 Botany
Takad is a shrub or bush that grows to a height of 2 to 3 meters. Leaves are alternate, imbricate, ovate-oblong, usually 0.8 to 1.5 centimeters in length, and short-stalked. Flowers are small and crowded, and borne on terminal inflorescences. Sepals are five, about 4.5 millimeters long, and narrow with sharp points. Corolla is purple or pink, 5 to 6 millimeters long, and five lobed. Fruit is an orange or red drupe, somewhat rounded, fleshy, about 4 millimeters in diameter, and containing four seeds.
Distribution
- Grows characteristically among rocks crevices and trailing over gravel bars in stream beds at low altitudes in Cagayan, Isabela, Ilocos Norte, Zambales, Bulacan, and Rizal Provinces in Luzon; and in Mindoro.
- Pantropic.
Constituents
- Phytochemical study yielded alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, steroids, and nutrients (amino acids and protein).
- Roots have yield allantoin and a sterol, rhabdiol.
Properties
- Bitter, astringent, diuretic, sudorific, antilithic.
- Root considered laxative and diuretic. The diuretic action of the root is attributed to allantoin.
Parts used
Stems, roots.
Uses
Folkloric
- Decoction of stems used as sudorific and diuretic.
- In Ayurveda, plant used for piles, diabetes, venereal diseases, kidney and bladder stones.
- Root decoction is used as diuretic and laxative.
- In Indian traditional system, used for cancer treatment.
- Root tuber is astringent, bitter and diuretic; used for treating coughs, heart problems, dysuria, blood disorders, fever, poisonings, ulcers and uterine diseases.
Studies
• Antilithic Effect / Crystal Dissolution Activity:
(1) Study screened the decoction of Rotula aquatica for antilithic activity in male Wistar rats with induced-nephrolithiasis. Results showed reduction of calcium and oxalate ion concentration in urine, confirming a stone inhibitory effect. The decoction showed no toxicity over a 45-day treatment period. (2) In a study of three plants, the aqueous extracts of Rotula aquatica and C wightii showed crystal dissolving activity against monosodium urate.
• Polyphenols / Antioxidant / Anticancer:
Study yielded polyphenols, and polyphenols in polar extracts showed stronger antioxidant activity compared to non-polar phytoconstituents. Study suggests the herb may be used as protective measure in caner patients undergoing radiotherapy.
• Antimitotic / Anticancer:
Study evaluated the antimitotic activity of R. aquatica. The mitotic index of the root tips markedly decreased with increasing concentration of the aqueous extract. Results showed extract of R. aquatica were extremely effective in the prevention of cell proliferation of the pancreatic cancer cell lines.
• Anthelmintic / Roots:
Study evaluated the anthelmintic effect of an aqueous extract on earthworm pheritima posthuma. Results showed dose-dependent activity compared to standard drug piperazine citrate.
• Analgesic / Antipyretic / Anti-Inflammatory:
Study of alcoholic extract of root showed significant antipyretic activity. It also showed significant activity on a carrageenin-induced paw edema model. The action was attributed to possible inhibition of lipooxygenase pathway. The tail immersion and hot plate tests revealed high analgesic activity.
Availability
Wild-crafted.
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