Ethnopharmacology

This paper reviews the traditional, clinical potential, ethnopharmacology, phytoconstituent studies and safety profile of Prickly Amaranth (Amaranthus spinosus Linn.) with a view to explore the potentiality of the plant and proclaim it to the nature product researchers throughout the world. Phytochemical investigations prove its importance as valuable medicinal plant. It is known as a rich source of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, phenolic acids, steroids, amino acids, terpenoids, lipids, saponin, betalain, b-sitosterol, stigmasterol, linoleic acid, rutin, catechuic tannins and carotenoids. Various researchers have carried out wide spectrum studies on its pharmacological actions and preliminary work has been reported on antidiabetic, antitumour, analgesic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic, bronchodilator, hepato-protective, antifertility, antimalarial, antioxidant properties etc. Hence Prickly Amaranth holds a great potential for in depth biological evaluation.

The ethnopharmacologicalsurvey of differentplants was carried out in Tuting area located in the Upper Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh. The authors investigated about the use of different plants in the treatment of ailments. 51 different plants were documented in this study along with the information regarding the use of the plants in different formulations.