Department of Quality Assurance Techniques . MES’s College of Pharmacy, Sonai, India
The Convolvulaceae family has within it the famous medicinal plant Argyreia nervosa (also known as Argyreia speciosa), used in many different traditional medical systems throughout India, especially Ayurveda. The entire plant can be found throughout all of India and has always been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetes, inflammation, ulcers, neurological diseases, infections and reproductive conditions. Phytochemical studies show the diverse range of bioactive compounds within A. nervosa, including flavonoids, alkaloids, triterpenes, steroids, phenylpropanoids, and coumarins, contributing to its many therapeutic uses. Research indicates that various extracts of A. nervosa demonstrate the ability to act as antioxidants, possess anti-inflammatory properties, protect the liver, assist with wound healing, kill bacteria, are antidiabetic, are neuroprotective, and enhance libido. This article reviews the taxonomy, morphology, ethnobotanical applications, phytochemical constituents, and pharmacological activities of Argyreia nervosa to highlight its medicinal significance and potential for novel drug discovery.
The Argyreia speciosa (L.F.) Sweet, referred to as the elephant creeper, belongs to the Convolvulaceae family. This woody vine grows to a height of up to 300 metres (984 feet) above sea level in India. Traditionally, the roots of this plant are consumed as a tonic, aphrodisiac, and diuretic, and used to treat rheumatism, gonorrhoea, and chronic ulcers, as well as for treating nervous system disorders. There are many ergoline alkaloids found in the seeds of this plant. This ornamental plant is widely grown in garden settings throughout India (including West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Kerala), as it typically grows as undergrowth in semi-deciduous forests and in slightly damp environments such as riverbanks and lake edges. Vridha daraka, also known as A. speciosa, is a rasayana herb that is used in many forms of Ayurvedic medicine in India. In Ayurveda, the roots of A. speciosa are considered to have aphrodisiac and rejuvenating properties, promote brain function, are considered a nerve tonic to support liver function, and have a tonifying effect to treat general fatigue or debility. Silver nanoparticles produced from Argyreia nervosa have been shown to have strong anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and antioxidant properties. Additionally, silver nanoparticles from A. speciosa have demonstrated significant antibacterial activity for certain bacterial infections. Previous phytochemical studies of this plant revealed the presence of lipids, flavonoids, triterpenes, steroids, phenylpropenoids and coumarins. Some specific compounds include friedelin, ergine, and agroclavine.
Vernacular name
Gujarati: Samundrasosh, Vardharo
Hindi: Samandar-ka-pat, Samundarsokha, Ghav-patta
Bengal: Bichtarak, Guguli
Malayalam: Samudrapachcha, Samudrapala, Samudrastokam
Marathi: Samandarshokh, Samudrasoka
Sanskrit: Antakotarapushpi, Chhagalanghhri,Vryddhadaraka,Samundrasosha
Tamil: Ambagar, Peymunnai, Sadarbalai, Samuttrappalai
Telugu: Chandrapoda, Kokkiti, Palasamudra, Samudrapachcha, Samudrappala
Kannada: Chandrapada
Urdu: Samandarsotha
English: Elephant creeper, Woolly Morning-Glory[6]
TAXONOMY CLASSIFICATION
Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Streptophyta
Class Equisetopsida
Subclass Magnoliidae
Order Solanales
Family Convolvulaceae
Genus Argyreia
Species Argyreia nervosa[7]
MORPHOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION
It is a twining woody climber that can grow to a height of at least ten meters. White pubescence covers young shoots
thickly.
Stem: The stem is white and tomentose in young stages. The older stem (25 mm) is so thick that it shows vertical
ridges and numerous lenticels, which are mostly transversely elongated.
Fig:- Argyreia Nervosa Stem
Leaves: Simple, alternating, long-petioled leaves range in length from 5 to 15 cm. The leaf blade is fairly large,
elliptical or widely ovate-cordate, and is 20–30 cm in length and 20–25 cm in width.
Fig:- Argyreia Nervosa Leaves
Flower: Large, showy, funnel-shaped, regular, sub capitate flowers with short pedicels in axillary bracteate cymes are carried on sturdy, white, and tomentose peduncles. The flowers are stained purple or pale to deep pink.
Fig:- Argyreia Nervosa Flowers
Fruits: The fruits are 1.2–1.8 cm in diameter, yellowish brown, smooth, globose, indehiscent, and irregularly crumbling berries with two or four seeds imbedded in a mealy pulp.
Fig:- Argyreia Nervosa Fruits
Roots: The thickness and size of Argyreia speciosa roots varies. The slender roots have a rather smooth, brownish
appearance and are typically 2-4 mm in diameter.[2,6]
ETHNOBOTANICAL USES
Traditional remedies using plants for various medicinal purposes In the Indian states of Rajasthan and Karnataka; certain tribes have traditionally used various parts of the plant to cure a variety of ailments. For example, the Lodha tribe has used both the dried root powder mixed with an alcoholic beverage (in a 3:1 ratio) to cure gonorrhea and cow's milk mixed with the dried root powder in a 1:2 ratio for dysuria. The Palliyar tribe in the western ghats of India has used the extract of the root to treat gastrointestinal issues. The Santal tribe has used the leaves to treat skin abscesses. The Oraon tribe has used the juice of fresh green leaves and oil from the pongamia pinnata seed to help with anemia and weight loss. Some other tribes have also used extracts of A. speciosa to cure syphilis and other types of male sexual problems; it has also been reported to be beneficial in the treatment of smallpox. In Lakhimpur, tuber paste has been used to relieve stomach ulcers. The Kurichiya tribe of Wayanad district in kerala has used the leaf, flower, and root parts of the plant to treat rheumatoid arthritis and coughs. Historically, this plant was used to treat a variety of gastrointestinal problems, including both diarrhea and dysentery, and to alleviate digestive problems. Additionally, it was historically used to treat smallpox, syphilis, and wounds; in some instances, the leaves have also been used for their antiphlogistic and contraceptive properties among members of rajasthani tribal communities. Leaves have been used topically to relieve the symptoms of various skin conditions, including skin infections, ringworm, eczema, and itching. In addition to these uses, leaves have been used as rubefacients and local irritants. There have also been claims from traditional sources regarding the antiphlogistic, hypotensive, and spasmolytic properties of the seeds of the plant.[28]
PHYTOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS
Seeds :- Fatty oil: Glycosides of palmitic, oleic, stearic, behenic, linoleic and linolenic acids. Fatty acids: Myristoleic, myristic, palmitic, linoleic, linolenic, oleic, stearic,
nonadecanoic, heneicosanoic, behenic acids,Alkaloids: Ergometrine, aegoclavin, iso-setoclavine, ergine, isoergine
Leaves :- 1-Triacontanol, epifriedelinol acetate, epifriedelinol, β-sitosterol
Flavonoids: quercetin, kaempferol, kaempferol-3-O-L-rhamnopyranoside
Flavone glycosides: 7,8,3,4,5-pentahydroxyflavone-5-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside and
7,8,3’,4’,5’-pentahydroxyflavone-5-O-β-D-glucopyranoside,Triterpene: friedelanol-5-O-β-D-glucopyranoside
Roots:- Tetradecanyl palmitate, 5,8-oxidotetracosan-10-one
Aryl esters: stigmasteryl-p-hydroxycinnamate, hexadecanyl-p-hydroxycinnamate;
coumarin scopoletin.
Coumarin glycoside: L-ester coumarin, 6-methoxy-7-O-α-D-glucoside.
