In vitro studies in Desmodium motorium (Houtt.) Merr.

Desmodium motorium, commonly known as the ¿Telegraph plant¿, has attracted many researchers due to the movements of it¿s leaves. The terminal leaflets move up and down during the course of the day exhibiting circardian rhythm. In addition to this circardian rhythm exhibited by the large terminal leaflets, the small lateral leaflets move much faster with cycles in the minute range which is termed as ultradian rotation. D. motorium is a perennial shrub native to India, occurring along the Himalayas and Western Ghats up to 2100m, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. The roots are used in Ayurveda as emollient, laxative, antidysentric and as a remedy for cough, asthma and fever. The leaves exhibit tonic, diuretic, febrifuge and aphrodisiac properties. In folklore, the root is symbolically given to lovers to keep them together. D. motorium is used by different ethnic and tribal communities across India and Asia. The root extract is used to cure rheumatism by the people of Sikkim, Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. The people of Jammu apply the paste of leaves and fruits on wounds.