A REVIEW ON PHYTOPHARMACOLOGICAL STUDIES OF AN INDIAN MEDICINAL WEED: ACHYRANTHES ASPERA

Abstract

Achyranthes aspera is an important medicinal herb found as a weed and widely distributed in India. It belongs to the family Amaranthaceae. In Sanskrit it is called as Apamarga and commonly called as Prickly chaff flower. All parts of this herb, root, leaves, inflorescence and seeds are used traditionally and medicinally. Traditionally this herb is used in the treatment of renal dropsy. The seeds of this plant are used in the treatment of hydrophobia, snake bite, ophthalmic and cutaneous disease. The pharmacological attributes of this herb reveal that it is used in the treatment of diseases like liver disorders, antihyperlipidemic, anti-allergic, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant and diuretic. This present review spotlights the detailed information related to Geographical distribution, Morphological characters, phytochemical constituents, Traditional and Pharmacological attributes of this herb.