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Family Marsileaceae
Kaya-kayapuan
Marsilea minuta var. minuta

WATER CLOVER FERN
Nan guo tian zi cao

Scientific names Common names
Marsilea aeqyptica Wall. Banig-usa (Tag.) 
Marsilea brachycarpa A.Braun Kaya-kayapuan, (Tag.)
Marsilea brachypus A.Braun Upat-upat (Tag.)
Marsilea cornuta (A.Braun) A.Braun Dwarf four leaf clover (Engl.)
Marsilea crenata C. Presl Dwarf waterclover (Engl.)
Marsilea crenulata Desv. False pepperwort (Engl.)
Marsilea diffusa CLepr. ex A.Braun Four leaves clover (Engl.) 
Marsilea elata var. crenata (C.Presl) Sadeb. Green clover fern (Engl.) 
Marsilea erosa Willd. Water clover fern (Engl.) 
Marsilea fimbriata Schumach.  
Marsilea gracilenta A.Braun  
Marsilea kedarmalii Bjhardwaja, Gena & D'Souza  
Marsilea maheshwarii Gopal  
Marsilea major (Haines) N.P.Chowdhury  
Marsilea mearnsii Christ  
Marsilea microcarpa A.Braun  
Marsilea minuta var. indica K.M.Gupta  
Marsilea minuta var. major Haines  
Marsilea perrieriana C.Chr.  
Marsilea poonensis Kolh.  
Marsilea sinensis Hand.-Mazz.  
Marsilea tenax Peter  
Marsilea tetraphylla Thunb.  
Marsilea vulgaris Bory  
Zaluzianskya crenulata (Desv.) Kuntze  
Zaluzianskya diffusa (Lepr. ex A.Braun) Kuntze  
   
Marsilea crenata C. Presl is a synonym of Marsilea minuta var. minuta. KEW: Plants of the World Online
Marsilea minuta var. minuta is an accepted variety. It has 36 synonyms. KEW: Plants of the World Online

Other vernacular names
AUSTRALIAN: Nardoo.
BENGALI: Shushni shak.
CAMBODIAN: Chutul phnom.
CHINESE: Nan kuo t'ien tzu ch'auo, Nan guo tian zi cao.
FRENCH: Marsilea a quatre feuilles.
INDIA: Sunisanakka.
INDONESIAN: Semanggi, Jukut calingcingan.
JAPANESE: Nangokudenjiso.
LAOTIAN: Pak vaen.
MALAYSIAN: Tapak itek.
THAI: Phak waen, Nuu-toh, Phak lin-pee.
VIETNAMESE: Rau bo, Co chur dien, Rau deu rang.



Gen info
- Marsilea is a genus of approximately 65 species of aquatic ferns of the family Marsileaceae.
- The genus name honors the Italian
naturalist Luigi Ferdinando Marsili (1656-1730). (26)

Botany
Kaya-kayapuan is an aquatic, herbaceous fern. Rootstock are slender, creeping, branched, the stipes of the sterile fronds 2 to 12 centimeters high, slender. Leaves are arranged in two rows on long, the young leaves sightly downy, on trailing, wiry stems. Leaflets are 4, light to dark green, obovate-cuneate, glabrous, 10 to 15 centimeters long or smaller in terrestrial forms, rounded and slightly crenate or subentire at the apex , the lateral margin entire, straight, cuneately narrowed to the sessile base. Sporocarps (spore bearing organ found near the rootstock) are covered with brown hairs when young, becoming glabrous and nearly so, oblong, about 3 millimeters long, rounded, slightly compressed, somewhat clustered or solitary, their pedicels 5 millimeters long or less, the upper basal tooth prominent.

Distribution
- Native to the Philippines.
- Widely distributed in the Philippines; in muddy places, ditches, shallow pools, and rice fields.

- Also native to Assam, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Himalaya, India, Malaya, Pakistan, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, etc. (15)
- In many countries, a noxious weed of irrigated rice.

Constituents
- Study for bioactives yielded alkaloids, saponins, phenolics and flavonoids. Protein content was as high as 4.4 mg/g. (7)
- Preliminary screening of dried M. crenata leaves and n-hexane extraction by GC-MS analysis yielded monoterpenoid, diterpenoid, fatty acid compounds and other unknown compounds. (12)

Properties
- Prepared drug sweet tasting with cooling nature.
- Diuretic, antiphlogistic and tranquilizer.

