A Review on Phyto-Pharmacological Aspects of Apamarg (Achyranthes aspera Linn.)

Abstract

Achyranthes aspera is very important ayurvedic medicinal plant. It is known as Apamarg Sanskrit name, prickly chaff flower in English and Naayuruvi in Tamil. It belongs to the family Amaranthaceae. This medicinal plant found as a weed thrrought India up to 900 m. Though almost all of its parts are used in traditional system of medicines, seeds, roots, and shoots are the most important parts, which are used medicinally. The major phytoconstituents are carbohydrate, protein, glycosides, alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, and lignin. It also contains the phytochemicals like oleanolic acid, Saponin A and saponin B. A large number of phytochemical constituents have been isolated from the plant which possesses several pharmacological activities like diuretic, purgative, laxative, antiasthmatic, hepatoprotective, anti-allergic, hepatitis, renal disorders, dermatological disorders, gynecological disorders, gonorrhea, malaria, fever, cough, diabetes. The juice of the plant is used in the treatment of boils, diarrhea, dysentery, hemorrhoids, rheumatic pains, itches and skin eruption.