Boerhavia Diffusa

Boerhavia diffusa (BD), commonly known as punarnava (meaning that rejuvenates or renews the body), belongs to the family Nyctaginaceae and is a well-known medicinal plant in traditional Indian medicine as well as other parts of the world. It is also known as red spiderling, spreading hogweed, and tarvine. Boerhavia was named after a famous Dutch physician of the 18th century, Hermann Boerhaave, while the species diffusa got the name from its typical diffuse branching. Boerhavia diffusa is found as a weed during rainy seasons in the Indian, Northern, and Southern American continents and South-Eastern Africa.

According to Ayurveda, Boerhavia is a plant of the Rasayana category and is of enormous importance due to its chemical and therapeutic properties. It has anti-ageing, disease prevention, re-establishing youth, and life-strengthening properties. Various studies prove its role in cancer, jaundice, and disorders of the reproductive, digestive, respiratory, urinary, and cardiovascular systems. Boerhavia shows diuretic, hepatoprotective, antifibrinolytic, anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities.

Chemistry

Chemical analysis of Boerhavia gives a wide variety of chemical constituents. The roots are the source of a novel class of isoflavonoids known as rotenoids, flavonoids, flavonoid glycosides, purine nucleosides, lignans, xanthones, and steroids. Boerhavia is also a good source of nutritional supplements, including amino acids, saturated fatty acids, vitamins C, B3, and B2, along with calcium.

Pharmacological Activities

1. Diuretic and Renal Activity

In the traditional system of medicine, Boerhavia is a well-known diuretic and renoprotective plant. Studies approve diuretic and kidney stone dissolving properties of Boerhavia. It increases the volume of urine and has significant diuretic activity. The extract of Boerhavia contains punarnavine, a diuretic alkaloid that helps treat urinary disorders. Formulations containing Boerhavia as the main ingredient are routinely used in ascites, oedema, anasarca, kidney problems, swelling of the legs, and urinary stones. Diseases such as ascites and congestive heart failure (CHF) have abnormalities in fluid dynamics in the body, and diuretics are the first line of treatment in such cases. Due to its hepatoprotective property, Boerhavia is an added benefit in CHF and other such cases. Boerhavia inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity and decreases cardiac load; thus, it is beneficial in congestive heart failure. Studies also show the antioxidant potential of Boerhavia extract in urinary stones through inhibition of oxidative trauma and kidney cell damage and a decrease in calcium oxalate deposition. The aqueous extract of the whole plant of Boerhavia significantly decreases the osmotic fragility of erythrocytes in polycystic end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In E. coli-induced acute pyelonephritis, aqueous extract of Boerhavia shows a decrease in bacterial count per mL of urine. Due to antioxidant properties, Boerhavia shows the potent renoprotective potentials on diabetics indicated by effective glucoregulation, maintenance of serum ionic status, and renal Na+, K+, ATPase activity.

2. Hepatoprotective Activity

The liver is a vital organ of the body. It is the first line of defence against xenobiotics (chemical substances that are foreign to animal life) and is prone to harmful and toxic effects of chemicals. Boerhavia extract protects the liver against any damage. It reduces the increased levels of SGOT, SGPT, SAP, triglycerides, total lipid levels, and bilirubin and completely restores cholesterol levels. In the traditional system of medicine, Boerhavia is used in various hepatic disorders, including jaundice. Studies prove the hepatoprotective potential of Boerhavia against various hepatotoxins. Antioxidative evaluation of the Boerhavia extract shows appreciable quantities of phenolic and flavonoid content along with vitamins C and E.