- Studies have suggested antioxidant, estrogenic, anti-H. pylori, anti-skin aging, phytoremediative, anti-neuroinflammatory properties.

Parts used
· Entire plant.

Uses
Edibility / Culinary
- Leaves are used in Indonesian East Javanese cuisine, served with sweet potatoes and peanut sauce. (1)
- In Thailand, leaves are used in Isan cuisine, as Phak waen and eaten raw with Nam phrik chili dip. (
1)
- Young plants are consumed all year round. Young shoots or whole plant is eaten raw or parboiled (4)
Folkloric
- Used for neurasthenia, edema.
- Dosage: 15 to 25 gms of dried material or 30 to 60 gms fresh material in decoction.
- In India, used against leprosy, for skin diseases, fever, and blood poisoning.
(14)
- In the Rajshahi district of Bangladesh, used for hepatic disorders (jaundice, hepatitis). (13)
Others
- Fodder: In Thailand, when grass is scarce, M. crenata used as substitute to feed grazing cattle.

Studies
No Effect on Endometrial Histopathology:
Study of 96% ethanolic extract of semanggi leaf on female mice showed no significant histopathologic endometrial effect. (2)
Antioxidant / Flavonoid Content: Study evaluated the flavonoid content and antioxidant activity from ferns such as D. esculentum, Marsilea crenata and D. querciforia. The flavonoid content of M. crenata was 11.202 mg/g dried. Antioxidant activity was determined using DPPH assay where M. crenata showed 27.644 inhibition on ethanol extraction. (3)
Phenolic Content / Antioxidant Activity: Study evaluated five Thai vegetables for phytochemical contents, phenolic content and antioxidant activity. Marsilea crenata extract exhibited the highest phenolic content (3.6041 mg GAE/g dry weight) and showed the most potent antioxidant activity on DPPH assay (IC50=248.94µg/ml). The Marsilea extract also yielded alkaloids. (5)
Early Detection of Lead Stress: Study showed that Pb concentration tends to inhibit the plant growth and suggests its potential use as an early detection remediation process. (6)
• Estrogen Effect / Potential for Hormone Replacement Therapy: Study evaluated the effects of water clover extract on estrogen and progesterone levels and its effect on uterine histology. Phytoestrogen content in water clover leaves was 538.0 pg/g, while dried clover increased to 1068.0 pg/g. Uterine histology showed some endometrial thickening. Results showed consumption of water clover extract has promise as replacement estrogen hormone therapy. However, further study is need to find the proper dose for human consumption. (8)
• Loliolide and Isololiolide / Potential Phytotoxic Substances: Study explored the phytotoxic properties and phytotoxic substances from Marsilea crenata. Aqueous methanol extracts showed inhibition various seedling growths (lettuce, alfalfa, cress etc). Inhibition increased with concentration. Two substances were isolated: loliolide and isololiolide. These compounds may be responsible for the phytotoxic effects of the extract and presents a potential of ruse in organic agriculture. (9)
• Renal Function Benefits in Urolithiasis / Leaves and Stalks: Study evaluated the effect of M. crenata leaves extract and stalk juice in preventing disturbances of kidney functions in male Wistar rats with urolithiasis. Results showed leaf extract and stalk juice can prevent kidney function disturbance in urolithiasis, as evidenced by decreases in BUN and increase in Cr clearance. (10)
• Anti-Helicobacter pylori Activity: Helicobacter pylori is recognized as a cause of gastritis, dyspepsia, peptic ulcers, and gastric carcinoma. Study evaluated the anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of 57 methanolic extracts of edible plants in Thailand. Marsilea crenata was one of eight plants found to have activity against H. pylori with MIC of 2.5 µg/ml compared to amoxicillin, positive control, with 7.8 µg/ml. (11)
• Effect on Reproductive Parameters Adverse Effects Induced by MSG: Study evaluated the effect of M. crenata ethanol extract on luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone levels, sperm quality, and testis histology of adult male rats induced by monosodium glutamate (MSG). Results showed significantly increased LH and testosterone level (p<0.05). Higher doses of ethanol extract resulted in decreased MDA level in MSG-treated rat testis, increase of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids and Leydig cells number, and increase of seminiferous tubular diameter and germinal epithelium thickness. (16)
• Effect on Low Blood Calcium Level and Osteogenesis / Leaf Juice: Study evaluated the potential of M. crenata leaf juice to boost low levels of blood calcium in adult female white rats (Rattus norvegicus). Results showed Mc juice increase blood Ca content (p<0.05). Histological observations of bone tissue of rat os humerus showed the increased number of osteoblasts with increase bone density, especially at 80% concentration. Results suggest potential as food supplement in low blood calcium patients, especially to protect against low level of estrogen. (17)
