Synonyms
Polygonum decipiens, Br. Prodr. 420; Meisn. l.c.; Polygonum prostratum, A. Cunn. Prodr. Fl. N. Zeal., non Br.; Nob. In Fl. N. Zeal. i. 208; Persicaria minor Opiz. Seznam (1852) 72 [1]
Vernacular Names:
| Malaysia: | Kesum, Cenohom (Malays); Kasum (Selakoh); Besanit (Punan); Rumput amak (Iban) |
| English: |
Smartweed, slender persicaria. Small water-pepper, Pygmy smartweed |
| Thailand: | Phak phai |
| South Pacific: | mamaca, mamaka (Chamoro); opuloulou. Teerow (Chuukese); fa’i ngwagwali (Kwara’ae); sekes (Palauan) [1] |
General Information
Description
Polygonum minus is a perennial herb of the Polyconaceae family. It is prostrate, decumbent or ascending to 1 m. The stems are very slender (1 mm. thick) to fairly stout (4mm), glabrous or nearly so. The leaves are shortly petiolate, lanceolate to almost linear, measure 5-12 cm long, dotted with glands, with upward pointing appressed hairs on the petioles, margins and larger nerves, sometimes lacking on upper surface and sparse beneath, rarely dense on and between nerves on both surfaces, sheaths short, glabrous to with dense appressed haris; ocreas tubular, measure 8-20 mm long, strongly nerved, clothed sparsely to very densely with appressed hairs, transverselytruncate, with fine but stiff bristles, measures 5-10 mm long from the apex. Inflorescence apical, of 1 to several lax to fairly dense pseudo-spikes 1 – 6 cm long, bracts funnel-shaped, obliquely truncate, ciliate on margins, where 3-6 are flowered. The perianth is white to pink in colour, measure 1.5-2 mm long, increasing to 2.5 mm after anthesis; stamens 6; styles 2. The fruit lenticular with strongly convex elliptic faces, rather sharp-angled near apex, measuring 1.5 – 2 x 1 – 1.2 mm, black or dark brown in colour with shining appearance. [1]
Plant Part Used
Whole Plant [1]
Chemical Constituents
6,7-Methylenedioxy-5,3’,4’,5’-tetramethoxyflavone and 6,7-4’,5’ dimethylenedioxy-3,5,3’-trimethoxyflavone [2]
Traditional Used:
In Sarawak it is being used to treat sprains and body aches. The whole plant in pounded with rice powder and make into a paste which is rubbed on to the affected area. It is also taken after childbirth and is used as a remedy for indigestion. [1]
Pre-Clinical Data
Pharmacology
Antimicrobial activity
Ethanol extract of P. minus was found to be effective in inhibiting the growth of two Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus cereus and Bacillus megaterium), two Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and two fungi (Aspergillus ochraceous and Cryptococcus neoformans). [2]
Cytotoxic activity
Cytotoxic studies against the HeLa (Human cervical carcinoma) cell line was done for the ethanol extract of P. minus with a CD 50 values in the range of 10 – 30 mg/mL. The extracts showed positive response to inhibition of the HeLa cell line. [2]
Toxicities
Amongst the contents of the leaves of P. minus is oxalic acid. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones or hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet since it can aggravate their condition.
Clinical Data
Clinical Trials
No documentation
Adverse Effects in Human:
No documentation
Used in Certain Conditions
Pregnancy / Breastfeeding
No documentation
Age Limitations
Neonates / Adolescents
No documentation
Geriatrics
No documentation
Chronic Disease Conditions
No documentation
Interactions
Interactions with drugs
No documentation
Interactions with Other Herbs / Herbal Constituents
No documentation
Contraindications
Contraindications
No documentation
Case Reports
No documentation
Read More
1) Cultivation
References
- Christophe Wiar. Medicinal plants of Asia and the Pacific. Boca Raton: CRC Press; 2006.49.
- M.M. Mackeen, A.M. Ali, S.H. El-Sharkawy, M.Y. Manap, K.M. Salleh, N.H. Lajis and K. Kawazu Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Properties of Some Malaysian Traditional Vegetables (Ulam) Pharmaceutical Biology.1997;35(3):174-178.
