historical review of indian divine herb boerhavia … · 2019. 12. 10. · vol 7, issue 9, 2018....

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Kanagavalli et al. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

HISTORICAL REVIEW OF INDIAN DIVINE HERB BOERHAVIA

DIFFUSA LINN AND ITS MEDICINAL IMPORTANCE

U. Kanagavalli*1, Dr. A. Mohamed Sadiq

2, Dr. M.D. Lakshmi Priya

3

1,3

Assistant Professor, PG and Research Department of Biochemistry, Adhiparasakthi College

of Arts and Science, G.B. Nagar, Kalavai, Vellore District.

2Principal, Adhiparasakthi College of Arts and Science, G.B. Nagar, Kalavai, Vellore District.

ABSTRACT

Medicinal Plants have great potential uses, especially as traditional

medicine and pharmacopoeial drug. A huge proportions of the world’s

population depend on traditional medicine because of the scarcity, high

costs of orthodox medicine. Herbal medicines tend to Support, enhance

or restore normal physiological function, by facilitating the body's

innate self-healing capacities, teach, train or ‘re-programme’ the body

into better or enhanced patterns of physiological behavior, gently steer

the body into more appropriate courses of response and function, with

each dose of herbal medicine acting as a small ‘nudge’ in the ‘right

direction’. Boerhavia diffusa Linn. (Nyctaginaceae), commonly known

as ‘Punarnava’ is a perennial creeping herb widely studied and has a

long history of uses by the tribal people and in Ayurvedic and Unani

medicines. The Plant in whole or its peculiar parts (Aerial parts and

Roots) have a numerous medicinal properties and are used by endemic and tribal people in

India and Unani medicine in Arab countries to show Anti-bacterial, Anti-nociceptive, hepato-

protective, hypo-glycemic, anti-proliferative, anti-estrogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-

convulsant, anti-stressand anti-metastatic activities and also in treatment of stress, dyspepsia,

abdominal pain, inflammation, jaundice. Various phytochemical, pharmacological, clinical

investigations are done on Boerhaavia diffusa by many scientist, researchers etc., to clearly

understand the ancient Ayurvedic, Endemic and tribal usage of Boerhaavia diffusa. The aim

of this paper is to elaborate the existing information regarding the medicinal plants Boerhavia

diffusa used worldwide. Medicinal plants have a promising future, and their adequate usage

demands a more thorough exploration of harvesting and subsequent handling. This paper

WORLD JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES

SJIF Impact Factor 7.421

Volume 7, Issue 9, 577-594 Review Article ISSN 2278 – 4357

Article Received on

09 July 2018,

Revised on 30 July 2018,

Accepted on 19 August 2018

DOI: 10.20959/wjpps20189-12308

*Corresponding Author

U. Kanagavalli

Assistant Professor, PG and

Research Department of

Biochemistry,

Adhiparasakthi College of

Arts and Science, G.B.

Nagar, Kalavai, Vellore

District.


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includes the evidence-based overview of pharmacological and phytochemical properties of

Boerhaavia diffusa, which may be helpful to establish a standard natural drug for further

research.

KEYWORDS: Boerhaavia diffusa, Anticonvulsant, Ayurveda, Unani, Pharmacology,

Phytochemistry.

INTRODUCTION

The medicinal plants are potential sources of drugs as they are rich in secondary metabolites

and essential oils of therapeutic importance. Uses of medicinal plants in various ailments are

due to being economical, effective, their ease availability and due to their safety. Because of

these advantages the use of medicinal plants has been widely increased by the traditional

medical practitioners in their day to day practice. Foods are used commonly to meet our

nutritional needs. However, foods obtained by plants contain a wide range of non- nutrient

phytochemicals that are synthesized by plants for their own defence and for other biological

functions1.

It is been recorded in history that Medicinal herbs have been used as form of

therapy for the relief of pain. The exploration of the chemical constituents from plants,

pharmacological and phytochemical screening would provide the basis for developing the

new lead molecules in strategic favour of natural product drug discovery. The aim and

subject of many researchers is the discovery and development of isolating a new efficient,

active and less toxic molecule for systemic activities. The biologically active agents from

natural sources have always been of great interest to working on various diseases.

