Author's Accepted Manuscript Medicinal plants from the genus Acalypha (Euphorbiaceae) – A review of their Ethno- pharmacology and phytochemistry R. Seebaluck, A. Gurib-Fakim, F. Mahomoodally PII: S0378-8741(14)00750-8 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2014.10.040 Reference: JEP9095 To appear in: Journal of Ethnopharmacology Received date: 9 June 2014 Revised date: 21 October 2014 Accepted date: 21 October 2014 Cite this article as: R. Seebaluck, A. Gurib-Fakim, F. Mahomoodally, Medicinal plants from the genus Acalypha (Euphorbiaceae) – A review of their Ethnopharmacology and phytochemistry, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, http: //dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2014.10.040 This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting galley proof before it is published in its final citable form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. www.elsevier.com/locate/jep
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Author's Accepted Manuscript
Medicinal plants from the genus Acalypha(Euphorbiaceae) – A review of their Ethno-pharmacology and phytochemistry
Received date: 9 June 2014Revised date: 21 October 2014Accepted date: 21 October 2014
Cite this article as: R. Seebaluck, A. Gurib-Fakim, F. Mahomoodally, Medicinalplants from the genus Acalypha (Euphorbiaceae) – A review of theirEthnopharmacology and phytochemistry, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2014.10.040
This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted forpublication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version ofthe manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, andreview of the resulting galley proof before it is published in its final citable form.Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered whichcould affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journalpertain.
Medicinal plants from the genus Acalypha (Euphorbiaceae) – A review of their
ethnopharmacology and phytochemistry����
Seebaluck R1, Gurib-Fakim A
2 and Mahomoodally F
1*
1Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Mauritius, Réduit, Mauritius 2Centre for Phytotherapy Research, Cybercity 2, 7th floor, Ebéne, Mauritius *Corresponding author. Tel: +230 4037578; fax: +230 4656928. E-mail address: [email protected] (M.F.Mahomoodally).
Abstract
Ethnopharmacological relevance: Acalypha is the fourth largest genus of the Euphorbiaceae family with approximately 450 to 570 species. Several Acalypha species are used as medicinal plants in Africa and in the Mascarene Islands. Almost every part of the plant including the leaves, stem and roots are used as traditional remedies to treat and manage a panoply of ailments. However, there is no updated compilation of traditionally important medicinal plants from the Acalypha genus. The present review therefore, endeavours to provide for the first time an updated compilation of documented ethnopharmacological information in relation to the ethnomedicinal, ethnoveterinary, zoopharmacognosy, phytochemistry and biological activities of medicinal plants from the Acalypha genus which can subsequently open new perspectives for further pharmacological research. Materials and methods: A literature search was performed on Acalypha species using ethnobotanical text books and scientific databases such as Pubmed, Scopus, EBSCO, Google Scholar and other web sources such as records from PROTA, PROSEA, and Botanical Dermatology Database. The Plant List, International Plant Name index and Kew Botanical Garden Plant name databases were used to validate scientific names. Results and discussion: Plants from Acalypha genus are traditionally used in the treatment and/or management of diverse ailments such as diabetes, jaundice, hypertension, fever, liver inflammation, schistosomiasis, dysentery, respiratory problems including bronchitis, asthma and pheumonia as well as skin conditions such as scabies, eczema and mycoses. Approximately 124 species were listed in ethnobotanical studies with some botanical description and others mentioned from different web sources. However, only 40 species have been included in the present review due to the unavailability of ethnopharmacological data on the remaining species. Among the 40 cited species, 30 were traditionally used for the treatment and/or management of approximately 70 human diseases or health conditions. Two species, A. alnifolia and A. fruticosa are used as insecticides and sand fly repellent respectively. Only 2 species (A. fruticosa and A.
indica) are used in ethnoveterinary practice and have similar human and veterinary applications. In zoopharmacognosy, only A. ornata has been mentioned. Natives from Africa, Central America, North America, Southern China, India, Bangladesh, Papua New Guinea and Mascarenes islands utilize Acalypha species as ethnomedicine. Traditionally used Acalypha species have been reported to possess at least one of the following biological activities: antimicrobial, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, larvidal, pupicidal, hepatoprotective,
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anticancer, leishmanicidal, antihyperglycemic, antihypertensive, anti-venom, analgesic, anthelmintic, antiemetic, laxative, expectorant, diuretic, post-coital antifertility effects and wound healing. A total of 167 compounds have been identified from 19 species, with 16 from eight species were reported to be bioactive. Conclusion: The present review represents 32.3% of species from the Acalypha genus and can be considered as the first compilation of ethnopharmacologically useful plants from this genus. There is a great potential to discover new biologically active phytochemicals from the Acalypha genus because only few species have been studied comprehensively. Therefore, the clinical evaluation of species from this genus is warranted in future studies to confirm the ethnomedicinal claims and for the safety approval of therapeutic applications. Keywords: Acalypha, Euphorbiaceae, medicinal plants, ethnopharmacological uses, phytochemicals. Abbreviations: PROTA: plant resources of tropical Africa, PROSEA: plant resources of south-east Asia, IPNI: International Plant Name index, L: leaves, LS: leafy stem, T: twigs, RB: root bark, R: roots, F: flower, SB: stem bark, AP: aerial part, WP: whole plant, B: bark, S: seed, St: stem, F: fraction, EA: ethyl acetate, HE: hexane extract, ME: methanolic extract, CE: chloroform extract, AE: aqueous extract, EE: ethanolic extract, SWE: sterilized water extract, UWE: unsterilized water extract, HWE: hot water extract, PE: petroleum ether, AA: ascorbic acid, EO: essential oil, LA: least active, A: active, NA: not active, NI: not indicated, PA: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, EC: Escherichia coli, SA: Staphylococcus
Medicinal plants from the genus Acalypha (Euphorbiaceae) – A review of their
ethnopharmacology and phytochemistry����
Seebaluck R1, Gurib-Fakim A
2 and Mahomoodally F
1*
1Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Mauritius, Réduit, Mauritius 2Centre for Phytotherapy Research, Cybercity 2, 7th floor, Ebéne, Mauritius *Corresponding author. Tel: +230 4037578; fax: +230 4656928. E-mail address: [email protected] (M.F.Mahomoodally).
