Brittle False Pimpernel

Overview

Brittle False Pimpernel is native to tropical Asia but is now present in the tropics. In Indonesia and Malaysia, it is one of the most common plants in Chinese pharmacies. Widely distributed from Africa through Asia to Australia and the Pacific via the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. In the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species, the plant is listed as 'Least Concern'.

Vernacular Names

Daun sirih ketok (Indonesian), Chapraghash (Bangladesh), Ganing (Brunei), Mu cao (China), Pitt papadi (Himalaya), Urikusa (Japan), To ti ke kang (Thailand), Maau thao (Vietnam).

Agroecology

Brittle False Pimpernel mostly grows up to 1,500 m altitude but can be found in 3,000 m. This plant is found in open places, rice paddies, and disturbed soil, at low and medium altitudes. Requires plenty of water and full light for growth.

Morphology

• Stems - sharply quadrangular to narrowly 4-winged, green to purple, hairy on angles and nodes, much-branched, the branches widely spreading.
• Leaves - ovate, 8 to 15 millimeters long, pointed at both ends, and distantly toothed in the margins.
• Flowers - borne singly in the axils of the leaves with stalks 1-3 cm long; calyx is green or purplish, 4-5 mm long, with pointed lobes about 1.5 mm long; corolla is purple, about 9 mm long.
• Fruits - brown, oblong-ovoid, 3.5-5 mm long.
• Seed - ellipsoid with both ends blunt and covered with pale brown warty protuberances.
   

Cultivation

It is propagated by generative technique (by seed).
 

Chemical Constituents

Flavonoid, lignin glucoside, phenyl alcohol glycoside, phenylpropene glycoside, glucosyl glycerol derivative, furanone, cinnamic acid derivatives, diterpenes, anthraquinones, ionones, phenylpropanoid glycosides.
 

Traditional Medicinal Uses

• The extracts of this plant possess significant antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic activities.
• Stems used for fever, hepatitis, and leucorrhea are found in Vietnam.
• In Assam, India, the Bodo tribe of Kokrajhar are disturbed by drinking whole plant decoction for diabetes care.
• In the Garhwal Himalaya, 1/2 teaspoon of plant decoction is taken twice a day for abdominal ailments.
• The plant is used to treat bilious afflictions and dysentery, in boils, sores, ringworm, shingles, hepatitis, and scratching poultices by the people of Indo-China. 
• The decoction of leaves is often used by Malays after childbirth.