A Review On The Species: Achyranthes aspera L.

Achyranthes aspera Linn., commonly known as "Prickly Chaff Flower," is a well-recognized medicinal herb belonging to the family Amaranthaceae, valued extensively across traditional healing systems for its broad ethnopharmacological relevance. The plant has been traditionally employed for the management of inflammation, wounds, gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory ailments, and pain, reflecting its longstanding cultural and therapeutic significance [1]. Phytochemical investigations have revealed that A. aspera is a rich reservoir of secondary metabolites, including alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids, steroids, phenolic compounds, and fatty acids, distributed across its leaves, roots, seeds, and stem [2]. These diverse constituents are reported to underlie the plant's wide-ranging bioactivities, encompassing anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, thereby reinforcing its potential as a candidate for the development of standardized herbal formulations and novel therapeutic agents [1,2]. Given this extensive pharmacological promise, a systematic review of the existing literature on A. aspera is essential to consolidate current knowledge and support its rational application in modern drug delivery and formulation research.

TAXONOMICAL CLASSIFICAION

Kingdom: Plantae

Division: Angiospermae

Class: Dicotyledonae

Order: Caryophyllales

Family: Amaranthaceae       

Genus: Achyranthes

Species: Achyranthes aspera (L.)

A weed distributed throughout tropical and subtropical regions, with distinct root, stem, leaf, inflorescence, and seed parts, each used individually or as a whole-plant preparation in traditional. Its fibrous root and slender stem are traditionally used as a natural chewing stick [3,4].

REVIEW OF LITERATURE ON: Achyranthes aspera Linn.

BARK:

? Lakshmi et al., 2020 investigated the in vitro antibacterial activity of A. aspera bark extract against the oral pathogens Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus using the micro broth dilution method across a concentration range of 0.8-50 µg/mL. The extract exhibited significant inhibitory activity against Lactobacillus acidophilus, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 6.25 µg/mL, though no antibacterial effect was observed against Streptococcus mutans, with the activity attributed to beta-ecdysone, a phytoecdysteroid present in the bark extract [5].

LEAVES:

? Kumar et al., 2024 formulated mucoadhesive buccal patches containing Achyranthes aspera leaf extract for toothache management using the solvent casting method. The ethanolic and petroleum ether extracts contained phytochemicals including alkaloids, flavonoids, amino acids, and carbohydrates, with quercetin quantified by HPLC. The optimized formulation (F1) showed >85% drug release within 8 hours and remained stable under accelerated ICH conditions, indicating its potential for sustained buccal drug delivery [6].

? Asnotikar et al., 2022 developed an herbal tooth powder containing Achyranthes aspera leaves with clove, Triphala, Pacha Karpoora, Ritha, and Mulethi. The formulation showed acceptable physicochemical properties and contained phytochemicals such as carbohydrates, glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins. Antimicrobial activity evaluated by the agar well diffusion method showed a 15 mm zone of inhibition against Streptococcus aureus, indicating promising antibacterial potential [7].

? Maurya, 2017 investigated the phytochemical and pharmacological properties of the methanolic extract of A. aspera leaves, confirming the presence of flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and alkaloids while reducing sugars were absent. The extract exhibited significant cytotoxic activity in a brine shrimp lethality bioassay (LC50 values of 2.18-3.80 µg/mL across exposure times) and moderate thrombolytic activity, producing 37.51% clot lysis compared to 78.04% for the streptokinase standard, suggesting mild fibrinolytic potential linked to its alkaloid and flavonoid content [8].

? Ndhlala et al., 2015 evaluated the antimicrobial, anthelmintic, and wound-healing potential of Achyranthes aspera leaf extracts prepared using aqueous acetone, water, and aqueous methanol. The extracts showed good activity against bacteria, fungi, and Caenorhabditis elegans, particularly those collected from Ciaat (Eritrea), which also contained higher levels of phenolic compounds and exhibited superior wound-healing potential [4].

STEM AND ROOT:

? Yadav et al., 2016 evaluated the antibacterial activity of aqueous stem and root extracts of Achyranthes aspera against Streptococcus mutans. Both extracts showed significant concentration-dependent antibacterial activity, with the root extract (21 mm) exhibiting greater inhibition than the stem extract (16 mm) at 10% concentration. The minimum effective concentration was 2.5%. Although less effective than 0.2% chlorhexidine, the activity was attributed to alkaloids and tannins, indicating the plant's potential as a natural anticariogenic agent [9].

WHOLE PLANT:

? Shukla et al., 2025 conducted phytochemical screening, isolation, and antioxidant/antimicrobial evaluation of the methanolic extract of whole-plant A. aspera collected at the flowering stage, identifying ferulic acid, caffeic acid, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, and quercetin derivatives via TLC and FTIR analysis. The extract exhibited significant DPPH
radical-scavenging antioxidant activity (IC50 135.8 µg/mL) and concentration-dependent antibacterial activity against S. aureus, B. subtilis, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa comparable to the standard antibiotic ofloxacin, underscoring its potential as a natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agent [10].

