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Achyranthes aspera L.
{{#seo:
|title=Charak Samhita
|titlemode=append
|keywords= Apamarga, Achyranthes aspera L., Therapeutic use, herbs, researches on dravya, Charak Samhita, Dravyaguna, carakasamhitaonline, carakasamhita, caraka samhita, Ayurveda, Charak Samhita English translation, ancient Ayurveda text, Indian system of medicine, Ayurveda, Charak, Charaka Samhita, agnivesha, atreya, gopal basisht, yogesh deole, charak samhita wikipedia edition, charak samhita new edition, charaka samhita new edition, carak samhita new edition, caraka samhita new edition, research on charak samhita, text book charak samhita, fundamental principles of ayurveda, basic concepts of ayurveda,
|description= Apamarga (Achyranthes aspera L.) is traditionally classified as a vishaghna (anti-toxic), deepana, and vatanulomaka herb, widely utilized in Ayurveda for managing obesity, skin disorders, dental ailments, renal calculi, and inflammatory conditions.
|image=http://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/resources/assets/ogimgs.jpg
|image_alt=charak samhita
|type=article
}}
 
{{Infobox
{{Infobox
|title = Apamarga
|title = Apamarga
Line 5: Line 14:
|data1 = Herb database/Apamarga
|data1 = Herb database/Apamarga
|label2 = Botanical name(s)
|label2 = Botanical name(s)
|data2 = Achyranthes aspera L.
|data2 = [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achyranthes_aspera Achyranthes aspera L.]
|label3 = Family
|label3 = Family
|data3 = Amarantheceae
|data3 = Amaranthaceae
|label4 = Availability
|label4 = Availability
|data4 = Available
|data4 = Available
|label5 = Contributors
|label5 = Contributors
|data5 = --
|data5 = [[Team Dravyaguna]]
|label6 = Year of publication  
|label6 = Year of publication  
|data6 =  2025
|data6 =  2026
|label7 = Publisher  
|label7 = Publisher  
|data7 = [[Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre]]
|data7 = [[Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre]]
|label8 = DOI  
|label8 = DOI  
|data8  = Awaited
|data8  = Awaited
}}
}}


==English name ==
'''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achyranthes_aspera Achyranthes aspera L.]''', popularly known as '''Apamarga''' or '''Prickly Chaff Flower''', is a rigid, erect annual or perennial herb distributed widely throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of India. In [[Ayurveda]], it is highly valued for its scraping (''Lekhana''), purgative support, and Kapha-Vata pacifying properties.<ref name="API" />


== English Name ==
Prickly Chaff Flower
Prickly Chaff Flower


==Therapeutic use==
== Therapeutic Use ==
Sula(pain), udararoga , apachi, arsha, kandu, medoroga<ref>Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume 2:04</ref>
Sula (pain), Udararoga (abdominal disorders), Apachi (cervical lymphadenitis), Arsha (hemorrhoids), Kandu (pruritus), Medoroga (disorders of fat metabolism)<ref name="API" />
 
== Synonyms in Charak Samhita ==
* Pratyakpushpi &ndash; Deflexed flowers.
* Kharapushpa
* Shikhari &ndash; Bears terminal spike inflorescence.
* Durgraha &ndash; Difficult to hold.
* Adhashalya &ndash; Spinous bracteols and pointed perianth.
* Karmanjri


==Synonyms in Charak Samhita==
== Synonyms in Bhavaprakasa Nighantu ==
Pratyakpushpi(deflexed flowers), Kharapushpa, Shikhari(bears terminal spike inflorescence), Durgraha(difficult to hold), Adhashalya(spinuous bracteols and pointed perianth), Karmanjri
* Mayuraka &ndash; Anti-poisonous or cures many diseases.
* Markati
* Kinihi
* Kharamanjari &ndash; Inflorescence has spinous bracteols and pointed perianth, hence prickly to touch.<ref name="Bhavaprakash" />


