Elephantopus scaber L: 1. AN OVERVIEW

Abstract

Elephantopus scaber L. a plant of considerable ethnobotanical reputation has evoked great interest among scientists of
different disciplines. The present attempt is a synthesis of literature to disclose its various attributes especially those having
beneficial implications. Although an exotic element, it has naturalized in different topographical and climatic regions having dry
deciduous forest and has developed an intimate relation with the people in their proximity.To most of the tribes in India this plant
remains known for its medicinal virtues.

Full text

Elephantopusscaber L:1. ANOVERVIEW
abCAS,DepartmentofBotany,BurdwanUniversity,Golapbag,Burdwan, WestBengal,India
ABSTRACT
L., a plant of considerable ethnobotanical reputation has evoked great interest among scientists of
different disciplines. The present attempt is a synthesis of literature to disclose its various attributes especially those having
beneficial implications. Although an exotic element, it has naturalized in different topographical and climatic regions having dry
deciduous forest and has developed an intimate relation with the people in their proximity. To most of the tribes in India this plant
remains known for its medicinal virtues.
KEYWORDS :
Elephantopus scaber
CAM, Antidiabetic, Elescabrin,Antiasthamatic
MOUMITA DAS AND AMBARISHMUKHERJEE
a1 b
IndianJ.L.Sci.4(1):51-54,2014
1Correspondingauthor
ISSN:2277-1743(Print)
ISSN:2278-7879(Online)
Literature Review
Earliest record of scientific work on
dates back to Linnaeus, 1753 who triggered its inclusion in
Floras and Taxonomic literatures. The species encounters
the problem during germination, Scarification by sand
paper, cold stratification at 5±1°C for a period of 40 days
and gibberellic acid (GA) application at a conc. of
1000mg/L have been found to be more effective in breaking
seed dormancy. Combination of scarification with GA
treatment can enhance germination potential results into
75% more germination than seeds unscarified with GA
combination (Rout et al., 2009).
L. is known to contain a large
number of bioactive compounds such as lipids,
phytochemicals, pharmaceutics and pigments. The names
of ethyl hexadecanoate,ethyl-9, 12-octadecadienoate,
ethyl-(Z)-9-octadecenoate, ethyl octadecanoate, lupeol,
stigmasterol, glucoside, deoxyelephantopin and two new
germacranolide sesquiterpene lactones named 17, 19-
d i h y d r o d e o x y e l e p h a n t o p i n a n d i s o - 1 7 , 1 9 -
dihydrodeoxyelephantopin can be cited as examples.
(Ahmad et al., 2009). A number of several other
phytochemicals have also been isolated from this plant,
s u c h a s d e o x y e l e p h a n t o p i n 1 1 , 1 3 ,
dihydrodeoxyelephantopin, lupeol and epifriedelinol (Ho et
al . , 2009 ) . A dic a ffe o yl der i vati v e, 1a, 2 b -O-
di c a ff e oy l cy c lo pe n ta n -3 b- o l al o ng w it h f ou r
dicaffeoylquinic acids could be isolated from the rhizomes
of this plant. The structure of the new compound was
elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses.
(Geng et al., 2011), Elescaberin a new elemanolide
sesquiterpene lactone, named together with two known
E. Scaber
Elephantopus scaber
L., is a small herb belonging
to the family Asteraceae of the order Asterales representing
the subclass Asteridae. It is an exotic element in India with
nativity probably in Mexico. Soon after introduction from
outside (Neotropics, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia) it
dispersed in nooks and corners of the country and came in
intimate contact with the people so as to gain entry into
Indian traditions. Traditional knowledge about the herbal
remedies in India has been contributing enormously
towards worldwide development of a very reliable
complementary and alternative system of medicine
(CAM). The rejuvenation of interest in herbal medicines
emanates mainly from the efficacy of ethnomedicinal
plants in curing diabetes, scavenging free radicals and
protecting liver from toxicity of biotic and abiotic origin.
L. is one of such plants which have
tremendous reputation in indigenous traditional system of
medicine in India by virtue of which it has drawn the
attention and concern of scientists for validation of its
medicinal properties t hrough phytochemical and
pharmacological evaluation.
The information served in this paper about various
uses of L. has emanated from
synthesis of empirical and interpretative approaches
involving exhaustive survey of pertinent literature. The
truth and rationality of information from one source was
judged on the basis of comparison with the information
gathered from another source. This investigation is a part of
a work initiated in 2013 on understanding the medicinal
potential of L.
Elephantopus scaber
Elephantopus scaber
Elephantopus scaber
Elephantopus scaber
MATERIALS AND METHODS

