 Gen info
- Pseudarthria is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family, Fabaceae, which includes seven species of herbs, subshrubs, and shrubs native to tropical Africa and Asia. (2)
Botany
• A perennial under shrub which grows to a height about 60-120 cm. Branches are slender and covered with minute white hair. Leaves are 7.5-15 cm long and 2.5-5 cm broad, trifoliate, ovate-oblong, hairy and densely grey-silky beneath. Flowers purplish or pink, in 15-30 cm long axillary racemes. Fruits, pods, oblong, flattened, covered with sticky hairs. Seeds 4-6, compressed and brownish black in color. (Flowers of India)
• Viscid pubescent subshrubs up to 75 cm tall. Leaves 3-foliolate; terminal leaflet 5-8 x 4-6 cm, ovate-rhomboid; laterals 3-4 x 2-3.5 cm, obliquely ovate, base cuneate or obtuse, apex acute, glabrescent above and densely woolly below; petioles 4-6 cm long; stipules 5-6 mm long, subulate. Flowers in axillary or terminal, often branched racemes; bracts and bracteoles 4-5 mm long, subulate, hairy. Calyx-tube 1-1.5 mm long; lobes 2-3 mm long, subulate, hairy. Corolla purplish; standard 4-5 mm long, ovate-obtuse. Stamens 9+1; staminal sheath c. 4 mm long. Ovary 3.5-4 mm long, terete, densely pubescent without; style subulate, incurved; stigma capitate. Pods 1-2 x 0.4-0.5 cm, linear-oblong, compressed, pubescent with hooked hairs. Seeds 4-6, reniform. (India Biodiversity Portal)
Distribution
- Native to the Philippines. (1)
- In waste places near towns, deserted clearings, coconut groves, etc.
- Also native Bangladesh, India, Jawa, Lesser Sunda Is., Maluku, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Sulawesi. (1)
 Constituents
- Preliminary phytochemical screening of leaf, stem, roots, and callus revealed the presence of alkaloids, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins. (3)
- GC-MS analysis of P. viscida extract identified 43 compounds: four phenolic compounds (2.07%), seventeen acids (33.2%), three plant sterols (22.13%). Cis-vaccenic acid was the major compound (16.47%), followed by γ-sitosterol (13.73%), n-hexadecanoic acid (8.97%), stigmasterol (6.24%),and stigmast-4-en-3-one (5.48%). (3)
- GC-MS of methanolic extract reported 3-O-methyl-d-glucose (61.33%) as major compound, followed by fatty acids like n-hexadecanoic acid (12.66%), oleic acid (7.93%), and 9,12-octadecanoic acid(4.88%).
(3)
- Phytochemical screening of both roots and leaves revealed presence of flavonoids, proteins, and tannins. (see study below) (5)
- GC-MS chromatogram of P. viscida leaf extract revealed presence of 20 major peaks indicating the presence of 20 organic volatile compounds. A major compound identified was Neophytidiene, along with other major compounds 10-heneicosene, 1-heptatriacotanol, 3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-2-hexadecen-1-ol, etc. (see study below) (7)
- Study of acetone (A) and methanol (M) and aqueous (Aq) extracts P. viscida leaves for secondary metabolites yielded: total phenols (GAE) 25.74 (A), 20.39 (M) and 6.6 mg/g (Aq); flavonoids (rutin Eq) 65.29 (A), 64.45 (M) 8.69 (Aq) mg/g; alkaloids (in 1 g dried leaf powder) 1.9 (M). (7)
- Phytochemical screening of petroleum ether extract of stems and roots yielded steroids, terpenoids, fixed oils and fats, with absence of alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, polyphenols, proteins and amino acids. (see study below) (12)
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GC-MS study of methanolic extract of roots yielded 18 chemical constituents. Major constituents were 3-O-methyl-d-glucose (61.33%), n-hexadecanoic acid (12.66%), oleic acid (7.93%), and 9,12-octadecanoic acid (4.88%). (14)
Properties
- Roots considered astringent, emollient, thermogenic, digestive, constipative, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, aphrodisiac, cardiotonic, febrifuge, and rejuvenating tonic. (3)
- Studies have suggested antibacterial, antifungal, antidiabetic, antioxidant, antitumor, wound healing, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, anticancer, anti-arthritic, neuroprotective, anti-amnesic, cognitive-enhancing properties.
 Parts used
Roots, stems, leaves.
Uses
Edibility
- No information on edibility.
Folkloric
- In Ayurveda, used for treatment of asthma and nervous dysfunction; for insect bites, inflammation, and vomiting.
-
Component of many Ayurvedic preparations. Used to treat vitiated conditions of pita and vata, asthma, tuberculosis, helminthiasis, dyspepsia, diarrheas, neurasthenia, diabetes, cardiomyopathy, hyperthermia, and general debility. (5)
- Root juice
is used as nasal drops for headaches and hemicranias.
