Alternanthera sessilis is used for simple stomach disorders, diarrhoea, dysentery and as a plaster for diseased or wounded skin parts and against fever.
It is diuretic, tonic and cooling. Juice of this plant, deemed beneficial to eyes, is an ingredient in the making of medicinal hairoils and Kajal (kohl).
- Decoction used for nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dysentery, cough, bronchitis and diabetes.
- Used as a wash for eyes.
- Used for treating acne vulgaris, dyspepsia, liver problems.
- In West Tropical Africa, used as poultice for boils.
- In Sri Lanka, used for cystitis, gonorrhea, snake bite. Also, used by mothers to increase flow of milk.
- In Ghana a decoction with some salt is taken to stop vomiting blood.
- In Nigeria the pounded plant is used against headache and vertigo, and leaf sap is sniffed up the nose to treat neuralgia. A paste is used to draw out spines or any other object from the body and it is also used to cure hernia.
- In Taiwan, for hepatitis, bronchitis, asthma.
- In Senegal and India leafy twigs, ground to a powder, are applied against snakebites. The plant is also used in veterinary medicine in Kenya. Alternanthera sessilis is used in local medicine in Taiwan, often in mixtures with other medicinal plants, to treat hepatitis, tight chest, bronchitis, asthma and other lung troubles, to stop bleeding and as a hair tonic.
- In India, used for gastrointestinal problems; also as cholagogue, abortifacient and febrifuge. Also, used for snake bites.
Antioxidant: Comparative study of stem and leaf fractions of Alternanthera sessilis and Amaranthus tristis. Results showed A. sessilis have relatively more phytochemicals and radical scavenging activity, and the leaf fraction has more flavonoid and phenolic content than the stem fractions in both vegetables. Results suggest a potential for an ideal dietary antioxidant supplement.
Anti-oxidant: Study evaluated various extracts of leaves for phytoconstituents, antioxidant activity and thrombolytic potential. Antioxidant activity increased with concentration of the leaf extract. Study also showed moderate clot lysis with increase in the percentage of lysis with concentration of the plant sample. Results suggest a chemopreventive potential for cardiovascular disease.
Anti-diabetic: Study of aqueous extract of aerial parts showed significant dose-dependent antidiabetic activity with lowering of blood glucose concentration, glycosylated hemoglobin, LDL, total cholesterol.
Anti-diabetic: Study investigated the antidiabetic potential of three fractions of crude ethanol extracts in high fat diet and STZ-induced diabetic rats. The red ethyl acetate fraction showed the most potent antihyperglycemic effect with higher pancreatic insulin content and pancreatic total dismutase activity. Results suggest a potential antidiabetic agent for T2DM.
Anti-bacterial: The antibacterial effect of leaves and internodal-segments derived calli of A. sessilis was evaluated against Proteus vulgaris, Strep pyogenes, B subtilis and Salmonella typhi. the ethanolic extracts of leaves and leaves-derived calli were more effective against the selected bacterial than other solvents. Plants extracts showed antibacterial activity against Gram negative P. aeruginosa and Gram positive Staph epidermis.
Anti-bacterial / Anti-fungal: Plants extracts showed antibacterial activity against Gram negative P. aeruginosa and Gram positive Staph epidermis. Plant also showed antifungal activity against yeasts S. cerevisiae and Candida albicans.
Hematinic Activity: Study showed that Lupo (A. sessilis) has hematinic activity particularly in iron deficiency anemia. Results suggest AS is a potential drug for augmentation of hemoglobin and serum ferritin in iron deficiency anemia.
Anti-pyretic Activity: Study showed the ethanol extract of aerial parts of Alternanthera sessilis has dose-dependent antipyretic activity.
Nootropic / Memory Enhancing: Study evaluated the nootropic potential (memory enhancing effects) of methanolic extracts of leaves of A. sessilis and Clerodendrum infortunatum. The higher doses of both extracts exhibited promising nootropic potential, with C. infortunatum showing greater memory enhancing effect..
Anti-Inflammatory: Study investigated leaf extracts for anti-inflammatory activity by carrageenan-induced rat paw edema method. Extracts showed considerable dose-dependent activity, with the chloroform extract showing higher activity.
Toxicity Study / Anti-diabetic: Study on extracts from A. sessilis, S. cumini and A. bilimbi appeared safe, with no untoward effects on the kidney and liver when used as treatment for diabetes.
Silver Nanoparticles Biosynthesis / Anti-microbial / Anti-oxidant: Study evaluated the use of aqueous extract in producing silver nanoparticles from silver nitrate aqueous. Phytochemical analysis yielded alkaloid, tannins, ascorbic acid, carbohydrates and protein which served as effective reducing and capping agents for converting silver nitrate into nanoparticles. Study investigated the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of green synthesized AgNPs.
Central Stimulating / Analgesic: Study evaluated the neuropharmacologic and analgesic activity of an ethanol extract of A. sessilis whole plant in mice models. Results showed central stimulating activity with significantly increased onset of sleep and decreased duration of sleep, with increased movements of mice during the study period. On hot plate test, the extract significantly increased pain threshold.
Anti-depressant / Leaves: Study of leaf extract showed antidepressant activity on Swiss albino mice using the Tail Suspension Test and Forced Swim Test. At higher doses, there was significant reduction of duration of immobility.