PDR for Herbal Medicines

420 /INDIAN NETTLE PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

ovary with 3 styles. The male flowers are above these with 4

sepals and 8 stamens. On the tips of the young flower shoots

are T-shaped, hairy structures approximately 2 mm wide

with 2 side openings. The fruit is a 3-chambered capsule

with 3 gray-brown seeds of approximately 1 mm diameter.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Indian nettle is an annual, upright,

nettle-like diclinous, monoecious herb, which grows up to 60

cm high. The leaves are alternate, long-petiolate, round to

rhomboid, 2 to 6 cm long, 1.5 to 5 cm wide narrowing to the

petiole. They are matte above, glossy beneath with strongly

protruding ribs, dentate at the front and smooth toward the

base. The margin, petiole and ribs are weakly pubescent with

2 awl-like stipules. The stem is usually unbranched and

pubescent. The main root is unbranched with thin secondary

roots.

Habitat: The plant comes from India, Indochina and

Ethiopia.

Other Names: Cat's Nettle

Production: Indian nettle is the whole fresh plant of

Acalypha indica collected during the flowering season and

dried.

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Cyanogenic glycosides: acalyphin (0.3%, 3-cyanopyridone

derivative)

Tannins: including tri-O-methyl ellagic acid

Volatile oil

EFFECTS

The drug is hemostyptic and antibacterial in effect (cyano-

genic glucoside acalyphine). In vitro, proof of an accelera-

tion of blood coagulation exists, which is due to the high

levels of calcium salts. The leaf latex is said to have emetic

and expectorant effects upon children. When administered as

a suppository for constipation, it is said to immediately relax

the contracted anal sphincter.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Internally used for worm infestation and

constipation, for pregnant women, also for upset stomach

and bronchitis. Externally used for eczema and skin rashes,

ear ache (decoction), tumors (juice), as well as for cuts and

other wounds, and also for inflammation of the joints (cut

leaves and stems).

Indian Medicine: Preparations are used for ulcers, changes to
the skin, bronchitis, constipation, croup and earache.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
No health hazards or side effects other than possible gastric
irritation are known in conjunction with the proper adminis-

tration of designated therapeutic dosages. Dermatitis has

been observed following skin contact with the latex of the

fresh plant. Cyanide poisonings from the drug are unlikely,

due to the relatively low levels of cyanogenic glycoside

content and the lack of stimuli leading to ingestion.

OVERDOSAGE

In animal experiments (rabbits), administration of large

quantities of the drug led to gastrointestinal inflammation

and to a change in blood color to chocolate-brown,

indicating the presence of additional toxic substances.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Liquid preparations and other

galenic preparations for internal use and liquid preparations

for external use.

Preparation:

Decoction: 100 gm drug to 1 liter water

Extract: 1000 gm drug to 1000 ml 90% ethanol (V/V)

Infusion: 50 gm drug to 1 liter water

Juice: 800 gm drug to 800 ml water and 200 ml ethanol 90%

Tincture: 125 gm drug to 1000 ml ethanol 90% (V/V)

Daily Dosage:

Decoction — single dose: 15 to 30 ml

Extract — single dose: 0.3 to 2 ml

Infusion — single dose: 15 to 30 ml

Juice — single dose: 0.3 to 2 ml

Tincture — single dose: 2 to 4 ml

LITERATURE

Blaschek W, Hansel R, Keller K, Reichling J, Rimpler G,

Schneider G (Eds), Hagers Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen

Praxis. Folgebande 1 und 2. Drogen A-Z. Springer. Berlin,

Heidelberg 1998.

Senanayake N, Sanmuganathan PS, Acalypha indica induced

haemolysis in G6PD deficiency. Ceylon Med J, 26:1996 Jan.

Senanayake N, Sanmuganathan PS, Acute intravascular

haemolysis in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficient

patients following ingestion of herbal broth containing Acalypha

indica. Trop Doct, 26:32, 1996 Jan.

Shanmugasundaram KR, Seethapathy PG, Shanmugasundaram

ER, Anna Pavala Sindhooram - an antiatherosclerotic Indian

drug. J Ethnopharmacol, 7:247-65, 1983 May.