Abstract
Ethnopharmacological relevance: Acalypha is the fourth largest genus of the Euphorbiaceae family with approximately 450 to 570 species. Several Acalypha species are used as medicinal plants in Africa and in the Mascarene Islands. Almost every part of the plant including the leaves, stem and roots are used as traditional remedies to treat and manage a panoply of ailments. However, there is no updated compilation of traditionally important medicinal plants from the Acalypha genus. The present review therefore, endeavours to provide for the first time an updated compilation of documented ethnopharmacological information in relation to the ethnomedicinal, ethnoveterinary, zoopharmacognosy, phytochemistry and biological activities of medicinal plants from the Acalypha genus which can subsequently open new perspectives for further pharmacological research. Materials and methods: A literature search was performed on Acalypha species using ethnobotanical text books and scientific databases such as Pubmed, Scopus, EBSCO, Google Scholar and other web sources such as records from PROTA, PROSEA, and Botanical Dermatology Database. The Plant List, International Plant Name index and Kew Botanical Garden Plant name databases were used to validate scientific names. Results and discussion: Plants from Acalypha genus are traditionally used in the treatment and/or management of diverse ailments such as diabetes, jaundice, hypertension, fever, liver inflammation, schistosomiasis, dysentery, respiratory problems including bronchitis, asthma and pheumonia as well as skin conditions such as scabies, eczema and mycoses. Approximately 124 species were listed in ethnobotanical studies with some botanical description and others mentioned from different web sources. However, only 40 species have been included in the present review due to the unavailability of ethnopharmacological data on the remaining species. Among the 40 cited species, 30 were traditionally used for the treatment and/or management of approximately 70 human diseases or health conditions. Two species, A. alnifolia and A. fruticosa are used as insecticides and sand fly repellent respectively. Only 2 species (A. fruticosa and A.
indica) are used in ethnoveterinary practice and have similar human and veterinary applications. In zoopharmacognosy, only A. ornata has been mentioned. Natives from Africa, Central America, North America, Southern China, India, Bangladesh, Papua New Guinea and Mascarenes islands utilize Acalypha species as ethnomedicine. Traditionally used Acalypha species have been reported to possess at least one of the following biological activities: antimicrobial, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, larvidal, pupicidal, hepatoprotective,
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anticancer, leishmanicidal, antihyperglycemic, antihypertensive, anti-venom, analgesic, anthelmintic, antiemetic, laxative, expectorant, diuretic, post-coital antifertility effects and wound healing. A total of 167 compounds have been identified from 19 species, with 16 from eight species were reported to be bioactive. Conclusion: The present review represents 32.3% of species from the Acalypha genus and can be considered as the first compilation of ethnopharmacologically useful plants from this genus. There is a great potential to discover new biologically active phytochemicals from the Acalypha genus because only few species have been studied comprehensively. Therefore, the clinical evaluation of species from this genus is warranted in future studies to confirm the ethnomedicinal claims and for the safety approval of therapeutic applications. Keywords: Acalypha, Euphorbiaceae, medicinal plants, ethnopharmacological uses, phytochemicals. Abbreviations: PROTA: plant resources of tropical Africa, PROSEA: plant resources of south-east Asia, IPNI: International Plant Name index, L: leaves, LS: leafy stem, T: twigs, RB: root bark, R: roots, F: flower, SB: stem bark, AP: aerial part, WP: whole plant, B: bark, S: seed, St: stem, F: fraction, EA: ethyl acetate, HE: hexane extract, ME: methanolic extract, CE: chloroform extract, AE: aqueous extract, EE: ethanolic extract, SWE: sterilized water extract, UWE: unsterilized water extract, HWE: hot water extract, PE: petroleum ether, AA: ascorbic acid, EO: essential oil, LA: least active, A: active, NA: not active, NI: not indicated, PA: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, EC: Escherichia coli, SA: Staphylococcus
28,13�-olide and squalene on the basis of the analysis of physical and chemical properties using
NMR and MS data (Qiong, 2010).
3.7. Acalypha capitata Willd.
A. capitata is traditionally used to manage hypertension in southern Nigeria (Johnkennedy et al.,
2011). The leaves from some plants are consumed as vegetable and the aqueous extracts are utilized
as tonic to treat hypercholesterolemia in southern Nigeria. In high cholesterol-fed rats, the aqueous
extract showed a beneficial effect by lowering serum LDL-C, total cholesterol and triglyceride as
well as increasing the HDL-C. Thus, the plant could be useful in the treatment of cardiovascular
diseases (Johnkennedy et al., 2011).
3.8. Acalypha ciliata Forssk.
A. ciliata occurs widely in Africa where it is used as a vegetable and also used to feed animals
(Aboaba et al., 2012). It also occurs in Yemen, Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka. In Cote d’Ivoire,
decoction of the leaves is taken to treat female sterility. In Ghana, crushed leaves are applied as
dressing to sores and root decoction is drunk to treat schistosomiasis in East Africa (Aboaba et al.,
2012). The essential oil from the leaf of A. ciliata showed larvicidal and toxicity activities against
Anopheles gambiae and Artemia salina (Aboaba et al., 2012).
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Table 2: Ethnoveterinary uses of Acalypha species
Species Part(s)used Country Use in Ethnomedicine Reference
A.
fruticosa Forssk.
L Ethiopia To treat contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) in sheep
Giday and Teklehaymanot, 2013
St NI Wounds Gopalakrishnan et al., 2010; Thambiraj and Paulsamy, 2011
A. indica L.
WP Ethiopia Anthrax in cattle and camel Giday and Teklehaymanot, 2013
� R, L Andhra Pradesh, India
Roots and leaves are crushed in proportion of 1:2 ratios and administered to cattle along once daily for 5 days with food to treat intestinal worms
Bandyopadhyay and Mukherjee, 2005; Pragada and Rao, 2012; Lakshminarayan and Narasimharao, 2013
� L Andhra Pradesh, India
Leaf paste is applied with pepper against skin diseases
Kiruba and Dhas, 2006; Lakshminarayan and Narasimharao, 2013
� L Tamil Nadu, India
Leaves of the plant and seeds of Acorus calamus L. are ground and the extract is fed to animals to relief from vomiting
Eswaran et al., 2013
� L Tamil Nadu, India
Leaves of A. indica L. and Leucas aspera (Willd.) Link, bulb of Allium cepa L. and seeds of Piper nigrum L. are ground and fed to animals to cure Black quarter disease
Eswaran et al., 2013
� L Kalahandi district, Odisha, India
Leaf paste is mixed with lemon juice and applied on scabies area
Mallik et al., 2012
� NI Coimbatore, India
Bovine mastitis in cattle Mubarack et al., 2012
� L Nizamabad district, India
Crushed leaves are applied to wounds externally till cured
Vijigiri and Sharma, 2012
� � L Tamil Nadu,
India Leaf paste is mixed with common salt and applied externally on wounded cow, goat and chicken
contains tannins, flavonoids, sterols, saponins and alkaloids. Sterols and saponins were present in
hexane extract while absent in methanolic extract (Nino et al., 2012).
� L Andhra Pradesh, India
Leaf juice mixed with 5g of Ferula assa-foetida L. is used against constipation. A paste of few leaves, 4 black pepper and 3 cloves is applied externally to cure maggot wounds
Rao et al., 2008
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�Tab
le 3
: In
vit
ro s
tud
ies
on
Acaly
ph
a s
pec
ies
Sp
eci
es
Part
use
d
Stu
dy/
ass
ays
A
ctiv
ity
Ref
ere
nce
A.
aln
ifoli
a
Kle
in e
x W
illd
. L
A
ntio
xida
nt-D
PP
H
IC50
(µg/
ml)
: ME
= 1
1.14
±0.
25, A
E=
12.
66±
0.29
, st
anda
rd, r
utin
= 3.