Fruits:-n-Triacontanol, β-sitosterol, p-hydroxycinnamoyl octadecanolate, caffeic acid.[9]
PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTION
1 Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory: The methanol extract of Argyreia speciosa root has shown considerable analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, suppressing carrageenan-induced paw edema (P < 0.01) and decreasing the number of writhes caused by acetic acid at 30, 100, and 300 mg/kg dosing. There were statistically significant increases in the time of pain latency during the tail immersion and hot plate tests at 100 and 300 mg/kg of Argyreia speciosa root extract.3 Holoptelea integrifolia and Argyreia speciosa have demonstrated strong analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity in experimental models. Combination of both plants produced enhanced analgesia that exceeded ibuprofen's effects in the tail flick test and produced comparable anti-inflammatory activity. Both plants increased the time of pain latency in the tail flick test, reduced the number of writhes recorded, and suppressed paw edema.[10]
2 Antioxidant: The aqueous extract of Argyreia nervosa produced significant antioxidant activity in several in vitro test systems, including DPPH, ABTS, lipid peroxidation, iron chelation, nitric oxide, and superoxide scavenging. The aqueous extract also exhibited concentration dependent free radical scavenging activity with low IC?¹ values and inhibited hemoglobin glycosylation.[11]
3 Hepatoprotective and Antioxidant: Ethanolic and ethyl acetate extracts of Argyreia speciosa root exhibit significant hepatoprotective and in-vivo antioxidant activity against carbon tetrachloride (CCl?) induced liver toxicity in rats.[12]
4. Wound Healing Action: The application of a 10% aqueous leaf extract from Argyreia speciosa to wounds on mice showed benefits in wound healing. Administration of the extract resulted in faster contraction of the wound, shorter time to achieve epithelialization and strengthening of new tissue, and increased deposition of collagen. These data lend scientific support to traditional use of A. speciosa leaves for wound healing in northern India.[13]
5. Antimicrobial Activity: Flavonoid sulfates and various root fractions of A. speciosa demonstrated broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against bacteria, fungi and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Flavonoid sulfates can provide strong in vitro and in vivo efficacy, work synergistically with conventional antitubercular drugs, have low toxicity and prolong the life of infected mice.14 The antifungal activity of a leaf extract from A. nervosa was used to produce silver nanoparticles (AN-AgNPs) with very potent antibacterial activity. Biogenic AN-AgNPs (10-40 nm) presented by UV-Visible spectrophotometry, FTIR, PXRD and SEM, exhibited a significantly higher level of activity against Escherichia coli relative to cytotoxicity than traditional antibiotics, indicating that they qualify as a safe alternative to evidence-based antibiotics.[15 ]
6. Antipyretic Action: Significant antipyretic activity was observed in methanol and ethyl acetate extracts from the aerial section of plants that have been traditionally used as antipyretic agents.[16]
7. Anti-obesity action: The action of Argyreia speciosa extract (500 mg/kg/day) has been to reducing both the rate of weight gain in rats fed a high cholesterol diet and the amount of fat tissue. The anti-obesity and hypolipidemic effects of the extract are believed to be derived from its ability to improve lipid profiles by lowering levels of serum leptin, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Furthermore the extract was shown to prevent the development of fatty liver and inhibit the activity of pancreatic lipase.[17]
8. Gastroprotective action: Several gastrointestinal ulcer models were conducted to evaluate the gastroprotective effects of Argyreia speciosa extract (ASE). In these models ASE provided dose dependent gastroprotection equivalent to that provided by ranitidine. The extract produced beneficial effects on antioxidant status (increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels and increased catalase activity), as well as decreasing the ulcer indexes, levels of lipid peroxidation and acid-pepsin levels. It was shown to also increase the amount of gastric mucin. The above results suggest that the gastroprotection that occurs with ASE is likely due to both cytoprotective and free radical scavenging mechanisms.[18]
9.Nootropic Action: A study using an aqueous extract of Argyreia Speciosa in mice demonstrated that it has anti-cholinesterase and nootropic actions. It was shown to decrease acetylcholinesterase levels in the brain, improve amnesia induced by diazepam, scopolamine, and advancing age, and enhance both short-term and long-term memory. These findings suggest that the Argyreia Speciosa may have the potential to treat cognitive impairments and dementia induced by aging.[19]
10.Antistress Activity: Studies using hydroalcoholic extracts of Argyreia Speciosa root on rats demonstrated that they had immunomodulatory and antistress quality, as evidenced by enhanced ability to tolerate stress, decreased incidence of pain, seizures, and stomach ulcer formation, and restoration of stress-induced biochemical and histological damage. The increase in humoral immune response demonstrated the antistress efficacy of the extract was based on immunostimulatory activity and non-specific immune resistance.[20]