==Synonyms in bhavaprakasa nighantu==
== Varieties ==
Mayuraka(it is anti-poisonous or cure many diseases), markati, kinihi, kharamanjari (inflorence has spinous bracteols and pointed perianth, hence prickly to touch)<ref> Pro. Krushnachandra Chunekar, Bhavaprakash Nighantu. Reprint Edition 2020, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, guduchyadi varga, verse no.-219,220,221</ref>
=== Bhavaprakasa Nighantu, Dhanvantari Nighantu, Raja Nighantu ===
* Sweta
* Rakta


==Varieries==
=== Kaiyadeva Nighantu ===
==Bhavaprakasa nighantu , Dhanvantari nighantu, Raja nighantu== 
* Apamarga
# Sweta
* Vasira
# Rakta
* Ramatha
==Kaiyadeva nighantu==
# Apamarga
# Vasira
# Ramatha


== Ayurvedic pharmacological properties ==
== Ayurvedic Pharmacological Properties ==
According to classical Ayurvedic pharmacodynamics (''Rasa Panchaka''), Apamarga has the following properties:<ref name="API" />


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left;"
|+ Properties  
! Sr. No. !! Pharmacological Criteria !! Properties (Ayurvedic Attributes)
|-
|-
! Sr.no. !! Pharmacological criteria !! Properties
| 1 || Taste (''[[Rasa]]'') || Pungent (''Katu''), Bitter (''Tikta'')
|-
|-
| 1 || Taste ([[rasa]]) || Pungent (katu), Bitter (tikta)  
| 2 || Potency (''[[Veerya]]'') || Hot (''Ushna'')
|-
|-
| 2 || Potency ([[veerya]]) ||Hot (ushna)
| 3 || Post-digestion Effect (''[[Vipaka]]'') || Pungent (''Katu'')
|-
|-
| 3 || Post digestion effect ([[vipaka]]) || Pungent (katu)
| 4 || Qualities (''[[Guna]]'') || Light (''Laghu''), Rough (''Ruksha''), Sharp (''Tikshna'')
|-
| 4 || Qualities ([[guna]])|| Light (laghu),  Rough (ruksha), Sharp (tikshna)
|-
| 5 || Actions ([[karma]]) || Pacify Kapha and Vata, Purification of Kapha and Pitta
|-
|-
| 5 || Dosha Action (''[[Karma]]'') || Pacifies Kapha and Vata, Purification of Kapha and Pitta
|}
|}


== Reference in Charak Samhita and its Actions ==
Apamarga is prominently documented across multiple therapeutic chapters of the ''[[Charaka Samhita]]'':


== Reference in Charak Samhita and its actions ==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left;"
 