Tribal community is using their traditional knowledge system to cure different diseases. They

use plant as a source of drug through trial and error method and the process is experienced

over hundreds of years, which says that the medicinal plants have been in the focus as

lifesaving drugs right from the beginning of the human civilization. The medicinal plants

have been the object of research in both systematic and advanced areas of plant sciences. The

traditional knowledge of these herbal recipes is popular among the indigenous and local

communities. Even today the Tribal communities are solely dependent on plants for their

medication; hence they are using them against different. They have preserved the wealth of

traditional knowledge as a part of their belief and customs. They are practicing these methods

generation after generation successfully. Apart from medicinal uses phytochemical

components which are environment friendly, economical and effectively shows anticorrosive

properties and also phyto-compounds are used as biofuels.[2]


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Boerhavia diffusa linn is a species of flowering plant in the four o'clock family which is

commonly known as punarnava (meaning that which rejuvenates or renews the body in

Ayurveda), red spiderling, spreading hogweed, or tarvine. It is taken in herbal medicine for

pain relief and other uses. The leaves of Boerhavia diffusa are often used as a green vegetable

in many parts of India.[3,4]

This is also known as spiderlings as this plant grows low and

spreads like spider. The Boerhaavia sp. has ancient medicinal use in different societies from

the times of the B.C. The herbal medicine has evolved and changed through the years.

Boerhavia comprises 5–20 species, depending on the species concept, and includes several

variable pantropical weeds with complex nomenclatural histories. Two views have been

taken on the application of the name Boerhavia diffusa: a broad view regarding several

Boerhavia taxa (including Boerhavia repens L. and Boerhavia coccinea Mill.) as a single very

variable species, and a restricted concept in which Boerhavia diffusa is applied to the taxon

with an apparently terminal panicle. This last view is followed here, but this implies that

some of the literature in which the name Boerhavia diffusa is used may refer to other

species.[9]

Boerhavia diffusa occurs in ruderal localities and along roadsides, preferring sunny

sites and a slightly seasonal climate, from sea-level up to 1200 m altitude. It is often a weed

in cultivated land, usually on sandy soils, and is also found in lawns and grazing pasture.[9]

A number of plant products have been identified through phyto-chemistry and the extract of

their different plant parts are useful in various diseases without side effects.[5]

Boerhavia

diffusa is mainly used at a local scale, except in India where especially the roots enter in

popular medicinal formulations. Indian products are traded worldwide. The aims of present

study were to review the chemical constituents of Boerhaavia diffusa Linn. and their

biological activities and highlight their potentials as candidates for new drugs that may be of

value in the treatment and preventions of human and livestock diseases.

HABITANT

This is found throughout India. It grows up to an altitude of 70 centimeters especially during

the rainy season. It can be found in many tropical and warm-climate countries. Boerhavia

diffusa has a pantropical distribution, and possibly originates from the Old World tropics. It

occurs throughout tropical Africa.[6]

DESCRIPTION OF PLANT

A perennial diffuse herb that consists of creeping stem that is usually purple in color. The

plant is about 0.75-1m in length. Occasionally it grows up to 4mtrs in rainy seasons and dries

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nyctaginaceae

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbal_medicine


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in summer. Leaves are usually whitish and smooth underneath and rough green on upper

surface which are 2.5-4cm long, fleshy with soft hairs, whitish ventrally. Flowers: small, pink

colored. Fruits are one seeded nuts which are round or circular, about 1cm long, containing

seeds like cow 's beans. Root are fairly long, somewhat circular and yellowish brown to

brown colored, surface s twisted on drying. It is soft to touch but rough due to minute

longitudinal markings and root scars, fracture and short. Flowering and fruiting of plant

during winter.

Botanical Name: Boerhaavia Diffusa

Family: Nyctaginaceae

Division: Magnoliophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Order: Caryophyllales

Genus: Boerhaavia

Species: Diffusa, Hirsuta


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VERNACULAR NAMES OF PUNARNAVA IN VARIOUS LANGUAGES

Boerhavia diffusa, Boerhaavia repens Linn (Latin); Punarnava (Sanskrit); Lal Punarnava,

Beshakapore, Santh (Hindi); Spreading Hogweed, Shothagni, Red Hogweed, Rakta

punarnava (English); Thazhuthama (Malayalam); Punarnnava (Bangali); Kommegida

(Kanarese); Vakhakhaparo, Dholia-saturdo (Gujarati); Tambadivasu, Ghetuli (Marathi);

Chattarani (Tamil); Galijeru (Telugu); Lalapuiruni, Nalipuruni (Oriya); ltcit (Ial), Khattan

