General info
- Evolvulus is a genus of flowering plants in Convolvulaceae, the morning glory family. They are generally known as dwarf morning glories. Most are native to the Americas. The genus has about 100 species.
-
Etymology: The genus Evolvulus derives from Latin meaning "to unroll", referring to its non-vining, non-climbing and sprawling growth habit. The specific epithet alsinoides means "resembling Alsine" (chickenweed), probably referring to its small leaves and habit.
- The plant was first described in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus as Convolvulus alsinoides. It was transferred in 1762 to the new genus, Evolvulus.
- Culture: It is one of the plants included in Dasapushpam, the 10 sacred flowers of Kerala. (24)
 Botany
• Evolvulus alsinoides is a very slender, more or less branched, spreading or ascending, usually extremely hairy herb. Stems are 20 to 70 centimeters long, not twining. Leaves are densely clothed with appressed, white and silky hairs, variable, lanceolate to ovate, usually 0.5 to 1 centimeter in length or larger; the apex is blunt with a little point, and the base pointed. Flowers are pale blue or nearly white, 6 to 8 millimeters in diameter. Fruit is a capsule, rounded, usually containing 4 seeds.
• E. alsinoides is a herbaceous plant, annual or perennial with numerous prostrate or ascending stems, slender, with appressed and spreading hairs. Leaves are petiolate or subsessile, 0.7 to 2.5 cm long and 5 to 10 mm long. Flowers are isolated or grouped in pauciflorous cymes, borne by filiform peduncles, 2.5 to 3.5 cm long. Calyx is formed by villous, lanceolate sepals 3 to 4 mm long. Corolla is rounded, with pentameric symmetry, blue in color, rarely white, 7 to 10 mm in diameter. Stamens with filiform filaments are united at the base of the corolla tube. Ovary is glabrous, surmounted by two free styles. Fruit is a globular capsule, with four valves, generally containing four seeds that are black and smooth. (24)
Distribution
- Native to the Philippines. (6) (23)
-
Locally abundant, from northern Luzon to Mindanao, in open grasslands at low and medium altitudes.
- Pantropic.
Constituents
- Plant contains a yellow neutral fat, an organic acid and saline substances.
- Yields alkaloids: betaine, shankhapushpine and evolvine.
- Fresh plant contains a volatile oil.
- Studies have reported scopoletin, scopolin, umbelliferone, ferulic acid esters, palmitic, stearic, oleic, 9-methyldecanoic and heptadecanoic acids.
- Plant yields alkaloids, amino acids, carbohydrates, betaine, evolvine, phenolic compounds, proteins, sterols, tannins.
- E. alsinoides contains an abundance of secondary metabolites, such as terpenoids, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, and essential oils. (25)
- Studies have reported a variety of bioactive chemicals, including scopoletin, 4-hydroxycinnamic acid, squalene, stigmasterol, kaempferol, beta-sitosterol, quercetin, lupeol, betulin
, hexadecanoic acid, piperine, and vinilin. (25)
- Preliminary phytochemical analysis revealed presence of flavonoids, polyphenol, steroids, tannin, saponins, glycosides, anthroquinones, amino acids, alkaloids, carbohydrate, and proteins, with absence of steroids and phlobatannins. Quantitative analysis revealed rich amount of total phenols (324.0 mg/gm), alkaloids (35.0 mg/gm), tannin (98.4 mg/gm), saponin (121.0 mg/gm), flavonoids (165.0 mg/gm).
Vitamin analysis showed presence of E, C, and D. Inorganic elements present were calcium, sodium, potassium, sulphate, phosphate, chloride, nitrate, magnesium, and iron. (33)
Properties
- Considered alterative, febrifuge, anthelmintic, antiphlogistic, tonic and vermifuge.
- Large doses may cause drowsiness and decreased mobility; however, with no toxic effects.
