Phytochemical Screening Antimicrobial AntiAllergic activityof A.aspera

Achyranthes aspera L belongs to the family Amaranthaceae. Its common names are Prickly chaff flower(English), Apamarga(Sanskrit), Uttareni(Telugu), Aghedi(Gujarati), Chirchita(Hindi), Apang(Bengali). Uttrane(Kannada), Katalati(Malayalam), Agadha(Marathi), Nayuruvi(Tamil). It occurs as a stiff, erect, annual herb growing up to 0.3 to1.0 m in height. It grows around the world in tropical and warm regions and it is seen as a common weed of wastelands and hedges occurring throughout India. The flower and fruits are seen round the year. Achyranthes aspera is reported to be purngent, astringent, pectoral and diuretic. It is also used as emaengogue and in piles and skin eruption. A decoction of the plant is useful in pneumonia and renal dropsy; in larger doses, decoction or juice acts as an ecbolic. The juice of the plant is reported to be used in opthalmia and dysentery too. Also, it is used in acute febrile illness and as an anti-inflammatory agent as well. The whole plant ,especially roots are of medicinal value. Active principle : Achyranthine, Betaine (Alkaloids).