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Family Polygonaceae
Subsuban
Persicaria barbata (L.) H.Hara
 
KNOTWEED
Mao liao

Scientific names Common names
Persicaria barbata (L.) H.Hara  Bukakau (Bik.)
Pogalis barbata (L.) Raf. Kanubsubang (Pamp.)
Polygonum barbatum L. Kaykayu (If.)
  Saimbangan-tubig (Sul.)
  Sigan-lupa (Tag.)
  Subsuban (Tag.)
  Bearded knotweed (Engl.)
  Bunchy sedge (Engl.)
  Field sedge (Engl.)
  Joint weed (Engl.)
  Knot grass (Engl.)
  Water milkwort (Engl.)
Persicaria barbata (L.) H.Hara is an accepted name : KEW: Plants of the World Online

Other vernacular names
ASSAMESE: Bon-ghehu.
BENGALI: Bekh-unjubaz.
CAMBODIA: Kating he.
CHINESE: Mao liao.
INDIA: Konde malle, Yelang, Belutta modela mucca, Kondamalle, Neeruganneru, Niralari,
INDONESIA: Salah nyowo, Mengkrengan, Jukut carang.
MALAYSIA: Tebok seludang, Johong beraleh, Panchis-panchis.
NEPALESE: Bish.
VIETNAMESE: Ng[eer] tr[aws]ng, Ng[eer] r[aa]u.

Gen info
- Persicaria is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the Knotweed family, Polygonaceae. Plants in the genus are commonly known as knotweeds or smartweeds. (24)

Botany
Subsuban is an ascending, slightly hairy plant, growing to a height of 30 to 60 meters. Stipules are sheathing, and cut into long, filiform cilia which are longer than the tube. Leaves are lanceolate 10 to 15 centimeters long, smooth or nearly so except at the ciliate margins and midrib, and tapering at both ends. Inflorescence is terminal, and in the upper axils, sparingly branched, with erect, lax and peduncled racemes, 2 to 6 centimeters long, 5 to 7 millimeters in diameter. Flowers are in short, slender pedicels. Perianth is white, greenish, or purplish, 2 millimeters long and without glands. Fruit is a triangular, black and shining nut.

Distribution
- Native to the Philippines.
- In open, usually wet places at low and medium altitudes, up to 1,400 meters in some regions, throughout the Philippines.
- Also occurs in Africa, India, Malaya, Bangladesh, Thailand, and in many other countries in South-East Asia.

Constituents
- Study of aerial parts yielded sitosterone, viscozulenic acid, and acetophenone.
- Study isolated flavanones from chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts of leaves.
- Study of Polygonum barbatum var. barbata yielded sitosterone from a petroleum ether fraction, and viscozulenic acid and acetophenone from the chloroform fraction of methanol extract of aerial parts. (15)
- GC-MS analysis of P. barbatum hydroalcoholic leaf extract yielded 22 compounds, with terpenoids as the major constituents, along with carbohydrate and fatty acids. (20)
- Phytochemical screening of whole plant yielded saponins, sterols, mucilage, glycosides, alkaloids, steroidal saponins in both alcoholic and aqueous extracts. (see study below) (21)

Properties
- Considered astringent, carminative, parasiticide.
- Root considered astringent and cooling.
- Studies have suggested anti-ulcer, wound healing, antimicrobial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, antiproliferative properties.


Parts used
Leaves, seeds, stems, and roots.

Uses
Edibility
- Young leaves and shoots cooked as vegetable.
Folkloric
- Sap of pounded leaves applied to wounds is considered an effective cicatrizant.
- In Malabar seeds are used to relieve colic pains.
- Roots are used as astringent.
- In China decoction of leaves and stems used to wash wounds and ulcers.
- Sap applied to wounds as antiseptic.

- Paste of roots used for treatment of scabies.
- Seeds used for treatment of dysentery and cholera.

