Eclipta prostrata
What's the taxonomical classification of Eclipta prostrata?
Eclipta prostrata belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida, it is situated in the subclass Magnoliidae and falls under the order Asterales. This plant is a member of the family Asteraceae, which is part of the genus Eclipta, ultimately defining its specific identity as the species prostrata.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Asterales |
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Genus | Eclipta |
| Species | prostrata |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Eclipta prostrata has an erect, herbaceous growth habit characterized by slender, cylindrical stems that typically reach heights of 30 to 60 centimeters. The leaves are arranged oppositely along the stem and possess an ovate to lanceolate shape with entire margins. Small, white, tubular flowers emerge from the leaf axils, featuring five spreading lobes and a central yellow eye. The plant produces small, cylindrical achenes that are often ribbed and contain numerous tiny seeds. These morphological features collectively distinguish it from other species within the Asteraceae family.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to tropical and subtropical regions across much of the world, specifically spanning through parts of Asia, Africa, and the Americas. It is frequently found in disturbed habitats such as roadsides, waste areas, and along the edges of fields. Because it thrives in warm climates, it is often distributed in lowland areas where moisture is relatively consistent. The species has successfully spread to various non-native locations due to its ability to colonize human-altered landscapes. This widespread distribution is facilitated by its tolerance for various soil types and environmental conditions.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant, Eclipta prostrata, is cultivated by sowing seeds in moist, well-drained soil within warm climates that provide ample sunlight and frequent water.
It thrives best in damp environments such as wetlands or irrigated garden beds where moisture levels remain consistently high. During the growing process, regular weeding and maintaining consistent hydration are essential to prevent competition and ensure robust leaf development. The plant typically reaches maturity within a few months, allowing for the timely harvesting of its leaves for medicinal or dye purposes.
Proper care involves protecting the young seedlings from extreme drought to establish a strong root system.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Eclipta prostrata utilizes its leaves, roots, seeds, aerial parts, and the whole plant for various medicinal purposes. The leaves and aerial parts are frequently crushed into pastes to treat skin inflammations and wounds. Medicinal extracts derived from the roots are often employed to address specific internal ailments. Both the seeds and the whole plant are processed into traditional remedies to support overall healing processes. These various components provide a diverse range of therapeutic applications in herbal medicine.
According to a study published by "Parasitology research", the leaf extracts of Eclipta prostrata L. were evaluated for antiparasitic activities. The methanol extract of the plant showed an LC(50) of 274.33 ppm against the larvae of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus Canestrini 1887. Additionally, the ethyl acetate extract of the plant demonstrated an LC(50) of 425.73 ppm against the sheep fluke Paramphisthomum cervi Zeder 1790. All plant extracts, including those of Eclipta prostrata, showed a moderate toxic effect on parasites after 24 h of exposure.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- leaf
- roots
- seed
- whole plant
- aerial parts
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant, Eclipta prostrata, is utilized across diverse global healing traditions including Ayurveda, Siddha, Thai medicinal plants, and Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat conditions affecting the hair, skin, and liver. In the Ayurvedic and Siddha systems, it is frequently employed as a potent hair tonic and for its ability to promote scalp health. Practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine primarily use the plant to clear heat and detoxify the body, often targeting liver and kidney functions. Similarly, Thai medicinal traditions incorporate the species into topical and internal remedies for various inflammatory ailments. These varied historical uses highlight the plant's consistent reputation as a versatile therapeutic agent throughout Asia.
According to a study published by "PloS one", medicinal herbs such as Eclipta prostrata are used as treatments in Ayurveda and other traditional systems of medicine for neurological health and disease. The research utilized 16S rRNA sequencing to profile fecal cultures supplemented with these herbs, which revealed profound changes in diverse taxa. Through the study, the relative abundance of approximately one-third of the 243 enumerated species was altered by the herbs. Furthermore, genome reconstruction was performed on the 216 profiled taxa to enhance the interpretation of the resulting microbial communities. This investigation aimed to determine if these medicinal herbs used in traditional systems modulate the gut microbiota.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Ayurveda
- Siddha
- Thai medicinal plants
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
What are the pharmacological activities of Eclipta prostrata?
This plant has anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, hair growth promoting, and hepatoprotective pharmacological activities. Its phytochemical constituents allow it to inhibit various pathogens and reduce oxidative stress within biological systems. The plant also demonstrates significant potential in protecting liver cells from chemical damage and toxins. Furthermore, its bioactive compounds stimulate hair follicles to encourage healthier scalp conditions and hair regrowth. These diverse therapeutic properties make it a valuable subject for medicinal research and traditional healing practices.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", Eclipta prostrata has been used for the therapy of hemorrhagic diseases including hemoptysis, hematemesis, hematuria, epistaxis and uterine bleeding. The plant contains various phytochemical classes such as triterpenes, flavonoids, thiopenes, coumestans, steroids and others, with coumestans reported as the most common ingredients. Isolated crude extracts and individual compounds from the plant exhibit pharmacological properties including hepatoprotective, osteoprotective, cytotoxic, hypoglycaemic, anti-inflammarotory, anti-microbial, hypolipidemic, promoting hair growth, rejuvenetive and neuroprotective effects. E. prostrata also showed therapeutic potential in refractory diseases such as cancer, dementia and diabetes.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- anti-inflammatory
- anti-microbial
- anti-oxidant
- hair growth promoting
- hepatoprotective
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains a diverse array of medicinal compounds including wedelolactone, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and terpenoids. The presence of wedelolactone is particularly significant due to its potent anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective properties. Various alkaloids within the plant contribute to its ability to interact with biological systems to treat different ailments. Flavonoids and saponins provide additional antioxidant and antimicrobial benefits that support overall healing processes. Finally, the terpenoids found in the foliage assist in various physiological functions, making the species highly valuable in traditional medicine.
