Sauropus androgynus /Aalius androgyna (L.) /
Phyllanthus androgynus (L.)Chakrab. & N.P.Balak
It is also known as katuk, star gooseberry, or sweet leaf Thavasi murunggai (Tamil)
It is a medicinal plant with high antioxidant potential.
Studies have reported the prospective of this plant as antioxidant, antimicrobial, wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and antiobesity agent as well as its potential to increase breast milk production.
Sauropus androgynus has been known as “multigreen” due to its high vitamin and nutrient content
The leaves of this plant have been traditionally used to treat certain diseases, for weight loss, and as vegetable dishes.
SA leaves contain an adequate amount of macronutrients and having most of the micronutrients.
The micronutrients are phenolic compounds, carotenoids, antioxidant vitamins, and minerals.
SA leaves also contain most of the essential minerals, including sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, copper, zinc, manganese, and cobalt.
These compounds could have adverse health effects, such as heavy metal toxicity and induce lung injury. Bronchiolitis obliterans and obstructive ventilatory impairment of the patients are known to be caused by ingestion of uncooked or fresh SA leaves.
. However, fresh consumption and over-consumption of SA leaves are not advisable It may cause toxicity or lung injury.
Despite these pharmacological properties, consumption of its raw leaf juice for weight reduction resulted in outbreak of bronchiolitis obliterans.
It seems that papaverine is the chemical compound responsible for occurrence of this pulmonary failure
vasanai 