Achyranthes
| Achyranthes | |
|---|---|
 | |
| A. splendens | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Core eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Amaranthaceae |
| Subfamily: | Amaranthoideae |
| Genus: | Achyranthes L. |
| Species | |
|
See text | |
Achyranthes is a genus of medicinal and ornamental plants in the amaranth family, Amaranthaceae. Chaff flower is a common name for plants in this genus.[1]
Species include:
- Achyranthes arborescens
- Achyranthes aspera (= A. argentea) (Sanskrit : apamarg (अपामार्ग))
- Achyranthes atollensis (extinct)
- Achyranthes bidentata
- Achyranthes canescens
- Achyranthes faureri
- Achyranthes indica
- Achyranthes japonica
- Achyranthes longifolia
- Achyranthes margaretarum
- Achyranthes mutica
- Achyranthes splendens
- Achyranthes talbotii
Uses
Achyranthes bidentata is used in Traditional Chinese medicine. It inhibits collagen-induced arthritis and acute edema. Most significantly, two novel triterpene glycosides isolated from the plant have been shown to be 1,000 times more potent than Sialyl Lewis X (SleX), an important blood group antigen that inhibits excess recruitment of neutrophils to injured tissues. This property has made it useful for treating arthritis; when too many white blood cells are recruited to an injured joint the neutrophils attack and destroy healthy tissues, leading to conditions such as septic shock and rheumatoid arthritis.[2]
References
- ↑ "Achyranthes". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
- ↑ Jim English (2010). "Traditional Chinese Herbs for Arthritis". Nutrition Review 5 (2). Retrieved 2011-12-29.