A review on traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Eclipta prostrata 

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Eclipta prostrata, a traditional herbal medicine, has long been used in Asia and South America for the therapy of hemorrhagic diseases (e.g. hemoptysis, hematemesis, hematuria, epistaxis and uterine bleeding), skin diseases, respiratory disorders, coronary heart disease, hair loss, vitiligo, snake bite and those caused by the deficiency of liver and kidney.

Aim of the review

In this review, we highlight relatively comprehensive and up-to-date information of E. prostrata on traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicity, along with featuring the gaps in current knowledge, aiming to provide references for future research and possible opportunities for well applications of this medicinal plant.

Materials and methods

Information on E. prostrata was gathered from scientific databases (Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scifinder, Baidu Scholar, PubMed and CNKI). Information was also obtained from local books, Ph.D. theses and M.Sc. dissertations and Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The plant taxonomy was validated by the database “The Plant List”.

Results

Various phytochemical classes has been identified and isolated from the plant covering triterpenes, flavonoids, thiopenes, coumestans, steroids and others. Among these, coumestans are reported as the most common ingredients. The isolated crude extracts and individual compounds have been reported to exhibit promising pharmacological properties, such as hepatoprotective, osteoprotective, cytotoxic, hypoglycaemic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, hypolipidemic, promoting hair growth, rejuvenative and neuroprotective effects.

Conclusions

Until now, significant progress has been witnessed in phytochemistry and pharmacology of E. prostrata. Thus, some traditional uses has been well supported and clarified by modern pharmacological studies. Moreover, E. prostrata also showed therapeutic potential in some refractory diseases such as cancer, dementia and diabetes. But, present findings are still insufficient that cannot satisfactorily explain some mechanisms of action. More well-designed studies in vitro especially in vivo are required to establish links between the traditional uses and bioactivities, discover new skeletons and activity molecules, as well as ensure safety before clinical use.

Introduction

Natural products are valuable sources of novel structures for the development of drugs. Discovery of therapeutic natural products in plants is still a growing interest (Newman and Cragg, 2012). In comparison to synthetic compounds and chemotherapeutic drugs, herbal medicines provide alternative therapy for human diseases with numerous unsurpassed characteristics including lesser undesirable effects, lower cost, better compatibility and easier accessibility (Yadav et al., 2017).
Eclipta prostrata (L.) L., syn. Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk, is commonly known as false daisy in English, Bhringraj in Ayurveda, and Ecliptae herba in China (Puri, 2003). In folk, it is regarded as a common weed by farmers. But it plays a key role in ethnomedicine and has been long used for the therapy of high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, vitiligo, diabetes, skin diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, respiratory diseases, cuts and wounds by Asia and South America populations (Khan and Khan, 2008; Hu et al., 1997; Xi, 2018; Rahmatullah et al., 2009). The dried aerial parts of the plant are used medicinally in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) system and classified as yin-nourishing herb, which has been commonly used for treating related ailments such as loose teeth, graying of hair, dizziness, tinnitus and hemorrhage (China Pharmacopoeia Commission, 2015).
Due to its diverse applications, wide attention has been paid by scientific communities and plenty of investigations on bioactive constituents and pharmacological activities have been conducted. Although, several reviews concerning E. prostrata have been published, they didn’t cover all aspects of this plant (Chung et al., 2017; Jahan et al., 2014; Mithun et al., 2011; Neeraja and Margaret, 2012). Instead, we summarizes both English and Chinese research findings on traditional uses, chemical constituents, pharmacological activities and toxicity, and highlights current status and likely future directions that will provide a representative overview of this medicinal plant

Eclipta prostrata is also known as Eclipta prostrata, Eclipta prostrata, Eclipta prostrata, Eclipta prostrata. Although it is a grass that often grows wild in many places, according to folklore, Eclipta prostrata is an easily found medicinal herb that is very useful in treating diseases.

According to Oriental medicine, Eclipta prostrata is not poisonous, has a sour, sweet taste, cold properties, has the effect of cooling blood, stopping bleeding, nourishing the kidneys, and benefiting yin, and is often used to treat liver and kidney yin deficiency, blood heat, high fever, nosebleeds, hives, etc.

Here are 10 folk remedies from Eclipta prostrata for your reference:

1. Treating nosebleeds: Eclipta prostrata 20g, black-roasted Sophora japonica flower 20g, licorice root 16g, decoct to get water to drink one dose per day.

2. Treating sore throat: Eclipta prostrata and dandelion each 20g, 12g fan root, 16g honeysuckle, 16g licorice root, decoct to get water to drink. Drink one dose per day. Use for 3 – 5 days.

3. Treat high fever: 20g of Eclipta prostrata, 20g of Eclipta prostrata, 20g of Eclipta prostrata, 20g of Eclipta prostrata, 16g of Eclipta prostrata, 12g of Eclipta prostrata, 16g of Licorice root, boil to get water and drink one dose per day.

4. Treat hives: Eclipta prostrata, fish mint, river bone leaves, dragon blood leaves, star fruit leaves, cucumber leaves, jasmine leaves, crush, add water and squeeze to get the juice to drink. Use the remaining residue to rub and apply on the swollen area.

5. Treat rash fever: 60g of Eclipta prostrata. Boil to drink one dose per day, divided into 2 – 4 times a day.

6. Treating body weakness, anemia, poor appetite: 100g of Eclipta prostrata, 100g of betel leaves, 50g of dried ginger, chop each ingredient, lightly stir-fry, remove soil, pour into 3 cups of fresh coconut water, cook until 8 parts, drink twice a day.

7. Treating vitiligo: 30g of Eclipta prostrata, 15g of Sa Uyen Tu, 30g of Ha Thu O, 12g of Bach Chi, 10g of Dang Quy, 10g of Chi Thuoc, 15g of Salvia miltiorrhiza, 15g of Dang Sam, 10g of Bach Truat, 6g of Thien Thoai. Wash all ingredients and boil to drink 1 dose per day, drink for 15 days each time.

8. Treating Eczema in children: 50g of Eclipta prostrata, boil to get concentrated water, apply to painful area. Usually after 2-3 days, the discharge will clearly decrease, form scabs, relieve itching, and will be cured in about 1 week.

9. Treatment of fatty liver: 30g of Eclipta prostrata, 20g of Chasteberry, 15g of Alisma orientalis, 15g of Angelica sinensis. In case of fatty liver due to alcoholism, add: 30g of Platycodon grandiflorum, 15g of Polygonum multiflorum, 15g of Dandelion; In case of obesity leading to fatty liver, add: 6g of Rhubarb, 15g of Lotus leaf. Boil to get water to drink, 1 dose per day.

10. Treatment of mild dengue fever: 20g of Eclipta prostrata, 12g of black-roasted Thuja orientalis leaves, 12g of black-roasted Sophora japonica flowers, 20g of Kudzu root or leaves, 16g of Licorice root. Boil to drink 1 dose per day