91±
0.10
Eva
njel
ene
and
Nat
araj
an, 2
013
L
A
ntio
xida
nt-N
itri
c ox
ide
IC50
(µg/
ml)
: ME
>10
00, A
E=
422
.33±
1.45
, sta
ndar
d,
ruti
n= 6
5.44
±1.5
6
Eva
njel
ene
and
Nat
araj
an, 2
013�
L
A
ntio
xida
nt-L
ipid
per
oxid
atio
n IC
50 (µ
g/m
l): M
E >
1000
, AE
= >
1000
, sta
ndar
d, B
HA
=
3.91
±0.1
0
Eva
njel
ene
and
Nat
araj
an, 2
013�
L
A
ntio
xida
nt-F
RA
P
IC50
(µg/
ml)
: ME
= 1
61±0
.82,
AE
= 1
24±
0.89
, sta
ndar
d,
AA
= N
I
Eva
njel
ene
and
Nat
araj
an, 2
013 �
L
A
ntim
icro
bial
-Dis
c di
ffus
ion
A
ctiv
e ag
ains
t EC
, ST
, PA
, KP,
PV
, BS,
SP
, SA
E
vanj
elen
e an
d N
atar
ajan
, 201
3
L
Ant
ioxi
dant
-P
hosp
hom
olyb
denu
m (
mg
AA
eq
uiva
lenc
e/g)
PE
= 3
8.7±
2.2,
CE
=83
.9±4
.3, A
cE=
104
.9±4
.1, M
E=
13
9.7±
2.8,
HW
E=
82.
9±6.
4 R
evat
hi e
t al.,
201
3
L
A
ntio
xida
nt-F
RA
P (
Mm
ol
equi
vale
nce
of F
e (I
I)/m
g)
PE
= 3
1.9±
0.22
, CE
= 5
1.5±
0.8,
AcE
= 32
4.1±
0.16
, ME
=
323.
4±0.
72, H
WE
= 1
46.9
±0.
76
Rev
athi
et a
l., 2
013
L
A
ntio
xida
nt-F
RA
P (
µg
equi
vale
nce
of tr
olox
/g)
PE
= 9
73.6
, CE
= 3
906.
7, A
cE=
398
54.2
, ME
= 4
5902
.7,
HW
E=
807
8.5
Rev
athi
et a
l., 2
013
A.
alo
pecuro
idea
Jacq
.
R
Cyt
otox
icit
y(C
EM
cel
l lin
es)
IC
50 =
<0.
4 an
d 0.
9 m
g/m
l, M
CF
7 ce
ll li
ne: a
ctiv
e
Mad
lene
r et
al.,
200
9
S
t C
ytot
oxic
ity
(CE
M c
ell l
ines
) �
Lea
st a
ctiv
e M
adle
ner
et a
l., 2
009�
�
���
� L
C
ytot
oxic
ity
(CE
M a
nd M
CF
7 ce
ll li
nes)
�
Act
ive
Mad
lene
r et
al.,
200
9�
R
A
ntic
ance
r IC
50 (
mg/
mL
) of
ME
-TH
F (
1:1)
aga
inst
MC
F-7
= 1
.1,
CE
M c
ells
= 0.
9. F
ract
ions
but
anol
: 127
.5 f
or M
CF-
7,
15.3
for
CE
M a
nd B
23: 8
6.5
for
MC
F-7
and
0.5
for
CE
M
Sva�in
ova,
201
1
N
I A
ntim
icro
bial
A
E: i
nhib
ited
som
e en
tero
bact
eria
Sva�in
ova,
201
1
N
I A
nti-
infl
amm
ator
y an
d an
tiart
hrit
ic
AE
: act
ive
agai
nst a
cute
and
chr
onic
pha
se o
f in
flam
mat
ion
Sva�in
ova,
201
1
A
. cil
iata
For
ssk.
L
L
arvi
cida
l and
toxi
city
L
C50
(ppm
) of
EO
aga
inst
Art
em
ia s
ali
na: 9
6.66
and
An.
gam
bia
e: 7
3.96
Abo
aba
et a
l., 2
012
A. com
munis
M
üll.A
rg.
AP
A
ntim
icro
bial
A
ctiv
e ag
ains
t van
com
ycin
-res
ista
nt E
nte
rococcus
and
met
hici
llin
-res
ista
nt S
taphylo
coccus
aure
us
(MR
SA
)
Das
et a
l., 2
012
A
P
Ant
imic
robi
al
MIC
(µ
g/m
l): M
E a
ctiv
e ag
ains
t ye
ast a
nd A
sper
gil
lus
spp.
>10
00 a
nd a
gain
st d
erm
atop
hyte
s =
250
-500
Pos
tigo
et a
l., 2
012
A.
div
ers
ifoli
a
Jacq
. A
P
Ant
ioxi
dant
-DP
PH
In
hibi
tion
: 32%
M
osqu
era
et a
l., 2
009
A
P
Ant
imic
robi
al
MIC
(m
g/m
l): D
CM
= 1
aga
inst
FS
and
ME
= 4
aga
inst
P
A
Nin
o et
al.,
201
2
A.
fruti
cosa
For
sk.
NI
Ant
idia
rrhe
al, a
ntio
xida
nt, a
nti-
infl
amm
ator
y, a
ntic
ance
r,
anti
plas
mod
ial,
wou
nd h
eali
ng
and
cyto
toxi
c
Act
ive
Gop
alak
rish
nan
et
al.,
2010
N
I A
ntim
icro
bial
A
ctiv
e S
ivak
umar
et a
l.,
�
���
�
20
10
L
A
ntim
icro
bial
A
E (
100
mg/
ml)
: act
ive
agai
nst S
A, S
P, S
E a
nd P
V
Sen
thil
kum
ar a
nd
Dha
ndap
ani,
2009
; B
ama
et a
l., 2
013
A
ntib
acte
rial
usi
ng d
isk
diff
usio
n M
E (
5 µ
g/m
l): a
ctiv
e ag
ains
t EC
, VC
, PM
, PA
and
SA
N
I A
ntim
icro
bial
usi
ng a
gar
diff
usio
n Z
one
of in
hibi
tion
(m
m)
usin
g M
E (
4 m
g): 1
4 ag
ains
t SA
, B
S, 2
1 ag
ains
t MF,
12
agai
nst S
E. A
mpi
cill
in (
10
µg/
disc
): 2
5 ag
ains
t SA
, 26
agai
nst B
S an
d 30
aga
inst
M
F, n
ot a
ctiv
e ag
ains
t SE
Mot
hana
et a
l., 2
008
N
I A
ntio
xida
nt u
sing
DP
PH
R
adic
al s
cave
ngin
g ac
tivi
ty o
f M
E (
0.1
mg/
ml)
: 92.
26 %
M
otha
na e
t al.,
200
8
L
Ant
i-fe
cund
ity
M
E, E
A: A
ctiv
e ag
ains
t PD
Sam
uel e
t al.,
201
2
L
L
arvi
cida
l and
ant
ifee
dant
C
E (
5%):
act
ive
wit
h 92
.8%
, LC
50=
1.86
%. S
even
th
frac
tion
(10
00 p
pm):
act
ive
wit
h 84
.3%
, LC
50=
385.
7 pp
m
Lin
gath
urai
et a
l.,
2011
A.
gaum
eri
Pax
&
K.H
offm
. L
In
sect
icid
al a
nd to
xici
ty
% m
orta
lity
of
BT
egg
s: E
E=
95±
3.33
, AE
= 9
8±1.