• Potent SIRT1 Activators and NFkB Inhibitors / Flavonoids: Ovarian aging is a natural process in females and is due to elevated ROS-induced inflammation caused by oxidative stress. Study evaluated the pathways involved in aging and identified the flavonoid compounds from M. crenata that may be useful as SIRT1 activators and NFkB inhibitors. Molecular docking study evaluated the interaction between hyperoside, luteolin, naringenin and quercetin against SIRT1 and NFkB. Seven proteins were similar to SIRT1 and NFkB pathways. Six protein s were involved in aging, and quercetin interacted with SIRT1. Hyperoside was a SIRT1 activator and NFkB inhibitor, with best binding affinity compared to other flavonoids. Results suggest the flavonoids may be a promising activator of SIRT1 and inhibitors of NFkB. (18)
• Antioxidant / Use in Testicular Dysfunction / Leaves: Study evaluated the effect of M. crenata ethanol extract as source of antioxidants through SOD1 and Nrf2 expression levels in rat testes. Quercetin and genistein were found the the ethanol leaf extract with retention times of 8.812 and 22.309 min, respectively. The leaf extract was categorized as a strong antioxidant by DPPH assay (IC50 33.68 ppm). There was an increase in Nrf2 expression in rat testis in one group, and an upregulation of SOD1 expression in another group. Results suggest Mc extract is a rich natural source of antioxidants and phytoestrogen and may be useful in the management of testicular dysfunctions. (19)
• Anti-Skin Aging: Extrinsic and intrinsic factors influence skin aging. Hormonal factors, especially estrogen, significantly affect intrinsic skin aging. Decreased estrogen levels reduce skin collagen content and skin elasticity. Study evaluated Mc leaf extract against estrogen receptor (ER)-ß on female Wistar rats, measuring (ER)-ß expression and dermal thickness. Group 2 at 30 mg/kbw showed highest expression of (ER)-ß and dermal thickness. Results suggested the water clover extract has potential as alternative treatment for skin aging. Further studies were recommended to determine proper dose for human consumption. (20)
• Anti-Neuroinflammatory / Metabolite Profile / Leaves: Study evaluated the metabolite profile of 96% ethanol extract of M crenata using UPLC-QToF-MS/MS and anti-neuroinflammatory activity of compounds with molecular docking. Three compounds were predicted to have activities similar to 17ß-estradiol viz. prochlorperazine, 12-aminododecanoic acid, and 1-methyl-2-[(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)-
methy]benzimidaol-5-amine hydrochloride. The three compounds were predicted to have phytoestrogen compounds from C. crenata leaves with potential as anti-neuroinflammatory. (21)
• Anti-Skin Aging: Skin aging in menopausal women is related with reduced ER-α and ER-ß expression and negatively correlated with MMP-1 expression. Synthetic estrogen has negative side effects like breast and ovarian cancer. Study evaluated the effect of Marsilea crenata leaves on MMP-expression in skin of ovariectomized Rattus norvegicus. Results showed water clover leaves reduced expression of MMP1 in fibroblast of skin ovariectomized Rattus norvegicus significantly. (22)
• Phytoestrogen Stimulating Activity / Leaves: Study evaluated the phytoestrogen stimulating activity of M. crenata leaves on alkaline phosphatase (ALP), a marker in osteoblast differentiation. Results showed that the palmitic acid in fractions 2 and 4 were phytoestrogen compounds in M. crenata that played a role in improvement of ALP activity in MC3T3-E1 osteoclast cell. (23)
• Potential Phytoremediation for Lead: Study evaluated the phytoremediation capability of water clover (Marsilea crenata) in synthetic Pb solution. The Pb concentration was measured by ICP (inductively coupled plasma) and free amino acid was analyzed by HPLC. The highest concentration of Pb was found in root tissue, followed by stem and leaves. (24)
• Antineuroinflammation in Microglia HMC3 Cell line / Leaves: Neuroinflammation is one of the main causes of neurodegenerative events. Phytoestrogen has high potential to overcome neuroinflammation caused by estrogen deficiency in postmenopausal women. Study evaluated the activity of n-butanol fraction of M. crenata leaves in inhibiting the classical pathway activation of microglia HCM3 cell line, which has proinflammatory characteristics. The best dosage to inhibit MHC II expression was 250 ppm with value of 200.983 AU. Results suggest anti-neuroinflammation activity, which was attributed to phytoestrogens. (25)

Availability
Wildcrafted. 


