Artigo: Acalypha indica L - an Important Medicinal Plant: a Review of Its Traditional Uses, and Pharmacological Properties

D.Jagatheeswari, J.Deepa, H.Sheik Jahabar Ali and P.Ranganathan

International Journal of Research in Botany 2013; 3(1): 19-22

Abstract

Medicinal herbs are moving from fringe to mainstream use with a greater number of people seeking remedies and health approaches free from side effects caused by synthetic chemicals. India officially recognizes over 3000 plants for their medicinal value. It is generally estimated that over 6000 plants in India are in use in traditional, folk and herbal medicine. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review on the and pharmacological aspects of Acalypha indica. It is obtained from deciduous and mixed-monsoon forests throughout greater parts of India, ascending to 1300 m in outer Himalaya, is widely used in traditional medicinal system of India has been reported to possess hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antitussive, antifungal and also used to check wounds healing and antibacterial. It is known as a rich source of tannins, flavanoids and glycosides. The innumerable medicinal properties and therapeutic uses of Acalypa indica as well as its phytochemical investigations prove its importance as a valuable medicinal plant.

Parte do artigo:

Important pharmacological activities in Acalypha indica 

Acalypha indica in Homeopathy:

A drug having a marked action on the alimentary canal and respiratory organs. It is indicated in incipient phthisis, with hard, racking cough, bloody expectoration, arterial hemorrhage, but no febrile disturbance. Very weak in the morning, gains strength during day. Progressive emaciation. All pathological hemorrhages having notably a morning worse.

Acalypha indica in Ayurveda:

Preparations - Infusion of root, powder, decoction, cataplasm, succus (juice expressed), tincture and liquid extract.

Uses

Leaves possess laxative properties; “are used as a substitute for senega”; are used in the form of powder or decoction; mixed with garlic they are used as Anthelmintic in worms. Mixed with garlic they are applied to scabies; and their juice mixed with oil forms an application in rheumatic arthritis. Expressed juice of the leaves is a safe, certain and speedy emetic for children in one teaspoonful (I drachm) doses, in cases of croup; in smaller doses it is expectorant, and is useful in chronic bronchitis, asthma and consumption. 

Decoction is employed in ear-ache as instillation and also as fomentation round the aching ear; and a cataplasm of the bruised leaves is applied to syphilitic ulcers, to maggoteaten sores and also to relieve the pain of snakebites. 

“Juice from fresh leaves may be employed in scabies and other skin diseases, and with lime and onion it is a good stimulating application in rheumatism. Powder of dry leaves is used in bed sores. In congestive headache a piece of cotton saturated with the expressed juice of the plant or leaves and inserted into each nostril is said to relieve it by „causing hemorrhage from the nose. In cases of obstinate constipation of children the leaves ground into a paste and made into a ball and introduced into the rectum, relax the sphincter ani and produces free motions. An infusion of the root or the root bruised in water, acts as a cathartic.

Antibacterial and anti fungal activity: 

The ethanol extract of Acalypha indica showed maximum inhibition against Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Vibrio cholera and Pseudomonas aeruginosa but proved to be resistant against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella flexneri, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Vibrio cholerae and Bacillus cereus. The ethyl acetate extract of Acalypha indica showed maximum inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Shigella flexneri ethyl acetate was resistant to Vibrio cholerae and Bacillus cereus. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was resistant to ethyl acetate extract of Acalypha indica. 

Another study proved that ethanol and water extract of leaves, stems, seeds and roots from Acalypha indica were effective against two bacterial Escherichia coli (Gram-negative bacteria), Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive bacteria) and for anti-fungal activity against three fungi, Aspergillus fumigatus, Microsporum canis (molds) and Candida albican (yeast). Microsporum canis showed dosedependent sensitivity towards aqueous leaves and roots extract, but resistant to both ethanol and water stems, roots and seeds extracts. Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albican were resistant to both ethanol and water extract of all Acalypha indica.

Antioxidant Activity: 

The Antioxidant activity of the extracts was analyzed by evaluating superoxide and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and effect on lipid peroxidation. The ethanol extract showed significant antioxidant activity in all the free radical scavenging tests. 

CONCLUSION:

The present study show the pharmacological study of the plant and various bio active compound responsible for it which have been reported. The whole plants have been used in traditional medicine for decades and the studies done yet have authentified the practice. Earlier as described the plant have been used in the Ayurveda and homeopathy medicine. However, more clinical and pathological studies must be conducted to investigate the unexploited potential of the plant.

Link:
http://www.audesapere.in/researchstudies/hpt/hpt11.html#.UaPLD9JOSW4

http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ficheiro:Acalypha_indica_Blanco2.266.jpg