 Gen info
- Pupalia is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Amaranthaceae. The native range is Tropical and Subtropical Old World. The genus contains four species: Pupalia grandiflora, P. lappacea, P. micrantha, and P. robecchii. Pupalia lappacea is the only species of the genus present in the Philippines. (2)
Botany
• Perennial herb, erect and c. 0.6-0.9 m tall, or bushy or sprawling, or sub-scandent and scrambling to c. 2 m, stem generally much-branched and swollen at the nodes, 4-angled to almost terete, thinly pilose to densely tomentose. Leaves variable in shape and size, from narrowly ovate-elliptic to oblong or orbicular, 2-12 x 1-6 cm, acuminate to apiculate at the summit (often retuse in round-leaved forms), shortly or more longly cuneate at the base, narrowed to a petiole 2-25 mm long; indumentum of lamina varying from subsericeous or tomentose to subglabrous with a few hairs running vertically along the lower surface of the primary venation, commonly moderately pilose with the hairs along the nerves divergent. Spikes terminal on the stem and branches, at first ± dense, elongating to as much as 0.5 m in fruit with the lower flowers becoming increasingly remote, axis subglabrous to tomentose, peduncle c. 1-10 cm; bracts lanceolate, 1.5-2.5 mm, persistent, ± deflexed after the fall of the fruit, subglabrous or pilose, sharply mucronate with the percurrent midrib; hermaphrodite flowers mostly in ± sessile clusters of 3, upper often solitary; bracteoles of hermaphrodite flowers broadly cordate-ovate, 2.75-5 mm, conspicuous, sharply mucronate with the percurrent midrib. Tepals oblong, 3.5-6 mm, glabrous to ± pilose dorsally, 3-nerved, the lateral nerves of the 2 outer tepals strong throughout, joining the shortly excurrent midrib just below the apex. Spines of modified flowers glabrous except sometimes near the base, yellowish to purple, 3-4 mm; 3-flowered clusters falling together to form a “burr” up to c. 2.5 cm in diameter. Filaments 2-3 mm. Style slender, 1.25 2 mm. Capsule ovoid, 2-2.5 mm. Seed oblong-ovoid with a prominent radicle, 2 mm long, dark brown, shining, testa at first faintly reticulate but finally smooth or punctulate. (Flora of Pakistan)
• Pupalia lappacea is a very variable plant, annual or perennial, producing stems that range from 50-200 cm in length; very much branched, sometimes erect, prostrate and sprawling, or even more or less climbing. (13)
Distribution
- Native to the Philippines.
- In Luzon (Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Laguna), Guimaras, Panay,
Mindoro. (3)
- Also native to Afghanistan, Angola, Assam, Bangladesh, Benin, Botswana, Burkina, Cameroon, Cape Provinces, Central African Republic, Chad, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Free State, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Gulf of Guinea Is., Gulf States, India, Ivory Coast, Jawa, Kenya, KwaZulu-Natal, Lesser Sunda Is., Madagascar, Malawi, Malaya, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, New Guinea, Niger, Nigeria, Northern Provinces, Oman, Pakistan, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Socotra, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sulawesi, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, West Himalaya, Yemen, Zambia, Zaïre, Zimbabwe. (1)
Constituents
- Phytochemicals include: 1- docosa-nol, stearic acid, stigamasterol, β-sitosterol, saropeptate (N-benzoyl-L-Phyenylalaninol acetate), β-sitosterol-3-0-D–glucopyranoside, Stigmasterol-3-0-β-D-glucopyra-noside and 20 – hydroxylecdysone. (4)
Properties
- Studies have suggested antioxidant, antinociceptive, anticancer, antibacterial, wound healing, anti-diarrheal, antipyretic, antidiabetic, antiadipogenic, hypolipidemic, anti-inflammatory, antiacne properties.
Parts used
Stems, roots, leaves
 Uses
Edibility
- Leaves are edible.
- Tender leaves are chopped, washed, and cooked. Pounded groundnuts or coconut milk are added and served with rice. (Not normally eaten; reported as causing colic in Somalia if eaten without washing, which suggests edibility after proper precautions and preparations.)
(19)
- In Ghana, leaves added to soup for various medicinal needs.
- In some areas, fluffy fruits are balled and used to filter milk. (18)
Folkloric
- No reported folkloric medicinal use in the Philippines.