(Punjabi); Sanadika, Kommeberu, Komma (Kannada); Vanjula Punarnava (Kashmiri); Ranga

Punarnabha (Assamese).[8]

BENEFITS OF MOOKARATTAI (SPREADING HOGWEED)

It helpful in arthritis as it reduces inflammation and pain in joints. Punarnava plant has

beneficial uses for treating all the disorders of the kidneys as it can very efficiently decreases

the urea levels in the body. It is good to treat Impotence and can enhance libido, erection and

quality and quantity of semen. Punarnava acts as a carminative, increases appetite, digests

Ama and reduces abdominal pain. It relieves constipation too. It is helpful herbal agent in

reducing productive cough and asthma. It has diuretic properties and is used in Ayurvedic

preparations for renal calculi (kidney stone), Cystis and nephritis. Punarnava is extensively

used to rejuvenate liver and detoxify it. It helps in jaundice or hepatitis. Boerhavia diffusa is

potent herb in Ayurvedic preparations for menorrhagia. It has ability to rejuvenate whole

body and health. It strengthens the body and normalizes doshas. This helps to boost the

immunity to diseases.[7]

MACROSCOPIC CHARACTERS OF PUNARNAVA:

Stem: Greenish purple, stiff, slender, cylindrical, swollen at nodes, minutely pubescent or

nearly glabrous, prostrate divericately branched, branches from common stalk, often more

than a metre long.

Root: Well developed, fairly long, somewhat tortuous, cylindrical, 0.2-1.5 cm in diameter,

yellowish brown to brown coloured, surface soft to touch but rough due to minute

longitudinal striations and root scars, fracture, short, no distinct odour, taste, slightly bitter,

sweet, pungent.

Leaves: Opposite in unequal pairs, larger ones 25-37 mm long and smaller ones 12-18 mm

long ovate-oblong or suborbicular, apex rounded or slightly pointed, base subcordate or


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rounded, green and glabrous above, whitish below, margin entire or subundulate, dorsal side

pinkish in certain cases, thick in texture, petioles nearly as long as the blade, slender.

Flowers: Very small, pink coloured, nearly sessile or shortly stalked, 10-25 cm, in small

umbells, arranged on slender long stalks, 4-10 corymb, axillary and in terminal panicles,

bracteoles, small, acute, perianth tube constricted above the ovary, lower part greenish, ovoid,

ribbed, upper part pink, funnel-shaped, 3 mm long, tube 5 lobed, stamen 2-3.

Fruit: One seeded nut, 6 mm long clavate, rounded, broadly and bluntly 5 ribbed, viscidly

glandular.

MICROSCOPIC CHARACTERS OF PUNARNAVA

Stem: Transverse section of stem shows epidermal layer containing multi cellular, uniseriate

glandular trichomes consisting of 9-12 stalked cells and an ellipsoidal head, 150-220 µ long,

cortex consists of 1-2 layers of parenchyma, endodermis indistinct, pericycle 1-2 layered,

thickwalled often containing scattered isolated fibres, stele consisting of many small vascular

bundles often joined together in a ring and many big vascular bundles scattered in the ground

tissue, intra fascicular cambium present.

Root: Transverse section of mature root shows a cork composed of thin-walled tangentially

elongated cells with brown walls in the outer few layers, cork cambium of 1-2 layers of thin

walled cells secondary cortex consists of 2-3 layers of parenchymatous cells followed by

cortex composed of 5-12 layers of thin-walled, oval to polygonal cells, several concentric

bands of xylem tissue alternating with wide zone of parenchymatous tissue present below

cortical regions, number of bands vary according to thickness of root and composed of

vessels, tracheids and fibres, vessels mostly found in groups of 2-8 in radial rows, having

simple pits and reticulate thickening, tracheids, small, thick walled with simple pits, fibres

aseptate, elongated, thick-walled, spindle shaped with pointed ends, phloem occurs as

hemispherical or crescentic patches outside each group of xylem vessels and composed of

sieve elements and parenchyma, broad zone of parenchymatous tissue, in between two

successive rings of xylem elements composed of thin-walled more or less rectangular cells

arranged in radial rows, central regions of root occupied by primary vascular bundles,

numerous raphides of calcium oxalate, in single or in group present in cortical region and

parenchymatous tissue in between xylem tissue, starch grains simple and compound having

2-4 components found in abundance in most of cells of cortex, xylem elements in


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parenchymatous tissue between xylem elements, simple starch grains mostly rounded in

shape and measure 2.75-11 µ in diameter.

