkaliods), vanillic acid, syringic acid, pcoumaric acid (phenolic acids), saponin A, saponin B (saponins), protein and carbohydrates in A. aspera. Presence of phenolic compounds in the plant suggests the potential use of A. aspera as a source of antioxidant compounds (Harborne, 1973).
Table 1: Summary of pharmacological activity of Achyranthes aspera plant extract/ compound Plant extract/ compound Pharmacological activity References Aqueous and alcoholic extracts of Diuretic, Hypotension Neogi , 1970 the roots Achyranthine Spasmogenic,Anti-hypertensive, Neogi N.C. 1969; Basu et Anti-inflammatory al.,1957; Chakarborty et al., 2002 Aqueous and alcoholic extracts of Anti-microbial George et al.,1947 the leaves. Aqueous and alcoholic extracts of Anti-microbial Sushil, 1947 the seeds. Benzene extract of stem bark Antifertility Kamboj et al.,1982 Ethanolic extract of whole plant Anti-inflammatory Gokhale et al., 2002 Ethanolic extract of leaves and stem Anti-microbial Valasraj et al,. 1997 Ethanolic extract of root Anti- fertility Vasudeva et al, .2006 Ethanolic extract of entire plant Anti- diabetic Dhar et al., 1968 Ethanolic extract of whole plant Anti-fertility Sandhyakumary et al,.2002 Extracts of seed Immunomodulatory Vasudeva et al,.2002 Oil from root Anti-asthamatic Suresh et al.,1985 Methanolic extract of root Anti-fertility Prakash, 1986 Methanolic extract of leaves Anti-fertility Shibeshi et al., 2006 Methanolic extract, alkaloid non- Anti-carcinogenic Tahiliani et al, .2000 alkaloid and saponin fractions of leaves Oral decoction Anti-leprotic Ojha et al., 1966, 1968; Despande et al., 1966 Table 2: Phytochemical screening of A. aspera leaves Phyto-chemical Methanol Extract Carbhohydrates + Proteins Phenolic compounds + Oil and fats + Saponins + Flavonoids + Alkaloids + Tannins + (+) present; (-) not present
4. Traditional uses Tribal healers and rural people traditionally, use this plant for remedy of different diseases like asthama, cough, piles and many more diseases (table 3).
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Aqueous Extract + + + +
Crushed plant is boiled in water and is used in pneumonia; Infusion of the root is used in bowel complaints. The spike inflorescence or seeds powdered and made into a paste with water, are used in external application for bites of poisonous snakes and for cutaneous diseases (Nadkarni, 2009). For snake bite the
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ground root is given with water until the patient vomits and regains consciousness. Inhaling the fume of Achyranthes aspera mixed with Smilax ovalifolia roots is suggested to improve appetite and to cure various types of gastric disorders (Bhattaraj, 2010). It is useful in hemorrhoids, leaves and seeds are emetic, hydrophobia, carminative, resolve swelling, digestive and expel phlegm. Ash of the plant is applied externally for ulcers and warts. The
crushed leaves rubbed on aching back to cure strained back (Singh et al., 1996). Afresh piece of root is used as tooth brush. Paste of the roots in water is used in ophthalmia and opacities of the cornea. Paste of fresh leaves is used for allaying pain from bite of wasps (Gupta, 2010). The plant is useful in liver complaints, rheumatism, scabies and other skin diseases. It also possesses tranquillizing properties (Anonymous, 2007).
Table 3: Traditional use of different parts of the Achyranthes aspera plant for treatment of different diseases S. No. Part used Preparation Use References 1 Whole Decoction boiled with water Pneumonia Rangari, 2006 plant and taken twice a day 2 Whole Ash of plant with honey twice a Cough Chopra, 1933 plant day. 3 4
Whole plant Roots
5
Roots
6
Roots stem
7
Roots
8
Leaves
Juice taken with water during bed Time
9
Leaves
10 11
Seeds Flowers
Fresh leaves mixed with jaggery or black peppery and garlic and made pills taken twice a day Raw seeds taken twice a day Grounded in to paste for external use
and
Juice taken thrice a day A thin paste of root applied to external genitalia of female Two ml decoction obtained by boiling fresh root in water is introduced in vagina to terminate the pregnancy Two ml decoction of root and stem is administered orally thrice a day for three month in Younger women Powder taken twice a daily
5. Clinical studies The extracts of Achyranthes aspera was subjected to clinical evaluation in reference to leprosy, bronchial asthama and fistula-in- ano (Bhoomika et al., 2007). 5.1 Leprosy The effect of oral decoction of A. aspera in the treatment of leprosy was studied in 19 patients in S.S. Hospital, Varanasi. Fourteen patients were in stage of reaction and rest of them had active lesions but none of them was in quiescent stage. The study revealed encouraging results in both lepra reaction as well as the quiescent stage of lepromatous leprosy (Tripathi et al., 1963). It was observed that the decoction was useful in the treatment of reaction of leprosy in subacute and mild type. When decoction was Ph ton
Toothache To induce labor pain To induce abortion in female.
