Characterization of a Bioactive Triterpenoid from the Toothache Plant, Acmella oleracea, and Identification as an Anthelmintic Compound

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 DBT-BUILDER National Laboratory, Department of Life Sciences, Pachhunga University College, Aizawl, India

2 Department of Biochemistry, Government Zirtiri Residential Science College, Durtlang, India

3 Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology Silchar, Assam, India

Abstract

Helminthiasis is a leading parasitic infection in animals and humans that causes a persistent global crisis, aggravated by pervasive drug resistance in the most harmful species. Acmella oleracea (L.) R.K. Jansen is a valuable traditional medicinal plant for treating helminthiasis. The study aimed to identify the chemical compound responsible for the anthelmintic property. A. oleracea extract was prepared with hexane and fractionated in column chromatography by a series of elution with hexane and ethyl acetate. The isolated compound was characterized with elemental analyzer, mass spectrometry, Fourier-transform nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The anthelmintic activity was tested against an intestinal tapeworm of chicken and the effects were studied using scanning electron microscopy. Chemical analyses indicated that the compound was a pentacyclic triterpene showing the structure of lup-20(29)-en-3-ol. This is the first identification of the compound from A. oleracea. The anthelmintic activity was compared with that of albendazole and showed a potent efficacy against a poultry tapeworm. Scanning electron microscopy revealed signature anthelmintic damages throughout the body surface of the tapeworm including destruction of the tegument, degeneration of the suckers and removal of the spines. Our findings show that the isolated compound is the anthelmintic principle of A. oleracea as used in the Mizo traditional medicine. Further studies on the exact mechanism of action, cellular effects and pharmacological properties are required for anthelmintic development.

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References

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Journal of Medicinal plants and By-products
Volume 14, Issue 5
September and October 2025
Pages 456-462

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