in India and elsewhere, the specimens preserved in the
Central National Herbarium (CAL) of the Botanical Survey
of India were scientifically documented and complied with
the information available from different Floras. The
dist r i b u t i o na l d a t a s c o re d t h r o u g h he r b a r i u m
documentation were graphically plotted on a state wise
basis to reveal its preponderance. From among the 19 states,
specimen-collections from West Bengal were maximum,
most of which were collected from the tropical deciduous
forested areas of the state.
The plant parts of this herb have been used
traditionally for the treatment of a number of diseases in
many countries. Sesquiterpene lactones, triterpenoids,
steroids, flavonoids and essential oil constituents have been
reported from various parts of the plant. The plant has been
extensively screened for anticancer activity (Raj Kapoor et
a l . , 2 0 0 2 ) . S e s q u i t e r p e n e l a c t o n e s s u c h a s
deoxyelephantopin, isodeoxyelephantopin, scabertopin,
and isoscabertopin have been found to be prominent
anticancer constituents (Kabeer et al., 2013 ). Many such
biological activities as antimicrobial (Anitha et al., 2012 )
he pat opro tec tive, ant iox idan t, an tidi abe tic, anti -
inflammatory, analgesic, antiasthamatic, antiplatelet
activities and wound healing property have been reported.
(Hiradeve and Rangari., 2014 )
The whole plant of L. is well
known as a herb of Chinese folk medicine which is widely
used in the treatment of nephritis, edema, dampness, pain in
the chest, fever and cough of pneumonia, scabies, and
arthralgia due to wounding (Peer, 1980 and Tsai, 1999) It is
also commonly used in China as a remedy for the treatment
of gastropathy, hepatitis, nephritis, edema, chest pain, fever
and cough of pneumonia, bronchitis, arthritis, and
carbuncle.
The root decoction of is widely used to
treat diarrhoea, dysentery, stomach troubles and blood
vomiting in tuberculosis in Nepal. (Ahamed et al., 2009 and
Ho et al., 2009).
Root paste is known to be useful through external
application as antivenom, antiseptic for cuts and wounds
and in reducing fever. The fresh roots are chewed for getting
Medicinal Uses
Elephantopus scaber
E. scaber
co m po un ds , v iz ., i so de ox ye l ep ha nt op in a nd
deoxyelephantopin was isolated from the whole plant. The
structure of elescabrin was elucidated on the basis of
spectroscopic analysis. All the three compounds exhibited
significant inhibitory activities against human SMMC-
7721 liver cancer cells in (IC50 8.1814.08mmol/l)
(Liang et al. 2008).Acetone extract of the ethnomedicinal
plant, reduced the blood glucose levels in streptozotocin-
induced diabetic rats significantly. Acute toxicity studies
revealed the 28Nor-22(R) with a 2, 6, 23-trienolide.
Biological testing of the compound demonstrated a
significant antidiabetic activity by reducing the elevated
blood glucose levels and restoring the insulin levels in
streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. This compound can
be made a useful candidate to treat diabetes (Daisy P et al.
2009).
L.,W. Roxburgh, Flora
Indica, 3: 445, 1832; Prain, Bengal Pl., 1: 590, 1903;
Chopra et al., Glossary of Indian med. plants, 105-106,
1956; Meherotra and Rastogi, Compend. Indian. Med.
Plants 1: 172, 1990., 2: 291, 1991. and 3:262, 1993.
Indian names: Bengali: Hasti Pad; English:
Prickly leaved elephant's foot ; Hindi: Adhomukha, Ban-
tambakhu, Gobhi; Kannada: Aanekaalu Gida, Hasti Pada ;
Konkani: Hakkarik; Malayalam: Koonjirikka, Ottaveran,
Thomunji, Aanayadiyan, Aanayadi, Aanachuvadi ;
Marathi: Hastipata, Pathari ; Oriya: Mayurachula ;
Sanskrit: Prastarini, Gojihva Or Gojivha, Kharaparnini,
Adhapata; Tamil: Yanai-c-cuvati; Telugu: Eddupattu;
Urdu: Gobhi.
A terrestrial, scabrescent, aromatic, erect, stiff,
perennial herb, upto about 60 cm in height. Leaves mostly
radical in basal rosette and a few are cauline, finely dentate,
obovate-oblong. Capitula numerous homogenous,
arranged in terminal dichotomous cymose clusters.
Flowers small, actinomorphic, epigynous, purple to dull
pink, each clusters supported by a rigid ovate leaf like bract;
inner bracts leafy, distinct, pale green. Cypsela finely 10
ribbed, cuneate below; pappus bristly, hairy. Flowering and
fruiting season: August to December.
To have a glimpse of the distribution of the species
vitro
,
,
Elephantopus scaber
Taxonomic Discourse
DAS AND L:1. ANOVERVIEWElephantopusscaberMUKHERJEE:
52 IndianJ.L.Sci.4(1):51-54,2014