Leaves: Transverse section of leaf shows anomocytic stomata on both sides, numerous, a few

short hairs, 3-4 celled, present on the margin and on veins, palisade one layered, spongy

parenchyma 2-4 layered with small air spaces, idioblasts containing raphides, occasionally

cluster crystal of calcium oxalate and orange-red resinous matter present in mesophyll.

Palisade ratio 3.5-6.5, stomatal index 11-16, and Vein islet number.

Finally concluded that Punarnava is one of the important potent herb among other, it may

become a good food supplementary for which further studies are required to find many more

activities of this plant.[8]

Adulterants and substitutes: Market samples of Raktapunarnava (Boerha aviadiffusa Linn.)

are often adulterated with Trianthemaportula castrum Linn. Two plants are the sources of two

different Ayurvedic drugs punarnava and Varshabhu possibly with similar therapeutic effects.

The two species differ widely in their stomatal indices and palisade ratios, Trianthemaportula

castrum possessing higher values.

The multiple benefits of Boerhaavia diffusa made it a true miracle of nature. Numerous

studies have been conducted on different parts of Boerhaavia diffusa plant has not yet

developed as a drug by pharmaceutical industries. A detailed and systematic study is required

for identification, cataloguing and documentation of plants, which may provide a meaningful

way for the promotion of the traditional knowledge of the herbal medicinal plants. In view of

the nature of the plant, more research work can be done on humans so that a drug with

multifarious effects will be available in the future market.[10]

Table 1: Ethnomedical Uses Of Boerhaavia Diffusa By Various Countries.

Name of the Country Ethnomedical uses

Brazils

For albuminuria, beri-beri, bile insufficiency, cystitis, edema, gallbladder

problems, gallstones, gonorrhea, guinea worms, hepatitis, hypertension,

jaundice, kidney disorders, kidney stones, liver disorders, liver support,

nephritis, renal disorders, sclerosis (liver), snakebite, spleen (enlarged),

urinary disorders, urinary retention

Guatemala For erysipelas, guinea worms

India

For abdominal pain, anemia, ascites, asthma, blood purification, cancer,

cataracts, childbirth, cholera, constipation, cough, debility, digestive

sluggishness, dropsy, dyspepsia, edema, eye problems, fever, gonorrhea,


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guinea worms, heart ailments, heart disease, hemorrhages (childbirth),

hemorrhages (thoracic), hemorrhoids, inflammation (internal), internal

parasites, jaundice, kidney disorders, kidney stones, lactation aid, liver

disorders, liver support, menstrual disorders, renal insufficiency,

rheumatism, snakebite, spleen (enlarged), urinary disorders, weakness, and

as a diuretic and expectorant.

Iran For edema, gonorrhea, hives, intestinal gas, jaundice, joint pain, lumbago,

nephritis, and as an appetite stimulant, diuretic and expectorant.

Nigeria For abscesses, asthma, boils, convulsions, epilepsy, fever, guinea worms,

and as an expectorant and laxative.

West Africa For abortion, guinea worms, menstrual irregularities, and as an aphrodisiac

Philippinese Diuretic, fever, purgative and vermifuge.

Ghana Asthma and Boils.

Elsewhere For childbirth, guinea worms, jaundice, sterility, yaws.11

Propagation and planting

Boerhavia diffusa is propagated by seed, which germinates with the start of the first rains and

continues to germinate throughout the rainy season. When the soil of arable fields is turned,

pieces of root can sprout as well. Well-drained soils and sunny conditions are required. The

mucous coat of the anthocarp shows a distinct sticky swelling when ripe, with which it clings

to mammals and birds. Boerhavia diffusa has been successfully propagated by in-vitro

induction of adventitious roots on stem explants, leaf or shoot tip cultures.

DISEASES AND PESTS

In India several host-specific diseases have been identified on Boerhavia diffusa, i.e.

Cercospora diffusa causing chlorotic leaf spots, and Colletotrichum boerhaviae causing

brown necrotic spots. Also in India Boerhavia diffusa is recorded as a host for the virus

causing aubergine mosaic disease (EMV), and in Costa Rica as a host of zucchini yellow

mosaic potyvirus (ZYMV). In Cameroon Boerhavia diffusa is an alternative host for the

cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii), and in Nigeria caterpillars of Aegocera rectilinea and

Hippotion celerio were found feeding almost solely on Boerhavia diffusa.

