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A review on medicinal uses of Acalypha indica linn

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Abstract

The medicinal uses of Acalypha indica possesses diuretic, purgative, anti-bacterial, anti- fungal, and anthelmintic properties. This medicinal plants traditionally used for treating intestinal worms, gun problems, stomach aches, hernia, rheumatism, bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia, scabies and skin diseases. It can be used externally and internally for medicinal purpose. It contains a number of medically active ingredients including essential oil, resin, tannins and alkaloids. Decoction is used to treat asthma, intestinal worms and stomach-ache. Leaf powder is used for maggot-infested wounds. It helps in proper functioning of digestive system and respiratory organs.
Corresponding author: S. SENTHILKUMAR
Copyright © 2024 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0.
A review on medicinal uses of Acalypha indica linn
Dr. S. SENTHILKUMAR 1, * and Dr. C. KIRUBA RANI 2
1 Post Doctoral - Research Scholar, Manipur International University, Imphal, Manipur, India.
2 Department of Biochemistry, Vellalar College for Women, Erode, Tamil Nadu, India.
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 22(03), 320323
Publication history: Received on 25 April 2024; revised on 31 May 2024; accepted on 03 June 2024
Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2024.22.3.1694
Abstract
The medicinal uses of Acalypha indica possesses diuretic, purgative, anti-bacterial, anti- fungal, and anthelmintic
properties. This medicinal plants traditionally used for treating intestinal worms, gun problems, stomach aches, hernia,
rheumatism, bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia, scabies and skin diseases. It can be used externally and internally for
medicinal purpose. It contains a number of medically active ingredients including essential oil, resin, tannins and
alkaloids. Decoction is used to treat asthma, intestinal worms and stomach-ache. Leaf powder is used for maggot-
infested wounds. It helps in proper functioning of digestive system and respiratory organs.
Keywords: Tannins; Alkaloids; Medicinal plant; Flavonoid; Acalypha indica
1. Introduction
The Acalypha indica plant that has benefits in traditional medicine. The leaves can treat nose bleeds, coughs, dysentery,
diarrhea, vomiting of blood, bleeding, and external wounds[1]. This is corroborated by the phytochemical test of earring
plants which shows the presence of flavonoid, triterpenoid, steroid and saponin compounds[2,3].
The use of Acalypha indica as a traditional medicinal plant has been carried out. Acalypha indica boiled water can treat
toothaches and ear infections, the pulp can be used to treat burns and rheumatism. Acalypha indica plant extract can
also play a role as a natural contraceptive, analgesic, and anti- inflammatory, the effects of neurotherapy and
neuroprotectants, reduce blood glucose, reduce uricacid. Some studies report that the extract of Acalypha indica can
inhibit the growth of some pathogenic bacteria[4,5,6].
Based on the flavonoid compounds owned by the leaves of Acalypha indica as an anti- inflammatory, it needs to be
developed into a pharmaceutical preparation to increase its use. One of the oinment preparations was chosen because
it is the most suitable pharmaceutical preparation for medicinal purposes for skin because of the longer contact between
the drug and the skin[7].
2. Medicinal uses of Acalypha indica
2.1. Constipation and respiratory problems
Phlegm soak few leaves in water for a few hours. Filter and take this water in a dose of 2 teaspoon full. Do not take in
excess as this can cause vomiting.
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 22(03), 320323
321
2.2. Intestinal parasite
Take fresh leaves of the plant. Wash well and dry completely. Pulverize to prepare powder. Take this powder (1/4 to ½
teaspoon) with Luke warm water.
2.3. Stomach infections
Take clean leaves and grind with few garlic pods. Take this with rice.
2.4. Piles
Prepare fine powder of Acalypha and Tulsa leaves (Osmium Sanctum) in equal amounts. Take this powder (2-3 pinches)
with little amount of ghee thrice a day.
2.5. External use
Insect bite, boils, inflammation. Take fresh leaves of Acalypha indica and prepare a paste. Apply this paste on the affected
areas.
2.6. Headaches
Apply leaves juice on the affected areas.
2.7. Muscular pain
Prepare Acalypha indica medicated oil. for this purpose extract leaves juices of this medicinal herb. add this juice in
equal amount of sesame oil. cook this oil, till all water evaporate and only oil remains. apply thus prepared medicated
oil in lukewarm condition.
2.8. Bed sores
Dry leaves of Acalypha indica in sun and prepare a powder. apply this powder on the affected areas to get relief from
bed sores.
2.9. Skin rashes
Prepare a poultice of its leaves and apply at affected areas.
2.10. Venereal sore
Prepare fine paste of its leaves and apply on the affected areas.
2.11. Skin wound, itching
Mix it leaves paste with turmeric and apply at affected area.
3. Phytochemical compounds uses of Acalypha indica
3.1. Flavonoids
Anti-oxidant, anti- inflammatory, anti- cancer, anti-diabetic activities.
3.2. Alkaloids
Anti-nociceptive, anti- inflammatory activity and anti- bacterial activities.
3.3. Tannins
Astringent and anti-oxidant properties, used to treat diarrhea and dysentery.
3.4. Essential oils
Anti- bacterial, anti-fungal and insecticidal activities.
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 22(03), 320323
322
3.5. Saponins
Anti- inflammatory, anti- cancer and anti-diabetic properties.
3.6. Phenolic acids
Anti- oxidant, anti- inflammatory and anti- cancer properties[8]
4. Ethnomedicinal uses of Acalypha indica
4.1. Vomiting
Fresh leaf extract 3 ml is taken 1-2 times daily to get rid from vomiting.
4.2. Diarrhoea
Leaf extract 5 ml is taken 2 times daily[9].
4.3. Earache
Warm leaf extract 2-3 drops is poured in to the ear.
4.4. Arthritis
Root extract 3-5 ml is taken twice daily[10].
4.5. Dental problem
Stem is used as tooth brush.
4.6. Epilepsy
Leaf extract is applied over the eye lid to get rid from epilepsy. Leaf extract 5-6 drops is poured in to the nostrils.
4.7. Paralysis
Root paste 5 gm is taken twice daily.
4.8. Itch, scabies and ringworm
Leaf paste and lime or salt are mixed together and applied over the affected part[11].
4.9. Utricaria
Whole plant decoction and Ricinus communis seed oil are mixed together and massaged over the affected part[12].
4.10. Toothache
Leaf extract is applied on the affected area for some time.
4.11. Anthelmintic
The punching root, stem, leaf, flower and fruit extract 3-5 is taken 1-2 times daily in empty stomach[13].
4.12. Headache
Punching extract is soaked with a cotton wick and inserted into the nostrils for some time.
4.13. Asthma and cough
Leaf extract 5 ml is taken 2 times daily[14].
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 22(03), 320323
323
5. Conclusion
The pharmacological studies conducted on Acalypha indica indicate the immense potential of this plant in the treatment
of conditions such as wounds, malaria, coughs, inflammatory, diabetes etc.. Acalypha indica also exhibits anti-oxidant,
anti-microbial, anti- inflammatory, anti- diabetic, wound healing effect, anti-venom and anti- fertility activities.
However, the diverse pharmacological activities of Acalypha indica extracts and isolated phytochemical have been
investigated in laboratory animals and the results obtained may not necessarily be portable to the situation in humans.
While there are gaps in the studies conducted so far, which needed to be bridged in order to exploit the full medicinal
potential of Acalypha indica. It is still clear that this plant with tremendous widespread use now and also with
extraordinary potential for the future. further research in Phytochemicals development from Acalypha indica will help
to analyses therapeutic efficacy of products. Efforts are now being made to investigate various therapeutic actions of
Acalypha indica plant and their products using model systems.
Compliance with ethical standards
Disclosure of conflict of interest
No conflict of interest to be disclosed.
References
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medicinal plant Acalypha indica Linn. under lead stress. Chemoapher. 171: 544-553.
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indica: A Review UJBSAHM . 1(2): 27-32.
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[8] Ramyadevi D, Sathishkumar S.and Sankar P.(2012). In vitro and in vivo anti-diabetic potential of Acalypha indica.
J Ethano Pharmacol. 143(1): 515-523.
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[10] Khare C. P.(2007). Indian medicinal plants. Springer. 9:12-14.
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Article
Full-text available
Previous phytochemical analysis of methanolic extract of Acalypha indica L. has indicated the presence of steroid, flavonoid and terpenoid types of compounds. Since these compounds are of pharmacological interest, coupled with the use of this plant in traditional medicine, prompted us to check A. indica L. for possible analgesic and antiinflammatory activities. The methanolic extract of A. indica L. showed statistically significant (p<0.001) analgesic activity in mice in a dose-dependent manner. A sustained and significant (p<0.001) inhibition of carrageenan-induced inflammation of rat paw was observed with 125 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg body weight. The methanolic extract of A. indica L. also demonstrated antiinflammatory effect in a dose-dependent manner. Maximum inhibition by the extract was observed at 250 mg/kg body weight after three hours of ingestion, which was comparable to that of the standard drug phenylbutazone at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight. The obtained results provide a support for the use of this plant in traditional medicine.