Others
- Ayurvedic component: Known as Salaparni in Sanskrit, the plant is an essential component of many famous Ayurvedic formulations viz. Dashamoola, Mahanarayana taila, and Dhantara taila. (4)
Studies
• Antimicrobial / Roots: P. viscida exhibited inhibitory activity against B. cereus and A. hydrophilia with narrow inhibition zones of 12.0 and 11.0, respectively, and MICs of 12, 15, 13, and 20 mg/ml for Streptococcus pneumonia, Bacillus cereus, Aeromonas hydrophila and Vibrio cholera. A methanol extract of roots exhibited significant antifungal activity with zones of inhibition between 5-9 mm at tested concentrations. Narrow inhibition zones of 9.0, 6.0, 5.0 7.0 and 7.0 mm were shown against Candida albicans, M. purpureus, A. flavus, A. terreus, and P. notatum, respectively, with MICs of 5.0, 6.0, 8.0, 9.0 and 10.-0 mg/ml, comparable to standard. (3)
• Antidiabetic / Roots: Study evaluated an aqueous root extract of P. viscida in normal and neonatal streptozotocin (n2-STZ)-induced non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) rats. Glibenclamide was used as standard. Doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg were administered to normal and experimental diabetic rats for 21 days. Treatment with both doses showed antidiabetic activity, with the higher dose showing more significant effect. (4)
• Antifungal: Extracts of leaf, root, stem, and callus showed significant inhibitory activity against some fungal pathogens causing major diseases in crop plants and stored food grains. (see constituents above) (5)
• Antioxidant / Stem and Root: Study evaluated the antioxidant activity of crude methanol extract of Pseudarthria viscida stem and root using DPPH radical quenching assay and reducing power tests. Both stem and root extracts showed potential antioxidant activity in both assays. (6)
• Neophytidiene: GC-MS chromatogram of P. viscida leaf extract revealed presence of 20 major peaks indicating the presence of 20 organic volatile compounds. A major compound identified was Neophytidiene, along with other major compounds 10-heneicosene, 1-heptatriacotanol, 3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-2-hexadecen-1-ol, 1-hexadecanol, etc. Neophytidiene is a well-known enzyme inhibitor effective in inhibition of cyclooxygenase or lipoxygenase, which leads to decreased production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Hexadecanol is acetyl alcohol also known as palmityl alcohol, a solid organic compound, used as emulsifying agent in pharmaceutical preprations, and potential use in cosmetics as emollients, foam boosting agent and surfactant. (7)
• Anti-Tumor / Antioxidant / Roots: Study evaluated the antioxidant and anti-tumor activities of methanol extract of P. viscida (MEPV) roots again st Dalton's ascites lymphoma bearing Swiss albino mice, using doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg for 14 days after tumor inoculation. MEPV treatment decreased tumor volume and viable cell count, thereby increasing the life span of DAL bearing mice. Hematological parameters were brought back to normal. MEPV decreased level of lipid peroxidation and protein content and increased level of catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH). Results suggest the ME of roots exhibited significant antitumor and antioxidant activity in vivo. (8)
• Wound Healing / Ointment Formulation: Study evaluated the wound healing activity of topically applied ethanol extract of P. viscida in an excision wound model in wistar rats. Ointment was prepared as 5% and 10% w/w. Neomycin ointment 0.5% w/w was used as standard. Results showed significant wound healing activity compared to standard drug. The 10% ointment showed high rate of wound contraction, decreased period of epithelisation, high skin breaking strength, and decreased surface area of the wound. (9)
• Anti-Inflammatory Healing / Whole Plant: Study evaluated the anti-inflammatory activities of whole plant methanolic extracts of P. viscida and Uraria picta on carrageenan induced paw edema in albino rat, using doses of 200 and 400 mg/kbw. Indomethacin was used as standard. P. viscida showed higher inhibitory activity compared to U. picta. (10)
• Antitumor Activities / Cytotoxicity / Leaves: Leaf powder of P. viscida was subjected to microwave assisted extraction with ethanol. Ethanolic extract and fractions from leaves were evaluated for invitro antitumor activity against different cell lines. viz. L929, HCT126, MCF7, SIHA and HeLa, which showed significant cytotoxicity with IC50s of 17,17, 160, 18.72, 55, 60 µg/ml respectively by MTT assay. The ethanol extract showed significant activity as compared to standard Cyclophosphamide. (11)
• Anti-Inflammatory / Antipyretic / Stems and Roots: Study evaluated the anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities of petroleum ether extract of P. viscida (PEPV) stems and roots in albino rats. Pretreatment with 100 and 200 mg/kg p.o. prevented inflammation induced to rat paw by carrageenan and cotton pellet granuloma. Maximum effect at w00 mg/kg was comparable to indomethacin (10 mg/kg i.p. Antipyretic effect in pyrexia induced by brewer's yeast showed lowering in body heat compared to standard paracetamol (150 mg/kg p.o.). Acute toxicity study conducted according to OECD423 guidelines at doses of 30, 100, 300, 1000, and 2000 mg/kbw showed the extract to be safe at dose of 2000 mg/kg. (12)