! Sr. No. !! Reference in Charak Samhita !! Activity / Formulation / Therapeutic Use
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Herbs and their activities
|-
|-
! Sr.no. !! Reference in Charak Samhita !! Activity
| 1 || Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 1/82, 2/3, 2/33 || Phalini (Nasya) (Errhine therapy)
|-
|-
| 1
| 2 || Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 4/9(23) || Vamanopag mahakashaya (group of herbs helping emesis)
|Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 1/82, 2/3, 2/33
| Phalini  (Nasya) (Errhine therapy)
|-
|-
| 2
| 3 || Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 25/40 || Agrya Sangraha (collections of best food articles, factors, and drugs)
|Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 4/9(23)
|Vamanopag  mahakashaya(helping emesis)
|-
|-
|3
| 4 || Cha.Sa.[[Vimana Sthana]] 6/17 || Abhyantar Krimi Chikitsa (treatment of internal worm infestation)
|Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 25/40
|Agrya Sangraha(collections of best food articles, factors and drugs in various conditions)
|-
|-
|4
| 5 || Cha.Sa.[[Vimana Sthana]] 8/135 || Vaman dravyani (emetic drugs)
|Cha.Sa.[[Vimana Sthana]] 6/17
|Abhyantar Krimi  Chikitsa(trearment of worm infestation)
|-
|-
|5
| 6 || Cha.Sa.[[Sharira Sthana]] 8/19 || Punsavan Karma
|Cha.Sa.[[Vimana Sthana]] 8/135
|Vaman dravyani(emetic dravya)
|-
|-
|6
| 7 || Cha.Sa.[[Kalpa Sthana]] 1/14 || Vamanarth (for therapeutic emesis)
|Cha.Sa.[[Sharira Sthana]] 8/19
|Punsavan Karma
|-
|-
|7
| 8 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 8/176 || As a Utsadan dravya Bahyaprayogarth (external application)
|Cha.Sa.[[Kalpa Sthana]] 1/14
|Vamanarth(for emesis)
|-
|-
|8
| 9 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 9/66 || Used as Nasya and Anjana prayogarth
|Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 8/176
|As a Utsadan dravya Bahyaprayogarth(external application)
|-
|-
|9
| 10 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 10/18 || Ingredient in Mahapanchagavya Ghrita
|Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 9/66
|Used as Nashya and Anjan  prayogarth
|-
|-
|10
| 11 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 10/44 || As a Nasya dravya
|Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 10/18
|Ingredient in Mahapanchagavya  Ghrita
|-
|-
|11
| 12 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 13/171 || In formulation of Kshara
|Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 10/44
|As a Nasya dravya
|-
|-
|12
| 13 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 17/126 || As an ingredient of Muktadhya churna
|Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 13/171
|In  formulation of kshara
|-
|-
|13
| 14 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 18/57 || As an ingredient of Agastya haritaki leha
|Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa  Sthana]] 17/126
|As an ingredient of  muktadhya churna
|-
|14
|Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 18/57
|As an ingredient of agastya haritaki leha
|-
|15
|Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa  Sthana]] 26/184
|Used in Kaphaja Siroroga  for Pradhamana nasya
|-
|-
| 15 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 26/184 || Used in Kaphaja Siroroga for Pradhamana nasya
|}
|}


==Dose==
== Dose ==
* 20-50 gm of the drug for decoction<ref>Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume 2:04</ref>
* '''Decoction (''Kwatha''):''' 20 – 50 ml of the drug.<ref name="API" />
==Important formulation==
 
As per A.P.I.<ref>Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume 2:04</ref>
== Important Formulations ==
As per A.P.I.<ref name="API" />
* Apamargakshara
* Apamargakshara
* Apamargakshara taila
* Apamargakshara taila
Line 142: Line 126:
* Jyotishmati taila
* Jyotishmati taila


== Current Availability ==
Available
* '''In India:''' Found abundantly as a weed throughout India up to 900 meters altitude.
== Major Phytoconstituents ==
The pharmacological profile of ''Achyranthes aspera'' is associated with several classes of secondary metabolites:
* '''Triterpenoid saponins:''' Oleanolic acid glycosides (saponins A and B), mainly from the seeds.
* '''Alkaloids:''' Achyranthine and betaine.
* '''Sterols:''' Ecdysterone (a phytoecdysteroid, the insect moulting hormone analogue) and sitosterol.
* '''Minerals:''' High potassium content, which forms the core of its alkaline ash (''Kshara'') preparation.
== Therapeutic Efficacy &amp; Modern Scientific Research ==
Modern pharmacological studies have examined several traditional indications of ''Achyranthes aspera''. Each activity below is supported by one representative primary study. Most of the evidence is preclinical (animal and ''in vitro'' models); controlled human clinical trials are lacking.
=== 1. Anti-inflammatory and Anti-arthritic Activity ===
* '''Traditional Use:''' ''Sula'' (pain) and inflammatory swellings.
* '''Scientific Evidence:''' Ethanolic extract of ''A. aspera'' (100–200 mg/kg, orally) inhibited paw oedema induced by carrageenan and Freund's complete adjuvant in rodents, and reduced inflammatory cell accumulation in carrageenan-induced peritonitis, supporting its use in inflammatory conditions.<ref name="Gokhale2002" />
=== 2. Analgesic (Antinociceptive) Activity ===
* '''Traditional Use:''' ''Sula'' (pain).
* '''Scientific Evidence:''' Ethanol extract of the leaves showed both central and peripheral antinociceptive effects in the formalin, hot-plate and tail-flick models in animals.<ref name="Bhosale2010" />
=== 3. Diuretic and Renal Support ===
* '''Traditional Use:''' ''Udararoga'' (abdominal swelling), urinary disorders and calculi.
* '''Scientific Evidence:''' Crude aqueous extract (10, 30 and 50 mg/kg, i.p.) produced dose-dependent diuretic, natriuretic and kaliuretic effects in albino rats without changing urinary pH; at 50 mg/kg the diuretic activity was about 46% of that of furosemide, and no toxicity was seen in mice up to 3000 mg/kg.<ref name="Asif2014" />
=== 4. Wound Healing Activity ===
* '''Traditional Use:''' External application in skin disorders, wounds and ''Kandu'' (pruritus).
* '''Scientific Evidence:''' Methanolic leaf extract applied topically produced complete excision-wound healing by day 21 (controls: 82.23% contraction), increased tensile strength in the incision-wound model comparable to the standard drug, and enhanced angiogenesis in the chorioallantoic membrane model.<ref name="Barua2010" />
=== 5. Hypolipidemic Activity ===
* '''Traditional Use:''' ''Medoroga'' (disorders of fat metabolism).
* '''Scientific Evidence:''' Alcoholic extract (100 mg/kg) lowered serum total cholesterol, phospholipids, triglycerides and total lipids by 60%, 51%, 33% and 53% respectively in Triton-induced hyperlipidemic rats; 30-day administration to normal rats also lowered serum and hepatic lipids and increased faecal bile acid excretion, suggesting reduced cholesterol absorption as a possible mechanism.<ref name="Khanna1992" />


== Current availability==  
=== 6. Anti-obesity Activity ===
* '''Traditional Use:''' ''Sthaulya / Medoroga'' (obesity), ''Lekhana'' action.
* '''Scientific Evidence:''' The seed, which contains oleanolic acid saponins, has been assessed experimentally for anti-obesity potential, with reported reduction of body weight and favourable change in the lipid profile in animal models.<ref name="Rani2012" />


Available
=== 7. Antioxidant and Thyroid-modulating Activity ===
* '''Traditional Use:''' General ''Rasayana''-type and metabolic support (extrapolated use).
* '''Scientific Evidence:''' In male rats, ''A. aspera'' extract increased circulating thyroid hormone levels and decreased hepatic lipid peroxidation, indicating antioxidant activity and an effect on thyroid function.<ref name="Tahiliani2000" />


== Current researches ==
=== 8. Cancer Chemopreventive Activity ===
https://cb.imsc.res.in/imppat/phytochemical/Achyranthes%20aspera
* '''Traditional Use:''' Not a classical indication; reported in experimental research only.
* '''Scientific Evidence:''' Leaf extract showed cancer chemopreventive activity in an Epstein-Barr virus early antigen activation assay and in two-stage mouse skin carcinogenesis.<ref name="Chakraborty2002" />
 
=== 9. Central Nervous System Activity ===
* '''Traditional Use:''' Not a classical indication; reported in experimental research only.
* '''Scientific Evidence:''' Ethanol extract of ''A. aspera'' (Agadha) showed CNS depressant and behavioural effects in different animal models.<ref name="Bhosale2011" />
 
== Summary of Therapeutic Profile ==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: left;"
|+ Therapeutic Applications of ''Achyranthes aspera''
! Indication
! Extract / Part studied
! Primary Pharmacological Action
! Level of evidence
|-
| '''Pain &amp; Inflammation (''Sula'')'''
| Ethanolic extracts
| Anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, antinociceptive
| Preclinical (animal)
|-
| '''Renal &amp; Urinary Conditions (''Udararoga'')'''
| Crude aqueous extract
| Diuretic, natriuretic, kaliuretic
| Preclinical (animal)
|-
| '''Wounds &amp; Skin Irritation (''Kandu'')'''
| Methanolic leaf extract
| Wound contraction, tensile strength, angiogenesis
| Preclinical (animal, ''in vitro'')
|-
| '''Metabolic Disorders (''Medoroga'')'''
| Alcoholic extract; seed saponins
| Hypolipidemic, anti-obesity
| Preclinical (animal)
|}
 