- Studies have suggested adaptogenic, anti-amnesic, antiulcer, anticatatonic, brain tonic and revitalizing, nootropic, anxiolytic, antioxidant, antidiabetic, antidyskinesia, anti-H. pylori, anti-inflammatory, antidiarrheal, anthelmintic, gastroprotective, cardioprotective, antihypertensive, anticonvulsant, analgesic, antihyperlipidemic, antimicrobial, enzyme inhibitory, cytotoxicity properties.
Parts used
Entire plant.
 Uses
Folkloric
- Infusion of entire plant used to cure irregularities of the bowels. Also used as vermifuge and febrifuge.
- In the Goa territory, whole plant used extensively as tonic and febrifuge.
- In decoction or infusion, used as alterative, febrifuge, anthelmintic and antiphlogistic.
- With cumin and milk, used for fevers, nervous debility and loss of memory; also used for syphilis and scrofula.
- Used as sovereign remedy for bowel complaints, especially dysentery.
- In India, used with oil to promote hair growth.
- Roots used by Santals for intermittent fevers in children.
- In Nigeria and India, leaves made into cigarettes and smoked in chronic bronchitis and asthma.
- In west tropical Africa, used as febrifuge, leprosy, pulmonary ailments, stomach troubles, vermifuge and for general healing.
- In Unani and Ayurveda traditional systems, used as nootropic or brain-tonic, used for memory loss, nervous debility, fever, epilepsy, immune disorders,insanity, asthma, cardiac disorders, diabetes, syphilis, gonorrhea, piles, among many others.
- Dried leaves rolled into cigarettes and smoked to treat bronchitis and asthma.
- Oil from the plant used to stimulate hair growth.
- In Sri Lanka, roots and stem extract used for dysentery and depression. Leaves used for asthma and mental disturbances.
- In India, decoction of roots used for coughs and colds.
- Used in East Asia traditional medicine for its purported psychotropic and nootropic properties. (24)
- In traditional Chinese medicine, used as brain tonic for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as insanity, anxiety, dementia, epilepsy, and depression. In Chinese materia medica, used for treatment of edema, constipation, and ascites. Seeds used for treatment of lung fever, edema, and simpler obesity. Also used for treatment of fevers, adenitis, hydroncus, vernereal disorders, azoospermia, amnesia, and asthma. Also as memory enhancer, antiepileptic, antirfrungal, anticonvulsant, anthelmintic, and anxiety. (25)
Others
- Ayurveda: Vishnukranta has been indicated as Budhi-Medha-Smruti Prada (intellect and memory enhancer), Chhetovikara (psychological disorder), Jvara (fever), Vrana (ulcer), Kushtha (skin diseases), Krumi (worm infestation),Dahahara (burning sensation), Vishahara (alleviation of toxin), Chashushya (vision enhancement), Unmada-Mda-Bhramaharatva (mitigation of insanity, intoxication, and dizziness), and Svasa, Kasaharatva (alleviation of asthma and cough). (34)
-
In the old Sudanese Kingdom, used with other herbs as a charm to exorcise evil spirits causing disease. Women would burn the plant to fumigate the hut during puerperium and use a warm infusion as wash during the 40-day purification.
- In Ghana, the Hausa use the plant in love-potions and religious practices.
Studies
• Adaptogenic / Anti-Amnesic: Evolvulus alsinoides is used in the traditional Indian system of medicine, Ayurveda, for its memory enhancement, antiepileptic and immunomodulatory properties. Study of ethanolic extract suggested adaptogenic and anti-amnesic properties with improvement in the peripheral stress markers and scopolamine induced dementia. (2)
• Antiulcer / Anticatatonic Activity: Study of alcoholic extract showed marked antiulcer and anticatatonic activity. (3)
• Learning Behavior / Memory Enhancement: Study of significant reversal of amnesia induced by scopolamine. Results also showed potent memory enhancing effects. (4)
• Anxiolytic / Antioxidant: Study showed significant reduction of neuromuscular coordination indicating muscle relaxant activity at higher doses. Results showed anxiolytic and antioxidant activities of E. alsinoides extracts and substantiates claims for use in stress-induced disorders. (5)
• Antioxidant / Insulin Effect: Study evaluated the therapeutic effect of Evolvulus alsinoides on antioxidant activity in pancrease of experimental diabetes. Results showed effective reduction of oxidative stress induced by streptozotocin and potentially increased the insulin level. Results suggest a potential use in the management of diabetes. (8)
• Anti-Inflammatory / Antipyretic / Antidiarrheal: Study of an ethanolic extract of whole plant in female albino rats showed anti-inflammatory effect with inhibition of carrageenan-induced paw edema, antipyretic effect with reduction of hyperpyrexia induced by Brewer's yeast in rats, and marked anti-diarrheal activity against castor oil-induced diarrhea. (9)
• Protective Effect on Glycoprotein Alterations in Diabetic Rats: An ethanolic extract showed a beneficial effect on glycoprotein components. Results suggest a potential use for prevention of glycoprotein mediated complications in diabetes mellitus. (11)
• Anthelmintic / Antimicrobial: Study evaluated an ethanolic extract of E. alsinoides for anthelmintic and antimicrobial activities. Results showed the extract to be more portent than reference drug piperazine citrate with dose dependent paralysis/death of adult Indian earthworm Pheretima posthuma. Antimicrobial activity showed activity against P. aeruginosa and E coli. comparable to reference control ampicillin trihydrate. (12)
• Lipid Effects / Antimicrobial: Study showed an ethanolic extract significantly reduced levels of triglycerides, phospholipids, cholesterol, and free fatty acids, and increased HDL. Results suggest it may be a useful supplementation for hyperlipidemia prevention in diabetes mellitus. (13)
• Hypoglycemic Effects / Antimicrobial: Study showed a whole plant ethanolic extract has significant effect on glucose and protein metabolism, suggesting a potential use in the clinical management of diabetes mellitus. (14)
• Cardioprotective Effects: Study evaluated possible attenuation of acute myocardial infarction in isoproterenol (ISP)-treated rat model. Results showed myocardial adaptation by augmenting endogenous antioxidants and protected rat hearts from oxidative stress associated with ISP induced myocardial injury. (15)
• Antidyskinesial Activity: Study evaluated a methanol extract of E. alsinoides for antidyskinesial activity using acute reserpine induced dyskinesial rats. Results showed decreased transfer latency on the elevated plus maze task paradigm and reversal of reserpine induced changes in locomotor activity. (16)
• Free Radical Scavenging Activity / Glutamate Induced Neurodegeneration: Study evaluated a whole plant extract for antioxidant activity in glutamate induced neurodegeration. Results showed E. alsinoides may be effective in treatment for various neurodegenerative diseases, possibly due to an effective free radical scavenging property. (17)
• Gastroprotective Activity / Vishnukranti Kalka Paste: Study evaluated the gastroprotective activity of vishnukrati kalka (paste) prepared from mixing the dry powder of whole plant of Evolvulus alsinoides with cow ghee, bee honey and common sugar. Results showed strong and dose-dependent gastroprotective activity, increasing the pH of gastric juice, mucus, and carbohydrate contents. It was well tolerated without renal toxicity. (18)
• Anti-Stress Constituents: Study isolated 2 new and 6 known compounds. Compound 1 ( 2,3,4-trihydroxy-3-methylbutyl 3-[3-hydroxy-4-(2,3,4-trihydroxy-2-methylbutoxy)-phenyl]-2-propenoate) exhibited the most promising antistress effect by normalizing hyperglycemia, plasma corticosterone, CK, and adrenal hypertrophy. (19)
• Bactericidal Activity Against H. pylori: Study showed Evolvulus alsinoides has promising bactericidal activity against Helicobacter pylori. (20)
• Anti-Inflammatory Activity: Study of chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts showed significant anti-inflammatory activity with carrageenan and formalin induced paw edema models in rats. (21)
• Anticonvulsant Activity: Study of a methanolic extract suggested the presence of bioactive principles that may be beneficial in the treatment of epilepsy. Results showed dose-dependent decrease in duration of seizure. (22)
• Antihypertensive / Clinical Trial: An open-label randomized controlled trial evaluated the efficacy of hydroalcoholic extract of E. alsinoides and ramipril in treating hypertension. Test group received 630 mg of dried hydro-alcoholic extract in capsule form orally once daily. Results showed significant antihyper-tensive potential,, comparable to that of ramipril. E, alsinoides may be more effective than ramipril in reducing the biochemical markers of inflammation associated with primary hypertension. (26)
• In Vivo Toxicity Studies: Study evaluated the in vivo acute and sub-acute toxicity of ethanolic extracts from E. alsinoides and C. asiatica using OECD guidelines in mice. For LD50, single doses of 200, 400, 800, 1600, and 2000 mg/kg were used and mice observed for 72 hours. In sub-acute toxicity study, doses of300, 600, 1200 and 2000 were administered for 28 days. Parameters observed were general behavior, clinical signs of toxicity, body weight, and food and water intake, and at the end of the study, biochemical, hematological, and histopathological organ analysis were done. Results showed no toxicity effects in D50, acute and subacute toxicity parameters. (27)
• Evolvulus alsinoides as a potential antihypertensive herb / Review: Review lists studies that highlight the anti-hypertensive potential of E. alsinoides: the antihypertensive activity of methanol extract of herb in adrenaline-induced antihypertensive model; effect of ME of whole herb in DOCA salt-induced hypertension in mice, which revealed an ACE inhibitor mechanism; among many others. (28)
• Nootropic in Scopolamine-induced Amnesia / Powdered Whole Plant: Study evaluated the nootropic activity of methanolic extract from E. alsinoided in Swiss albino mice with scopolamine-induced amnesia. Tests used were elevated plus maze test and passive avoidance test. Extract significantly increased time spent exploring in a novel environment, which is a measure of spatial memory. It also improved performance in a passive avoidance test, which is a measure of long-term memory. It is thought the extract may work by increasing levels of acetylcholine in the brain or by protecting neurons from damage. Results showed a promising candidate for development of new treatments for memory impairment and other cognitive disorders. (29)
• Antimicrobial Cream / Leaves: Study evaluated the antimicrobial activity of a cream formulated from an aqueous extract of dried plant leaves. Extractive value was calculated at 12.5% w/w. The cream displayed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, more active against gram-negative E. coli. Activity was attributed to extract phytoconstituents viz. glycosides, tannins, and alkaloids. (30)
• Enzyme Inhibitory / Cytotoxicity / Leaves: Study evaluated the enzyme inhibition and cytotoxic potentials of E. alsinoides leaf extract. The water extract contained 45.08 mg GAE/g, 49.30 mg GAE/g, and 211.21 mg QE/g of tannins, phenolics, and flavonoids respectively. Antioxidant activity showed IC50s of 52,43 µg/mL by DPPH assay and 41.58 by FRAP) assay. Methanolic extract inhibited
α-amylase with IC50 1.33 µg/ml. Water extract inhibited α-glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase with IC50s of 3.58 µg/ml and 4.46 µg/ml respectively. Cytotoxicity study with SH-SY5Y cell-line showed inhibition potential of water extract with IC50 of 103 µg/mL. (31)
• Phytochemical and Elemental Analysis: Study evaluated the phytochemicals and inorganic elements in E. alsinoides. Results suggest it may be a good source of phytochemicals, vitamins,, and minerals, and may be useful as supplement for human health and conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, and cancer. (see constituents above) (33)
Availability
- Wild-crafted.
- Capsules, powders, tablets, extracts in the cybermarket.
|
_in_Talakona_forest,_AP_W_IMG_8526.jpg)