29,
imid
aclo
prid
=10
0. L
C50
(mg/
mL
): E
E=
3.5
4 (3
.31-
3.76
),
AE
= 0
.39
(0.3
-0.4
5). %
nym
phal
mor
tali
ty: E
E=
100,
A
E=
3.3±
2.53
, im
idac
lopr
id=
100
Cru
z-E
stra
da e
t al.,
20
13
A.
his
pid
a
Bur
m.f
.
NI
Ant
imic
robi
al
Act
ive
agai
nst P
A, S
A, E
C, a
nd S
T
Ona
cho
et a
l., 2
010
A.
indic
a L
. N
I A
ntim
icro
bial
S
ilve
r na
nopa
rtic
les:
act
ive
agai
nst E
C a
nd V
C
D
as e
t al.,
201
2
N
I A
ntim
icro
bial
V
ario
us s
olve
nt e
xtra
cts:
act
ive
agai
nst S
A, S
E, B
C
andS
F
Das
et a
l., 2
012
A.
lanceola
ta
Wil
ld.
L
Ant
imic
robi
al (
Dis
c di
ffus
ion)
M
IC (
mm
), M
E (
100
µg/
ml)
: 12
agai
nst K
P, 1
0 ag
ains
t S
A, 2
1 ag
ains
t VD
Per
umal
Sam
y et
al.,
20
13
�
���
�A.
macro
stachya
Jacq
.
L
Ant
imic
robi
al
Inhi
biti
on (
%)
of C
P b
y: E
E=
100,
SW
E=
73, U
WE
=62
Ogb
o an
d O
yibo
, 20
08
A.
mandonii
M
üll.A
rg.
NI
Ant
imic
robi
al, d
isk
diff
usio
n A
ctiv
e- z
one
of in
hibi
tion
: 11
mm
aga
inst
SA
Bus
sman
n et
al.,
20
10; 2
011
A.
mannia
na
Mül
l.Arg
. L
A
ntib
acte
rial
and
an
tide
rmat
ophy
tic
ME
, HE
, EA
: act
ive
(MIC
= 0
.12-
2.0
4 m
g/m
l)
Nou
med
em e
t al.,
20
13
L
A
ntio
xida
nt
ME
, HE
, EA
: IC
50 =
3.3
4-4.
8 µ
g/m
l. V
itam
in C
, IC
50 =
1.
74 µ
g/m
l
Nou
med
em e
t al.,
20
13
A.
marg
inata
(Poi
r.)
Spr
eng.
L
A
ntim
icro
bial
M
IC (
µg/
ml)
: 120
aga
inst
LM
and
EC
, 30
agai
nst S
E,
cont
rol-
cyt
isos
ide
and
ampi
cill
in: 1
6 an
d 24
res
pect
ivel
y ag
ains
t LM
, EC
and
SE
Dia
b et
al.,
201
2
Ant
ioxi
dant
, DP
PH
%
inhi
biti
on f
or C
H a
nd M
E (
50µ
g/m
l): 2
9 an
d 89
%
resp
ecti
vely
Mou
ssa
et a
l., 2
011
A.
monost
achya
Cav
. A
P
Ant
imic
robi
al
HE
: act
ive
agai
nst S
A, S
E, f
our
stra
ins
of V
C a
nd S
T
wit
h M
IC >
2 m
g/m
l, M
E: a
ctiv
e ag
ains
t SA
, SE
, SI,
BS
and
four
str
ains
of
VC
and
ST
wit
h lo
wes
t MIC
of
VC
T
or (
1 m
g/m
l). M
ICs
of c
hlor
amph
enic
ol a
gain
st S
I, S
A,
VC
str
ains
: 1 µ
g/m
l, ag
ains
t BS
, SE
, and
ST
: 2 µ
g/m
l
Can
ales
et a
l., 2
011
A
P
Ant
ioxi
dant
, DP
PH
M
E: S
C50
= 3.
45 µ
g/m
l
Can
ales
et a
l., 2
011
A
P
Tox
icit
y, b
rine
shr
imp
leth
alit
y us
ing
A.
Sali
na
ME
: tox
ic, L
C50
= 4
.5 µ
g/m
l C
anal
es e
t al.,
201
1
A.
orn
ata
H
ochs
t. ex
A
.Ric
h.
L
Tox
icit
y L
C50
(ppm
) of
EO
aga
inst
AS
: 93.
77 a
nd A
G: 7
7.59
A
boab
a et
al.,
201
2
L
T
oxic
ity
LC
50 (µ
g/m
l) o
f E
O a
gain
st A
S n
aupl
ii: 1
11.6
O
noch
a et
al.,
201
1c
�
���
�
L
Ant
ibac
teri
al
MIC
(m
g/m
l) o
f H
WE
aga
inst
cli
nica
l iso
late
s: 5
2 ag
ains
t EC
, 15
agai
nst P
A, 4
aga
inst
KB
and
2 a
gain
st
PM
. Tet
racy
clin
e: 8
aga
inst
EC
, 30
agai
nst P
A, 2
5 ag
ains
t KB
and
56
agai
nst P
M
Em
eka
et a
l., 2
012
L
A
ntib
acte
rial
M
IC (
mg/
ml)
of
ME
aga
inst
clin
ical
isol
ates
: 15
agai
nst
PA
, 6 a
gain
st K
B a
nd 4
aga
inst
PM
. Tet
racy
clin
e: 3
0 ag
ains
t PA
, 25
agai
nst K
B a
nd 5
6 ag
ains
t PM
Em
eka
et a
l., 2
012
L
A
ntif
unga
l H
WE
: 11.
3, 8
2.7a
nd 8
6.7%
gro
wth
inhi
biti
ons
of T
M f
or
10, 3
0 an
d 60
mg/
ml a
nd 1
0, 6
0, 7
4% g
row
th in
hibi
tion
s of
TR
for
10,
30,
and
60
mg/
ml r
espe
ctiv
ely
Em
eka
et a
l., 2
012
L
A
ntif
unga
l M
E (
10, 3
0, a
nd 6
0 m
g/m
l): 1
3.3,
84,
85.
3% g
row
th
inhi
biti
ons
for
TM
and
20,
60
and
58%
gro
wth
red
ucti
ons
for
TR
Em
eka
et a
l., 2
012
Ant
ioxi
dant
-DP
PH
%
Inh
ibit
ion;
at 1
0 µ
g/m
l: E
O=
20.
5, a
scor
bic
acid
= 9
0.9,
B
HA
= 9
5.42
and
�-t
ocop
hero
l= 1
5.4.
At 2
0 µ
g/m
l: E
O=
14
.8, a
scor
bic
acid
= 7
8.71
, BH
A=
94.
31 a
nd �
-to
coph
erol
= 12
.4
Ono
cha
et a
l., 2
011c
A.
phle
oid
es
Cav
. A
P
Ant
ispa
smod
ic in
isol
ated
gu
inea
-pig
ileu
m
M-T
CM
(0.
2-2.