? Murugan et al., 2013 investigated the antibiofilm and quorum-sensing inhibitory activity of sequentially extracted A. aspera whole-plant fractions against cariogenic Streptococcus mutans. The methanol extract demonstrated the strongest effect, achieving 94% biofilm inhibition at its MIC of 125 µg/mL and a 23mm growth inhibition zone, while GC-MS and molecular docking analyses identified betulin and 3,12-oleandione as key contributors binding strongly to S. mutans glycosyltransferase and the OmpR quorum-sensing regulator, respectively, supporting the plant's traditional use as a chewing stick for oral care [11].

? Naidu et al., 2006 evaluated the antimicrobial activity of successive solvent extracts from various parts of A. aspera (whole plant, root, stem, leaves, inflorescence) against several bacterial pathogens using the disc diffusion method. The methanol extract of the whole plant showed the strongest activity against S. aureus and B. subtilis (MIC 200 - 400 µg/mL), while the n-hexane extract of the inflorescence was most effective against E. coli, indicating that antimicrobial potency varied considerably with both plant part and solvent polarity [12].

REVIEW WORKS:

? Pal et al., 2023 reviewed the phyto-pharmacological aspects of Apamarga (A. aspera), an important Ayurvedic medicinal plant, characterizing hydro-alcoholic seed extracts for physicochemical parameters and confirming the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, phenolics, and saponins. The review compiled major bioactive constituents, including achyranthine, ecdysterone, oleanolic acid, saponins A and B, and betaine, and consolidated extensive pharmacological evidence spanning anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, wound-healing, and antibacterial activities, notably against S. aureus, E. coli, and dental pathogens [13].

? Raju et al., 2022 conducted a comprehensive updated review compiling pharmacological data on A. aspera from
2011-2021, covering antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, and antidiabetic activities across various plant parts and solvent systems. Antibacterial assays demonstrated strong activity against S. aureus, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and S. mutans, primarily attributed to tannins and alkaloids, while key bioactive compounds such as achyranthine, ecdysterone, and oleanolic acid were highlighted for their significance in antidiabetic, antituberculosis, and antiviral applications, along with reported toxicological safety at standard doses [14].

? Jawanjal and Patgiri, 2021 reviewed the therapeutic applications of Apamarga Kshara, a herbomineral preparation derived from the alkaline ash of A. aspera, widely used in Ayurvedic anorectal and clinical therapeutics. The formulation, rich in potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium, was shown to possess debridement, incision, purification, and healing properties, with compiled clinical evidence demonstrating strong efficacy in hemorrhoids, fistula-in-ano, bleeding piles, and diabetic/venous wound debridement, attributable to its corrosive and penetrating characteristics [15].

ROOT:

? Kumar et al., 2025 evaluated a polyherbal gel combining A. aspera and T. ammi ethanolic extracts as an intracanal medicament against Enterococcus faecalis, benchmarked against chlorhexidine and calcium hydroxide. The gel exhibited additive antibacterial interaction with an intermediate zone of inhibition (12.0mm) and notably superior biocompatibility (95.1% viable periodontal ligament cells) compared to both standard medicaments, supporting its potential as a safer alternative for root canal therapy [16].

? Soorgani et al., 2023 evaluated the clinical and microbiological effects of a subgingivally delivered A. aspera root gel as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) in chronic periodontitis patients using a split-mouth design. At the 3-month follow-up, the test group receiving SRP plus the herbal gel showed significantly greater reductions in probing depth and clinical attachment level gain, along with a notable reduction in subgingival Porphyromonas gingivalis counts, supporting its efficacy as a nonsurgical local drug delivery adjunct [17].

? Boyapati et al., 2017 assessed the efficacy of an A. aspera root gel formulation as a local drug delivery adjunct to SRP in chronic periodontitis patients, delivered subgingivally via blunt cannula syringe. After 3 months, the combined SRP-plus-gel group exhibited significantly greater improvements in gingival index, probing depth, and clinical attachment level compared to SRP alone, with the therapeutic benefit attributed to the plant's antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties and no reported adverse effects [18].

? Owk et al., 2014 examined the antimicrobial activity of A. aspera root extracts prepared in hexane, chloroform, methanol, ethanol, and water against a panel of bacterial and fungal human pathogens using agar well diffusion and MIC assays. Ethanol and methanol extracts exhibited the highest antimicrobial potency, with Klebsiella pneumoniae proving most susceptible (MIC as low as 62.5 µg/mL), and phytochemical screening attributed the broad-spectrum activity to the synergistic action of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and terpenoids present in the extracts [19].

