Ethnomedicinal Uses of Achyranthes sapera L. in Orissa (India)

Evaluation of nutritional value of prickly chaff flower (Achyranthes aspera) as fish feed ingredient

The nutritional value of seeds and leaves of Achyranthes aspera as fish feed ingredients was evaluated. The protein and lipid contents were higher in seeds and ash content was higher in leaves. In seeds, total 18 essential and non-essential amino acids were present; total 17 amino acids were found in leaves, cysteine was absent. The essential and non-essential amino acid contents were higher in seeds compared to leaves except, leucine, tryptophan, valine, alanine and tyrosine. Taurine content was higher in leaves. Higher saturated, monounsaturated and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-6 PUFA) contents were observed in seeds, whereas, n-3 PUFA level was higher in leaves. In seeds, oleic and linoleic acid levels were 1863.34±9.25 and 3342.05±8.05 mg/100 g, respectively; α- linolenic acids level in leaves was 1058.07±3.71 mg/100 g. Vitamins A, D2, E, B1, B2, B6, B12 and C were present in seeds; vitamins A, D2, E, B2 and B12 were found in leaves. In seeds and leaves, four macro, nine trace and four ultra-trace minerals were found and contents were higher in leaves, except zinc. In seeds and leaves, iron contents were 76.82±4.15 and 293.73±11.40 μg/g, respectively. Thus, seeds and leaves are rich sources of nutrients.

Pharmacognostic Characterization and Phytochemical Screening of Achyranthes Aspera Linn

Achyranthes aspera Linn. is a well-known plant drug in Ayurvedic, Unani-Tibbi, Siddha, Allopathic, Homeopathic, Naturopathic & Home Remedies. The present communication deals with the pharmacognostic evaluation on the different parts of Achyranthes aspera Linn. (Amaranthaceae). Macroscopic and microscopic examinations of the different organ, observations and differential microchemical test has been carried out for the authentication of the samples. Physiochemical values such as the Moisture contents, percentage of total ash, acid insoluble ash, acid soluble ash, extractive values like petroleum ether-soluble extractives, ethanol-soluble extractives, methanol-soluble extractives and water-soluble extractives were calculated as well as colour reactions of powder and extract with different chemicals were performed. The extracts were subjected to qualitative screening test for various constituents. This revealed the presence protein, glycosides, alkaloids, tannins and phenolic compound, steroid reducing sugars and saponin glycosides. These observations will help in the Pharmacognostical identification and standardization of the drug in the crude form and also to distinguish the drug from its adulteration.

Evaluation of immunostimulatory and growth promoting effect of seed fractions of Achyranthes aspera in common carp Cyprinus carpio and identification of active constituents

Immunostimulatory and growth promoting properties of Achyranthes aspera seeds were studied with larvae of common carp Cyprinus carpio. Four experimental diets were prepared using raw (D1) and alcohol (D2), petroleum ether (D3) and 50% aqueous alcohol (D4) extracts of A. aspera seeds. Diet without seed served as control (D5). Fish were fed with test/control diet for 30 days and then immunized with 10 μl of c-RBC. Blood samples were collected 7 days after immunization. Survival (93 ± 3%) of fish was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in D1 diet fed group compared to others. Highest specific growth rate was found in fish fed with diet D2. Significantly (P < 0.05) higher levels of serum protein and albumin were found in D1 and D3 compared to others. Highest serum globulin level was found in D1, which was followed by D3, D2, D4 and D5. Hemagglutination titer level was 5-18 folds higher in diet D3 fed fish compared to others. SGOT and SGPT levels were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in control group compared to the treated groups. Myeloperoxidase activity was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in D1 (2.513 ± 0.27 λ 450 nm) and D3 (2.38 ± 0.07 λ 450 nm) diets fed groups compared to others. The best performance of fish was found in raw A. aspera seeds incorporated diet fed group and the active constituents were identified as ecdysterone and two essential fatty acids linolenic acid and oleic acid.

Evaluation of Eye Irritation Potential of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Achyranthes aspera by In Vitro and In Vivo Method

The present paper is an attempt to investigate the eye irritation potential of aqueous leaf extract of Achyranthes aspera by in vitro, Hen's Egg Chorioallantoic Membrane Test (HET-CAM) and in vivo acute eye irritation test in rabbits. The irritation score (IS) obtained after treatment of the extract on HET-CAM is 0.07 and that of in rabbits is 0.55, Which does not comes under either category 1 or 2 as per the harmonized integrated classification system. The aqueous extract of Achyranthes aspera showed no eye irritation properties both in vitro and in vivo methods when compared with negative control whereas positive controls showed eye irritation potential.