2 m
g/m
l): c
once
ntra
tion
dep
ende
nt
inhi
biti
on o
f co
ntra
ctio
ns in
duce
d by
5-
hydr
oxyt
rypt
amin
e bu
t una
ble
to in
hibi
t con
trac
tions
pr
ovok
ed b
y ac
etyl
chol
ine,
his
tam
ine,
KC
l and
BaC
l 2
Ast
udil
lo e
t al.,
200
4
A
P
Ant
ispa
smod
ic in
isol
ated
rab
bit
jeju
num
M
-TC
M (
0.00
3-1.
8 m
g/m
l): I
C50
= 3
00±
30 µ
g/kg
. EO
: IC
50=
53±
11 µ
g/m
l. R
efer
ence
dru
g, I
sopr
oter
enol
: IC
50=
12
x 1
0-2 ±
2.5
x 10
-2 µ
g/m
l.
Ast
udil
lo e
t al.,
200
4
A
P
Bro
ncho
dila
tor
in is
olat
ed
guin
ea-p
ig tr
ache
a A
ctiv
e: c
amph
or a
nd th
ymol
(10
-4-1
0-2 M
) fr
om E
O
Ast
udil
lo e
t al.,
200
4
�
���
�B=
Bar
k, L
= le
af, S
= S
eed,
St=
ste
m, R
= R
oots
, WP
= W
hole
pla
nt, F
= f
ract
ion,
EA
= E
thyl
ace
tate
, HE
= H
exan
e ex
trac
t, M
E=
Met
hano
lic e
xtra
ct, M
-TC
M=
ME
OH
-CH
Cl 3
, T
HF=
tet
rahy
drof
uran
e C
E:
Chl
orof
orm
ext
ract
, A
E=
Aqu
eous
ext
ract
, E
E=
Eth
anol
ic e
xtra
ct,
SWE
= S
teri
lized
wat
er e
xtra
ct,
UW
E=
Uns
teri
lize
d w
ater
ext
ract
, P
E=
P
etro
leum
eth
er,
AcE
= A
ceto
ne e
xtra
ct,
HW
E=
Hot
wat
er e
xtra
ct,
HF=
hex
ane
frac
tion
, E
AF=
Eth
yl a
ceta
te f
ract
ion,
BF=
but
anol
fra
ctio
n M
CF-
7= H
uman
bre
ast
aden
ocar
cino
ma,
CE
M=
Acu
te l
ymph
obla
stic
leu
kem
ia c
ance
r ce
lls,
AA
= A
scor
bic
acid
, N
I= N
ot i
ndic
ated
, E
O=
Ess
entia
l oi
l, P
A=
Pse
udom
onas
aeru
gin
osa
, E
C=
E
scheri
chia
coli
, SA
= S
taphylo
coccus
aure
us,
MR
SA
: M
ethi
cill
in-r
esis
tant
Sta
phylo
coccus
aure
us,
PD
= P
leboto
mus
dubosc
qi,
BT
= B
em
isia
ta
baci,
CP
= C
erc
osp
ora
purp
ure
a,
ST
= S
alm
onell
a t
yphii
, SE
= S
tap
hylo
coccus
epid
erm
is,
VC
= V
ibri
o c
hole
ra,
KP
= K
leb
siel
la p
neum
onia
, P
M=
Pro
teu
s m
irabil
is,
PV
= P
rote
us
vulg
ari
s, B
S=
Baci
llus
subti
lis,
SP
= S
trepto
coccus
pneum
onia
, FS
= F
usa
riu
m s
ola
ni,
MF=
Mic
rococcus
flavus
, A
S= A
rtem
ia s
ali
na,
AG
= A
nophele
s gam
bia
e,
TM
= T
richo
phyto
n
menta
gro
phyte
s, T
R=
Tri
chophyto
n r
ubru
m.
A.
pla
typhyll
a
Mül
l.Arg
.
NI
Ant
ioxi
dant
IC
50 (
mg/
l): H
E=
269
.45,
DC
M=
111.
99 a
nd M
E=
189.
17
A.
segeta
lis
Mül
l.Arg
. W
P T
oxic
ity
EO
: LC
50=
14.
0 µ
g/m
L
Abo
aba
et a
l., 2
010
W
P L
arvi
cida
l E
O: L
C50
= 4
5.4
µg/
mL
A
boab
a et
al.,
201
0
A.
siam
ensi
s
Oli
v. e
x G
age
NI
Cyt
otox
icit
y us
ing
P38
8 m
urin
e le
ukem
ia c
ells
Act
ive
Kam
bara
et a
l., 2
006
L
A
ntim
icro
bial
A
ntib
acte
rial
: EA
and
ME
. HE
, DC
M, E
A, M
E: n
ot
acti
ve a
gain
st f
ungu
s
Wia
rt e
t al.,
200
4,
Das
et a
l., 2
012
A.
tort
a M
uell.
L
B
lood
pla
tele
t agg
rega
tory
ac
tivi
ty u
sing
hum
an b
lood
sa
mpl
es. A
ntit
hrom
boti
c ac
tivi
ty
EE
(5
mg/
ml)
: in
hibi
ted
CaC
l 2 in
duce
d pl
atel
et
aggr
egat
ion
by 8
1.72
%
Eze
kwes
ili a
nd
Nw
odo,
201
3
L
C
ytot
oxic
ity
usin
g br
ine
shri
mp
assa
y L
C50
(�g/
ml)
: HF
= 6
.90,
EA
F= 4
5.10
, BF
= 0
.721
and
M
E=
0.0
002
Ono
cha
et a
l., 2
011d
A.
wil
kesi
ana
Mül
l.Arg
. L
A
ntim
icro
bial
In
hibi
tion
(%
) of
Cerc
osp
ora
purp
ure
a b
y: E
E=
100,
S
WE
=72
, UW
E=
61
Ogb
o an
d O
yibo
, 20
08
N
I A
ntim
icro
bial
A
ctiv
e ag
ains
t SA
and
MR
SA
Em
eka
et a
l., 2
012
�
���
�
3.12. Acalypha filiformis Poir.
This species is distributed in various islands of the Indian Ocean except Seychelles (Bosch, 2010).
The flexible stems and branches of the plant are used in Madagascar to make baskets and fish traps.
Whole plant decoction is taken three times per day against dysentery. Phytochemical screening
showed the presence of tannins and anthocyanins in the root bark, stem bark and leaves. Alkaloids
and saponins are present in the leaves (Bosch, 2010).
3.13. Acalypha fimbriata Schumach. & Thonn.
A. fimbriata originates from Oceania and has spread all over the world. The flowers of the plant are
used in the treatment of diarrhoea (Essiet and Okoko, 2013). In Nigeria, the plant is used against
asthma, cough, coryza and the leaves are compounded with the leaves of other medicinal plants to
treat rabies in children (Essiet and Okoko, 2013). Cooked leaves are taken to relieve post-partum
pains and root decoction acts as a laxative (Essiet and Okoko, 2013). The leaves are also used in
rheumatism, syphilis, ulcers in Nigeria and have been reported to possess anthelmintic and
antimicrobial activities (Quds et al., 2012). Ethanolic leaf extract of the plant has been reported to
contain saponins, tannins, flavonoids and cardiac glycosides while the ethanolic extract of the stem
showed the absence of saponins (Essiet and Okoko, 2013). The nutritional composition (% w/w) of
the leaves included moisture content (10.8), ash content (11.5), acid-insoluble ash (3.0), protein (9.5),
fat (25) and carbohydrate (1.5) (Essiet and Okoko, 2013).
