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Family Umbelliferae
Kanapa
Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Lam.
WATER PENNYWORT
Man-t'ien-hsing

Scientific names  Common names 
Chondrocarpus sibthorpioides Sweet Kanapa (Ig.) 
Hydrocotyle keelungensis Liu, Chao & chuang Lawn marsh pennywort tree (Engl.)
Hydrocotyle monticola Hook. f. Lawn pennywort (Engl.)
Hydrocotyle rotundifolia Roxb. ex DC. Tomtomon (Bon.) 
Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Lam. Water pennywort (Engl.)
Hydrocotyle tenella Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don  
Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Lam. is an accepted name. The Plant List

Other vernacular names
ASSAMESE: Horumanimuni, Paruklei, Saru manimuni.
CHINESE: Long deng wan. Man-t'ien hsing, Tian hu sui.
JAPANESE: Chidome gusa.
NEPALESE: Saano ghod taapre.
THAI: Ya klet hoi.
VIETNAMESE: Rau ma nho.

Botany:
Kanapa is a delicate, creeping, nearly smooth herb with the stems rooting at the nodes. Leaves are orbicular or subreniform, thin, about 1 centimeter in diameter with heart-shaped base and margins somewhat lobed, the lobes being short and having 2 or 3 teeth. Umbels are very small, with few flowers. Flowers are small, white, sessile, axillary, sepals lacking, petals and stamens 5. Fruits are few, sometimes only 2 or 3 on a peduncle and less than 1 millimeter long, ellipsoid, usually with red colored spots.

Distribution
- Along small streams in shaded ravines, ascending to 1,600 meters, in Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Abra, Bontoc, Benguet, Laguna, Bataan, Quezon, Pangasinan, and Rizal Provinces in Luzon, and occasional in Manila in damp shaded gardens at sea level.
- Occurs in India to Japan, Malaya, and the Mascarene Islands.

Parts utilized
· Entire plant.
· Gathered throughout the year.
· Rinse after collection, sun-dry before use or use in fresh state.

Constituents
- Roots contain vellarin and vitamin C.
- Study of methanolic extract of whole plants yielded seven new oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins, hydrocotylosides I-VII and one known saponin, udosaponin B. (94
- Study yielded ten compounds: stigmasterol, daucosterol, hibalactone, genistein, daidzein,methyl-3, 4-dihydroxybenzoate, protocatechuic acid, caffeic acid, isorhamnetin, quercetin, hyperin. (See below) (9)
- Study yielded 28 compounds, seven isolated for the first time: chlorogenic acid methyl ester, 5-hydroxymaltol, (-)-angelicoidenol 2-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, n-butyl-β-D- fructopyranoside, apigenin, kaempferol, 4,2′,4′-trihydroxychalcone, and oleanolic acid. (10)
- Study of H. sibthorpioides for antioxidant phenolic compounds
yielded catechin, epicatechin, quercetin, and chlorogenic acid. (see study below) (23)
- Silica gel column chromatography isolated four compounds identified as stigmasterol (1), daucosterol (2), genistein (3) and daidzein (4). (25)
- GC-MS study identified ten compounds: stigmasterol (1), daucosterol (2), hibalactone (3), genistein (4), daidzein (5), methyl-3,4-dihydroxybenzoate (6), protocatechuic acid (7), caffeic acid (8), isorhamnetin (9), quercetin (10), (see study below) (26)

Properties
- Sweet tasting, slightly minty.
- Juice is emetic.
- Considered depurative, febrifuge, expectorant, antitussive; antifebrile, diuretic.

- Studies have suggested antioxidant, antiproliferative, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective properties.

Uses
Edibility / Culinary
• Leaves are edible.
• Whole plant can be used as a potherb with its parsley-like aroma.

• Juice of shoots boiled and used as curry.
Folkloric
- Plant juice used for fevers.
- Poultice used for wounds and boils.
- Decoction of plant used for abscesses, colds, coughs, hepatitis, influenza, pruritus, sore throat.
- Used for headaches and urinary problems.
- In Malaya, mixed with sugar and cassia bark and given to children for coughs.
- Juice considered emetic.
- Leaves pounded with alum for poulticing scrotal skin ailments.
- In Nepal, plant used as diuretic and febrifuge; used for treatment of asthma.
- In China, used for hepatoma. Also, an ingredient in Chinese herbal concoctions used for muscular dystrophy.
Also, used in treatment of hepatitis, fever, detoxification, psoriasis and edema.
- In the Arunachal Pradesh district of India, juice of the plant mixed with honey, used for typhoid fever. In the district of India, fresh plants are crushed and the juice extracted and three tablespoons are taken twice daily for five days. (7)
- In India, Juice of shoots eaten in dysentery. (19) Whole plant parts used as anthelmintic. (22) In Assam, India, leaves and roots used as digestive; and for rheumatism and menstrual problems.(28) In Assam, used as antipyretic; juice of plant in honey prescribed for typhoid fever.(29) In Assam, root juice of plant with Musa sapientum used in treatment of piles. (30)

