ACHYRANTHES ASPERA: A POTENT IMMUNOSTIMULATING PLANT FOR TRADITIONAL MEDICINE

Achyranthes aspera L. (family: Amaranthaceae), an erect and much branched diffuse herb is a medicinal plant, frequently found in tropical and warmer regions as weed. The plants are reported to contain following major classes of compounds: fatty acids, a number of oleonic acid, bisdesmosidic, triterpenoid based saponins, ecdysterone, n-hexacos-14- enoic, oleanolic acid, triacontanol, spinasterol,dihydroxy ketones, spathulenol, alkaloids, D-glucuronic, Betaine, Achyranthine and various amino acids. This acrid, bitter plant has been used as indigenous medicine and commonly used by traditional healers for the treatment of various diseases. Though almost all of its parts are used in traditional systems of medicines, seeds, roots and shoots are the most important parts which are used medicinally. The present article gives an account of updated information on its classification, morphology, geographical sources, phytochemical and pharmacological properties. The review reveals that wide numbers of phytochemical constituents have been isolated from the plant which possesses activities like antiperiodic, antiasthmatic, hepatoprotective, anti-allergic, expectorant, stomach tonic, laxative, antihelmintic, diuretic, linthontriptic, sudorific, demulcent, anti-inflammatory, anticataract, antifungal, antibacterial, hypoglycemic, antihyperlipidemic and haematinic and various other important medicinal properties. For the last few decades or so, extensive research work has been done to prove its biological activities and pharmacology of its extracts.