According to a study published by "Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica", ten compounds were isolated from Eclipta prostrata. These ten compounds were determined to be wedelolactone (1), demethylwedelolactone (2), isodemethylwedelolactone (3), alpha-formylterthienyl (4), strychnolactone (5), beta-sitosterol (6), nonacosanol (7), stearic acid (8), lacceroic acid (9), and 3,4-dihydoxy benzoic acid (10). Additionally, 14 compounds, including hydrocarbons and its esters, were identified by GC-MS from the least polar fractions. Compound 3 is a new coumestan named isodemethylwedelolactone. Compounds 2-10 and the compounds characterized by GC-MS analysis were obtained for the first time from Eclipta prostrata.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- wedelolactone
- alkaloids
- flavonoids
- saponins
- terpenoids
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating skin diseases, liver diseases, stomach diseases, hair loss, and microbial infections. Its medicinal properties are often utilized to soothe various dermatological irritations and promote scalp health to combat hair loss. For internal ailments, extracts are applied to manage digestive issues and support liver function. Additionally, the plant possesses potent antimicrobial qualities that help fight off various microbial infections. These diverse applications make it a significant resource in traditional herbal medicine.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", Eclipta prostrata is used for the therapy of hemorrhagic diseases including hemoptysis, hematemesis, hematuria, epistaxis and uterine bleeding. This plant is also utilized for skin diseases, respiratory disorders, coronary heart disease, hair loss, vitiligo, snake bite and conditions caused by the deficiency of liver and kidney. Its pharmacological properties include hepatoprotective, osteoprotective, cytotoxic, hypoglycaemic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, hypolipidemic, promoting hair growth, rejuvenative and neuroprotective effects. Furthermore, the plant shows therapeutic potential in refractory diseases such as cancer, dementia and diabetes.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- skin diseases
- eczema
- atopic dermatitis
- hair loss
- gastritis
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is used to create various medicinal preparations including a 70 % EtOH extract, cream, juice, ointment, and a freeze-dried butanol fraction. These different forms allow for diverse applications in treating skin conditions and managing inflammatory responses. The juice provides a direct liquid source of bioactive compounds, while the cream and ointment offer topical delivery methods for localized healing. Researchers also utilize the 70 % EtOH extract to isolate specific phytochemicals for pharmacological study. Finally, the freeze-dried butanol fraction serves as a concentrated method for studying the plant's complex chemical constituents.
According to a study published by "Life (Basel, Switzerland)", the methanolic Eclipta prostrata extract was profiled by GC-MS to predict the presence of twenty important phytochemicals. Phytochemical analysis of the Eclipta prostrata extract showed the presence of various compounds including flavonoids, tannin, saponin, terpenoids, glycosides, phenol, alkaloids, quinone, and protein. In an egg albumin denaturation inhibition assay, Eclipta prostrata alone showed 93% denaturation inhibition at a 5 mg concentration, while in combination with diclofenac it showed 99% inhibition. Heat-induced haemolysis results for 5 mg of Eclipta prostrata alone and in combination with diclofenac were 2.5% and 2.4%, respectively. The extract displayed potential antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus with growth inhibited at 1 mg/mL of Eclipta prostrata extract. Finally, an MTT assay performed using L929 cells proved that the extract has no cytotoxic effect.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- 70 % EtOH extract
- cream
- juice
- ointment
- freeze-dried butanol fraction
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can cause severe health complications including myotoxicity, hemorrhagic activities, inflammation, jaundice, and various liver ailments. Excessive consumption or improper preparation may lead to muscle tissue damage due to its potential myotoxicity. The plant is also associated with hemorrhagic activities that can disrupt normal blood clotting processes. Furthermore, users may experience systemic inflammation or significant liver ailments during prolonged use. These toxic effects can eventually manifest as jaundice, indicating serious dysfunction within the hepatic system.
According to a study published by "Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology", Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. is one of the most cited native Brazilian plant species used to decrease the severity of toxic signs. This plant is used to inhibit proteolytic and hemorrhagic activities, which helps in increasing survival time and neutralizing myotoxicity effects. The study notes that active compounds like flavonoids, alkaloids, and tannins show important activity against snake venoms and their toxins. While the review identifies its potential, it also mentions limitations in experimental studies such as the lack of comparison with control drugs and unknown active extracts compounds.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- myotoxicity
- hemorrhagic activities
- inflammation
- jaundice
- liver ailments
What herbs are paired with Eclipta prostrata?
This plant, Eclipta prostrata, is frequently paired with Turmeric and Neem to enhance its medicinal potency for treating skin infections and inflammatory conditions.
When used in traditional Ayurvedic preparations, it is often combined with Basil to improve its effectiveness in managing respiratory issues. Practitioners also mix it with Ginger to stimulate circulation and aid in the detoxification process during topical applications. These specific combinations are designed to balance the cooling properties of the herb with warming elements.
Such synergistic pairings help maximize the bioactive compounds available for healing various ailments.