Therapeutic and Pharmacological Efficacy of Achyranthes aspera Linn.: An Updated Review

Achyranthes aspera is an erect perennial herb that comes under the family Amaranthaceae. The plant and its parts are traditionally used to cure several diseases such as renal dropsy, hemorrhoids, dysentery, asthma, cough, stomach ache, skin eruptions, diarrhea, dysentery, stimulating labor pain, nose-bleeding, snake-bites, nose bleeding and dilating blood vessels. Secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, steroids, essential oil and fatty acids play a significant role in exhibiting increased bioactivity against a variety of diseases. Particularly, the presence of secondary metabolites including achyranthine, ecdysterone, oleanolic acid, spinasterol, apigenin, achyrantheric acid, ursolic acid, corrosolic acid, betaine are playing an important role in producing the potent pharmacological actions. A. aspera is widely used as purgative, laxative, astringent, diuretic and also as digestive. This review is particularly focused on the pharmacological and therapeutic potential of A. aspera and critically analyse the bioactivities such as antioxidant, antibacterial, tuberculocidal, antifungal, antiviral, anticancer, anti-diabetic, anti-hyperlipidaemic, anti-diuretic, anti-obesity, anti-arthritic, anti-inflammatory, periodontitis, cerebro-protective, antiepileptic, anti-depressant, anti-parkinson, anxiolytic, bronchodilator, hepato-protective, haemorrhoids, reproductive and anti-venom activity along with the toxicity studies. Keywords: Achyranthes aspera, Amaranthaceae, phytoconstituents, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, biological activity