ABSTRACT
Eclipta Alba (L.) is small branched annual herbaceous plant with a long history of traditional medicines uses in many countries especially in tropical and subtropical regions. The herb has been known for its curative properties and has been utilized as antimytotoxic, analgesic, antibacterial, antihepatotoxic, antihaemorrhagic, antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, immunomodulatory properties and it is considered as a good rejuvenator too. Recent studies showed an antivenom property & corrosion pickling inhibitor action on mild steelin hydrochloric acid. A wide range of chemical compounds including coumestans, alkaloids, thiopenes,flavonoids, polyacetylenes, triterpenes and their glycosides have been isolated from this species. Extracts and metabolites from this plant have been known to possess pharmacological properties. This contribution provides an comprehensive review on ethnomedicinal uses, chemical composition, and the pharmacological profile as medicinal plant. Particular attention is given to antihepatotoxic, analgesic, antioxidant , antihyperglycemic, antiaggresive, wound healing properties and insecticidal effects presented in this review such that the potential use of this plant either in pharmaceutics or as an agricultural resource can be evaluated.
ABSTRACT
The use of herbs as medicine has grown in popularity in this country over the past decade, contributing to a $4.1 billion supplement industry. The popularity of herbs is due to several factors: they can be purchased without a prescription, a belief that "natural" products are safer and the knowledge that many of our modern drugs are derived from herbs. Toxicity can occur when a herb with unknown toxicity is consumed, incorrect identification leads to substitution of an innocuous herb with a toxic one, preparations are contaminated with toxic non-herbal compounds or when a herb potentiates the nephrotoxic effect of a conventional therapy. Renal injury has been reported in association with several herbs. The best known herb induced chronic kidney disease (CKD) is aristolochic acid nephropathy.