- In Indian traditional and Ayurvedic medicine used to treatment of wounds, bone fractures, boils, cough, toothache, fever, malaria, diarrhea, urethal pain, leucorrhea, among others. (4)
- In Nigeria used for treatment of urethal pain, endometritis, cystitis and leucorrhea. Also used as anti-emetic and antalgic. In Tanzania, used as laxative and purgative. In Kenya, used as tonic, restorative, and stimulant. Decoction of black plant powder drunk or used as enema for treat hemorrhoids, fever and malaria. Powder of dried leaves and fruit dusted on sores. Boiled roots or infusion drunk three times daily for syphilis. In Bukhina fasa used as antisterility plant. Stem used as toothbrush for treating toothaches. (4)
 - In Ghana, poultice of leaves used for treatment of new wounds and boils.
Plant also used for treatment of stomach ulcers and sores. (15)
- Crushed seeds applied to infected sores and phagodenic ulcers. Leaves mixed with palm-oil or butter applied externally to boils. Roots used as antidote and purgative; for treatment of snakebites and syphilis. Plant ash mixed in water drunk for treatment of flatulence. (19)
Others
- Veterinary: In Kenya, whole plant used for treatment of skin diseases of goats. Leaf paste mixed with sessamum or carthamus oil used for treatment of bone fractures in cattles.
- Agroforestry: Although considered a serious weed, the plant is considered an indicator of fertile soil in areas where it grows. (19)
- Skin prepping: Because of stiffness of the spines, the echinate fruits are used for scarifying the skin prior to bloodletting or ointment application. (19)
Studies
• Antinociceptive / Aerial Parts: Study evaluated aqueous ethanolic extracts of aerial parts for central and peripheral antinociceptive activity in male Swiss albino mice using hot plate test and acetic acid induced writhing test respectively. Extract doses were 200, 300, and 400 mg/kbw in mice. Effect was dose dependent. Dose of 600 mg/kg significantly reduced number of writhes with 64.75 % inhibition, compared to aspirin at 75.0. Hot plate method showed increase in latency period with maximum latency time at 90 min, not comparable to morphine with maximum latency at 120 min. (4)
• Anticancer / Aerial Parts: Dichloromethane extracts of aerial parts showed cytotoxic effects on J774 and W138 cells with IC50s of 66.5 and 68.3 respectively. Ethanol extract of whole plant showed low cytotoxic effect on HeLa cervical cancer cells. Aqueous ethanolic extracts showed apoptosis induction in chronic myeloid leukemia (K562) cells with IC50 of 40 µg/mL. Molecular mechanisms of EAPL underlying apoptosis were associated with morphological and biochemical changes, activation of p53, cell cycle arrest at s-phase, increase in annexin V positive cells, increase Bax/Bcl2 ration, decrease in mitochrondrial membrane potential, increase in cytochrome release, increase in caspase activity, cleavage of PARP and inhibition of PCNA in a dose dependent manner. (4)
• Wound Healing / Leaves: Study evaluated the wound healing activities of 80% methanolic leaves extract using excision, incision, and dead space wound models. Ointment formulation was prepared with 10% and 20% w/w from P. lappacea. Results showed the ointments significantly (p<0.05) accelerated wound healing with 20% ointment showing highest percentage of wound contraction and rate of epithelization. Wound breaking strengths and weights of granuloma tissues were significantly (p<0.05) higher. MICs of extract against P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and B. subtilis were 9, 4, and 3 mg/ml respectively, while MBC were 10, 8, and 7 mg/ml. Results showed good wound healing and antibacterial activities, validating traditional use for treatment of wounds. (5)
• Antidiarrheal / Acute Toxicity Testing / Leaves: Study of hydroethanolic extract of Pupalia lappacea leaves for antidiarrheal activity using normal and castor oil-induced intestinal transit, castor oil-induced diarrhea, gastric emptying, and intestinal fluid accumulation tests in rodents. Results showed antidiarrheal activity through antimotility and antisecretory effects possibly mediated by activity on muscarinic receptors. Acute toxicity testing in mice by oral route did not produce signs of toxicity and no mortality( at dose of 10,000 mg/kg. (6)
• Anticancer on Chronic Myeloid Leukemia K562 Cells / Aerial Parts: Study evaluated the anticancer activity of ethanolic extract of aerial parts of P. lappacea (EAPL) on chronic myeloid leukemia K562 cells. Antiproliferative activity of EAPL was studied by MTT assat using carvacrol as positive control. Results showed dose dependent decrease in growth of K562 cells with IC50 of 40 µg/ml by EAPL. Results suggest a potential therapeutic agent in treating cancer. Rutin, a known anticancer compound, was reported and quantified for the first time from EAPL. (7)