== Safety, Toxicity, and Dosage ==
* '''Precautions:''' Due to its sharp (''Tikshna'') and hot (''Ushna'') properties, high doses should be avoided during pregnancy or by individuals with severe Pitta disorders.
* '''Acute toxicity:''' No toxic effects were observed in mice at oral doses up to 3000 mg/kg of the crude aqueous extract.<ref name="Asif2014" />
* '''Standard Therapeutic Dosage:'''
** ''Decoction (''Kwatha''):'' 20–50 ml.<ref name="API" />
 
== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="API">Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume 2:04</ref>
<ref name="Bhavaprakash">Prof. Krushnachandra Chunekar, Bhavaprakash Nighantu. Reprint Edition 2020, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, Guduchyadi varga, verse no. 219-221.</ref>
<ref name="Gokhale2002">Gokhale AB, Damre AS, Kulkarni KR, Saraf MN. Preliminary evaluation of anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity of ''S. lappa'', ''A. speciosa'' and ''A. aspera''. Phytomedicine. 2002;9(5):433-7. doi:10.1078/09447110260571689.</ref>
<ref name="Bhosale2010">Bhosale U, Yegnanarayan R, Pophale P, Zambare M, Somani RS. Antinociceptive evaluation of an ethanol extract of ''Achyranthes aspera'' (Agadha) in animal models of nociception. Int J Phytomedicine. 2010;2:440-5.</ref>
<ref name="Asif2014">Asif M, Jabeen Q, Atif M, Majid AMSA, Qamar-Uz-Zaman M. Diuretic activity of ''Achyranthes aspera'' Linn crude aqueous extract in albino rats. Trop J Pharm Res. 2014;13(12):2039-45. doi:10.4314/tjpr.v13i12.14.</ref>
<ref name="Barua2010">Barua CC, Begum SA, Talukdar A, Pathak DC, Sarma DK, Bora RS. Wound healing activity of methanolic extract of leaves of ''Achyranthes aspera'' Linn using in vivo and in vitro model - a preliminary study. Indian J Anim Sci. 2010;80(10):969-72.</ref>
<ref name="Khanna1992">Khanna AK, Chander R, Singh C, Srivastava AK, Kapoor NK. Hypolipidemic activity of ''Achyranthes aspera'' Linn in normal and triton induced hyperlipemic rats. Indian J Exp Biol. 1992;30(2):128-30.</ref>
<ref name="Rani2012">Rani N, Sharma SK, Vasudeva N. Assessment of antiobesity potential of ''Achyranthes aspera'' Linn. seed. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:715912. doi:10.1155/2012/715912.</ref>
<ref name="Tahiliani2000">Tahiliani P, Kar A. ''Achyranthes aspera'' elevates thyroid hormone levels and decreases hepatic lipid peroxidation in male rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2000;71(3):527-32. doi:10.1016/s0378-8741(00)00170-7.</ref>
<ref name="Chakraborty2002">Chakraborty A, Brantner A, Mukainaka T, et al. Cancer chemopreventive activity of ''Achyranthes aspera'' leaves on Epstein-Barr virus activation and two-stage mouse skin carcinogenesis. Cancer Lett. 2002;177(1):1-5. doi:10.1016/s0304-3835(01)00766-2.</ref>
<ref name="Bhosale2011">Bhosale UA, Yegnanarayan R, Pophale PD, Zambare MR, Somani RS. Study of central nervous system depressant and behavioral activity of an ethanol extract of ''Achyranthes aspera'' (Agadha) in different animal models. Int J Appl Basic Med Res. 2011;1(2):104-8. doi:10.4103/2229-516X.91154.</ref>
}}


