Talk:Apamarga
| Section/Chapter | Herb database/Apamarga |
|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Achyranthes aspera L. |
| Family | Amaranthaceae |
| Availability | Available |
| Contributors | Team Dravyaguna |
| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre |
| DOI | Awaited |
Achyranthes aspera L., popularly known as Apamarga or Prickly Chaff Flower, is a rigid, erect annual or perennial herb distributed widely throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of India. In Ayurveda, it is highly valued for its scraping (Lekhana), purgative support, and Kapha-Vata pacifying properties.[1]
English Name
Prickly Chaff Flower
Therapeutic Use
Sula (pain), Udararoga (abdominal disorders), Apachi (cervical lymphadenitis), Arsha (hemorrhoids), Kandu (pruritus), Medoroga (disorders of fat metabolism)[1]
Synonyms in Charak Samhita
- Pratyakpushpi – Deflexed flowers.
- Kharapushpa
- Shikhari – Bears terminal spike inflorescence.
- Durgraha – Difficult to hold.
- Adhashalya – Spinous bracteols and pointed perianth.
- Karmanjri
Synonyms in Bhavaprakasa Nighantu
- Mayuraka – Anti-poisonous or cures many diseases.
- Markati
- Kinihi
- Kharamanjari – Inflorescence has spinous bracteols and pointed perianth, hence prickly to touch.[2]
Varieties
Bhavaprakasa Nighantu, Dhanvantari Nighantu, Raja Nighantu
- Sweta
- Rakta
Kaiyadeva Nighantu
- Apamarga
- Vasira
- Ramatha
Ayurvedic Pharmacological Properties
According to classical Ayurvedic pharmacodynamics (Rasa Panchaka), Apamarga has the following properties:[1]
| Sr. No. | Pharmacological Criteria | Properties (Ayurvedic Attributes) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taste (Rasa) | Pungent (Katu), Bitter (Tikta) |
| 2 | Potency (Veerya) | Hot (Ushna) |
| 3 | Post-digestion Effect (Vipaka) | Pungent (Katu) |
| 4 | Qualities (Guna) | Light (Laghu), Rough (Ruksha), Sharp (Tikshna) |
| 5 | Dosha Action (Karma) | Pacifies Kapha and Vata, Purification of Kapha and Pitta |
Reference in Charak Samhita and its Actions
Apamarga is prominently documented across multiple therapeutic chapters of the Charaka Samhita:
| Sr. No. | Reference in Charak Samhita | Activity / Formulation / Therapeutic Use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 1/82, 2/3, 2/33 | Phalini (Nasya) (Errhine therapy) |
| 2 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/9(23) | Vamanopag mahakashaya (group of herbs helping emesis) |
| 3 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 25/40 | Agrya Sangraha (collections of best food articles, factors, and drugs) |
| 4 | Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 6/17 | Abhyantar Krimi Chikitsa (treatment of internal worm infestation) |
| 5 | Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/135 | Vaman dravyani (emetic drugs) |
| 6 | Cha.Sa.Sharira Sthana 8/19 | Punsavan Karma |
| 7 | Cha.Sa.Kalpa Sthana 1/14 | Vamanarth (for therapeutic emesis) |
| 8 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 8/176 | As a Utsadan dravya Bahyaprayogarth (external application) |
| 9 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 9/66 | Used as Nasya and Anjana prayogarth |
| 10 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 10/18 | Ingredient in Mahapanchagavya Ghrita |
| 11 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 10/44 | As a Nasya dravya |
| 12 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 13/171 | In formulation of Kshara |
| 13 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 17/126 | As an ingredient of Muktadhya churna |
| 14 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 18/57 | As an ingredient of Agastya haritaki leha |
| 15 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/184 | Used in Kaphaja Siroroga for Pradhamana nasya |
Dose
- Decoction (Kwatha): 20 – 50 ml of the drug.[1]
Important Formulations
As per A.P.I.[1]
- Apamargakshara
- Apamargakshara taila
- Abhaya lavana
- Gudapippali
- Jyotishmati taila
Current Availability
Available
- In India: Found abundantly as a weed throughout India up to 900 meters altitude.
Major Phytoconstituents
The pharmacological profile of Achyranthes aspera is associated with several classes of secondary metabolites:
- Triterpenoid saponins: Oleanolic acid glycosides (saponins A and B), mainly from the seeds.
- Alkaloids: Achyranthine and betaine.
- Sterols: Ecdysterone (a phytoecdysteroid, the insect moulting hormone analogue) and sitosterol.
- Minerals: High potassium content, which forms the core of its alkaline ash (Kshara) preparation.
Therapeutic Efficacy & Modern Scientific Research
Modern pharmacological studies have examined several traditional indications of Achyranthes aspera. Each activity below is supported by one representative primary study. Most of the evidence is preclinical (animal and in vitro models); controlled human clinical trials are lacking.
1. Anti-inflammatory and Anti-arthritic Activity
- Traditional Use: Sula (pain) and inflammatory swellings.
- Scientific Evidence: Ethanolic extract of A. aspera (100–200 mg/kg, orally) inhibited paw oedema induced by carrageenan and Freund's complete adjuvant in rodents, and reduced inflammatory cell accumulation in carrageenan-induced peritonitis, supporting its use in inflammatory conditions.[3]
2. Analgesic (Antinociceptive) Activity
- Traditional Use: Sula (pain).
- Scientific Evidence: Ethanol extract of the leaves showed both central and peripheral antinociceptive effects in the formalin, hot-plate and tail-flick models in animals.[4]
3. Diuretic and Renal Support
- Traditional Use: Udararoga (abdominal swelling), urinary disorders and calculi.
- Scientific Evidence: Crude aqueous extract (10, 30 and 50 mg/kg, i.p.) produced dose-dependent diuretic, natriuretic and kaliuretic effects in albino rats without changing urinary pH; at 50 mg/kg the diuretic activity was about 46% of that of furosemide, and no toxicity was seen in mice up to 3000 mg/kg.[5]
4. Wound Healing Activity
- Traditional Use: External application in skin disorders, wounds and Kandu (pruritus).
- Scientific Evidence: Methanolic leaf extract applied topically produced complete excision-wound healing by day 21 (controls: 82.23% contraction), increased tensile strength in the incision-wound model comparable to the standard drug, and enhanced angiogenesis in the chorioallantoic membrane model.[6]
5. Hypolipidemic Activity
- Traditional Use: Medoroga (disorders of fat metabolism).
- Scientific Evidence: Alcoholic extract (100 mg/kg) lowered serum total cholesterol, phospholipids, triglycerides and total lipids by 60%, 51%, 33% and 53% respectively in Triton-induced hyperlipidemic rats; 30-day administration to normal rats also lowered serum and hepatic lipids and increased faecal bile acid excretion, suggesting reduced cholesterol absorption as a possible mechanism.[7]
6. Anti-obesity Activity
- Traditional Use: Sthaulya / Medoroga (obesity), Lekhana action.
- Scientific Evidence: The seed, which contains oleanolic acid saponins, has been assessed experimentally for anti-obesity potential, with reported reduction of body weight and favourable change in the lipid profile in animal models.[8]
7. Antioxidant and Thyroid-modulating Activity
- Traditional Use: General Rasayana-type and metabolic support (extrapolated use).
- Scientific Evidence: In male rats, A. aspera extract increased circulating thyroid hormone levels and decreased hepatic lipid peroxidation, indicating antioxidant activity and an effect on thyroid function.[9]
8. Cancer Chemopreventive Activity
- Traditional Use: Not a classical indication; reported in experimental research only.
- Scientific Evidence: Leaf extract showed cancer chemopreventive activity in an Epstein-Barr virus early antigen activation assay and in two-stage mouse skin carcinogenesis.[10]
9. Central Nervous System Activity
- Traditional Use: Not a classical indication; reported in experimental research only.
- Scientific Evidence: Ethanol extract of A. aspera (Agadha) showed CNS depressant and behavioural effects in different animal models.[11]
Summary of Therapeutic Profile
| Indication | Extract / Part studied | Primary Pharmacological Action | Level of evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pain & Inflammation (Sula) | Ethanolic extracts | Anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, antinociceptive | Preclinical (animal) |
| Renal & Urinary Conditions (Udararoga) | Crude aqueous extract | Diuretic, natriuretic, kaliuretic | Preclinical (animal) |
| Wounds & Skin Irritation (Kandu) | Methanolic leaf extract | Wound contraction, tensile strength, angiogenesis | Preclinical (animal, in vitro) |
| Metabolic Disorders (Medoroga) | Alcoholic extract; seed saponins | Hypolipidemic, anti-obesity | Preclinical (animal) |
Safety, Toxicity, and Dosage
- Precautions: Due to its sharp (Tikshna) and hot (Ushna) properties, high doses should be avoided during pregnancy or by individuals with severe Pitta disorders.
- Acute toxicity: No toxic effects were observed in mice at oral doses up to 3000 mg/kg of the crude aqueous extract.[5]
- Standard Therapeutic Dosage:
- Decoction (Kwatha): 20–50 ml.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume 2:04
- ↑ Prof. Krushnachandra Chunekar, Bhavaprakash Nighantu. Reprint Edition 2020, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, Guduchyadi varga, verse no. 219-221.
- ↑ Gokhale AB, Damre AS, Kulkarni KR, Saraf MN. Preliminary evaluation of anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity of S. lappa, A. speciosa and A. aspera. Phytomedicine. 2002;9(5):433-7. doi:10.1078/09447110260571689.
- ↑ Bhosale U, Yegnanarayan R, Pophale P, Zambare M, Somani RS. Antinociceptive evaluation of an ethanol extract of Achyranthes aspera (Agadha) in animal models of nociception. Int J Phytomedicine. 2010;2:440-5.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Asif M, Jabeen Q, Atif M, Majid AMSA, Qamar-Uz-Zaman M. Diuretic activity of Achyranthes aspera Linn crude aqueous extract in albino rats. Trop J Pharm Res. 2014;13(12):2039-45. doi:10.4314/tjpr.v13i12.14.
- ↑ Barua CC, Begum SA, Talukdar A, Pathak DC, Sarma DK, Bora RS. Wound healing activity of methanolic extract of leaves of Achyranthes aspera Linn using in vivo and in vitro model - a preliminary study. Indian J Anim Sci. 2010;80(10):969-72.
- ↑ Khanna AK, Chander R, Singh C, Srivastava AK, Kapoor NK. Hypolipidemic activity of Achyranthes aspera Linn in normal and triton induced hyperlipemic rats. Indian J Exp Biol. 1992;30(2):128-30.
- ↑ Rani N, Sharma SK, Vasudeva N. Assessment of antiobesity potential of Achyranthes aspera Linn. seed. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:715912. doi:10.1155/2012/715912.
- ↑ Tahiliani P, Kar A. Achyranthes aspera elevates thyroid hormone levels and decreases hepatic lipid peroxidation in male rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2000;71(3):527-32. doi:10.1016/s0378-8741(00)00170-7.
- ↑ Chakraborty A, Brantner A, Mukainaka T, et al. Cancer chemopreventive activity of Achyranthes aspera leaves on Epstein-Barr virus activation and two-stage mouse skin carcinogenesis. Cancer Lett. 2002;177(1):1-5. doi:10.1016/s0304-3835(01)00766-2.
- ↑ Bhosale UA, Yegnanarayan R, Pophale PD, Zambare MR, Somani RS. Study of central nervous system depressant and behavioral activity of an ethanol extract of Achyranthes aspera (Agadha) in different animal models. Int J Appl Basic Med Res. 2011;1(2):104-8. doi:10.4103/2229-516X.91154.
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