• Antinociceptive / Antipyretic / CNS Depressant / Aerial Parts: Study evaluated 80% aqueous ethanolic extract of aerial parts for antinociceptive and antipyretic activities using doses of 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg. The extract significantly reduced (p<0.01) nociception induced by acetic acid. Extract significantly increased the latency time of jump in the hot plate method. In CXNS depressant effects, the extract produced significant reduction in hot pokes and locomotion in mice by using hole board and locomotor activity test respectively. Antinociceptive and antipyretic activities may be due to phyto-constituent content like steroids and/or triterpenoids, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds. (8)
• Antidiabetic / Antiadipogenic / Hypolipidemic / Leaves: Study evaluated the effect of P. lappacea ethanolic extract of leaves on adipocytes, blood glucose level, and lipid level in STZ-induced diabetic rats. The extract showed significant fall in fasting serum glucose, noteworthy antiadipogenic activity on 3T3-L1 cell line. The IC50 for reducing adipocyte cells was 662.14 µg/ml. Study suggests significant antiadipogenic, antidiabetic, and hypolipidemic effects. (9) Study evaluated the hypoglycemic and antihyperlipidemic activities of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of P. lappacea leaves in alloxan induced diabetic albino wistar rats. Oral administration of extract resulted in significant reduction in mean values of blood glucose, TG, TC, LDL, VLDL, and increase in HDL, along with significant changes in the histopathology of liver, pancreas and kidneys. (16)
• Toxicological Evaluation / Leaves: Toxicological study evaluated the sub-chronic oral administration of hydroethanol leaf extract of P. lappacea in rodents using doses of 10, 50, and 250 mg/daily for 90 consecutive days. The extract increased RBC, packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin (Hb), triglycerides, cholesterol and HDL in rats. P: 250 mg/kg significantly reduced sperm motility and serum testosterone level. Cyto-architectural distortions of the testes, liver and spleen were visible. Findings suggest P. lappacea is relatively safe at lower doses but cautions should be taken at higher doses. (10)
• Anti-Inflammatory / Aerial Parts: Study evaluated a methanolic extract of aerial parts for anti-inflammatory activity using carrageenan induced rat paw edema and egg white induced models. ME extract at dose of 200 mg/kg p.o. exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan induced paw edema model (p<0.01). In egg white induced model, the ME at dose of 200 mg/kg significantly inhibited paw edema (p<0.01). Both inhibited the increase in number of fibroblasts and synthesis of collagen and mucopolysaccharides during prostaglandin formation during inflammation. HPLTC showed presence of gallic acid 1.24 µg/ml, ferulic acid 2.0 µg/ml, chlorogenic acid 46.25 µg/ml and rutin 7.02 µg/ml, which may be responsible for the anti-inflammatory action in animal models studied. (11)
• Antimicrobial / Leaves: Study evaluated a hydroethanolic extract and fractions of P. lappacea leaves for antimicrobial activity against four reference microbial strains i.e., Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Salmonella typhi ATCC 14028, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853). Results showed the polar fractions were very rich in polyphenols, and exhibited more interesting bactericidal activity than the hydroethanolic extract. (12)
• Antiacne / Leaves: Study evaluated the invitro antiacne property of P. lappacea targeting gram positive strains of Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermis and Staphylococcus aureus using disc diffusion method and concentrations of 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 mg/ ml, and compared to ciprofloxacin. Results showed high ZOI for P. acnes (19mm), followed by S. epidermis (17mm) and S. aureus (12mm), with greater sensitivity to the extract at 100 mg/ml. (14)
• Silver Nanoparticles / Antimicrobial: Study reports on the green synthesis of AgNPs using aqueous extracts of P. lappacea. The synthesized AgNPs exhibited excellent inhibition zones against Gram(+) bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (26.33mm) and Bacillus coagulans (12.33mm) and Gram(-) bacterial Sphingomonas (24.33mm), Shigella dysenteriae (24.33mm) and Salmonella typhimurium (12.67mm). Results suggest potential of AgNPs for clinical and medicinal applications. (17)
Availability
- Wild-crafted.
-
Herbal products in the cybermarket.
- Plants
(IndianMart, Medicinal Live)
|
_W2_IMG_1559.jpg)
