Acalypha indica
Acalypha indica, commonly known as Indian Acalypha or Copperleaf, is a versatile medicinal herb found in tropical regions. Renowned in traditional medicine, it possesses potent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. This plant is frequently utilized to treat respiratory issues, skin ailments, and gastrointestinal disorders, offering significant therapeutic benefits.
- Scientific name: Acalypha indica
- Family: Euphorbiaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Malpighiales and is a member of the family Euphorbiaceae. Its specific taxonomic identification is completed by its classification within the genus Acalypha.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malpighiales | WCVP |
| Family | Euphorbiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Acalypha | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within several regions of the African continent. In West-Central Tropical Africa, it can be found growing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The species is also prevalent across Northeast Tropical Africa, including Djibouti and Eritrea. Furthermore, its presence extends into the nation of Ethiopia within the same northeastern region. Finally, the plant's range reaches the island of Socotra, marking its location in Northeast Tropical Africa.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Djibouti | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Eritrea | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Ethiopia | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Socotra | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Somalia | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Sudan-South Sudan | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Uganda | WCVP |
Chemicals
Acalypha indica has 19 reported phytochemicals identified across 21 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, phenols, 2-methyl anthraquinone, Corilagin, Pb.
- Total chemicals
- 19
- Scientific sources
- 21
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phenols | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 2-methyl anthraquinone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Corilagin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pb | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antimycin A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bumetanide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| choline | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fenofibrate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| glycosides | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Acalypha indica has 5 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anthelmintic, Antifungal, Antioxidant, Antipsoriatic, Hepatoprotective.
- Total activities
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Anthelmintic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antipsoriatic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Acalypha indica has 21 reported medicinal uses identified across 24 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include asthma, bronchitis, wound healing, G6PD deficiency, Plasmodium falciparum.
- Total uses
- 21
- Scientific sources
- 24
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| asthma | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bronchitis | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wound healing | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| G6PD deficiency | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Plasmodium falciparum | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| SARS-CoV-2 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anti-venom | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| blood coagulation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cough | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dermatitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |