aerva lanata

Aerva lanata, commonly known as Mountain Knotgrass or Polpala, is a medicinal plant widely used in traditional African and Ayurvedic medicine for the management of diabetes mellitus and urinary tract disorders. Pharmacological research indicates that extracts from its leaves, particularly hydroethanolic preparations, contain a high concentration of phenolic compounds that act as uncompetitive inhibitors of alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase. By inhibiting these key enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism, Aerva lanata helps to mitigate postprandial hyperglycemia. Furthermore, the plant exhibits significant antioxidant activity through free radical scavenging, which may provide protective effects against oxidative stress associated with chronic metabolic conditions. It is also traditionally employed as a lithontriptic agent to dissolve kidney stones and as a diuretic for treating urinary tract infections.

Other names

Mountain KnotgrassPolpalaAerva lanata leaf extract