�
��
�
Tab
le 4
: In
viv
o a
cti
vit
ies
of
Aca
lyph
a s
pec
ies
Sp
ecie
s P
art
use
d
Stu
dy
A
cti
vit
y/R
esu
lts
Ref
eren
ce
A.
alo
pecuro
idea J
acq.
A
P
Ant
i-in
flam
mat
ory,
C
arra
geen
an-i
nduc
ed p
aw
edem
a
ME
(20
0 m
g/kg
) de
crea
se p
aw v
olum
e by
82.
2±4%
aft
er 9
6h,
wit
h in
dom
etha
cin
(4 m
/kg)
, paw
vol
ume
was
red
uced
by
37.9
±8.
2%
Zav
ala-
Sán
chez
et a
l.,
2009
A
nti-
infl
amm
ator
y, C
otto
n pe
llet
-ind
uced
gra
nulo
ma
AE
(20
0 m
g/kg
) re
duce
d ed
ema
by 7
0.6±
6.6%
and
nap
roxe
n (2
5 m
g/kg
) by
46.
1±7.
1%
Zav
ala-
Sán
chez
et a
l.,
2009
A. capit
ata
Wil
ld.
L
Hyp
olip
idem
ic e
ffec
ts in
ra
ts
Con
trol
rat
s: C
H (
mm
ol/L
)= 1
.86±
0.11
, T
R (
mm
ol/L
)=
1.79
±0.
05, H
DL
-C (
mm
ol/L
)= 1
.09±
0.0
1, L
DL
-C
(mm
ol/L
)= 0
.25±
0.00
. AE
(20
0 m
g/m
l) g
iven
to n
orm
al r
ats:
C
H (
mm
ol/L
)= 1
.80±
0.13
, T
R (
mm
ol/L
)= 1
.73±
0.04
, HD
L-
C (
mm
ol/L
) =
1.1
4± 0
.01)
, LD
L-C
(m
mol
/L)=
0.1
9±0.
00. C
H
(0.4
mg/
0.2
mL
) fe
d ra
ts: C
H (
mm
ol/L
)= 2
.91±
0.16
, T
R
(mm
ol/L
)= 2
.43±
0.06
, HD
L-C
( m
mol
/L)=
0.0
2± 0
.02)
, L
DL
-C (
mm
ol/L
)= 0
.31±
0.01
. C
H (
0.4
mg/
0.2
mL
) fe
d ra
ts
trea
ted
wit
h A
E (
200
mg/
ml)
: C
H (
mm
ol/L
)= 1
.91±
0.16
, T
R (
mm
ol/L
)= 1
.84±
0.08
, HD
L-C
( m
mol
/L)=
0.8
7± 0
.02)
, L
DL
-C (
mm
ol/L
)= 0
.26±
0.01
John
kenn
edy
et a
l., 2
011
A.
fim
bri
ata
Sch
umac
h.
& T
honn
.
L, S
t A
ntie
met
ic in
chi
cks
ME
: Inh
ibiti
on: L
= 4
4.42
% a
nd S
t= 3
5.04
%
Qud
s et
al.,
20
12
A.
fruti
cosa
For
ssk.
L
A
nti-
infl
amm
ator
y in
rat
s
ME
: Act
ive
Sch
mel
zer,
20
07b
A.
indic
a L
. L
W
ound
hea
ling
usi
ng r
ats
EE
: Act
ive
Moo
rthy
et a
l.,
2012
A.
orn
ata
Hoc
hst.
ex
L, S
t A
ntie
met
ic in
chi
cks
ME
: Inh
ibiti
on: L
= 9
4.51
% a
nd S
t= 6
5.64
%
Qud
s et
al.,
�
��
�
A.R
ich.
20
12
A
. phle
oid
es
Cav
. A
P
Inte
stin
al m
otili
ty in
mic
e M
-TC
M (
1:1)
: dec
reas
ed g
astr
oint
esti
nal t
rans
it f
rom
72
.92%
±3
.37%
to 5
3.44
% ±
3.55
% (
Dos
e: 1
-300
mg/
kg).
Atr
opin
e (1
m
g/kg
): r
educ
ed G
I tr
ansi
t to
58.6
9% ±
2.2
4%.
Ast
udil
lo e
t al.,
20
04
A.
racem
osa
Wal
l. ex
B
aill.
L
H
epat
opro
tect
ive
&
anti
oxid
ant:
effe
cts
on
seru
m u
ncon
guga
ted
bili
rubi
n le
vels
(µ
mol
/L)
in
rats
Con
trol
, DW
= 4
.5±0
.13,
CC
l 4 (1
.5 m
l/kg
) on
ly=
8.5
±0.2
5,
CC
l 4 a
nd 6
0 m
g/kg
ME
= 5
.6±
0.2,
CC
l 4 a
nd 1
20 m
g/kg
ME
=
5.8±
0.3
Inia
ghe
et a
l.,
2008
Hep
atop
rote
ctiv
e &
an
tiox
idan
t: ef
fect
s on
se
rum
tota
l bil
irub
in c
onc.
(µ
mol
/L)
in r
ats
Con
trol
, DW
= 7
.4±0
.24,
CC
l 4 (1
.5 m
l/kg
) on
ly=
8.1
±0.
25,
CC
l 4 a
nd 6
0 m
g/kg
ME
= 8
.1±
0.32
, C
Cl 4
and
120
mg/
kg
ME
= 7
.2±
0.67
Inia
ghe
et a
l.,
2008
Hep
atop
rote
ctiv
e &
an
tiox
idan
t: ef
fect
s on
se
rum
alb
umin
con
c. (
g/L
) in
rat
s
Con
trol
, DW
= 2
6.0±
1.0,
CC
l 4 (1
.5 m
l/kg
) on
ly=
18.
5±0.
9,
CC
l 4 a
nd 6
0 m
g/kg
ME
= 1
9.0±
0.3,
CC
l 4 a
nd 1
20 m
g/kg
M
E=
23.
0±1.
0
Inia
ghe
et a
l.,
2008
Hep
atop
rote
ctiv
e &
an
tiox
idan
t: ef
fect
s on
se
rum
tota
l pro
tein
con
c.
(g/L
) in
rat
s
Con
trol
, DW
= 4
6.0±
3.0,
CC
l 4 (1
.5 m
l/kg
) on
ly=
34.
0±3.
2,
CC
l 4 a
nd 6
0 m
g/kg
ME
= 3
6.0±
3.0,
CC
l 4 a
nd 1
20 m
g/kg
M
E=
45.
0±2.
3
Inia
ghe
et a
l.,
2008
Hep
atop
rote
ctiv
e &
an
tiox
idan
t: ef
fect
s on
live
r to
tal p
rote
in c
onc.
(m
g/m
L)
in r
ats
Con
trol
, DW
= 4
.57±
0.16
, CC
l 4 (1
.5 m
l/kg
) on
ly=
3.6
5±0.
