This document presents information about the biological properties of Boerhavia diffusa, a small creeper plant, presented by Dr. Sudhakar Kokate. It describes the plant's appearance, chemical constituents including alkaloids, acids, and other compounds found in different parts of the plant. The biological activities of compounds from the roots, leaves, and flowers are summarized, including diuretic, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. Finally, the traditional medicinal uses of the plant are outlined for treating conditions like asthma, edema, urinary disorders, and cardiovascular diseases.

1. Examination of
Biological properties
of
Boerhavia diffusa

2. Presented by
Dr. Sudhakar Kokate
Director PPRC, India

3. Boerhavia diffusa
plant

4. Description
 Family: Myctaginaceae
 Small, creeper
 Diffusely branched
 Glabrous herbaceous plant
PPRC/INDIA 02

5. Description
 Length: 1 m or >
 Leaves: simple, ovate, oblong shaped
 5.5 x 3.3 cm in size
 Stem: woody cylindrical
PPRC/INDIA 03

6. Boerhavia diffusa
leaves

7. Description
 Roots are stout
 Flowers: funnel shaped
 Colours: White, pink
 Fruits: ovate, oblong, glandular, five ribbed
and sticky in nature
PPRC/INDIA 05

8. Chemical constituents
 Water soluble alkaloid - Punarnavine
 Large amount of potassium
 Boerhavic acid
 Borbaxone & boerhavine from roots
PPRC/INDIA 06

9. Boerhavia diffusa
leaves

10. Main chemicals
 Punarnavine
 Punarnavoside
 Boeravinone
 A – F hypoxanthine
 9 L arabinofuranoside
 Ursolic acid
PPRC/INDIA 08

11. Main chemicals
 Boerhavisterol
 Boerhadiffusene diffusarotenoid
 Boerhavilanostenyl benzoate
 Purnavine I & Punarnavine II
 Boeravinones G & H
PPRC/INDIA 09

12. Boerhavia diffusa
roots

13. Biological activities
 Diuretic
 Hepatoprotective
 Adaptogenic
 Anti-diabetic
PPRC/INDIA 11

14. Biological activities
 Immunomodulatory
 Anti-inflammatory
 Anti-fibrinolytic
 Anti-oxidant
PPRC/INDIA 12

15. Boerhavia diffusa
flowers

16. Biological activities
 Anti-bacterial
 Anti-viral
 Spasmolytic
 Nitric oxide scavenging
 Cancer chemopreventive
PPRC/INDIA 14

17. Medicinal uses
 Anaemia
 Swelling
 Inflammation
 Asthma
 Oedema
PPRC/INDIA 15

18. Boerhavia diffusa
flowers

19. Medicinal uses
 Ascites
 Urinary disorders
 Leucorrhoea
 Rheumatism
 Encephalitis
PPRC/INDIA 17

20. Medicinal uses
 Dyspepsia
 Jaundice
 Cough
 Haemorrhoids
PPRC/INDIA 18

21. Boerhavia diffusa
flowers

22. Medicinal uses
 Pulmonary cavitations
 Cardiovascular diseases
 Anti-stress agent
 Anti-convulsant
PPRC/INDIA 20

23. Thank you!!