GENETIC RESOURCES AND BREEDING

Boerhavia diffusa has a large area of distribution, often as a weed, and is not at risk of genetic

erosion. There seems to be a geographical variation in the composition of pharmacological

compounds, and more research is needed in order to evaluate the most promising populations.

There are no known breeding programmes of Boerhavia diffusa.[9]


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PHYTOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS ISOLATED FROM B. DIFFUSA LINN

Phytochemicals are natural bioactive compounds found in plants, including the medicinal

plants, fruits, vegetables, flowers, leaves, roots and fibers and they act as a defense system

against diseases or more accurately protect plants against diseases.[12]

The therapeutic

potentials, including antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-carcinogenic properties of higher

plants are due to the presence of secondary metabolites.[13]

The medicinal values of these

plants lie in bioactive phytochemical constituents that produce definite physiological actions

on the human and animal body. Some of the most important bioactive phytochemical

constituents are the glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, steroids, terpenoids, essential

oils and phenolic compounds.[14]

The B. diffusa plant contains a large number of such compounds as flavonoids, rotanoids,

alkaloids, steroids, triterpenoids.[15]

These biologically active chemical substance known as

secondary metabolites in medicinal plants, form the foundations of modern prescription

drugs.[16]

In recent decades, there are many reports on the use of medicinal plants. From the studies, it

was discovered that the exact amount of active chemical constituent are frequently unknown.

In general, one or two markers of pharmacologically active components in herbs and or

herbal mixtures are currently employed for: (1) evaluating the quality and authenticity of

herbal medicine; (2) identification of single herb or herbal mixtures and (3) assessing the

quantitative herbal compositions of a herbal product. It was discovered that multiple

constituents are usually responsible for the therapeutic affects of the plants.

These multiple constituents may act synergistically and could hardly be separated into active

parts. Moreover, the herbal constituents may vary depending on the harvest seasons, plant

origins, drying processes and other factors[17]

For example the roots of B. diffusa are used for

the treatment of various hepatic disorders. The effect of seasons, thickness of roots and form

of dose (either aqueous or powder) were studied for their hepato-protective action.[18]

The

results showed that an aqueous extract (2 mL kg-1

) of roots of diameter 1-3 cm, collected in

the month of May (summer) exhibited marked protection of a majority of serum parameters,

viz., SGOT, SGPT, SACP, SALP but not GLDH and bilirubin, thereby suggesting the proper

size and time of collection of B. diffusa roots for the most desirable results. The studies also

showed that administration of aqueous form of drug (2 mL kg-1

) had more hepato-protective

activity than the powder form.

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In a preliminary screening, plant revealed presence of sterols[19]

, β-sitosterol[20]

and

alkaloids.[21]

Presence of steroids, sugars and alkaloids was also reported.[22]

It contains about

0.04% of alkaloid known as punarnavine (C17H22N2O, mp 236-237°C)[23]

and punarnavoside,

an anti fibrinolytic agent. It also contains about 6% of potassium nitrate, an oily substance

and ursolic acid.[24]

The green stalk of the plant has also been reported to contain boerhavin

and boerhavic acid.

Hentriacontane, β-sitosterol and ursolic acid along with glucose, fructose and sucrose were

isolated from the root.[25]

A new C-methyl flavones characterized as 5,7-dihydroxy-6-8-

dimethoxy flavones was reported from root[26]

and designated as boerhavone.[27]

Four new compounds, boerhavisterol, boerhadiffusene, diffusarotenoid and

boerhavilanastenyl benzoate and a known rotenoid, boerhavinone A were isolated from the

root and their structures elucidated as: 9,10-seco-stigmast-5,8 (9)-dien-3β-ol; 1-(2’,6’,6’-

trimethylcyclohex-1’-enyl)-11-(3”-3”-dimethylcyclohexyl)-4,8-dimethyl–undiec-1-ene; 4,9-

dihydroxy-10-methyl-6a-dehydrorotenoid-6-pentanoate; 27-0-(4’-benzoyl-β-D-

glucopyranosyl) 9β-lanost-5-en-3-one and 6-methoxy-9,11-dihydroxy-10-methyl-6-a, 12a-

dihydrorotenoid, respectively.[28]

Many rotanoids have been isolated from the roots of the plant[24]