11,
CC
l 4 a
nd 6
0 m
g/kg
ME
= 3
.73±
0.16
, C
Cl 4
and
120
mg/
kg
ME
= 4
.97±
0.22
Inia
ghe
et a
l.,
2008
�
���
�AP
= A
eria
l pa
rt,
L=
Lea
ves,
St=
Ste
m,
ME
= M
etha
noli
c ex
trac
t, A
E=
Aqu
eous
ext
ract
, E
E=
Eth
anol
ic e
xtra
ct,
DW
= D
isti
lled
wat
er,
HD
L-C
= H
igh
dens
ity
lipo
prot
ein
chol
este
rol
(CO
D 1
1523
), L
DL
-C=
Low
den
sity
lip
opro
tein
cho
lest
erol
(C
OD
115
79),
CH
= C
hole
ster
ol, T
R=
Tri
glyc
erid
e, M
-TC
M =
Met
hano
l-ch
loro
form
, CC
l 4=
Car
bon
tetr
achl
orid
e
A
. to
rta M
uell.
L
A
ntid
iarr
hoea
l act
ivit
y us
ing
rabb
it g
ut
Hei
ght o
f co
ntra
ctio
n: 0
.80
± 0.
03 c
m. E
E (
2.5
mg)
: in
crea
sed
heig
ht to
1.7
± 0
.4.
His
tam
ine
(0.0
02 �
g) a
boli
shed
co
ntra
ctio
n, a
cety
lcho
line
(0.
002 �
g) e
nhan
ced
cont
ract
ion.
E
E (
10 m
g): a
ntag
oniz
es th
e ac
tion
s of
ace
tylc
holin
e
Eze
kwes
ili a
nd
Nw
odo,
201
3
L
A
nti-
hype
rten
sive
E
E: d
ose
depe
nden
t dec
reas
e in
art
eria
l blo
od p
ress
ure
of
anes
thet
ized
cat
s
Eze
kwes
ili e
t al
., 20
12
L
A
nti-
hype
rten
sive
E
E: i
nhib
ited
adr
enal
ine
indu
ced
cont
ract
ion
of is
olat
ed
rabb
it a
orti
c st
rips
Eze
kwes
ili e
t al
., 20
12
L
A
nti-
hype
rten
sive
E
E: d
ose-
depe
nden
t inc
reas
e in
the
rate
of
flow
of
phys
iolo
gic
flui
d th
roug
h th
e ra
t hin
d-qu
arte
rs p
repa
rati
on
Eze
kwes
ili e
t al
., 20
12
A.
wil
kesi
ana c
v.
gods
effi
ana
L, S
t A
ntie
met
ic in
chi
cks
ME
: Inh
ibiti
on: L
= 9
4.51
% a
nd S
t= 6
5.64
%
Qud
s et
al.,
20
12
�
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3.14. Acalypha fruticosa Forssk.
A. fruticosa occurs from east of Sudan to Somalia and south through east Africa and Democratic
Republic Congo to southern Africa (Schmelzer, 2007b). It is also found in Yemen, southern India,
Sri Lanka and Myanmar (Schmelzer, 2007b). In Tanzania, the leafy shoots of the plant are eaten as a
vegetable. In East Africa, it is an important fodder plant for sheep. In Ethiopia, the dried leaves are
used as a substitute for tea (Schmelzer, 2007b). The leaves, roots, stem and whole plant of this
species have been reported to possess medicinal properties (Table 1). The whole plant is used to cure
cough, cold and headache. The leaves are used against dyspepsia, colic, diarrhoea (Thambiraj et al.,
2012) and cholera (Senthilkumar and Dhandapani, 2009). A leaf infusion is taken as vulnerary to
wash pustules (Senthilkumar and Dhandapani, 2009) and in the treatment of ophthalmia (Thambiraj
et al., 2012). In Tanzania, it is used to treat fungal infection and a leaf decoction is drunk against
epilepsy (Gopalakrishnan et al., 2010). In Tamilnadu, half spoon leaf juice is given to children as a
safe emetic and against intestinal worm. Fresh leaf juice may be employed in scabies and against
other skin diseases, and when taken with lime and onion is a good stimulating application in
rheumatism (Bama et al., 2013). The aqueous leaf extract contained alkaloids, carbohydrates,
phytosterols, saponins, gums and mucilages (Senthilkumar and Dhandapani, 2009). GC-MS analysis
showed the presence of 1, 2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, diisooctyl ester, n-hexadecanoic acid and 9,
12-octadecadienoic acid from ethanolic extract of the aerial part while �-D-glucopyranoside and
eicosyltrichlorosilane were identified from petroleum ether extract (Gopalakrishnan et al., 2010).
Methanolic extract of the plant showed antioxidant and antimicrobial activities against
Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Myotis flavus and Staphylococcus epidermis (Mothana et
al., 2008). Senthikumar and Dhandapani (2009) reported that the aqueous leaf extract (100 mg/ml)
showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogene,
Staphylococcus epidermis, Proteus vulgaris, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. The methanol
leaf extract showed antioxidant activity in vitro and anti-inflammatory activity in rats (Schmelzer,
2007b). Methanol and ethyl acetate crude leaf extracts were found to be effective in reducing the
fecundity of Phlebotomus duboscqi (Samuel et al., 2012). Lingathurai et al., (2011) reported the
antifeedant and larvicidal activities of hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate leaf extracts of the plant
against Plutella xylostella larvae. The results showed that chloroform extract had maximum
antifeedant activity of 92.8%. The seventh fraction from chloroform extract displayed maximum
antifeedant activity of 84.3% at a concentration of 100 ppm with LC50 value of 385.7 mg/L against
the third instar larvae of Plutella xylostella. The active fraction showed the presence of terpenoids,
tannins, coumarins, anthraquinones and saponins (Lingathurai et al., 2011).
�
���
�
Table 5: Other reported biological activities of Acalypha species
Species Part
used
Activities mentioned References
A. alnifolia Jacq. NI Antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant Noumedem et al., 2013
A. alopecuroidea
Jacq. NI Anodyne, carminative, diuretic, sedative.
Vulnerary and energizing effects Sva�inova, 2011
NI Antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic
Madlener et al., 2009
A. grandis Benth L In vitro antiprotozoal Das et al., 2012
A. fimbriata
Schumach. & Thonn.
L Anthelmintic, antimicrobial Quds et al., 2012
A. fruticosa Forssk. NI Antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic Madlener et al., 2009 L Antioxidant Schmelzer, 2007b A. gaumeri Pax & K.Hoffm.
