Acalypha arvensis

Scientific name: Acalypha arvensis Poepp. & Endl.

Botanical family: EUPHORBIACEAE

Vernacular names

(In territories with significant traditional TRAMIL use)

Guatemala:

hierba del cáncer

Geographical distribution

Southern Mexico to Peru and Bolivia. Also present in the Lesser Antilles.

Botanical description

Annual or perennial of 50 cm in height, occasionally with leaning branches. Elongated, ovate or punctate leaves from 3 to 7 cm long. Flowers in spikes of 1.5 to 3 cm in length emerging from the axils of the leaves. Pilose 2 mm capsules.

Voucher(s)

Girón,152,CFEH

skin infection

leaves, decoction, local application¹

For skin infections:

prepare a decoction with 30 grams of leaves in 4 cups (1 litre) of water, boil for 5 minutes in an open vessel. Leave to cool and strain (filter). Wash the wound with boiled water and soap, apply the preparation in the form of washes or compresses on the affected area 3 times a day.

Preparations must never be stored for more than 24 hours, even if refrigerated.

According to the information available:

The use for skin infections is classified as REC based on the significant traditional use documented in the TRAMIL surveys and the scientific information published.

All topical application must follow strict hygiene measures that prevent contamination or additional infection.

If deterioration is observed in the patient or the skin infection persists for more than 5 days, seek medical attention.

Not for use during pregnancy, breastfeeding or in children under 3 years.

No toxicity data for leaf decoction are available for local application.

In some species of this genus, there are cyanogenic derivatives that bring about acute or chronic cyanhydric poisoning in the presence of b-glucosidases when administered orally^6-7. However, cyanhydric acid evaporates by the action of heat during boiling⁸ if this is carried out in an open vessel⁹ .

There is no information available documenting the safety of use in children, during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

TRAMIL Work²

Preliminary phytochemical study (leaf)

alkaloids: - saponin: -

anthracenes: - tannins: -

flavonoids: - coumarin: -

steroids, terpenoids: -

cyanogenic derivatives: -

cardioactive derivatives: -

In some plants of the genus, the presence of cyanogenic derivatives has been reported: acalyphin, accompanied by a potent β-glucosidase that releases hydrogen cyanide in the leaf, which is found at a concentration of approximately 2700 ppm³.

TRAMIL Work²
The aqueous extract (decoction) of leaf (1000 μg/ml) in vitro showed no activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella gallinarum, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Candida albicans or Mycobacterium smegmatis.

The aqueous plant extract (30 and 40 mg in dry weight/filter paper disc) in the diffusion model on an agar plate, showed antibacterial activity in vitro against Aeromonas hydrophila and Bacillus cereus⁴.

The dichloromethanolic and methanolic extract from dry aerial parts (5 and 10 mg/disc on an agar plate), against Aspergillus fumigatus, A. niger, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Fusarium oxysporum, Microsporum gypseum, Penicillium purpurogenum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae showed no antifungal activity in vitro⁵.

Pharmacopoeia

Ed.3

References

1 GIRON LM, FREIRE V, ALONZO A, CACERES A, 1991
Encuesta TRAMIL (Costa atlántica). Ethnobotanical survey of the medicinal flora used by the Caribs of Guatemala. J Ethnopharmacol 34(2-3):173-187.

2 SOLIS PN, RODRIGUEZ N, ESPINOSA A, GUPTA MP, 2004
Estudio fitoquímico de algunas plantas TRAMIL con usos en Martinica. Informe TRAMIL. Centro de Investigaciones Farmacognósticas de la Flora Panameña CIFLORPAN, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Panamá, Panamá, Panamá.

3 DUKE JA, 1992
Handbook of phytochemical constituents of GRAS herbs and other economic plants. Boca Raton, USA: CRC Press.

4 PERUMAL SAMY R, IGNACIMUTHU S, RAJA DP, 1999
Preliminary screening of ethnomedicinal plants from India. J Ethnopharmacol 66(2):235- 240.

5 FREIXA B, VILA R, VARGAS L, LOZANO N, ADZET T, CANIGUERAL S, 1980
Screening for antifungal activity of nineteen Latin American plants. Phytother Res 12(6):427-430.

6 POULTON J, KEELER R, TU T, 1983
Cyanogenic compounds in plants and their toxic effects. In: Keeler R, Tu AT, Eds. Handbook of natural toxins, Vol 1: Plant and Fungal Toxins. New York, USA: Marcel Dekker p117-157.

7 NAHRSTEDT A, 1987
Recent developments in chemistry, distribution and biology of the cyanogenic glycosides. In: Hostettmann K, Lea PJ, Eds. Biologically Active Natural Products. Oxford, England: Oxford Science Publications. p167-184,213-234.

8 CARRICONDE C, CARRICONDE D, 1987
De volta às raízes. Impresos (periódicos) del Centro Nordestino de Medicina Popular de Recife, Brasil.

9 ARGEHEORE EM, AGUNBIADE OO, 1991
The toxic effects of cassava (Manihot esculenta Grants) diets on humans: a review. Hum Toxicol 33(3):273-275.

Disclaimer

The information provided is for educational purposes only for the benefit of the general public and health professionals. It is not intended to take the place of either the written law or regulations. Since some parts of plants could be toxic, might induce side effects, or might have interactions with certain drugs, anyone intending to use them or their products must first consult with a physician or another qualified health care professional. TRAMIL has no responsibility whatsoever towards the user for any decision, action or omission made in relation to the information contained in this Pharmacopoeia.

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