Studies
Anti-Ulcer / Leaves / Whole Plant:
A study on the aqueous and methanolic leaf extracts of P barbatum showed reduction of gastric volume, total acidity, free acidity and ulcer index. The antiulcer activity may be due to the presence of flavanoids and tannins. (1)
Study evaluated the antiulcer activity of a leaf extract on aspirin-and-pylorus ligation and aspirin-induced ulcer models. Results showed antiulcer activity with significant decrease in ulcer index, acidity, volume and increase in pH of gastric content. (6) Study of alcoholic and aqueous extracts of whole plant showed antiulcer activity with significant (p<0.01) reduction of ulcer score, ulcer number, ulcer index, free acidity, and total acidity in pylorus ligation, ethanol induced gastric mucosal damage ulcer models in rats. (see constituents above) (21)
Wound-Healing:
A study of wound healing on albino rats of Wistar strain showed a significant increase in wound closure rate, tensile strength and decrease in epithelization period in PB treated group. Study concludes that ethanolic extract of P B had greater wound healing activity than nitrofurazone ointment.   (2)
Phytochemical :
Study of aerial parts yielded sitosterone, acetophenone, and viscozulenic acid. Acetophenone is used extensively as a food additive to create various food fragrances, and is also known to possess hypnotic and anticonvulsant property.
• Cholinergic / Spasmolytic / Brine Shrimp Toxicity / Aerial Parts: Study evaluated the cholinergic and spasmolytic activities of extracts of aerial parts of P. barbatum using rabbit jejunum. The dichlormethane extract showed dose dependent spasmolytic effect while a methanol extract showed dose-dependent cholinergic effect that was atropine sensitive. Spasmogenicity was without co-relaxant effect. The DME also showed marked brine shrimp toxicity. Antibacterial, antifungal, and larvicidal activities were absent. (7)
Antimicrobial / Leaves:
Study screened Polygonum barbatum for antimicrobial activity. An ethanolic leaf extract showed considerable broad spectrum activity against gram positive, gram negative and fungal organisms. (8) Study evaluated Polygonum barbatum for antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive (B. subtilis, M. luteus, S. aureus), Gram negative (S. setubal, P. picketti) and two fungal strains (A. fumigatus and A. flavus). Results showed significant antimicrobial activity. Among all fractions, n-hexane showed significant activity against S. setubal. The n-BuOH fraction showed activity against both fungal strains, Aspergillus fumigatus and A. flavus. (22)
Wound Healing / Whole Plant:
Study of whole plant extracts on two wound models (excision wound model and incision wound model) showed wound healing properties comparable with Providone iodine. The aqueous extract was found to be more effective. (9)
Antioxidant:
Study evaluated a leaf extract for in-vitro antioxidant activity. The PBLE contained a noticeable amount of total phenols. Results showed concentration-dependent antioxidant activity. An ethanolic extract showed significant antioxidant activity and a better source of natural antioxidants.
(10) Study evaluated the in vitro antioxidant activity of P. barbatum extract by SPPH, NO, SO scavenging assays. DPPH radical scavenging assay yielded an IC50 of 32.62 µg/mL, higher than other methods. (19)
Antinociceptive / Anti-Inflammatory / Diuretic:
Study evaluated the antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties of extracts of P. barbatum (L.) Hara var. barbata in mice/rat models. Results showed dose dependent analgesic effect in acetic acid induced writhing test in mice. Petroleum ether extract showed highest anti-inflammatory activity using carrageen-induced edema test. An ethyl acetate extract showed significant diuretic effect comparable to standard agent furosemide. (14)
Herb-Drug Interaction / Moderate Interaction with Warfarin:
The plant contains large amounts of vitamin K which helps blood clotting. Warfarin is used to slow blood clotting. Therefore, subsuban might decrease the effectiveness of warfarin (coumadin). (16)
• Antiproliferative Sesquiterpenes / Apoptotic Pathway / Aerial Parts: Study evaluated three new sesquiterpenes isolated from an ethyl acetate fraction of aerial parts of Polygonum barbatum for anti-cancer potential against different cancer cell lines: non-small cell lung carcinoma (NCI-H460), breast cancer (MCF-7), cervical cancer (HeLa) and normal mouse fibroblast (NIH-3 T3) cell lines. Compound 3 showed more cytotoxicity against NCI-H460 and MCF-7 cells with IC50s of 17.86 ± 0.72 and 11.86 ± 0.46 µM, respectively. Compound 3 showed potent antiproliferative potential as well as induced apoptosis and inhibited cell migration of cancerous cells by altering gene expression and inhibited angiogenesis. (17)
• Gastroprotective / Antioxidant / Leaves:
Study evaluated the antiulcer and antioxidant activity of ethanolic leaf extract of Pl barbatum against cold restraint stress induced ulcer in rats. Results showed both doses of the leaf extract, 250 and 500 mg/kg, significantly reduced the ulcer index and protected the animals against stress-induced free radical damage as evidenced by decrease in LPO and reversal of changes induced by stress on SOD and CAT. The gastroprotective activity was attributed to its antioxidant property. (18)
Optimization of Antioxidant Extraction / Leaves: Study reports on the optimization of antioxidant capacity from Persicaria barbata leaf extract using response surface methodology (RSM). The order of factors influencing the response value of antioxidant capacity was ethanol concentration, extraction time, and liquid-to-solid ratio, respectively., The ascorbic acid equivalent antioxidant capacity (AEAC) value equivalent was 93.925 mg AEAC/g of dried plant. .  (23)

Availability
Wildcrafted.