3. Immunomodulatory Activity

Immunomodulation is a vital role of Boerhavia, acting as an immunostimulant and immunosuppressor. Boerhavia contains Punarnavine, Syringaresinol mono-β-D-glucoside (eleutheroside E1, acanthoside B), and quercetin, which have immunomodulatory activity. Boerhavia diffusa also possesses adaptogenic effects as it increases adaptability against any type of stress, namely, physical, chemical, or biological. The Boerhavia extract reduces elevated glucose, cholesterol, SGPT, BUN, and triglycerides. The alkaloidal fraction of Boerhavia enhances immunity and balances the glucose and plasma cortisol levels. The extract also increases macrophage phagocytic activity. Boerhavia has been an integral part of ethnopharmacological and traditional medicine for treating rheumatism which affects the joints and connective tissues. Boerhavia possesses immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory activities due to the presence of the compound Eupalitin-3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside that approves the use of Boerhavia in rheumatic disorders for which it has been known since ancient times.

4. Anticancer Activity

Due to its immunomodulatory, anticancer, and radioprotective properties, Boerhavia offers a multiple-target regimen in cancer therapy and has been a beneficial supplement in cancer treatment. Boerhavia extract inhibits various cancers with special mention of lymphoma and leukaemia. Studies show the cytotoxic effect of the Boerhavia extract in cervical cancer and brain tumour. Whole plant extract of Boerhavia, particularly Boeravinones (Rotenoids) found in the root, inhibit breast cancer. Due to antiproliferative and anti-oestrogenic potential, the extract also indicates a decrease in estradiol-induced cell proliferation. Alkaloid punarnavine found in Boerhavia inhibits metastasis in lung melanoma. Boerhavia extract reduces the adverse effect of radiation on bone marrow. It also normalises serum and liver ALP, GPT, and lipid peroxidation levels after radiation exposure.

5. Antidiabetic and Hypoglycemic Activity

Administration of aqueous extract of Boerhavia reduces sugar levels in diabetics. It is assumed that β-cell renewal or some extra-pancreatic action is responsible for its antidiabetic activity. Studies indicate the anti-hyperglycemic potential of Boerhavia.

6. Antifibrinolytic Activity

In traditional medicine, Boerhavia root is used in gynaecological disorders such as the prolapsed uterus, pain in the female genital tract, abortion, and regulation of menstruation. Phenolic glycoside, punarnavoside, has an antifibrinolytic activity and is used in various gynaecological disorders, including anaemia. Studies show the effect of Boerhavia extract on IUD-induced bleeding and established its antifibrinolytic role. The root extract of Boerhavia shows a significant reduction in the duration of menstrual flow, iron loss, and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) activity.

7. Anti-inflammatory Activity

An important use of Boerhavia is to decrease oedema. The leaves, root, and flower extracts of Boerhavia have anti-inflammatory properties due to Liriodendrin, quercetin, and kaempferol. In Ayurveda, Boerhavia is known as 'sothaghni,' which alleviates inflammation. Studies show the use of leaves of Boerhavia in snake and scorpion bites and for wound healing.

8. Antimicrobial & Antifungal Activity

Boerhavia root extract is effective against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Boerhavia is effective as an adjuvant to treat pulmonary tuberculosis and helps relieve cough, sputum, and fever.

Due to antifungal properties, Boerhavia inhibits the mycelial growth of the Microsporum. The increase in the concentration of extract also inhibits sporulation.

9. Antioxidant Activity

Boerhavia extract shows antioxidant activities in ferric reduction and hydrogen peroxide quenching. It also shows cardioprotective action by decreasing lactate dehydrogenase levels, oxidative stress, and calcium influx. Due to its antioxidant properties, it is used for anticancer, hepatoprotective, and antidiabetic activities.

10. Spasmolytic & Antiasthmatic Activities

Boerhavia contains Boeravinone E, which is the most potent spasmolytic compound. Studies show that Boerhavia effectively treats colic, tremors, neck rigidity, palsy, paraplegia, pain in the female genital tract, and threatened miscarriages.

Studies have documented the tracheal relaxation effect against trachea contraction in asthma.

Conclusion

Boerhavia diffusa is a plant of reputation in traditional and ethnobotanical systems of medicine. It shows diverse therapeutic activities, and in the current scenario, Boerhavia can prove to be an effective agent for diuresis, hepatoprotection, anticancer, and immunomodulation. Boerhavia is also a source of structurally novel rotenoid compounds that can be used to design novel semisynthetic compounds for newer indications.