Updated April 2023 / May 2017 / October 2015

PHOTOS / ILLUSTRATIONS
© Godofredo Stuart / StuartXchange
IMAGE SOURCE: Illustration / Marsilea crenulata Desv. [as Marsilea diffusa Lepr.] Revue générale de botanique, vol. 6: t. 4 (1894) [L. Trabut] / PlantIllustrations.org
OTHER IMAGE SOURCE: Photo / Marsilea crenata / Meneerke bloem / CC-BY-SA-3.0,2.5,2.0,1.0, GFDL, License migration redundant / click on photo to see source image / Wikipedia

Additional Sources and Suggested Readings
(1)
Marsilea crenata / Wikipedia
(2)
THE EFFECTS OF FEEDING 96% ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF SEMANGGI (Marsilea crenata Presl) OVERVIEW OF FEMALE MICE ENDOMETRIUM HISTOPATHOLOGY / Tim Peneliti : Lully Hanni Endarini Prof. Dr. Sukardiman, MS, Apt / penelitian.unair.ac.id
(3)
Determination of flavonoid content and antioxidant activity from ferns by ultrasonic extraction / Jutarat Tawekijpokai*, Jindarat Pimsamarn / TIChE International Conference 2011, November 10 – 11, 2011 at Hatyai, Songkhla THAILAND
(4)
Children's traditional ecological knowledge of wild food resources: a case study in a rural village in Northeast Thailand / Chantita Setalaphruk and Lisa Leimar Price* / Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2007, 3:33 / doi:10.1186/1746-4269-3-33
(5)
Phytochemical Screening, Total phenolic Content and Antioxidant Activity in Selected Local Northeastern
Vegetables
/ Prasertsung C, Padumanonda T*, Tiyaworanan S, Mahakunakorn P / PP-PS-058-KKU / The 4th Annual Northeast Pharmacy Research Conference of 2012
(6)
Early Detection of Lead Stress on Marsilea Crenata Using Biolectricity Measurement / Arry Y. Nurhayati, Yuda C. Hariadi, P. Lestari / Procedia Environmental Sciences, Volume 28, 2015, Pages 57–66
(7)
Bioactives in three Philippine edible ferns / VICTOR B. AMOROSO, APRIL JOIE D. LAGUMBAY, RAINEAR A. MENDEZ, REGGIE Y. DE LA CRUZ, ANNABELLE P. VILLALOBOS / Asian International Journal of Life Sciences, Vol 23, No 2 (2014)
(8)
The Effects of Water Clover (Marsilea Crenata) Extract against Estrogen, Progesterone And Uterine Histology on Rat (Rattus Norvegicus) / Nurina Titisari*, Ahmad Fauzi, Anom Adyana, Pratiwi Trisunuwati / International Journal of Pharm Tech Research, 2016, 9(6), pp 165-171.
(9)
Isolation and identification of two potential phytotoxic substances from the aquatic fern Marsilea crenata / Islam, M.S., Iwasaki, A., Suenaga, K. et al. / J. Plant Biol. (2017) 60: 75. / doi:10.1007/s12374-016-0408-6
(10)
Preventive Effect of Marsileacrenata Leaves and Stalks Juices Against Urolithiasis Showed by Improving of Kidney Function / Sri Murwani / American Journal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences 2016 11 (1): 47.54 / DOI: 10.3844/ajavsp.2016.47.54
(11)
Anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of local edible plants / L Wirasathien / Planta Med 2013; 79 / DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1352460
(12)
PHYTOCHEMICAL ASSESSMENT ON N-HEXANE EXTRACT AND FRACTIONS OF Marsilea crenata Presl. LEAVES THROUGH GC-MS ANALISIS / Burhan Ma’arif*, Mangestuti Agil and Hening Laswati / Trad. Med. J., May - August 2016 Vol. 21(2), p 77-85
(13)
A Comparative Analysis of Medicinal Plants Used by Folk Medicinal Healers in Three Districts of Bangladesh and Inquiry as to Mode of Selection of Medicinal Plants / Md. Ariful Haque Mollik, Md. Shahadat Hossan, Alok Kumar Paul, M. Tau q-Ur-Rahman, Rownak Jahan and Mohammed Rahmatullah / Ethnobotany Journal, Vol 8