R Antimicrobial Marcela et al., 2008
A. hispida Burm.f. L Antifungal, antibacterial, anti-ulcer and anti-tumor
Onocha et al., 2011a
NI Antifungal Onocha et al., 2010 L Antifungal Iniaghe et al., 2009;
Noumedem et al., 2013 NI Antibacterial, antioxidant Noumedem et al., 2013
A. indica L. L Anti-periodic and laxative Paindla and Mamidala,
2014 NI Antibacterial Evanjelene and
Natarajan, 2013 NI Antioxidant, antiepileptic, possible
analgesic and anti-inflammatory
Emeka et al., 2012
A. lanceolata Willd. L Antiseptic, vermicide IMPGC, 2003-10 WP Carminative IMPGC, 2003-10
A. monostachya Cav. NI Antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant
Noumedem et al., 2013
A. ornata Hochst. ex A.Rich.
L, R Molluscidal Aboaba et al., 2012
A. phleoides Cav. NI Antiprotozoal against Entamoeba
histolytica and Giardia lamblia
Astudillo et al., 2004
A. platyphilla
Müll.Arg. NI Antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic
Madlener et al., 2009
A. racemosa Wall. ex Baill.
L Antimicrobial Iniaghe et al., 2009
�
���
�
A. siamensis Oliv. ex Gage.
NI Antibacterial Evanjelene and Natarajan, 2013
L Antipyretic Ng and Na Songkhla, 2000
NI Antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic
Madlener et al., 2009
A. torta Pax & K.Hoffm.
NI Antibacterial Evanjelene and Natarajan, 2013
L Antimicrobial, hypolipidaemic, anti-inflammatory and antihypertensive
Ezekwesili and Nwodo, 2013
A. wilkesiana
Müll.Arg. NI Antimycotic, antibacterial, anti-
inflammatory, hemostatic, anthelmintic, analgesic
Onocha et al., 2011b
NI Antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, Noumedem et al., 2013 L Antihypertensive, antimicrobial, diuretic,
hypoglycaemic, hypolipidaemic
Quds et al., 2012
NI Antioxidant, antiepileptic, possible analgesic and anti-inflammatory
Emeka et al., 2012
NI Antibacterial Evanjelene and Natarajan, 2013
NI Antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic Madlener et al., 2009 L= Leaves, R= Roots, WP= Whole plant, NI= Not indicated
3.15. Acalypha gaumeri Pax & K.Hoffm.
Cruz-Estrada et al., (2013) reported the insecticidal activity of aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of
A. gaumeri against Bemisia tabaci eggs and nymphs. The activity was significant for ethanolic
extract with LC50 3.54 mg/mL and 100% nymphal mortality. Marcela et al., (2008) revealed the
antimicrobial properties of roots of the plant against some pathogen strains.
3.16. Acalypha grandis Benth.
The leaf methanolic extract of A. grandis showed in vitro antiprotozoal activity (Das et al., 2012).
The leaves of the plant have been reported to have contraceptive activity (Vinothraja and Savitha,
2013; Paindla and Mamidada, 2014).
3.17. Acalypha hispida Burm.f.
A. hispida is commonly known as ‘chenille plant’ and is native to New Guinea, the Malay
Archipelago and other islands in the East Indies (Bokshi et al., 2012). Leaf poultice of the plant is
�
���
�
used against leprosy. Leaf and flower decoction is taken internally as laxative, diuretic and to treat
gonorrhoea. Root bark is used for pulmonary problems. A decoction from the aerial part of the plant
is used in the treatment of infectious diarrhea and dysentery (Bokshi et al., 2012). The plant is also
used as an expectorant in asthma and against kidney ailments (Onocha, 2010).
Phytochemical screening of aqueous and methanolic leaf extract of the plant showed the presence of
phenolics, flavonoids, glycosides, steroids, saponins, phlobatannins and hydroxyanthraquinones.
Isolated compounds from the plant include gallic acid, corilagin, cycloartane-type triterpenoids,
flavonoids like quercetin and kaempferol derivatives (Onocha, 2010).
Alcoholic extracts of A. hispida were found to be active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhii (Onocha, 2010). Bokshi et al., (2012)
reported the antibacterial activity of ethanolic leaf extract using disc diffusion method against various
Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. The extract showed activity against both Gram positive
and Gram negative bacteria except Shigella dysenteriae and the inhibitory effect was observed to be
concentration dependent (Bokshi et al., 2012).
Phenolic compounds from leaf extract were reported capable of antagonizing wood-rot fungi (Teoh
et al., 2011). Semi-pure compounds from hexane fractions showed significant antioxidant activities
by 2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) methods (Onocha,
2010).
Cytotoxicity test of hexane fractions were carried out by brine shrimp lethality test. Seven fractions
were found to be toxic. The cytotoxic ability of the plant makes it useful in the treatment of diseases
involving cell or tumour growth (Onocha, 2010).
Brine shrimp lethality bioassay was used to determine the cytotoxicity of crude ethanolic extract
(Bokshi et al., 2012). The LC50 values of the ethanolic extract of leaves of Acalypha hispida and
chloramphenicol were found to be 19.95 µg/ml and 7 µg/ml respectively. The results showed
possible cytotoxic activity of the extract (Bokshi et al., 2012).
Leishmanicidal activity of methonolic leaf and stem extracts of A. hispada were investigated using
Leishmanial promastigotes (Onocha et al., 2011b). The leaf methanolic extract of A. hispida was
found to be leishmanicidal at an IC50 value of 71.75 µg/ml. IC50 � 100 µg/ml for extracts was
considered significant. The methanolic leaf extract showed significant phytotoxicity with an
inhibition of 70% at 1000 µg/ml (Onocha et al., 2011b).
�
���
�
3.18. Acalypha indica L.
A. indica commonly known as ‘herbe chatte’, ‘Indian nettle cat’s nettle’ originates from India,
Indochina and Ethiopia (Gurib-Fakim, 2007; 2011). It is an erect annual herb of 30-100 cm in height
and occurs as a weed. It is also found in hottest parts of the globe (Takle et al., 2011). The plant is
well-known for diuretic, anthelmintic, respiratory problems, rheumatoid arthritis, to cure scabies and
other skin infections (Amarnath et al., 2013; Mahomoodally and Beeharry, 2013). The leaf juice acts
as an emetic for children. Leaf decoction is used against earache and headache and is applied as a
local application in syphilitic ulcers. The leaf is also used as an antiparasiticide and applied
externally with common salt or quicklime or lime juice (Jayaprakasam and Ravi, 2012).
Crushed leaf poultice or mixed with Liane poc poc (Cardiospermum halicacabum, Sapindaceae) and
applied on boils and skin infections (Gurib-Fakim and Gueho, 1996; Gurib-Fakim, 2007; 2011). A
bath in the whole plant decoction is used against scabies, dermatitis and other skin infections. The
root decoction is known to be laxative. The plant is used against bronchitis, scabies and help to
eliminate stomach worms (Gurib-Fakim and Gueho, 1996; Gurib-Fakim, 2007; 2011). A recent
survey on the use of herbal therapy among Mauritian people showed that A. indica is commonly
utilized against skin conditions (Mahomoodally and Beeharry, 2013)
Preliminary analysis of aerial parts of A. indica defatted with petroleum ether showed the presence of
steroids and triterpenoids (Jayaprakasam and Ravi, 2012). Ethanolic extract showed the presence of
steroids, triterpenoids, glycosides, carbohydrates, alkaloids, flavonoids and tannins. Chloroform
fraction contained glycosides and alkaloids, ethyl acetate fraction illustrated the presence of
flavonoids and tannins (Takle et al., 2011). The active ingredients of the plant include cyanogenic
