Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Potential of Acalypha hispida Burm.f.: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Acalypha hispida Burm.f. (family Euphorbiaceae), commonly known as the chenille plant, red-hot cattail or cat's-tail plant, is an ornamental tropical shrub that has attracted increasing scientific interest because of its ethnomedicinal applications and diverse phytochemical composition. Traditionally, different parts of the plant have been used for gastrointestinal, respiratory, inflammatory, infectious and dermatological disorders. Leaves, flowers, roots and bark have been employed in traditional systems of medicine as laxatives, diuretics, expectorants and remedies for conditions such as asthma, dysentery, skin infections and ulcers. Phytochemical investigations have identified phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, hydrolysable ellagitannins, glycosides, saponins, steroids, alkaloids and other secondary metabolites. Particularly important constituents include geraniin, corilagin, gallic acid, ellagic acid and characteristic ellagitannins such as acalyphidins M1, M2 and D1. Experimental investigations have demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, cytotoxic, trypanocidal and antidiabetic activities. Leaf extracts exhibit substantial free-radical-scavenging and metal-chelating activities, while ethanol and aqueous extracts have demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects in experimental models. Recent studies have further demonstrated α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities and hypoglycemic effects. A 2024 investigation extended these findings by demonstrating antidiabetic activity of both conventional extract and a nanoextract, with effects associated with pancreatic β-cell preservation, insulin enhancement, glycogen restoration and modulation of histone H3 lysine-9 acetylation. Acute toxicity investigations indicate a relatively high margin of safety for ethanolic leaf extract in rats, although histological alterations warrant further investigation. Despite promising preclinical evidence, significant gaps remain regarding standardized extracts, pharmacokinetics, molecular targets, chronic toxicity, drug interactions and clinical efficacy. This review critically summarizes the botanical characteristics, ethnomedicinal applications, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, toxicological profile and future therapeutic prospects of A. hispida.