• Analgesic / Anti-Inflammatory / Roots: Study evaluated the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of ethanol extract of P. viscida roots using doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg p.o. Analgesic effect by acetic acid-induced writhing and hot plate tests showed significant reduction of acetic acid-induced writhing response and significant increase in hot-plate pain threshold in mice. In carrageenan-induced mouse paw edema, the EEPV at 200 and 400 mg/kg showed 42.69% and 55.76% inhibition of edema formation. Phytochemical screening revealed presence of flavonoids, proteins, tannins, and phenolic compounds. Results support traditional use of P. viscida for treatment of fever, inflammatory and painful conditions. (13)
• Anticancer / HCT-15 Cell Line / Roots: Study evaluated the anticancer potential of invivo and invitro developed roots of P. viscida. Preliminary phytochemical evaluation yielded glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and tannins. Crude extracts of both invivo and invitro developed roots showed potential cytotoxic activity against HCT-15 cell line with IC50s of 36 mg/ml and 45 mg/ml respectively. Results showed that like invivo developed roots, invitro regenerated roots possess good cytotoxic activity against HCT-15 cancer cell line, and conservation of the plant without disturbing its natural habitat could be done by invitro root induction. (15)
• Antimicrobial / Leaves: Study evaluated the invitro antimicrobial activity of ethanol extract of P. viscida leaves. Phytochemical screening indicated presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, phenols, and flavonoids. Doses of 25, 50, 75, and 100 µg/ml of extract were used, with gentamycin and fluconazole as standard. The 100 µg/ml dose showed zone of inhibitions of 13, 12, 16, 10, 14, 14, 13 mm against Bacillus megaterium, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, respectively. (16)
• In Silico Study of Anti-Inflammatory Activity / Roots: Cyclooxygenase is the key enzyme in the biosynthesis of prostanoids, biologically active substances involved in physiological processes and pathologic conditions, such as inflammation. Molecular docking experiments were carried our for compounds from P. viscida root extract with cyclooxygenase-2. Out of 13 compounds characterized from P. viscida, only three docked with COX-2, and of the three, d-mannitol-1-decyl sulfony alone can be considered a lead compound. (17)
• Anti-Arthritic Against Protein Denaturation and Proteinase Enzyme: Study evaluated aqueous and solvent extracts of P. viscida for invitro anti-arthritic activity. Inhibition of Protein Denaturation Method showed anti-arthritic activity of 40.46 to 78.36 for aqueous extract and 48.62 to 84.42 for ethanol extract. Inhibition of Preoteinase Enzyme Activity showed 38.62 to 72.58 in aqueous extract and 46.28 to 80.52 in ethanol extract. Diclofenac sodium was used as standard. In both methods, 500 mcg/ml concentration showed maximum inhibition, with the ethanol extract showing better activity than the aqueous extract. (18)
• Neuroprotective Against ß-Amyloid-Induced Amnesia / Roots: Study evaluated the neuroprotective potential of ethanolic extract of roots of P. viscida (EEPV) against ß-amyloid-induced amnesia in mice, which is a suitable animal model for Alzheimer's disease. Senile plaques of ß-amyloid (Aß) are major constituents accumulated during the progression of AD as a potent neurointoxicant. Intracerebro-ventricular injection of Aß in mice induced the neurodegeneration. Neuroprotective potential of EEPV was determined by behavioral pattern using water maze and biochemical parameters such as SOD, CAT, GPx, vitamin C content, and AChE. Extract doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg EEPV were used for 21 days. Animals received a single injection of neurointoxicant Aß on the 14th day. Treatment with EEPV improved cognitive function in water maze and attenuated elevated levels of AChE with increase in antioxidant enzymes, indicating neuroprotection with increased levels of vitamin C. Results suggest EEPV exerts anti-amnesic effects and enhances cognitive function. (19)
• Intermolecular Force Between Monoamine Oxidase B (MAO-B) and P. viscida: Inhibition of monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) activity by deprenyl Hcl (drug) and methanolic extract of P. viscida. was studied using atomic force microscopy force-distance (AFM F-D) curves. Attractive force measured between MAO-B and kynuramine dihydrobromie (substrate) was 56.12, between MAO-B (inhibited by drug) and substrate was 11.25 pN and MAO-B (inhibited by plant extract) and substrate was 18.61pN. Phytochemical analysis revealed catechin was isolated from P. viscida and MAO-B-catechin binding sites were confirmed using in silico methods. The intermolecular force of the plant extract is comparable to a drug. Further exploration of the plant for neurological disorders will be useful. (20)
Availability
Wild-crafted. |
