Andrachne
Scientific Name(s): Andrachne aspera Spreng., Andrachne cordifolia (Wall. ex Decne.) Müll. Arg., Andrachne phyllanthoides (Nutt.) Muell. Arg.
Common Name(s): Andrachne, Maidenbush
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 21, 2023.
Clinical Overview
Use
A. aspera has been used to treat eye inflammation in Yemen, although there are no clinical trials available to support this use. An in vitro study reported enzyme inhibitory effects with A. cardifolia. However, there are not enough clinical data to recommend use of any Andrachne spp. for any condition.
Dosing
Clinical evidence is lacking to provide dosing recommendations for andrachne.
Contraindications
Contraindications have not been identified.
Pregnancy/Lactation
Avoid use. Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.
Interactions
None well documented.
Adverse Reactions
Information regarding adverse reactions with use of andrachne is limited.
Toxicology
Information is limited. A. cordifolia was shown to be phytotoxic in a study in Pakistan.
Scientific Family
- Euphorbiaceae (spurge)
Botany
Andrachne spp. are shrubs and undershrubs that grow in tropical and warm regions. The many ascending branches are abundantly covered in oval or obovate leaves. The flowers are monoecious, pedicellate, and usually solitary in the axils. The fruit is dry, splitting into three 2-valved carpels.Fernald 1950
Nomenclature used in the literature lacks clarity; the terms Andrachne and Leptopus are used inconsistently. Geographically, the plants are distinct, with Andrachne found in the Western Hemisphere, Africa, parts of the Arabian Peninsula, the Mediterranean region, and the Asia Minor peninsula and Leptopus found in Australia, the biogeographical region of Malesia, and China. However, both genera are found in the Caucasus region, Pakistan, and India. The traditional classification of Andrachne has been reconsidered based on recent DNA sequence data.Vorontsova 2007 Andrachne should not be confused with Arbutus andrachne or madron (heath family), or with Portulaca oleracea L. (purslane family).USDA 2019
There are 8 morphologically distinct generic groups within the Poranthereae tribe in the plant family Phyllanthaceae, including Andrachne sensu stricto, the Andrachne section Phyllanthopsis (ie, Leptopus phyllanthoides, Andrachne arida), the Andrachne section Pseudophyllanthus (ie, Andrachne ovalis), and Leptopus s.s.USDA 2019, Vorontsova 2007 Synonyms include Leptopus cordifolius and L. phyllanthoides.
Chemistry
There is limited information on the chemical constituents of andrachne. Two bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids, cocsuline and pendulin, have been isolated from the roots of A. cordifolia.Khan 1983 Pentacyclic triterpenes were identified in a whole plant extract of A. cordifolia from the Himalayas.Mukherjee 1986 Piperidine alkaloids have been identified in A. aspera, as well as the chemical constituents andrachamine and andrachcine.Mill 2000
Uses and Pharmacology
Analgesic
Animal data
In 3 separate tests, administration of A. aspera root extract provided antinociceptive effects in mice that were statistically significantly better than the vehicle with at least comparable effects to the positive control, meperidine. A dose-dependent effect was observed in the tail-flick test with both the 600 mg/kg and 900 mg/kg doses, producing significantly better effects compared to meperidine.Debebe 2007
Antimicrobial activity
In vitro data
A. cordifolia was shown to possess phytotoxic properties in an in vitro study conducted in Pakistan.Gilani 2010 Activity against human pathogens has been evaluated in vitro, with low activity demonstrated by methanolic fractions. A chloroform fraction was active against Salmonella typhi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Some activity against fungi was demonstrated.Ahmad 2007
Clinical data
A. aspera roots are used for treating eye inflammation in Yemen, where pieces of crushed root are placed on the eyelids; however, clinical studies are lacking.Ghazanfur 1994
Enzyme inhibitory effects
In vitro data
An in vitro study reported enzyme inhibitory activity of the methanolic extract of A. cardifolia Muell. Activity was shown against lipoxygenase and butyrylcholinesterase, with limited activity against acetylcholinesterase and no activity against urease.Ahmed 2007
Dosing
Clinical evidence is lacking to provide dosing recommendations for andrachne.
Pregnancy / Lactation
Avoid use. Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.
Interactions
None well documented.
Adverse Reactions
Information regarding adverse reactions with use of andrachne is limited.
Toxicology
Information is limited. A. cordifolia was shown to be phytotoxic in a study conducted in Pakistan.Gilani 2010
Index Terms
- Leptopus cordifolius
- Leptopus phyllanthoides
References
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