A COMPLETE ANALYSIS OF THERAPEUTIC AND PHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE OF ACALYPHA INDICA

Traditionally used in South and Southeast Asia, a medicinal plant of the Euphorbiaceae family, Acalypha indica L. (usually known as Indian nettle, Kuppaimeni in Tamil, and Kuppameniya in Sinhala) is an upright herbaceous weed with great ethno-medicine value and a rich phytochemical profile with excellent levels of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, steroids, and phenolic compounds. GC–MS and RP–HPLC have uncovered active components, that includes gallic acid, naringenin, phytol, squalene, and coumarins, further supporting its therapeutic effects. It has broad spectrum of biological characteristics including antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, wound healing, antiulcer, anti-diabetic, anti-asthmatic, anti-malarial, anti-fertility, diuretic, anthelmintic, anti-psoriatic, anti-venom, and anti-viral properties. With leaves being the richest source of active phytochemicals, extracts from various plant components demonstrate significant activity against microbial pathogens, oxidative stress, inflammation, and chronic ailments. Together, conventional uses and scientific evidence support Acalypha indica as a prospective herbal candidate for drug research and treatments.