2. SYNONYM: Apamargah, Mayoorah, markatapippalee, durgrahah,
Prickly chaff flower, devil’s horse whip, aghada, aghedo, chirchita
B.S.: dried whole plant of Acaranthus aspera linn.
Family: Amaranthaceae
• Geographical Source: It is found throughout india upto 900 m.
• It is common weed found in tropical region, pacific Island.
• Mostly collected from wild.
3. • Morphology:
• 1) root:
• Color: yellowish brown
• Odour: not distinct
• Size & shape: it is cylindrical tap root which is slightly ribbed, & 0.1-
1.0 mm thickness & gradually tapering.
• Other feature: it is rough due to presence of secondary & tertiary roots.
• 2) stem:
• Color: yellowish brown
• Odour: not distinct
• Size & shape: 0.3 – 0.5 cm in cut pieces, cylindrical & branched
• Other feature: hairy, solid but hollow when dry.
4. • 3) leaves:
• Color: green
• Odour: not distinct
• Size & shape: Ovate-elliptical
• Other feature: Subsessile, exstipulate, opposite, decussate, Margin; Wavy,
Apex: slightly accuminate. Lamina: Pubescent due to the presence of thick
coat of long simple hairs.
• CHEMICAL CONSTITUENT:
• Triterpenoid saponins possessing oleanolic acid as aglycone A,B,C & D
(major)
• Ecdysterone, an insect moulting hormone & long chain alcohol also present.
• From seeds Saponin A & B olealonic acid, glycosides are obtained.
• From root olealonic acid, n-hexacos-14(11,17)-enoic acid, strgmasta-5, 22-
dien-3-beta-ol
• Stem contain pentatriaontane, 6-pentatriacontanone, hexatriacntane,
tritriacontane.
5. Uses:
1) Given in hydrophobia
2) Pulp or fresh leaves applied externally is a good reamedy for scorpion
stings
3) Treatment of dropsy, cough cold, bronchitis, dog bite, ear complication,
headache, pneumonia, snake bite, renal complication, boils, asthama
4) As a cardiotonic, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, antimicrobial
5) As a contraceptive and diuretic.
Comercial variety:
Acaranthus bidentata Blime.