REFERENCES

1. Talreja, S., & Tiwari, S. (2023). A comprehensive review of Achyranthes aspera: Ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and therapeutic potential. An Int. J. Research in AYUSH and Allied Systems, 10(5), 270-278.
2. Raju, S. K., Kumar, S., Sekar, P., Murugesan, M., Karthikeyan, M., Elampulakkadu, A., & Arthanari, M. (2022). A comprehensive review on phytochemistry of Achyranthes aspera Linn.: An Indian medicinal plant. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 14(2), 057-67.
3. Kumar, R. S., Ankola, A. V., Nagamoti, M. B., Sankeshwari, R. M., Sutar, K. P., Jigan, S. I., & Khot, A. J. P. (2024). Antibacterial and cytotoxicity properties of a polyherbal mouthwash containing Achyranthes aspera and Trachyspermum ammi against selected periodontal pathogens. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 15(5), 101046.
4. Ndhlala, A. R., Ghebrehiwot, H. M., Ncube, B., Aremu, A. O., Gruz, J., Šubrtová, M., ... & Van Staden, J. (2015). Antimicrobial, anthelmintic activities and characterisation of functional phenolic acids of Achyranthes aspera Linn.: a medicinal plant used for the treatment of wounds and ringworm in east Africa. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 6, 274.
5. Lakshmi, T., Roy, A., & Merlin, A. R. S. (2020). Antibacterial activity of achyranthes aspera extract against oral pathogens–an in vitro study. Plant Cell Biotechnol Mol Biol, 21(25), 37-40.
6. Kumar, M., Vaish, J., & Kushwaha, S. K. (2024). FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF ACHYRANTHES ASPERA LEAVES BUCCAL PATCHES FOR TOOTHACHE.
7. Asnotikar, G., Shetty, A. S., Nayak, R., & VK, S. (2022). Development, Standardization and Microbiological appraisal of Herbal Dentifrice prepared from Achyranthes aspera Linn.(Apamarga) leaves. World Journal of Current Medical and Pharmaceutical Research, 131-138.
8. Maurya, P. M. (2017). Phytochemical and pharmacological examination of Achyranthes aspera Linn. J. Pharmacogn. Phytochem, 6(6), 1866-1871.
9. Yadav, R., Rai, R., Yadav, A., Pahuja, M., Solanki, S., & Yadav, H. (2016). Evaluation of antibacterial activity of Achyranthes aspera extract against Streptococcus mutans: an: in vitro: study. Journal of advanced pharmaceutical technology & research, 7(4), 149-152.
10. Shukla, A. K., Tiwari, A., Yadav, V. K., Yadav, V. P., Kanaujia, K. A., Mishra, M. K., & Verma, M. S. G. (2025). Preliminary Phytochemical, Isolation, Characterization, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Activity Assessments of Achyranthes Aspera L. Biosciences Biotechnology Research Asia, 22(1), 401.
11. Murugan, K., Sekar, K., Sangeetha, S., Ranjitha, S., & Sohaibani, S. A. (2013). Antibiofilm and quorum sensing inhibitory activity of Achyranthes aspera on cariogenic Streptococcus mutans: An in vitro and in silico study. Pharmaceutical biology, 51(6), 728-736.
12. Naidu, P. L., Kumar, K. K., Kumar, C. M., Gunesh, G., & Rao, M. N. (2006). Antimicrobial activity of Achyranthes aspera. Biosci Biotechnol Res Asia, 3(1), 171-174.
13. Pal, A., Gupta, V., Tiwari, G., & Manigaunha, A. (2023). A Review on Phyto-Pharmacological Aspects of Apamarg (Achyranthes aspera Linn.). Journal of Advanced Zoology, 44, 1222-1232.
14. Raju, S. K., Kumar, S., Sekar, P., Murugesan, M., Karthikeyan, M., Elampulakkadu, A., & Arthanari, M. (2022). Therapeutic and Pharmacological Efficacy of Achyranthes aspera Linn.: An Updated Review. Journal of Drug Delivery & Therapeutics, 12(3).
15. Jawanjal, P., & Patgiri, B. (2021). Therapeutics Aspects of Apamarga Kshara (Herbomineral Formulation) in Ayurveda-A Review. AYUHOM, 8(2), 51-56.
16. Kumar, R. S., Ankola, A. V., Nagamoti, M. B., Sankeshwari, R. M., Sutar, K. P., Jigan, S. I., ... & Uppin, R. (2025). Evaluation of antibacterial and cytotoxic potency of polyherbal gel formulation containing Achyranthes Aspera and Trachyspermum Ammi as intracanal medicament: an in vitro study. Journal of Dentistry, 26(2), 101-111.
17. Soorgani, N., Khashu, H., Agrawal, R., Ninan, R., Peter, S., & Mukka, N. (2023). Clinical effects of subgingivally delivered achyranthes aspera gel in chronic periodontitis: A clinical and microbiological study. Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences, 15(5), 693-693.
18. Boyapati, R., Gojja, P., Chintalapani, S., Nagubandi, K., Ramisetti, A., & Salavadhi, S. (2017). Efficacy of local drug delivery of Achyranthes aspera gel in the management of chronic periodontitis: A clinical study. Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology, 21(1).
19. Owk, A. K., Mortha, K. R., & Lagudu, M. N. (2014). Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of chemical constituents of Achyranthes aspera L. roots against human pathogens. Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources (IJNPR)[Formerly Natural Product Radiance (NPR)], 5(3), 278-281?.