[[Category: Database of herbs and minerals | Herbs]]
[[Index.php?title=Category:Database of herbs and minerals| Herbs]]


This article is under development ..
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Latest revision as of 05:01, 8 October 2026


Apamarga
Section/Chapter Herb database/Apamarga
Botanical name(s) Achyranthes aspera L.
Family Amaranthaceae
Availability Available
Contributors Team Dravyaguna
Year of publication 2026
Publisher Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre
DOI Awaited

Achyranthes aspera L., popularly known as Apamarga or Prickly Chaff Flower, is a rigid, erect annual or perennial herb distributed widely throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of India. In Ayurveda, it is highly valued for its scraping (Lekhana), purgative support, and Kapha-Vata pacifying properties.[1]

English Name

Prickly Chaff Flower

Therapeutic Use

Sula (pain), Udararoga (abdominal disorders), Apachi (cervical lymphadenitis), Arsha (hemorrhoids), Kandu (pruritus), Medoroga (disorders of fat metabolism)[1]

Synonyms in Charak Samhita

  • Pratyakpushpi – Deflexed flowers.
  • Kharapushpa
  • Shikhari – Bears terminal spike inflorescence.
  • Durgraha – Difficult to hold.
  • Adhashalya – Spinous bracteols and pointed perianth.
  • Karmanjri

Synonyms in Bhavaprakasa Nighantu

  • Mayuraka – Anti-poisonous or cures many diseases.
  • Markati
  • Kinihi
  • Kharamanjari – Inflorescence has spinous bracteols and pointed perianth, hence prickly to touch.[2]

Varieties

Bhavaprakasa Nighantu, Dhanvantari Nighantu, Raja Nighantu

  • Sweta
  • Rakta

Kaiyadeva Nighantu

  • Apamarga
  • Vasira
  • Ramatha

Ayurvedic Pharmacological Properties

According to classical Ayurvedic pharmacodynamics (Rasa Panchaka), Apamarga has the following properties:[1]

Sr. No. Pharmacological Criteria Properties (Ayurvedic Attributes)
1 Taste (Rasa) Pungent (Katu), Bitter (Tikta)
2 Potency (Veerya) Hot (Ushna)
3 Post-digestion Effect (Vipaka) Pungent (Katu)
4 Qualities (Guna) Light (Laghu), Rough (Ruksha), Sharp (Tikshna)
5 Dosha Action (Karma) Pacifies Kapha and Vata, Purification of Kapha and Pitta

Reference in Charak Samhita and its Actions

Apamarga is prominently documented across multiple therapeutic chapters of the Charaka Samhita:

Sr. No. Reference in Charak Samhita Activity / Formulation / Therapeutic Use
1 Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 1/82, 2/3, 2/33 Phalini (Nasya) (Errhine therapy)
2 Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/9(23) Vamanopag mahakashaya (group of herbs helping emesis)
3 Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 25/40 Agrya Sangraha (collections of best food articles, factors, and drugs)
4 Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 6/17 Abhyantar Krimi Chikitsa (treatment of internal worm infestation)
5 Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/135 Vaman dravyani (emetic drugs)
6 Cha.Sa.Sharira Sthana 8/19 Punsavan Karma
7 Cha.Sa.Kalpa Sthana 1/14 Vamanarth (for therapeutic emesis)
8 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 8/176 As a Utsadan dravya Bahyaprayogarth (external application)
9 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 9/66 Used as Nasya and Anjana prayogarth
10 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 10/18 Ingredient in Mahapanchagavya Ghrita
11 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 10/44 As a Nasya dravya
12 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 13/171 In formulation of Kshara
13 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 17/126 As an ingredient of Muktadhya churna
14 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 18/57 As an ingredient of Agastya haritaki leha
15 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/184 Used in Kaphaja Siroroga for Pradhamana nasya

Dose

  • Decoction (Kwatha): 20 – 50 ml of the drug.[1]

Important Formulations

As per A.P.I.[1]

  • Apamargakshara
  • Apamargakshara taila
  • Abhaya lavana
  • Gudapippali
  • Jyotishmati taila

Current Availability

Available

  • In India: Found abundantly as a weed throughout India up to 900 meters altitude.

