Pharmacological Properties of the Plant Aerva lanata-A Narrative Review

Aerva lanata (Linn.) Juss.ex Schult is a woody, succulent, perennial herb belonging to the family Amaranthaceae commonly found in Asia and Africa. It is a common weed that grows everywhere in the plains of Asia. It is locally called ‘bui’or ‘polpala’. It is familiar in the name of knot grass. These are branching shrubs. This plant is included in Dasapushpam, the ten sacred flowers of Kerala. The different parts of the plant have different functions. It belongs to the group Pashanabheda used to cure urinary stone. This is a traditional plant in India used for many purposes including antibacterial, antiparasitic, antiasthmatic, antioxidant, anti-infertility, antihypoglycaemic, antidiabetic, antilipidemic, antitumour, hepatoprotective, diuretic and anti urolithiatic, and immunomodulatory. Aerva lanata plant comprises of many phytochemicals including alkaloid, flavanoid, phenol, tannin, protein, amino acid and carbohydrate, which are responsible for the pharmacological activity. This review focuses on the general information regarding the pharmacological value of the plant Aerva lanata.