 Botany
Kalapini is an erect, much-branched shrub, 1 to 2 meters in height. Leaves are oblong-ovate to oblong-elliptic and 1.5 to 4 cm long, with pointed or blunt tip, wedge-shaped base, and slightly and irregularly toothed margins. Inflorescence is a compound, terminal, slightly hairy corymb 5 to 11 cm long. Numerous heads are about 5 mm long. Involucral bracts are ovate, with the inner ones gradually longer. Flowers are numerous, and pink-purple or lilac. Achenes are minute and ribbed; the pappus is white, scanty, and spreading.
Distribution
Along the seashore and tidal streams within the influence of salt or brackish water, from northern Luzon to Mindanao.
Also occurs in India to China and Malaysia.
Constituents
Yields an essential oil.
Properties
Astringent, antipyretic.
Parts used
Roots, leaves.
Uses
Folkloric
In India, roots and leaves used medicinally as astringents and antipyretics.
In Indo-China, decoction of roots used in fevers as diaphoretic; infusion of leaves for lumbago.
Studies
• Anti-Inflammatory: Study of methanolic fraction of chloroform extract of defatted Pluchea indica roots showed significant inhibitory activity against carrageenin-, histamine-, serotonin-, hyaluronidase- and sodium urate-induced pedal inflammation. Results establish the extract efficacy in exudative, proliferative and chronic stages of inflammation.
• Phenolic Content: Study showed a significant difference in the total phenolic content among different parts of the tested plant. Leaves contained the highest phenolic compounds, followed by the stems, and lower in the flowers.
• Antimicrobial: An aqueous extract was tested against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria. Results showed zone of inhibition against E coli and K pneumonia. Result showed a possibility of using P. indica as an alternative therapy in the treatment of urinary tract infections.
• Gastroprotective: The methanolic fraction of P. indica root extract was found to possess significant antiulcer activity in different experimental animal models. It showed significant protective actions in acetylsalicylic acid, serotonin and indomethacin-induced gastric lesions in experimental rats.
• Antioxidant: Study on P. indica root extract showed significant anti-inflammatory activity against glucose oxidase-induced paw oedema, inhibition of hydroxyl radical and superoxide generation, CCl4-induced lipid peroxidation and dioxygenase activity.
• Snake Venom Neutralization: (1) Studies on antidotes for snake envenomation has shown Pluchea indica as one of several herbal plants that possess moderate neutralizing activity against snake venom. (2) Study reports the neutralization of viper and cobra venom by b-sitosterol and stigmasterol isolated from the root extract of P. indica. Study suggests beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol may play an important role, along with antiserum, in neutralizing snake venom-induced actions.
• CNS Depressant: Study of root extract showed a potent CNS depressant action with alteration of behaviour pattern, reduction in spontaneous motility, prolongation of pentobarbitone-induced sleep, suppression of aggressive behaviour patters and conditioned avoidance response.
Availability
Wild-crafted.
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