Major Phytoconstituents

The pharmacological profile of Achyranthes aspera is associated with several classes of secondary metabolites:

  • Triterpenoid saponins: Oleanolic acid glycosides (saponins A and B), mainly from the seeds.
  • Alkaloids: Achyranthine and betaine.
  • Sterols: Ecdysterone (a phytoecdysteroid, the insect moulting hormone analogue) and sitosterol.
  • Minerals: High potassium content, which forms the core of its alkaline ash (Kshara) preparation.

Therapeutic Efficacy & Modern Scientific Research

Modern pharmacological studies have examined several traditional indications of Achyranthes aspera. Each activity below is supported by one representative primary study. Most of the evidence is preclinical (animal and in vitro models); controlled human clinical trials are lacking.

1. Anti-inflammatory and Anti-arthritic Activity

  • Traditional Use: Sula (pain) and inflammatory swellings.
  • Scientific Evidence: Ethanolic extract of A. aspera (100–200 mg/kg, orally) inhibited paw oedema induced by carrageenan and Freund's complete adjuvant in rodents, and reduced inflammatory cell accumulation in carrageenan-induced peritonitis, supporting its use in inflammatory conditions.[3]

2. Analgesic (Antinociceptive) Activity

  • Traditional Use: Sula (pain).
  • Scientific Evidence: Ethanol extract of the leaves showed both central and peripheral antinociceptive effects in the formalin, hot-plate and tail-flick models in animals.[4]

3. Diuretic and Renal Support

  • Traditional Use: Udararoga (abdominal swelling), urinary disorders and calculi.
  • Scientific Evidence: Crude aqueous extract (10, 30 and 50 mg/kg, i.p.) produced dose-dependent diuretic, natriuretic and kaliuretic effects in albino rats without changing urinary pH; at 50 mg/kg the diuretic activity was about 46% of that of furosemide, and no toxicity was seen in mice up to 3000 mg/kg.[5]

4. Wound Healing Activity

  • Traditional Use: External application in skin disorders, wounds and Kandu (pruritus).
  • Scientific Evidence: Methanolic leaf extract applied topically produced complete excision-wound healing by day 21 (controls: 82.23% contraction), increased tensile strength in the incision-wound model comparable to the standard drug, and enhanced angiogenesis in the chorioallantoic membrane model.[6]

5. Hypolipidemic Activity

  • Traditional Use: Medoroga (disorders of fat metabolism).
  • Scientific Evidence: Alcoholic extract (100 mg/kg) lowered serum total cholesterol, phospholipids, triglycerides and total lipids by 60%, 51%, 33% and 53% respectively in Triton-induced hyperlipidemic rats; 30-day administration to normal rats also lowered serum and hepatic lipids and increased faecal bile acid excretion, suggesting reduced cholesterol absorption as a possible mechanism.[7]

6. Anti-obesity Activity

  • Traditional Use: Sthaulya / Medoroga (obesity), Lekhana action.
  • Scientific Evidence: The seed, which contains oleanolic acid saponins, has been assessed experimentally for anti-obesity potential, with reported reduction of body weight and favourable change in the lipid profile in animal models.[8]

7. Antioxidant and Thyroid-modulating Activity

  • Traditional Use: General Rasayana-type and metabolic support (extrapolated use).
  • Scientific Evidence: In male rats, A. aspera extract increased circulating thyroid hormone levels and decreased hepatic lipid peroxidation, indicating antioxidant activity and an effect on thyroid function.[9]

8. Cancer Chemopreventive Activity

  • Traditional Use: Not a classical indication; reported in experimental research only.
  • Scientific Evidence: Leaf extract showed cancer chemopreventive activity in an Epstein-Barr virus early antigen activation assay and in two-stage mouse skin carcinogenesis.[10]