Anitha V.T Marimuthu J. and Jeeva S., 2012. Asian
Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine. 5( ): 52-57.
Chopra R. N., Nayar S. L. and Chopra I. C., 1956. In
Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants, CSIR, New
Delhi, : 105.
Daisy P., Jasmine R., Ignacimuthu S., Murugan E., 2009.
Phytomedicine.16( ):252-7
Hiradeve S. M. , Rangari V. D., 2014. Journal of applied
biomedicine. 12( ): 49-61.
Ho W.Y., Ky H, S. K., Rahim R. A., OmarA. R.,Ho C. L.
and Alitheen N. B., 2009. Journal of Medicinal
Plants Research. 3( ): 1212-1221.
Huang C. C., Lo C. P., and Shyur L. F., British Journal of
Pharmacology.
Hua-Wei Geng, Xiao-Li Zhang, Guo-Cai Wang, Xin-Xin
Yang, Xia Wu,Yi-Fei Wang, Wen-Cai Ye and Yao-
Lan Li., 2011. Journal of Asian Natural Products
Research. 13( ): 665-669.
Kabeer F A, Sreedevi G B, Nair M S, Rajalekshmi D S,
Gopalakrishnan L P, Kunjuraman S., Prathapan
R., 2013. J Integr Med. 11( ):269-77.
Lin J K - Tsai S H - Lin-Shiau S Y 2001. Drugs Fututre. 26:
145 157.
Meherotra and Rastogi,1990 (vol 1), 1991 (vol 2), 1993 (vol
3) . C o m pa n di u m o f In d i an m e di c i na l
plant.Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow
and Publication and Information Directorate, New
Delhi.
,
.,
-
1
2-3
2
13
7
4
relief in cold, cough and headache.
The antihepatotoxic activity of the plant was
evident against CCl induced hepatic damage in rats. (Lin et
al., 2001). The ethanol fraction of the herb can show
significant liver protection than a other fractions.
The findings of Ho et al., 2009 also confirmed
the traditional use of the herb as a liver tonic through their
experiment on ethanol induced liver damage. Lipid
peroxidation of membrane which is always the cause for
liver injury by xenobiotics like CCl could be prevented by
scavenging free radicals in vitro and in vivo experiments
with methanolic extract of root.
The Genus possess 73 species, of
which is the most important one due to its
antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antidiabetic,
anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiasthamatic, antiplatelet,
anticancer and wound healing properties. This species is
taxonomically interesting since it has close affinity with
. ex ists
predominantly in tropical deciduous forest areas of India. It
can convey benevolence to human through its sustainable
use.
Ahamed A.,Alkarkhi A. F. M., Hena S., Khim L. H., 2009.
International Journal of Chemistry. 1( ): 36-49.
4
( )
4
CONCLUSION
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Elephantopus
E. scaber
Ps eudo e leph anto p us spi catu s E. s cabe r
1
Figure1:State-WiseNumber ofSpecimensasDocumentedfromCAL
DAS AND L:1. ANOVERVIEWElephantopusscaberMUKHERJEE:
53
IndianJ.L.Sci.4(1):51-54,2014

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54 IndianJ.L.Sci.4(1):51-54,2014