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Botany
Perennial herb growing
to a height of 1.5 meters. Leaves are shallow to deeply lobed, toothed
with short spines, dark glossy green above and pale green below. Flowers
are pink to reddish in long erect spikes.
Distribution
Recently introduced to
the Philippines.
Rarely cultivated.
Constituents
and properties
Parts used
Leaves
Uses
Folkloric
Not known in the Philippines
for its medicinal applications.
In southeastern Nigeria,
roots used for furuncles, leaves used for boils on the fingers. Leaves also used for coughs.
In African traditional
medicine, used for urogenital infedtions, urethral pain, endometritis,,
cystitis, aches and pains.
In the Congo, central portion of twigs or leaves applied as hot poultice to mature abscesses; decoction of leaf and twigs used as purgative.
In Camerron, used for
pain, inflammation and threatened abortion; leaf infusion used for cough and chest complaints.
In Gabon, leaf-macerate used in children as emetic; fresh young growths used for heart troubles.
Studies
• Analgesic: (1) The Analgesic effect of the methanolic
leaf extract was studied in rats and mice. Results showed dose dependent
increases in pain threshold. The study indicated that the analgesic
effect of Acanthus montanus methanolic extract is both centrally and
peripherally mediated. (2) Analgesic tests conducted revealed the extract had only peripheral analgesic properties.
• Anti-Inflammatory / Antimicrobial / Immunologic
activity: Acanthus montanus: An experimental evaluation of the
antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and immunological properties of a traditional
remedy for furuncles: Study
showed the aqueous root extract showed antiinflammatory and moderate
antimicrobial activity against P aeruginosa and S aureus, the usual
pathogens in boils. Phytochemical testing revealed an abundance of alkaloids and carbohydrates, with traces of saponins, glycosides and terpenoids.
• Relaxant Activity: The Relaxant activity of methanolic
extract on intestinal smooth muscles suggested a non specific smooth
muscle relaxant activity.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Volume 68, Issues 1-3,
15 December 1999, Pages 169-173. <http://www.sciencedirect.com/science>
• Safety / Toxicity Studies: Study of leaves extract on Wistar pregnant rats showed no maternal or organ toxicity. Embyotoxicity was observed during organogenesis with signs of growth retardation which were not manifest after 5 days of postnatal survival. The extract can be tolerated by pregnant patients.
• Antifertility / Fetotoxic Activities: Study showed reversible prolongation of the metestrous and occasionally the diestrous stages of the estrous cycle. The extract showed a lack of estrogenic and progestational effects. At 1000 mg/kg/day, the extract caused appreciable implantation losses. The extract also caused delayed fetal growth.
• Hepatoprotective: Study showed the alcoholic and aqueous extracts of leaf and stem of Acanthus montanus may prevent liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats.
Availability
Cultivated. |
