A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW ON ACHYRANTHES ASPERA L. (PRICKLY CHAFF FLOWER): PHYTOCHEMICAL PROFILE, ETHNOMEDICINE AND FUTURE PROSPECTS

Achyranthes aspera L., belonging to the Amaranthaceae family, is a medicinal plant with a broad geographical distribution and is traditionally utilized in indigenous health practices like Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani. This plant is rich in various phytochemicals such as saponins, alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids, flavonoids, fatty acids and phenolic compounds, which are responsible for its diverse therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, wound healing, immunomodulatory, hypolipidemic and antifertility effects. Numerous traditional claims have been substantiated by scientific research through in-vitro and in-vivo studies. Nonetheless, the scarcity of clinical trials, ambiguous mechanisms and insufficient toxicity data hinder its integration into contemporary drug development. This systematic review offers a comprehensive update on the plant’s taxonomy, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and safety profile as well as its potential for future pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications. Enhancing standardization, phytochemical analysis, reproductive toxicity assessment and clinical validation is crucial to establish A. aspera as a reliable and effective phytopharmaceutical product.