. These include a series of

boeravinones viz., boeravinone A, boeravinone B, boeravinone C, boeravinone D,

boeravinone E and boeravinone F. Punarnavoside, a phenolic glycoside is reportedly present

in roots.[29]

Punarnavoside was later characterized as 2-glucopyrano-4-hydroxy-5-(p-hydroxy

phenyl) propionyldiphenylmethane.[30]

Bioactive eupalitin 3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside (5,4’-dihydroxy 6,7-dimethoxy-flavonal-3-O-

β-D-galactopyranoside) and eupalitin isolated from the alcoholic extract of B. diffusa leaves

exhibited immunosuppressive properties.Eupalitin 3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside (1>2)-β-D-

glucopyranoside is isolated from ethanolic extract of roots of B. diffusa.[31]

Four new compounds were isolated from Boerhaavia diffusa namely (i) eupalitin 3-O-β-D-

galactopyranosyl-(1”>2”)-O-β-D-galactopyranoside, (ii) 3,3’,5-trihydroxy-7-methoxyflavone

(iii) 4’,7-dihydroxy-3’-methylflavone and (iv) 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl-1-O-β-D-apiofuranosyl-

(1”>3’)-O-β-D-glucopyranoside.[32]

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A new dihydroisofuranoxanthone, methyl 3,10-dihydro-11-hydroxy-1-methoxy-4,6-

dimethyl-10-oxo-1H-furo[3,4-b] xanthenes-3-carboxylate, designated as borhavine, has been

isolated from the benzene extract of the roots of Boerhaavia diffusa L.[27]

PHARMACOLOGICAL USES OF BOERHAVIA DIFFUSA LINN:

In India Boerhavia diffusa is a very popular medicinal plant, called ‘Punarnava’; especially

the roots, leaves and seeds are used and the root is listed in the Indian Pharmacopoeia. Plant

parts are applied as a stomachic, cardiotonic, hepatoprotective, laxative, diuretic,

anthelmintic, febrifuge, expectorant and, in higher doses, as an emetic and purgative. As a

diuretic it is useful in strangury, jaundice, enlarged spleen, gonorrhoea and other internal

inflammations. In moderate doses it is successful in asthma. A decoction of the roots is also

applied to corneal ulcers and to treat night blindness.

In tropical Africa the boiled roots are applied to ulcers, abscesses and to assist in the

extraction of Guinea worm. A decoction of the aerial parts is also taken to treat gastro-

intestinal pains, convulsions, intestinal worms and to regulate menstruation. In Mauritania the

seeds are ground and made into cakes which are cooked and eaten as a remedy for dysentery.

A decoction of the root is also taken to treat heart troubles, palpitations and jaundice.

Immunomodulatory Activity: Sumanth and coworker compared the effect of BD with

ashwagandha and identify an increase in total swimming time in mice when fed with

alcoholic extract. The extract showed more potent effect on the count of total WBC, glucose

level, and plasma cortisol level. The extract produced macrophage phagocytic activity

comparable to the drug levamisole.[33]

Immunosuppressive Activity: Mehrotra and coworkers studied the immunomodulation

produced by an ethanolic extract of BD roots (100 and 500μg/mL) in inhibition of NK cells

cytotoxicity, LPS-induced NO production, and quantification of mRNA. The extract

prevented in vitro cytotoxicity in human NK cells and also inhibited NO generation in mouse

macrophage cells along with production of IL-2 and TNF-α (MIC ~ 10μg/mL) in human

PBMCs. The author suggested good immunosuppressive properties possibly because of

alkaloid/lignin.[33]


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Anticancer Activity

Ahmed-Belkacem and coworkers isolated two rotenoids (boeravinones G and H) from BD

roots and found them potential efflux inhibitors for breast cancer resistance protein

(ABCG2). The authors also proposed a correlation between structure and activity of

compounds having BCRP inhibitory activity.[34]

Antidiabetic and Hypoglycemic Activity

Chude and coworkers showed non-dose-dependent reduction in sugar levels in alloxan

induced diabetic rats upon administration of aqueous extract of leaf of BD. They showed

51.95% reduction in sugar level at the 6th hour after administration of 200 mg/Kg extract.[35]

Antifibrinolytic Activity

Srivastava and coworkers studied the effect of BD extract on IUD-induced bleeding in rhesus

monkeys and established antifibrinolytic activity of BD extract.[36]

Further they evaluated the

mechanism of this activity and discovered NAD-dependent-15-hydroxy-prostagtandin

dehydrogenase activity in the endometrium.[37]