Studies
Antitumor / Immunomodulatory: Ethanolic extract of HS showed anti-tumor activity with significantly enhanced activity on murine hepatic carcinoma, sarcoma 180 cancer, and uterine cervical carcinoma clones. Activity was comparable to that of antitumor agent 5-fluorouracil. The extract also mediate immunomodulatory effects as shown by promotion of thymus and spleen indices and humoral immunity in mice. (2)
Antioxidant / Antiproliferative: H sibthorpioides was one of four Hydrocotyle species studied. The results demonstrated that the phytochemicals might have a significant effect on antioxidant and anticancer activities related to the amount of polyphenols and flavonoids. The four species present a potential source of natural antioxidants.
Of the four hydrocotyle specie, HS and H batrachium had the lowest antiproliferative activity and H nepalensis, the highest activity. (3)
Triterpenoid Saponins: Study of methanolic extract yielded seven new oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins, hydrocotylosides I-VII and one known saponin, udosaponin B. (4)
Anti-Heptic / HBsAg Inhibition: Study yielded 10 compounds, viz., stigmasterol, daucosterol, hibalactone, genistein, daidzein,methyl-3, 4-dihydroxybenzoate, protocatechuic acid, caffeic acid,isorhamnetin, quercetin, hyperin. The herb showed no toxicity of Hep G2 2.2.15 cell, and its water extract exhibited inhibition to HBsAg at 1 mg/ml concentration with an inhibition ration of 27%. (9)
Genistein / Hepatoprotective / Alcohol Induced Injury and Fibrosis: Study evaluated the effect of genistein isolated from H. sibthorpioides on chronic alcohol-induced hepatic injury and fibrosis. Genistein exerted a preventative effect to ameliorate developing liver injury and even liver fibrosis induced by chronic alcohol administration in rats. (12)
Asiaticoside / Age-Related Cognitive Benefits: Study evaluated the effect of asiaticoside from Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides on the promotion of cognition in senescence-accelerated mice. Results showed treatment with asiaticoside from HS significantly improved learning and memory abilities in behavioral tests. Results suggest AHS may prevent spatial learning and memory decline by scavenging free radicals, up-regulating the activity of antioxidant enzymes, decreasing Aß, ameliorating dysfunction in synaptic plasticity and reversing abnormal changes in Ach and AchE activity. (14)
Effect on In-Vitro Dengue Replication: Study investigated the potential effect of Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides extracts against in vitro dengue viral replication using cell viability assay. Results showed H sibthorpioides had variable effects on dengue viral replication, depending on treatment, cell lines, and solvent types. (16)
Anti-Hepatitis B Virus Compound / Asiaticoside: Study isolated a saponin, asiaticoside. It was shown to effectively suppress the levels of HBsAg/HBeAg, extracellular HBV DNA and intracellular DNA in a dose dependent manner. Asiaticoside could inhibit HBV replication both in vivo and in vitro. (17)
Genistein / Hepatoprotective on Lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine Induce Hepatic Failure: Study showed genistein treatment significantly protected against LPS/D-GaIN-induced acute hepatic failure
as evidenced by enzyme parameters and attenuation of histopathological changes. The protective effect was mainly due to its ability to block NF-kB signaling pathway for anti-inflammation response, attenuate hepatocellular apoptosis and increase HO levels. (18)
Hepatoprotective / Thioacetamide Induced Injury: Study investigated the possible protective effects of genistein, a phytoestrogen, on liver injury in rats induced by thioacetamide. Results conclude that GEN attenuates liver induced injury in rats with TAA. The hepatoprotective effect is attributed to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. (20)
Acute Oral Toxicity Testing: Study evaluated the acute oral toxicity of various extracts of H. sibthorpioides in Wistar albino rats per OECD guidelines. LD50 of all extracts were greater than 2000 mg/kbw. There were no significant change in body weight, behavior, renal functions, liver functions, and lipid profile. Hematologically, there was an increase in RBC count, hemoglobin production after administration of methanolic and aqueous extracts. (21)
Antihyperlipidemic / Antioxidant / Phenolic Profile: Study evaluated the phenolic profile and antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant activities of G. sibthorpioides, Centella asiatica and Amaranthus viridis in experimental animal models. The polyphenol extracted from H. sibthorpioides showed excellent antioxidant activity with DPPH radical scavenging activity IC50 of 19.7 µg/mL and nitric oxide radical scavenging activity IC50 39.33 µg/mL. The extracted polyphenol also remarkably lowered the level of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, SGOT, SGPT, and MDA, while elevating HDL-C, SOD, and GSJ in high fat diet fed rats. (23)
Phytoremediation / Cadmium / Invention: Invention reports on extraction of cadmium and other heavy metals in polluted soil. The method can be used for plant remediation of cadmium=related composite soil polluted by multiple heavy metals in mine district land, and farm soil with cadmium exceeding standards caused by irrigation with polluted water containing heavy metals. (24)
Antihepatic Constituents / HBsAg Inhibition: GC-MS study of aetherolea from herbs of Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides identified fourteen of 48 compounds. Study showed no toxicity to HepG2 2.2.15 cell. Water extracts showed inhibition of HBsAg at concentration of 1 mg/ml, with inhibition ratio of 27%. (see constituents above) (26)
Silver Nanoparticles / Antibacterial: Study evaluated the efficacy of various concentration of nano silver solution on three bacterial isolates: K. pneumonia, P. aeruginosa, and S. aureus. Study demonstrated a simple, efficient, and ecofriendly synthesis of stable silver nanoparticles using an ethyl acetate extract of H sibthorpioides showing fairly superior antimicrobial activity against the tested human pathogens. (27)