Rangari, 2006 Khan; Khan et al., 2004 Khan; Khan et al., 2004
Infertility in women.
Khan; Khan et al., 2004
Stop bleeding in delivery. Bowel complaint, pile, boil, stomachache, skin eruption Antiperiodic
Dwivedi, 2003
Bleeding piles Snakes and bites.
reptiles
Nadkari, 2005
Nadkarni, 2005
Mishra, 1996 Nadkarni, 2005
mixed with anti-leprosy drug diaminodiphenylsulphone, it was found that the chance of reaction became less and rate of improvement was faster. There was not toxic effect of A. aspera was noted during clinical trial (Ojha et al., 1968). 5.2 Anal Fistula (Fistula-in-ano)t The Indian council of Medical research has evaluate the efficacy of ‘Kshaarasootra’(a medical thread prepared by coating the latex of Euphorbia neriifolia, alkaline powder of Achyranthes aspera and Curcuma longa) in the management of fistula-in-ano, in comparision with the conventional surgery. The effect of treatment of fistula by ‘Kshaarasootra’ was reported by Despande et al., 1966; 1973; 1975;1 976; Gangasatyam 1981; Varshney et al., 1991; Singh et.al., 1994.
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5.3 Bronchial asthama The oil obtained from the root of Achyranthes aspera soaked in cow urine was smeared on betel leaf and given thrice a day to bronchial asthama patient. In study of Central Research Institute for Sidha in Chennai found that in most of the cases the symptoms of disease sneezing, wheezing, dysponoea, gasping and cough disappeared. WBC lebel, eosinophil counts, ESR in patient was reported by Suresh et al. (1985). Limitations Despite large numbers of reports on the therapeutic properties, phytochemistry and clinical trials, there is a limitation on its extensive application as bioactive molecule/s are not yet identified which can be attributed as possible agent against particular disease. Recommendations The plant A. aspera shows multi-purpose medicinal properties, therefore isolation and identification of the bioactive molecule/s is essential before drug designing. It is also desirable to study the role/ pathway of bioactive molecules to facilitate the plant derivatives as modern drug. Conclusion Herbal plants are the natural drugs used to regain the alterations made in normal physiological system by foreign organisms or by any malfunctioning of the body. In ethnic communities there exists a traditional selfmanaged health care system, which is culturally patterned. Achyranthes aspera L. is very important folk herbal medicinal plant as it is widely used by the ethnic communities for the remedy of numbers of diseases. The plant as a whole or plant parts are used in different forms and doses. The plant shows many therapeutic and pharmacological activities, such as spermicidal, anti-allergic, cardiovascular, nephroprotective, abortifacient, cancer antiparasitic, hypoglycemic, analgesic, antipyretic and many more. The phyto-chemistry reveals that plant is very rich in secondary metabolites such as saponin, oleanolic acid. ecdysterone, achyranthine, which can be attributed for remedies against disease. In addition to its efficacy against diseases it has contraceptive role as spermicidal and also induces abortion. It helps in child birth as it aggravates labour pain when the root is tied to waist during delivary. Ph ton
A medicated thread ‘Kshaarasootra’ prepared by alkaline powder of A aspera with other plant is helpful in removing anal fistula. Therefore, further studies are required to understand its role in remedy against diseases and also as a contraceptive. Acknowledgement The authors are thankful to The Head, University Department of Botany, Ranchi University, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India for his constant support, encouragement and library facility. We would also like to thank the faculty members of the University Department of Botany, Ranchi University, Ranchi, Jharkhand for their valuable suggestions in the preparation of the paper. Research highlights The review presented here is a full package of information starting from historical background, taxonomical description, phytochemistry, therapeutical and pharmacological information, clinical trials, ethnomedicinal uses and its potential integration in to modern system of medicine. References Ali M., 1993. Chemical investigation of Achyranthes aspera Lin. Oriental Journal of Chemistry, 9(1), 8485. Anonymous, 2007. The Wealth of India - Raw Materials, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi, 17-18. Agarwal A., Tandon S., Singla S.K, Tandon C., 2010. Reduction of oxalateinduced renal tubular epithelial (NRK-52E) cell injury and inhibition of calcium oxalate crystallisation in vitro by aqueous extract of Achyranthes aspera, International Journal of Green Pharmacy, 4(3) 159-164. Ajaishankar, Parsai M.R., Naqvi S.M.A., Jain J.P., 1980. A clinical trial of apamarga (Achyranthes aspera) in cases of shoth (general anasarca) Journal of Research in Ayurveda and Siddha, 1(4) 514-528. Alam M.A., Slahin N., Uddin R., Hasan S.M.R., Akhter R., Kamaluddin M.F., Abdullah, Ghani A., 2008. Analgesic and neuropharmacological investigations of the aerial part of Achyranthes aspera Linn, Stamford Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1(1&2), 44-50. Anantha D., 2010. In vitro anti helmintic activity of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of Aerva lanata seeds and leaves, Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and research, 2(5) 317-321. 237.
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