Review explores the pharmacological potential of Trichopus zeylanicus subsp. Travancoricus

Researchers at the University of Kerala in India reviewed the results of pharmacological studies done on Trichopus zeylanicus, locally known as arogyapacha or ginseng of Kani tribes. Their comprehensive review was published in the journal Herbal Medicine.

• Arogyapacha is a small herbaceous plant native to the Western Ghats of South India, Malaysia and Thailand.
• It previously belonged to the family Trichopodaceae but is now a member of the Dioscoreaceae or yam family.
• The indigenous tribal community in Western Ghats use this plant as a traditional energy booster.
• In particular, the Kani tribes eat the fruits of arogyapacha or drink water infused with it to combat fatigue. No toxic effect has ever been reported from its consumption.
• According to pharmacological studies, arogyapacha has many medicinal properties, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-stress, immunomodulatory, anti-diabetic, aphrodisiac, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-tumor, anti-ulcer, anti-microbial and hepatoprotective activities.

The researchers believe that arogyapacha warrants future studies so that its pharmacological potential can be fully explored and eventually utilized.

Read the full study at this link.

Journal Reference:

Biju VC, Shidhi PR, Rajan VS, Anoop PK, Nair AS. THERAPEUTIC PROPERTIES OF TRICHOPUS ZEYLANICUS SUBSP. TRAVANCORICUS, A RARE, ENDANGERED MEDICINAL PLANT IN SOUTH INDIA: A REVIEW. Herbal Medicine. January 29, 2019;5(1):2. DOI: 10.21767/2472-0151.100040