Gymnostachyum febrifugum
Gymnostachyum febrifugum is a herb endemic to the southern Western Ghats of India. The species is classified as a member of the order Lamiales, family Acanthaceae, and genus Gymnostachyum.[1] It is locally known as nelamuchchala or navuneeti.[2]
| Gymnostachyum febrifugum | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Flower | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Acanthaceae |
| Genus: | Gymnostachyum |
| Species: | G. febrifugum |
| Binomial name | |
| Gymnostachyum febrifugum | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Description
G. febrifugum is a small, stemless, scapigerous herb with a woody rootstock, large ovate green leaves, and pink flowers with a yellow lip.[3]
Distribution and habitat
The species grows near the banks of small streams in evergreen forests of the southern Western Ghats.[3]
Uses
A root decoction is used in folk medicine of the southern Western Ghats to treat fever, indigestion, headache, and cough, among other ailments. The plant is also used as an antidote for viper bites.[3]
Chemistry
Root extracts from this plant act as powerful antioxidants that neutralize harmful radical ions and molecules in the body.[4] In laboratory testing, these extracts helped protect the liver against damage caused by high doses of common pain medications like acetaminophen, showing antioxidant strength comparable to Vitamin C.[3] The roots also contain high amounts of protective plant compounds, most notably one known as lupeol. When tested on breast cancer cells in a laboratory setting, the root extract demonstrated cancer-fighting potential by slowing down cell growth, preventing the cells from migrating, and stopping new tumor colonies from forming.[5]
Cultivation
A protocol for high-frequency shoot regeneration from flower-bud-derived callus has been developed for the species, using flower buds cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with plant growth regulators with a success rate of 94% under laboratory conditions.[6]
References
- ↑ GBIF. Species
- ↑ Mathew, L.; Suresh, R.; Babu, A. A. (2024). "Investigation on the phytochemistry, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective properties of the ethanolic extract of Gymnostachyum febrifugum Benth". Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Education and Research. 58 (2): 496–502.
- 1 2 3 4 Mathew, L.; Suresh, R.; Babu, A. A. (2024). "Investigation on the phytochemistry, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective properties of the ethanolic extract of Gymnostachyum febrifugum Benth". Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Education and Research. 58 (2): 496–502.
- ↑ Arunachalam, K.; Parimelazhagan, T. (2011). "Antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of methanolic extract of Indian sacred grove Gymnostachyum febrifugum Benth. root". International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Research. 2 (3): 67–71.
- ↑ "In vitro cytotoxic potential and integrated network pharmacology, molecular docking and molecular dynamic approaches to decipher the mechanism of Gymnostachyum febrifugum Benth., in the treatment of breast cancer". Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology. doi:10.1007/s12010-024-05173-1.
- ↑ Silpa, P.; Thomas, T. D. (2021). "High-frequency shoot regeneration from flower bud derived callus of Gymnostachyum febrifugum Benth., an endemic medicinal plant to the Western Ghats". Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC). 147: 221–228. doi:10.1007/s11240-021-02118-y.
External links
- Places where seen Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine
- More information