Abstract

A REVIEW ON AMARANTHUS ROXBURGHIANUS NEVSKI

Rajaputana Lakshmi Manisha*, M. Sri Sai Divya, Bachu Bhavani and Muvvala Sudhakar

ABSTRACT

Amaranthus roxburghianus Nevski. (Family Amaranthaceae), is a very common Indian plant and it is known for its medicinal properties. It is commonly known as ‘Green amaranth’ or ‘Slender amaranth’; ‘Chiri kura’ in telugu and ‘Kanta Chaulai’ in ‘Hindi”. It is a cosmopolitan genus of annual or short-lived perennial plants collectively known as amaranths, cultivated throughout in India, Sri Lanka and distributed throughout the tropics and warm temperate regions of Asia from Japan to Indonesia, the Pacific islands and Australia as a weed in cultivated as well as fallow lands. It is traditionally used as abortifacient by tribes of Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh. It is used as iron tonic, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcerative, laxative, bronchodilator, lowers cholesterol and treat urinary disorders. Phytochemical investigations establish the presence alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, phenolic acids, steroids, saponins, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, terpenoids, lipids, betaine, catechuic tannins and carotenoids. The studies on A. roxburghianus Nevski were carried out by the researchers and following pharmacological actions were reported, which may include anti-ulcerative, anti-arthritic, hepato- protective and anti-oxidant activities. The present review is an effort to provide a comprehensive review on morphology, traditional uses, phytochemical constituents and pharmacological activities of A. roxburghianus Nevski.

Keywords: Amaranthus roxburghianus Nevski, Amaranthaceae, Chiri kura, Kanta chaulai.