A CONCISE REVIEW ON VERSATILE MEDICINAL PLANT ACHYRANTHES ASPERA: TRADITIONAL USE, PHYTOCHEMISTRY AND PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES

Abstract

Achyranthes aspera is an important medicinal plant found throughout in India. Almost every part of the plant is used in traditional systems of medicines, seeds, roots and shoots are the most important parts which are used medicinally. The present article gives updated information on its phytochemical and pharmacological properties and geographical features. The review article says that there are many phytoconstituents are present in plant having pharmacological activities like antiperiodic, diuretic, purgative, laxative, antiasthmatic, hepatoprotective, anti-allergic and various other important medicinal properties. The crushed plant is used in pneumonia and infusion of the root is used as mild astringent in constipation. The plant reported to contain many major class of compounds like fatty acids, bisdesmosidic oleanic acid, saponins based on triterpenoid, ecdysterone, oleanic acid, triacontanol, spin sterol, dihydroxy ketones, spathulenol, alkaloids, D-glucuronic, Betaine, Achyranthine and various amino acids. This acrid, bitter plant has been used as different types of medicine and commonly used by traditional physians for the treatment of several diseases. Though almost every of its sections are used in traditional systems of medicines, seeds, roots and shoots are the most important parts which are used medicinally and give pharmacological action. The present article provides a detail and updated information on its classification, morphology, geographical sources, phytochemical and pharmacological properties. The medicinal plant Achyranthes aspera L. (family: Amaranthaceae), which is commonly found as a weed in tropical and warm climates, is upright and has several branches.