9. Central Nervous System Activity

  • Traditional Use: Not a classical indication; reported in experimental research only.
  • Scientific Evidence: Ethanol extract of A. aspera (Agadha) showed CNS depressant and behavioural effects in different animal models.[11]

Summary of Therapeutic Profile

Therapeutic Applications of Achyranthes aspera
Indication Extract / Part studied Primary Pharmacological Action Level of evidence
Pain & Inflammation (Sula) Ethanolic extracts Anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, antinociceptive Preclinical (animal)
Renal & Urinary Conditions (Udararoga) Crude aqueous extract Diuretic, natriuretic, kaliuretic Preclinical (animal)
Wounds & Skin Irritation (Kandu) Methanolic leaf extract Wound contraction, tensile strength, angiogenesis Preclinical (animal, in vitro)
Metabolic Disorders (Medoroga) Alcoholic extract; seed saponins Hypolipidemic, anti-obesity Preclinical (animal)

Safety, Toxicity, and Dosage

  • Precautions: Due to its sharp (Tikshna) and hot (Ushna) properties, high doses should be avoided during pregnancy or by individuals with severe Pitta disorders.
  • Acute toxicity: No toxic effects were observed in mice at oral doses up to 3000 mg/kg of the crude aqueous extract.[5]
  • Standard Therapeutic Dosage:
    • Decoction (Kwatha): 20–50 ml.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume 2:04
  2. ↑ Prof. Krushnachandra Chunekar, Bhavaprakash Nighantu. Reprint Edition 2020, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, Guduchyadi varga, verse no. 219-221.
  3. ↑ Gokhale AB, Damre AS, Kulkarni KR, Saraf MN. Preliminary evaluation of anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity of S. lappa, A. speciosa and A. aspera. Phytomedicine. 2002;9(5):433-7. doi:10.1078/09447110260571689.
  4. ↑ Bhosale U, Yegnanarayan R, Pophale P, Zambare M, Somani RS. Antinociceptive evaluation of an ethanol extract of Achyranthes aspera (Agadha) in animal models of nociception. Int J Phytomedicine. 2010;2:440-5.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Asif M, Jabeen Q, Atif M, Majid AMSA, Qamar-Uz-Zaman M. Diuretic activity of Achyranthes aspera Linn crude aqueous extract in albino rats. Trop J Pharm Res. 2014;13(12):2039-45. doi:10.4314/tjpr.v13i12.14.
  6. ↑ Barua CC, Begum SA, Talukdar A, Pathak DC, Sarma DK, Bora RS. Wound healing activity of methanolic extract of leaves of Achyranthes aspera Linn using in vivo and in vitro model - a preliminary study. Indian J Anim Sci. 2010;80(10):969-72.
  7. ↑ Khanna AK, Chander R, Singh C, Srivastava AK, Kapoor NK. Hypolipidemic activity of Achyranthes aspera Linn in normal and triton induced hyperlipemic rats. Indian J Exp Biol. 1992;30(2):128-30.
  8. ↑ Rani N, Sharma SK, Vasudeva N. Assessment of antiobesity potential of Achyranthes aspera Linn. seed. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:715912. doi:10.1155/2012/715912.
  9. ↑ Tahiliani P, Kar A. Achyranthes aspera elevates thyroid hormone levels and decreases hepatic lipid peroxidation in male rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2000;71(3):527-32. doi:10.1016/s0378-8741(00)00170-7.
  10. ↑ Chakraborty A, Brantner A, Mukainaka T, et al. Cancer chemopreventive activity of Achyranthes aspera leaves on Epstein-Barr virus activation and two-stage mouse skin carcinogenesis. Cancer Lett. 2002;177(1):1-5. doi:10.1016/s0304-3835(01)00766-2.
  11. ↑ Bhosale UA, Yegnanarayan R, Pophale PD, Zambare MR, Somani RS. Study of central nervous system depressant and behavioral activity of an ethanol extract of Achyranthes aspera (Agadha) in different animal models. Int J Appl Basic Med Res. 2011;1(2):104-8. doi:10.4103/2229-516X.91154.

Herbs

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