Andrachne

Scientific Name(s): Andrachne aspera Spreng., Andrachne cordifolia (Wall. ex Decne.) Müll. Arg., Andrachne phyllanthoides (Nutt.) Muell. Arg.
Common Name(s): Andrachne, Maidenbush

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 22, 2021.

Clinical Overview

Use

One species has been used to treat eye inflammation in Yemen, although there are no clinical trials available to support this use. Other species are used to control pests.

Dosing

There is no clinical evidence to support Andrachne dosage.

Contraindications

Contraindications have not yet been identified.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Avoid use. Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.

Interactions

None well documented.

Adverse Reactions

Information regarding adverse reactions with the use of this product is limited.

Toxicology

Information is limited. A. cordifolia was shown to be phytotoxic in a study in Pakistan.

Scientific Family

• Euphorbiaceae (spurges)

Botany

Nomenclature used in literature lacks clarity, and the terms Andrachne and Leptopus are used inconsistently. Geographically, the plants are distinct, with Andrachne found in the Western Hemisphere, Africa, parts of the Arabian Peninsula, the Mediterranean region, and the Asia Minor peninsula, and Leptopus found in Australia, the biogeographical region of Malesia, and China. However, both genera are found in the Caucasus region, Pakistan, and India. The traditional classification of Andrachne has been reconsidered based on recent DNA sequence data.Vorontsova 2007

There are 8 morphologically distinct generic groups, including Andrachne sensu stricto, the Andrachne section Phyllanthopsis (eg, Leptopus phyllanthoides, Andrachne arida), the Andrachne section Pseudophyllanthus (eg, Andrachne ovalis), and Leptopus s.s.USDA 2014, Vorontsova 2007 Synonyms include Leptopus cordifolius, and L. phyllanthoides.

Andrachne species are shrubs and undershrubs that grow in tropical and warm regions. The plants possess many ascending leafy branches with leaves that are oval or obovate, while the flowers are monoecious, pedicellate, and usually solitary in the axils. The fruit is dry, splitting into three 2-valved carpels.Fernald 1950

Chemistry

There is limited information on the chemical constituents of Andrachne. Two bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids, cocsuline and pendulin, have been isolated from the roots of A. cordifolia.Khan 1983 Whole plant extract of A. cordifolia taken from the Himalayas revealed the presence of pentacyclic triterpenes.Mukherjee 1986

Uses and Pharmacology

Antimicrobial effects

Animal data

A. cordifolia was shown to possess phytotoxic properties in an in vitro study in Pakistan.Gilani 2010

Clinical data

A. aspera roots are used for treating eye inflammation in Yemen, where pieces of crushed root are placed on the eyelids. Activity against human pathogens has been evaluated in vitro, with low activity demonstrated by methanolic fractions. A chloroform fraction was active against Salmonella typhi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Some activity against fungi was demonstrated; however, clinical studies are lacking.Ahmad 2007, Ghazanfur 1994

Dosing

There is no clinical evidence to support Andrachne dosage.

Pregnancy / Lactation

Avoid use...