(14)
Marsilea crenata (PROSEA) / J J Afriatini / Pl@ntUse
(15)
Marsilea minuta var. minuta / KEW: Plants of the World Online
(16)
Marsilea crenata ethanol extract prevents monosodium glutamate adverse effects on the serum levels of reproductive hormones, sperm quality, and testis histology in male rats / Sri Rahayu, Riska Annisa, Ivakhul Anzila, Yuyun Ika Christina, Muhammad Sasmito Djati et al / Veterinary World, 2021; 14(6): pp 1529-1536 / DOI: 14202/vetworld.2021.1529-1536
(17)
The effect of water clover leaf juice (Marsilea crenata) against low blood calcium levels and osteogenesis in rats (Rattus novergicus) / Pratiwi Trisunuwati / International Journal of Phytomedicines and Related Industries, 2017; 9(4) / DOI: 10.5958/0975-6892.2017.00046.6
(18)
Computational study on the effectiveness of flflavonoids from Marsilea crenata C. Presl as potent SIRT1 activators and NFκB Inhibitors / Sri Rahayu, Sasangka Prasetyawa et al / Karbala International Journal of Modern Science, 8(3) / DOI: 10.33640/2405-609X.3247
(19)
Marsilea crenata extract modulates SOD1 expression in male rat testes via Nrf2 pathway / Sri Rahayu, Nana Luthfiana, Sasangka Prasetyawan, Ivakhul Anzila / Tropical Journall of Pharmaceutical Research, 2023; 22(1) / DOI: 10.4314/tjpr.v22i1.13
(20)
Effect Of Water Clover (Marsilea Crenata) Leaf Extract On Estrogen Receptors-Β In Skin Aging / Winawati Eka Putri Wina, Maria Ulfa Maria / Jurnal Ilmiah Kesehatan, 2021; 14(1) / DOI: 10.33086/jhs.v14i1.1811
(21)
Metabolite Profiling of 96% Ethanol Extract from Marsilea crenata Presl. Leaves Using UPLC-QToF-MS/MS and Anti-Neuroinflammatory Predicition Activity with Molecular Docking / Burhan Ma'arif, Denis Mery Mirza, Arief Suryadinata, M Artabah Muchlisin, Mangestuti Agil / Journal of Tropical Pharmacy and Chemistry, 2019 / DOI: 10.25206/jtpc.v4i6.213
(22)
Extract of Water Clover ( Marsilea crenata C . Presl ) Leaves Reduced Expression of MMP-1 in Skin of Ovariectomized Rattus norvegicus / Nenden Lilis Setiasih, W Pangkahila, I Iswari et al /
Corpus ID: 204744539
(23)
Activity of Marsilea crenata Presl. Leaves in MC3T3-E1 Osteoblast Cell Differentiation through Alkaline phosphatase Measurement / Burhan Ma'arif, Mangestuti Agil, Hening Laswati / J App Pharm Sci., 2018; 8(3): pp 55-59 / DOI: 10.7324/JAPS.2018.8308
(24)
Phytoremediation capability of water clover (Marsilea crenata L. Presl) in synthetic Pb solution
/ Rachmadiarti F, Trimulyono G / Applied Ecology and Environmental Research, 2019; 17(4): pp 9609-9619  / ISSN: 1589-1623 / Record Number: 20193372052
(25)
Antineuroinflammation activity of n-butanol fraction of Marsilea crenata Presl. in microglia HMC3 cell line. / Ma'arif B, DM Mirza, M Hasanah, H Laswati, M Agil / Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology, 2020; 30(6) / DOI: 10.1515/jbcpp-2019-0255 / PMID: 31967965
(26)
Marsilea / Wikipedia

DOI: It is not uncommon for links on studies/sources to change. Copying and pasting the information on the search window or using the DOI (if available) will often redirect to the new link page. (Citing and Using a (DOI) Digital Object Identifier)

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