Availability
- Wild-crafted. 
- Dried whole plant in the cybermarket.

Updated August 2020 / November 2015

                                                   PHOTOS / ILLUSTRATIONS
Photo © Godofredo Stuart / StuartXchange
OTHER IMAGE SOURCE / Public Domain / Line Drawing / Marsh Pennywort / File:Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides drawing.jpg / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 2: 650 / USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database /

Additional Sources and Suggested Readings
(1)
Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides - Lam. / Water Pennywort / Plants For A Future
(2)
Effects of Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides extract on transplanted tumors and immune function in mice / F. Yu, F. Yu, P. McGuire, R. Li, R. Wang / Phytomedicine, 2006; Volume 14, Issue 2: pp 166-171 /
(3)
Antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of the four Hydrocotyle species from Taiwan
/ Shyh-Shyun Huang et al / Botanical Studies (2008) 49: 311-322.
(4)
Hydrocotylosides I−VII, New Oleanane Saponins from Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides / Aki Matsushita et al / J. Nat. Prod., 2004, 67 (3), pp 384–388 • DOI: 10.1021/np030356z

(5)
Treat Muscular Dystrophies (MD) by Amyotrophy Convalescence Pill Series
(6)
Some Antipyretic Ethno-medicinal Plants of Manipuri community of Barak Valley, Assam, India
/ Manabendra Dutta Choudhury et al / Ethnobotanical Leaflets 14: 21-28, 2010
(7)
Medicinal plants used against dysentery, diarrhea and cholera by tribes of erstwhile Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh / A kar and S K Borthakur / Natural Product Radiance, Vol 7(2), 2008, 176-181
(9)
Study on the Antiheptic Chemical Constituents of Hydrocotyle Sibthorpioides L. / Thesis / China Papers
(10)
Studies on the Chemical Constituents and Their Anti-tumor Activity in Centipeda Minima Lour. & Hydrocotyle Sibthorpioides Lam. / 14 Nov 2011 / Medical Research
(11)
Sorting
Hydrocotyle names / Authorised by Prof. Snow Barlow / Maintained by: Michel H. Porcher / MULTILINGUAL MULTISCRIPT PLANT NAME DATABASE / Copyright © 1997 - 2000 The University of Melbourne.
(12)
Protective effect of genistein isolated from Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides on hepatic injury and fibrosis induced by chronic alcohol in rats. / Huang Q, Huang R, Zhang S, Lin J, Wei L, He M, Zhuo L, Lin X. / Toxicol Lett. 2013 Feb 27;217(2):102-10./ doi: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2012.12.014. Epub 2012 Dec 26.
(13)
TRADITIONAL USES OF PLANTS OF COMMONLAND HABITATS IN WESTERN CHITWAN, NEPAL /
D.R. Dangol / J. Inst. Agric. Anim. Sci. 29:71-78 (2008) 71
(14)
Beneficial effects of asiaticoside on cognitive deficits 2 in senescence-accelerated mice / Xing Lin, Renbin Huang, Shijun Zhang, Ling Wei, Lang Zhuo, Xiaoyan Wu, Aicun Tang, Quanfang Huang / Fitoterapia, 2013
(15)
Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides / Synonyms / The Plant List
(16)
The Effect of Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Lam. Extracts on In Vitro Dengue Replication / Fitrien Husin, Yean Yean Chan, Siew Hua Gan, Siti Amrah Sulaiman, and Rafidah Hanim Shueb / Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Volume 2015, Article ID 596109 / http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/596109
(17)
Isolation and identification of an anti-hepatitis B virus compound from Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Lam. /
Huang Q, Zhang S, Huang R, Wei L, Chen Y, Lv S, Liang C, Tan S, Liang S, Zhuo L, Lin X. / J Ethnopharmacol. 2013 Nov 25;150(2): pp 568-75. / doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2013.09.009
(18)
Protective Effect of Genistein on Lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine-induced Hepatic Failure in Mice /
Xing Lin, Shijun Zhang, Renbin Huang, Ling Wei, Chunhong Liang,Yongxing Chen, Shujuan Lv, Shuang Liang, Xiaoyan Wu, Quanfang Huang / Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin Advance Publication, Article ID: b13-00908 / DOI:10.1248/bpb.13-00908
(19)
Wild edible aquatic and marshland angiosperms of Baksa district, BTC area, Assam, India / Namita Deka and Nilakshee Devi / Asian Journal of Plant Science and Research, 2015, 5(1):32-48
(20)
Thioacetamide-induced liver injury: protective role of genistein / Dalia O. Saleh, Gehad A. Raheem Abdel Jaleel, Sally A. El-Awdan, Fatma Oraby, Manal Badawi / Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 2014, 92(11): 965-973, 10.1139/cjpp-2014-0192
(21)
Acute oral toxicity evaluation of extracts of Hydrocotyle sibthorpioidesin wister albino rats as per OECD 425 TG / Iswar Hazarika, Divya Madhu et al / Toxicology Reports, 2019; Vol 6: pp 321-328 / https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2019.04.001
(22)
Survey and documentation of anthelmintic plants used in traditional medicine system of tribal communities of Udalguri district of Assam, India / Ananta Swargiary, Manita Daimari, Mritunjoy Kumar Roy / JAPS: Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science, Jan 2020; 10(1) / DOI: 10.7324/JAPS.2020.101006
(23)
A study on cardio protective activities of hydrocotyle sibthorpioides lam centella asiatica l and amaranthus viridis l in experimental animal model / Kumari Sima / 2018, Gauhati University / http://hdl.handle.net/10603/209553
(24)
Applications of perennial herb hydrocotyle sibthorpioides in enrichment and extraction of cadmium and other heavy metals in polluted soil / CN104759455A China
(25)
Identification of the chemical constituents from Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides / Zhang Lan, Zhang De-Zhi / Journal of Guangdong College of Pharmacy, 2007-05
(26)
Study On The Antiheptic Chemical Constituents Of Hydrocotyle Sibthorpioides L. / Zhang / Thesis
(27)
IN VITRO ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF BIOSYNTHESIZED SILVER NANOPARTICLES FROM ETHYL ACETATE EXTRACT OF HYDROCOTYLE SIBTHORPIOIDES AGAINST MULTIDRUG RESISTANT MICROBES / MANASHI GARG, BANASMITA DEVI, RASHNA DEVI / Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research, 2017; 10(6) / ISSN: 2455-3891 / DOI  https://doi.org/10.22159/ajpcr.2017.v10i6.17976
(28)
Use of medicinal plants in traditional health care practices by tribes of Dhemaji district, Assam, India / Mousumi Gogoi, Dr. Mridula Saikia Barooah and Manisha Dutta / International Journal of Herbal Medicine 2019; 7(5): pp 01-06
(29)
Some Antipyretic Ethno-medicinal Plants of Manipuri community of Barak Valley, Assam, India / Manabendra Dutta Choudhury, Meenakshi Bawari, L. Shyamali Singha / Ethnobotanical Leaflets, 2010; 14: pp 21-28
(30)
Traditionally used medicinal Plants of Bajali Sub- division, Barpeta District, Assam / Gaurab Jyoti Kalita, Srustidhar Rout, Rabindra Kumar Mishra, Parmita Sarma / Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies, 2015; 3(2): pp 08-17

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                                                            List of Understudied Philippine Medicinal Plants

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