Further exploration showed the role of

vascular and t-PA in IUD-fitted menstruating monkeys.[38]

Anti-Inflammatory Activity

Mudgal studied the anti-inflammatory effect of aqueous insoluble alcoholic extract of BD in

rats. The leaves and flower extracts have shown anti-inflammatory activity by only 55.78%

decrease in rat paw edema.[39]

Diuretic and Renal Activity

Singh and coworkers studied the effect of aqueous ethanolic extract on E. coli-induced acute

pyelonephritis in rats. The extract (50 mg/Kg p.o.) administered twice orally showed 42.85%

decrease in number of animals showing signs of renal changes. The administration of the

extract (50 mg/Kg p.o.) twice orally showed 99.09% decrease in bacterial count per mL of

urine.[40]

Hepatoprotective Activity

Devaki and coworkers studied the effect of ethanolic extract of BD on tissue defense system

against ethanol-induced hepatic injury in rats. The administration of BD extract

(150 mg/kg/day for 30 days, orally) reversed the increase in the levels of lipid peroxides and


589


increased the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and

glutathione-S-transferase and reduced glutathione levels.[41]

Antimicrobial Activity

Umamaheswari and coworkers studied the effect of various extracts prepared from BD roots

against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus, Bacillus, Streptococcus, and Micrococcus) and

Gram-negative (E. coli, Pseudomonas, Salmonella, Klebsiella, Proteus, Serratia, and

Shigella) bacterial strains by observing the zone of inhibition. The ethanol extract of BD

leaves demonstrated highest activity.[42]

Antifungal Activity

In vitro studies: Agrawal and coworkers evaluated the antifungal activity of ethyl acetate

extract of the roots of BD and have shown mycelial growth inhibition for Microsporum

gypseum (78.83%), M. fulvum (62.33%), and M. canis (42.30%) in that order at 1 mg/mL.

The increase in concentration of extract also inhibited sporulation.[43]

Antioxidant Activity

Priyadarsini and coworkers have shown dose-dependent radical quenching and reducing

power of BD extract against BHA. The IC50 of BD extract (49.95 g/mL) was lower than that

of BHA (53.27μg/mL) in radical scavenging. The extract has also shown remarkable rise of

reducing power as indicated by higher absorbance. Ethanolic extracts of BD also showed

potential cytotoxic activity (50μg/mL) against the Vero cell lines.[44]

Spasmolytic Activity

Borrelli and coworkers have shown spasmolytic effect of methanolic root extract on

exogenous (i.e., acetylcholine, histamine, and barium chloride) as well as electrically

stimulated contractions in the isolated ileum. The IC50 were 182μg/mL (electric field

stimulated), 160μg/mL (acetylcholine-induced), 158μg/mL (histamine-induced), and

168μg/mL (barium chloride-induced). The authors concluded that the spasmolytic activity

might involve extracellular calcium, whereas intracellular calcium provides negative

modulation for intestinal motility. The authors established that boeravinone E is the most

potent spasmolytic compound present in the extract and that nonprenylated rotenoids are the

spasmolytic agents in BD root extracts.[45]


590


Antiasthmatic Activity

Ex vivo activity: Irié-N'Guessan et al. documented tracheal relaxation effect against carbachol

(1μM) induced trachea contraction.[46]

Anticonvulsant Activity

In vivo activity: Goel and coworkers have shown anticonvulsant activity in pentylenetetrazol

(PTZ) induced seizures in mice and concluded that the calcium antagonist activity is

responsible for this since the activity was maintained only by liodendrin-rich fraction,

additionally established by anticonvulsant activity in BAY k-8644-induced seizures.[47]

CONCLUSION

Boerhavia diffusa linn is a well-known medicinal plant that is frequently prescribed in

various indigenous systems of medicine such as Ayurveda and Unani. The plant has a

number of traditional uses for ameliorating multiple diseases, which were further supported

by several pharmacological and clinical studies detailing the specific bioactivity of extracts of

the plant. While there are gaps in the studies conducted so far, which need to be bridged in

order to exploit the full medicinal potential of B. diffusa, it is still very clear that this is a

plant with tremendous widespread use now and also with extraordinary potential for the

future. This review is the collection of the studies conducted on various aspects on B. diffusa

by different authors and the traditional healers to provide useful information for future scope

of research and for conservation of this valuable species.

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