© Godofredo U. Stuart Jr., M.D. / StuartXchange


Updated July 23 / August 2018 / September 2016


PHOTOS / ILLUSTRATIONS
Photos © Godofredo Stuart / StuartXchange

Additional Sources and Suggested Readings
(1)
A PRELIMINARY STUDY ON GASTRIC ANTIULCER ACTIVITY OF POLYGONUM BARBATUM LINN IN RATS / Pharmacologyonline 3: 520-528 (2008)

(2)
EVALUATION OF WOUND HEALING ACTIVITY OF POLYGONUM BARBATUM LINN IN WISTAR ALBINO RATS / Nithya V et al /

(3)
Polygonum barbatum - L. / Joint Weed / Plants For A Future
(4)
Phytochemical Studies on Polygonum barbatum (L.) Hara var. barbata (Polygonaceae) / M Abdul Mazid, Bidyut K Datta et al / Rec. Nat. Prod. 5:2 (2011) 143-146
(5)
Polygonum barbatum L. / Chinese names / Catalogue of Life, China
(6)
ANTI-ULCER EVALUATION OF POLYGONUM BARBATUM LINN LEAF EXTRACT / Queen, Rosary Sheela X; Arockiasamy, P; Jeba, Singh D; Ilavarasan, R; Alex, Ramani V / International Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences;Oct2011, Vol. 3 Issue 4, p81
(7)
BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF POLYGONUM BARBATUM / Bashir Ahmad Chaudhry*, Muhammad Younas Syad, Khalid Hussain Janbaz, Altaf Ahmad Dasti and Bashir Ahmad Loothar / Journal of Research (Science), Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan. Vol.14, No.2, December 2003, pp. 169-175
(8)
ANTIMICROBIAL SCREENING OF POLYGONUM BARBATUM LEAF EXTRACT
/ QUEEN ROSARY SHEELA,* V. ALEX RAMANI / Int J Curr Pharm Res, Vol 3, Issue 3, 117­118
(9)
WOUND HEALING ACTIVITY OF POLYGONUM BARBATUM LINN. (WHOLE PLANT) / Hitesh Kumar Kinger*, Mahesh Kumar Gupta / WORLD JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES Hitesh et al. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Volume 1, Issue 3, 1084-1091.
(10)
IN-VITRO ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF POLYGONUM BARBATUM LEAF EXTRACT
/ QUEEN ROSARY SHEELA X*, ALEX RAMANI V / Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research Vol. 4, Suppl 1, 2011
(11)
Persicaria barbata / Vernacular names / GLOBinMED
(12)
Polygonum barbatum L. (accepted name) / Chinese name / Catalogue of Life, China
(13)
Persicaria barbata / Synonyms / KEW: Plants of the World Online
(14)
Antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties of Polygonum barbatum (L.) Hara var. barbata / M. Abdul Mazid; Bidyut K. Datta; Lutfun Nahar; S. A. M. Khairul Bashar; Sitesh C. Bachar; Satyajit D. Sarker* / Rev. bras. farmacogn., July/Sept. 2009; Vol 19, No 3 / http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-695X2009000500017
(15)
Phytochemical Studies on Polygonum barbatum (L.) Hara var. barbata (Polygonaceae). / Mazid, M. Abdul; Datta, Bidyut K.; Nahar, Lutfun; Bashar, S. A. M. Khairul; Bachar, Sitesh C; Sarker, Satyajit D. / Natural Products, 2011, Vol. 5 Issue 2, p143-146.
(16)
Smartweed--Drug Interactions / WebMD
(17)
Isolation and characterization of three new anti-proliferative Sesquiterpenes from Polygonum barbatumand their mechanism via apoptotic pathway / Umar Farooq, Sadia Naz, Binte Zehra et al / BMC Cancer, 2017; 17 / doi:  10.1186/s12885-017-3667-9 / PMID: 29061136
(18)
GASTROPROTECTIVE AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF POLYGONUM BARBATUM AGAINST EXPERIMENTALLY INDUCED GASTRIC ULCER IN WISTAR ALBINO RATS / Premlal KR, Krishnaraj S, Elango K, Sengottuvelu S / International Journal of Phytopharmacology, 2016; 7(2): pp 73-76.
(19)
Evaluation of Multiple Functions of Polygonum Genus Compounds / Antoine H. L. Nkuété, Ludovico Migliolo, Hippolyte K. Wabo, Pierre Tane and Octávio L. Franco / European Journal of Medicinal Plants, 2015; 6(1): pp 1-16
(20)
GC-MS Analysis and HPTLC Fingerprinting Profile of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Polygonum barbatum Linn. Leaves / B. Lakshmi Narayanan, K. Kannappan, T. Subburaju, C. I. Sajeeth / Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2017; 79(3): pp 477-482 / DOI: 10.4172/pharmaceutical-sciences.1000253
(21)
Evaluation of Anti-Ulcer Activity of Polygonum Barbatum Linn. (Whole Plant) / Hitesh Kumar Kinger, Mahesh Kumar Gupta / Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research, 2012; Vol 1, No 2
(22)
Antimicrobial Potential and Physio-Chemical Analysis of Polygonum barbatum L / Sara Khan, Umar Farooq, Afsar Khan, Sadia Naz, Rizwana Sarwar, Nosheen Mirza / J. Chem. Soc. Pak., 2014; Vol 36, No 4: pp 687-690
(23)
Optimization of antioxidant extraction   from Persicaria barbata leaves using response surface methodology / P Jaroennoni, P Sithisarn, P Rojsanga /  Pharmaceutical Sciences Asia (PSA), 2017; 24(4) / DOI: 10.29090/psa.2017.03.154
(24)
Persicaria / 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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