Botany
Alambrillong-gubat is a fern. Stipes are tufed, erect or spreading, more or less covered with brown hairs, 5 to 20 cm long. Fronds are linear in outline, simply pinnate, 15 to 30 cm long; the leaflets, 1 to 2 cm long; the upper margin is rounded, and more or less cut. Rachis and both surfaces of the frond are villose, rooting at the apex; the sori are roundish on the edges of the lobes.
Distribution
Widely distributed in the Philippines, especially common in thickets.
Also reported from Tropical Africa and from Asia to Polynesia.
Properties
Antispasmodic, antiasthmatic.
Parts used
Leaves, aerial parts.
Uses
Folkloric
Leaves are used in the preparation of "sirop-de-capillaire."
In Bourbon, used to cure coughs and fevers.
Externally, used as a remedy for skin diseases; internally, said to be useful for diabetes.
Studies
• Antimicrobial: A study tested four important Adiantum species (A. capillus-veneris, A. peruvianum, A. venustum and A. caudatum) for antimicrobial activity against 5 gram positive, 6 gram negative, and 8 fungal strains. Maximum activity was exhibited by AV followed by ACV, AP and AC. The antimicrobial activity seemed related to the phenolic content.
• Cytotoxicity: Extracts of 16 Bangladeshi plants were screened against human gastric, colon, and breast cancer lines. The methanolic extracts from Adiantum caudatum and B. lacera showed high cytotoxicity against all cell lines tested.
Availability
Wild-crafted.
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