Larvicidal activity of saponin from Achyranthes aspera against Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)

The acetone, chloroform, ethyl acetate, hexane and methanol leaf extracts of Acalypha indica, Achyranthes aspera, Leucas aspera, Morinda tinctoria and Ocimum sanctum were studied against the early fourth-instar larvae of Aedes aegypti L and Culex quinquefasciatus Say. The larval mortality was observed after 24 h exposure. All extracts showed moderate larvicidal effects; however, the highest larval mortality was found in the ethyl acetate extract of A. aspera. In the present study, bioassay-guided fractionation of A. aspera led to the separation and identification ofa saponin as a potential mosquito larvicidal compound, with LC50 value of 18.20 and 27.24 ppm against A. aegypti and C. quinquefasciatus, respectively. 1H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectral data confirmed the identification of the active compound. This is the first report on the mosquito larvicidal activity of the saponin from the ethyl acetate extract of A. aspera. This study investigates the potential of crude extracts from commonly used medical herbs in India as an environmentally safe measure to control the vector of dengue and lymphatic filariasis.

Post-coital antifertility activity of Achyranthes aspera Linn. root

Achyranthes aspera Linn. (Amaranthaceae) is an abundant indigenous herb in India. It is traditionally being used as an abortifacient. The ethanol extract of the root was screened for antifertility activity in proven fertile female albino rats at 200 mg/kg body weight and given orally on days 1-7 of pregnancy. The ethanol extract exhibited 83.3% anti-implantation activity when given orally at 200 mg/kg body weight. The rats, which continued their pregnancy, did not deliver any litters after their full term. Hence the combined antifertility (anti-implantation and abortifacient) activity of ethanol extract was 100%. The results suggest that the ethanol extract possess both anti-implantation and abortifacient activity. The ethanol extract also exhibited estrogenic activity tested in immature ovariectomised female albino rats. Histological studies were carried out to confirm this.

Effect of Achyranthes aspera on the immunity and survival of Labeo rohita infected with Aeromonas hydrophila

Achyranthes aspera seed was incorporated in the diets (at 0.01%, 0.1% and 0.5%) of Labeo rohita, rohu fingerlings (3.0+/-0.4 g). After 2 weeks, the fish were immunized with heat-killed Aeromonas hydrophila, and after a further 2 weeks the rohu were experimentally infected with Aeromonas hydrophila (ATCC 49140). After 7 days blood and serum were sampled to determine superoxide anion production, bactericidal activity, lysozyme, serum protein, albumin, globulin, serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Superoxide anion production, serum bactericidal activity, lysozyme, ALP, serum protein, albumin:globulin ratio (A/G) were enhanced in Achyranthes treated groups compared to the control group. SGOT and SGPT levels were elevated in control group, but in Achyranthes treated groups the levels were similar to the uninfected-control group. Higher cumulative mortalities were observed in the control group (77%) up to day-9 after infection. This gradually decreased with increasing dose of Achyranthes, 66% mortality in 0.01% group, 57% mortality in 0.1% group and 28% mortality in 0.5% group. These results indicate that Achyranthes aspera stimulates immunity and increases resistance to infection in L. rohita.

Achyranthes aspera stimulates the immunity and enhances the antigen clearance in Catla catla

Achyranthes aspera, an Indian medicinal plant (family: Amaranthaceae) was incorporated in artificial fish diet, and fed to catla Catla catla. After 4 weeks of feeding, fish were immunized with bovine serum albumin (BSA), spleen and blood were sampled on weekly intervals for four times after immunization. Antigen-specific antibody level in serum was determined by ELISA. Antigen clearance was determined in spleen by immuno-electron microscopy. Achyranthes has significantly (P<0.05) enhanced the BSA-specific antibody titers than the untreated control group throughout the study period. The efficiency of antigen clearance was also enhanced in C. catla treated with Achyranthes.

Cancer chemopreventive activity of Achyranthes aspera leaves on Epstein-Barr virus activation and two-stage mouse skin carcinogenesis

Achyranthes aspera leaves have been assessed for chemopreventive activity. The MeOH extract, alkaloid, non-alkaloid and saponin fractions exhibited significant inhibitory effects (concentration 100 microg) on the Epstein-Barr virus early antigen activation induced by the tumor promotor 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate in Raji cells. In this in vitro assay the non-alkaloid fraction containing mainly non-polar compounds showed the most significant inhibitory activity (96.9%; 60% viability). In the in vivo two-stage mouse skin carcinogenesis test the total methanolic extract possessed a pronounced anticarcinogenic effect (76%). The present study suggests that A. aspera leaf extract and the non-alkaloid fraction are valuable antitumor promotors in carcinogenesis.