Article
Ethnopharmacological relevance: Acalypha indica is an herbal plant that grows in wet, temperate and tropical region, primarily along the earth's equator line. This plant is considered by most people as a weed and can easily be found in these regions. Although this plant is a weed, Acalypha indica has been acknowledged by local people as a useful source of medicine for several therapeutic treatments. They consume parts of the plant for many therapeutics purposes such as anthelmintic, anti-ulcer, bronchitis, asthma, wound healing, anti-bacterial and other applications. As this review was being conducted, most of the reports related to ethnomedicinal practices were from Asian and African regions. The aim of the review: The aim of this review is to summarize the current studies on ethnomedicinal practices, phytochemistry, pharmacological studies and a potential study of Acalypha indica in different locations around the world. This review updates related information regarding the potential therapeutic treatments and also discusses the toxicity issue of Acalypha indica. Materials and methods: This review was performed through a systematic search related to Acalypha indica including the ethnomedicinal practices, phytochemistry and pharmacological studies around the world. The data was collected from online journals, magazines, and books, all of which were published in English, Malay and Indonesian. Search engine websites such as Google, Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Researchgate and other online collections were utilized in this review to obtain information. Results: The links between ethnomedicinal practices and scientific studies have been discussed with a fair justification. Several pharmacological properties exhibited certain potentials based on the obtained results that came from different related studies. Based on literature studies, Acalypha indica has the capability to serve as anthelmintic, anti-inflammation, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, anti-diabetes, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-obesity, anti-venom, hepatoprotective, hypoxia, and wound healing medicine. For the traditional practices, the authors also mentioned several benefits of consuming the raw plant and decoction. Conclusion: This review summarizes the current studies of Acalypha indica collected from many regions. This review hopefully will provide a useful and basic knowledge platform for anyone interested in gaining information regarding Acalypha indica.
Article
The present study was designed to assess the physiological and biochemical changes in roots and shoots of the herb Acalypha indica grown under hydroponic conditions during exposure to lead (Pb) (100–500 mg L⁻¹) for 1–12 d. The accumulation of Pb by A. indica plants was found to be 121.6 and 17.5 mg g⁻¹ dry weight (DW) in roots and shoots, respectively, when exposed to a Pb concentration of 500 mg L⁻¹. The presence of Pb ions in stem, root and leaf tissues was confirmed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analyses. Concerning the activity of antioxidant enzymes, viz., peroxidase (POX) catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), they were induced at various regimes during 5, 8 and 12 d of Pb exposure in both the leaves and roots than untreated controls. Lead treatment increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in both the leaf and root tissues over control, irrespective of the duration of exposure. Anew, it was observed that Pb treatments induced variations in the number and intensity of protein bands. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) results show that the Pb treatment caused genotoxicity on DNA molecules as evidenced by the amplification of new bands and the absence of normal DNA amplicons in treated plants. Results confirm that A. indica is a Pb accumulator species, and the antioxidants might play a crucial role in the detoxification of Pb-induced toxic effects.
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An equation relating the rate of release of solid drugs suspended in ointment bases into perfect sinks is derived. The final expression is found to be surprisingly simple and convenient.
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Four known kaempferol glycosides, mauritianin, clitorin, nicotiflorin and biorobin, have been isolated from the flowers and leaves of Acalypha indica. Some formerly published NMR data were corrected.
Phytochemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Acalypha indica Linn
  • S Rajsekhar
  • A Azhar
Rajsekhar S. and Azhar A. (2011). Phytochemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Acalypha indica Linn. A Review International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research. 2(8): 1900-1904.
  • B Dineshkumar
  • P Vigneshkumar
  • S P Bhuvaneshwaran
  • M Analava
Dineshkumar B, Vigneshkumar P, Bhuvaneshwaran S. P. and Analava M. (2010). Phyto Pharmacology of Acalypha indica: A Review UJBSAHM. 1(2): 27-32.
In vitro and in vivo anti-diabetic potential of Acalypha indica
  • D Ramyadevi
  • S Sathishkumar
  • P Sankar
Ramyadevi D, Sathishkumar S.and Sankar P.(2012). In vitro and in vivo anti-diabetic potential of Acalypha indica. J Ethano Pharmacol. 143(1): 515-523.