Nutritional and medicinal potential of Amaranthus spinosus

Abstract

This review deals with the nutritional and medicinal value of plant Amaranthus spinosus. Amaranthus species are highly popular group of vegetables to which leaves, shoots, tender stems and grains are eaten as potential herb in sauces or soups, cooked with other vegetables, with a main dish or by itself. The plants are used as feed for farm animals. Traditionally, the boiled leaves and roots are used as laxative, diuretic, anti-diabetic, antipyretic, anti-snake venom, antileprotic, anti-gonorrheal, expectorant and to relieve breathing in acute bronchitis. It also has anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anti-androgenic and anthelmintic properties. The main phytoconstitutents is 7-p coumaroyl apigenin, 4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, spinosidexylofuranosyl uracil, beta-D-ribofuranosyl uracil, beta–D-ribofuranosyladenine, beta sistosterol glucoside, hydroxycinnamates, quercetin and kaempferol glycosides, betalains, betaxanthin, betacyanine and isoamaranthine gomphrenin, betanin, b-sistosterol, stigmasteron, linolic acid, 0.15% rutin and beta carotene. Apart from these important phytoconstituents it contains carbohydrates, proteins, fats, fibres, minerals such as iron, calcium, manganese, copper and zinc revealing its nutritional potential. As the plant possess such nutritional values and therapeutic potential it should be included as food supplement.