Boerhavia diffusa

Boerhavia diffusa
Boerhavia diffusa
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Core eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Nyctaginaceae
Genus: Boerhavia
Species: B. diffusa
Binomial name
Boerhavia diffusa
L.

Boerhavia diffusa is a species of flowering plant in the four o'clock family which is commonly known as tar vine, punarnava meaning that which rejuvenates or renews the body, or red spiderling. 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. It is believed to improve and protect eyesight. Boerhavia diffusa has diuretic properties[1] and is used by diabetics to lower blood sugar.[2]

Contents

Description

B. diffusa is widely dispersed, occurring throughout India, the Pacific, and southern United States. This wide range is explained by its small fruit, which are very sticky and grow a few inches off the ground, ideally placed to latch on to small migratory birds as they walk by.[3]

Medical uses

Boerhaavia diffusa has shown antibacterial activity, mainly against Gram-negative bacteria[4],[5] Extracts of Boerhaavia diffusa leaves showed antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties in pharmacological models.[6] Punarnavine, an alkaloid isolated from Boerhaavia diffusa has been shown in vitro anticancer[7], antiestrogenic[8]antiamoebic [9] and immunomodulatory activity [10]

References

  1. ^ Jarald E., Nalwaya N., Sheeja E., Ahmad S., Jamalludin S. "Comparative study on diuretic activity of few medicinal plants in individual form and in combination form." Indian Drugs 2010 47:3 (20-24)
  2. ^ Chude, MA; Orisakwe, OE; Afonne, OJ; Gamaniel, KS; Vongtau, OH; Obi, E (2001), "Hypoglycaemic effect of the aqueous extract of Boerhavia diffusa leaves", Indian Journal of Pharmacology 33 (3): 215–216, http://www.ijp-online.com/article.asp?issn=0253-7613;year=2001;volume=33;issue=3;spage=215;epage=216;aulast=Chude;type=0 
  3. ^ "Dispersal to Islands". www.sherwincarlquist.com. http://www.sherwincarlquist.com/dispersal-to-islands.html. 
  4. ^ Wagh S., Vidhale N.N.,"Antimicrobial efficacy of Boerhaavia diffusa against some human pathogenic bacteria and fungi" Biosciences Biotechnology Research Asia 2010 7:1 (267-272)
  5. ^ Wagh S., Vidhale N.N. "Antimicrobial efficacy of Boerhaavia diffusa against some human pathogenic bacteria and fungi" Biosciences Biotechnology Research Asia 2010 7:1 (267-272)
  6. ^ Olaleye M.T., Akinmoladun A.C., Ogunboye A.A., Akindahunsi A.A.,"Antioxidant activity and hepatoprotective property of leaf extracts of Boerhaavia diffusa Linn against acetaminophen-induced liver damage in rats." Food and Chemical Toxicology 2010 48:8-9 (2200-2205)
  7. ^ Manu K.A., Kuttan G. "Punarnavine induces apoptosis in B16F-10 melanoma cells by inhibiting NF-kappaB signaling." Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP 2009 10:6 (1031-1037)
  8. ^ Sreeja S., Sreeja S. "An in vitro study on antiproliferative and antiestrogenic effects of Boerhaavia diffusa L. extracts" Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2009 126:2 (221-225)
  9. ^ Sohni YR. Kaimal P. Bhatt RM.,"The antiamoebic effect of a crude drug formulation of herbal extracts against Entamoeba histolytica in vitro and in vivo". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 45(1):43-52, 1995 Jan.
  10. ^ Manu K.A., Kuttan G."Immunomodulatory activities of Punarnavine, an alkaloid from Boerhaavia diffusa" Immunopharmacology and Immunotoxicology 2009 31:3 (377-387)

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