KULITIS (uray)

Scienticfic name: amaranthus spinosus l.

Parts utilized
· Roots, stems and leaves.
· Harvest the root at any time of the year.
· Wash thoroughly, cut into pieces and sun-dry.
· The plant can be eaten as a vegetable.

Constituents, Characteristics and Pharmacological Effects
· Slightly sweet-tasting, mildly refrigerant in nature. A good expectorant. Antifebrile, an effective astringent especially in stopping liquid bowels.
· Locally, it has been reported that a decoction of the root can cure gonorrhea and relieve one's breathing from acute bronchitis.
• Considered antidote, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, emollient, febrifuge.
• Leaf contains anthraquinone derivatives, cardiac glycosides and saponins.

Uses

Nutritional
Plant , especially the young leaves, can be used as vegetable, as a
spinach substitute.

Folkloric
· Decoction of roots has been used for treatment of gonorrhea.
· Bacillary dysentery, diarrhea, acute and chronic gastroenteritis, urinary tract inflammation.
· Fever, bronchitis.
· Lactation.
· Bruised leaves for skin eczema.
· Snake bites.
· Bleeding in piles.
· Dosage: Use 30 to 60 gms of dried material or 60 to 120 gms of fresh material, as infusion or decoction. For external application, employ decoction of fresh material as wash for ulcers and sores. Decoction also used as gargle for sore throat.
· Bleeding hemorrhoids: Uray can be combined with Verbena officinalis and boiled into decoction. To the decoction, add a small amount of vinegar and drink. Bleeding should cease the following day.
• Poultice of seeds used for broken bones.
· All amaranths are recommended for coughs.
• In Pakistan, roots are used for menorrhagia, gonorrhea, eczema, colic and as lactagogue. Leaves and roots used as laxative, on boils and as poultice for abscesses.
• In the traditional medicine of Taiwan and China, used for diabetes.
• In China, poultice of seeds used for broken bones; used internally for bleeding, diarrhea and menorrhagia.
• In Nepal, used as abortifacient.
• In Nigeria, ashes from burnt plant used for sores; juice from plant used as eye wash

Studies

• Antifertility: Study that included the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of A spinosus roots was studied for anti-fertility effects. The results showed alcholic extract use in day 1 to day 5 of pregnancy showed significant pregnancy interruption, more likely with the alcohol than aqueous extracts.

• Antimalarial: Study tshowed the efficacy ofr AS extracts against Plasmodium falcifarum supporting its traditional use for anti-parasitic activity.

• Immunomodulatory: Study assessed the immunomodulatory effects of AS water extract and results suggested a heat-labile anti-apoptotic component.

• Hepatoprotective / Antioxidant: Study results strongly indicated potenty hepatoprotective activity in experimental hepatic damage in animals. Study suggests the protective mechanism to be from the presence of flavonoids and phenolics.

• Anti-diabetic / Spermatogenic: Study showed methanolic extract of AS significantly decreased blood glucose, comparable to glibenclamide. It also showed hypolipidemic effects and accelerated spermatogenesis by increasing sperm count and accessory sex organ weights. Results supports it folkloric use for diabetes.

• Anti-Inflammatory: Study of methanol extract of AS leaves showed antiinflammatory activity probably through inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis.

• Immuno-Modulatory / B-Lymphocyte Proliferation: Study of A spinosus water extracxt exhibited immuno-stimulating activity through direct stimulation of B-lymphocyte activation in vitro and suggests possible subsequent T cell proliferation in vitro. Results suggest a potential for future nutraceutical and immuno-pharmacologic use for AS.

• Adverse Hematologic Effects: Study of ethanol extract in pigs showed significant reduction of PCV, RBC and hemoglobin of pigs. Results suggest caution of in use to avoid probably toxic effects.

• Anti-Diarrheal / Anti-Ulcer: Study of ethanol extract of the whole plant of AS significantly inhibited travel time of a charcoal meal. Anti-ulcer effects were noted with differing degrees of protection with extract and with cimetidine.

• Phytochemicals / Betalains: Study of phenolic profile yielded betalains - amaranthine and isoamaranthine. Extracts were found to contain hydroxycinnamates, quercetin, kaempferol glycosides.

• Immunomodulatory: Study of water extract of AS inhibited the spontaneous and dexamethasone-induced apoptosis of splenocytes. Results suggest a potentially valuable substance for future nutraceutical and immunopharmacological use.

• Antinociceptive / Anti-Inflammatory: Study of 50% water extract of AS showed significant and dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity and central and peripheral analgesic activity.