11 Psychotropic Activity: A study using hydroalcoholic extract of Argyreia Speciosa root on rodents showed significant psychotropic effects. The extract reduced spontaneous motor activity and exploratory behavior while increasing duration of sleep induced by pentobarbital, decreased stereotypy induced by apomorphine and produced catalepsy, providing evidence of sedation and possible neuroleptic characteristics.[5]
12 Anticonvulsants: The hydroalcoholic extract of Argyreia speciosa significantly reduced seizures and mortality in mice with pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures and showed partial protection against the maximum electroshock seizure model.21 The hydroalcoholic root extract of Argyreia speciosa produced anticonvulsant and central nervous system depressant effects in rodents. The extract had no anxiolytic effects, but significantly decreased locomotor activity, increased the duration of immobility in models of depression, and prevented seizures caused by maximum electroshock and pentylenetetrazole.[22]
13 Neuroprotection: The ethanolic root extract of Argyreia speciosa produced significant neuroprotection (100-400 mg/kg orally for 7 days) in a rat model of global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The extract reduced neurobehavioral deficits, sensorimotor impairment, cerebral infarct size, and brain edema.[23]
14 Anti-diabetic: Ethanol (ASE) and aqueous (ASW) extracts of Argyreia speciosa (100 and 200 mg/kg) exhibited significant antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic effects in both normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, supporting the traditional use of Argyreia speciosa as an antidiabetic by improving glucose and sucrose tolerance, reducing serum glucose, and normalizing lipid profiles.[25]
15 Antilung injury action: Mice treated with Argyreia speciosa hydroalcoholic extract were protected from HCl-induced acute lung injury in a dosedependent fashion. The extract inhibited activation of NF-κB, resulting in significant reductions in neutrophil infiltration, pulmonary edema, oxidative stress and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines at 100 mg/kg demonstrating significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
16 Aphrodisiac effects: Argyreia nervosa produced marked aphrodi s iac effects in male mice. The effects were evident with both root and flower treatments yielding increased sexual activity and an increase in proportion of male offspring thus suggesting that it has promise for increasing male sexual function, and the alcoholic extract from the roots (200 mg/kg, p.o.) markedly increased mounting behaviour as well as mating performance in a dosedependent manner.[26]
17 Anticancer activity: The active compound in Argyreia nervosa, geranyl isovalerate, exhibited strong anticancer activity against HCT116 (a human model of colorectal cancer). Geranyl isovalerate caused the generation of oxidative stress and dysfunction of the mitochondria leading to activation of the apoptics cascade through inhibition of anti-apoptotic genes (Bcl-2, PARP) and stimulation of pro-apoptotic genes (caspase-3 and caspase-9). Hence, geranyl isovalerate could be an excellent therapeutic agent for the treatment of cancer. The findings of this study demonstrate that A. nervosa has the ability to alter cell viability in a way that is dependent on dose and time, supporting its potential to be used as either a lead or adjunct therapeutic agent for colorectal cancer therapy.[27]
CONCLUSION
As a traditional herbal medicine, A. nervosa has been used by various cultures throughout the world and is increasingly being established as a valid therapeutic agent through scientific validation. Its diverse history of use as a medicinal plant, combined with the phytochemistry of this plant, suggest that there are many potential therapeutic properties associated with it; this is demonstrated in the wide variety of biological activities seen in experimental models of A. nervosa. These uses include treating diabetes, inflammation, oxidative stress, liver disease, neurological disorders, infections, and promoting wound healing; all of which have been documented through scientific studies. Furthermore, its potential antidiabetic properties (via α-amylase inhibition and improving gut health) provide evidence of the potential value of this plant in treating individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Many of these potential benefits remain to be confirmed, and as positive preclinical studies exist, additional important studies (including complete mechanistic studies, toxicity testing, and appropriately planned clinical trials) should be performed in the future to establish the efficacy, safety, and appropriate dosage of A. nervosa. Overall, A. nervosa contains considerable potential for the development of new bioactive compounds for use in plant-based therapies and functional health products.
REFERENCES
Nivedita Dhokane, Dr. Jyoti Wagh, Kalyani Tambe, Mangesh Pawar, Kunal Rewale, Argyreia Nervosa: A Comprehensive Review, Int. J. of Pharm. Sci., 2026, Vol 4, Issue 5, 2821-2829, https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20135450
10.5281/zenodo.20135450
