Kuliakhara herb Asteracantha longifolia plant for liver health and sexual enhancement

Kuliakhara appears to be an herb that has liver protective potential. As of May 2010, no human studies with Kuliakhara herb could be found on Medline.

Kuliakhara and liver health
Effect of Asteracantha longifolia Nees. against CCl4 induced liver dysfunction in rat.
Indian J Exp Biol. 2005. Shailajan S, Chandra N, Sane RT, Menon S. SP Mandali's, Ramnarain Ruia College, Matunga, Mumbai, India.
Significant recovery after treatment with the whole plant slurry of Kuliakhara was observed in plasma AST, ALT and cholesterol levels in CCl4 induced hepatotoxic rats. This was amply supported by electron micrographs, which indicated normalization of cytoarchitecture of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. The results suggest that the slurry of Kuliakhara plant is useful as a liver tonic.

Evaluation of the protective efficacy of Asteracantha longifolia on acetaminophen-induced liver damage in rats.
J Med Food. 2004. Shivashangari KS, Ravikumar V, Devaki T. Department of Biochemistry, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
The effect of oral administration of methanolic extract of Kuliakhara seeds on acetaminophen (APAP)-induced acute liver damage in rats was investigated. Results indicate that Kuliakhara extract could offer protection against acetaminophen  APAP-induced liver damage, suggesting its liver protective activity.

Aphrodisiac benefit
Effect of Asteracantha longifolia seeds on the sexual behaviour of male rats.
Nat Prod Res. 2009: Chauhan NS, Sharma V, Dixit VK. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr H.S. Gour Vishwavidyalaya, MP, India.
The aim of the present study was to study the effect of seeds of Asteracantha longifolia on the sexual behaviour of male albino rats. The ethanolic extract of seeds of A. longifolia was administered to groups of rats in 100, 150 and 200 mg kg(-1) doses for a period of 28 days, and the action compared with control rats. The changes in body and organ weight, sexual behaviour, histo-architecture and fructose levels of seminal vesicles were observed. The sexual behaviour was assessed by determining parameters such as mount frequency (MF), intromission latency, mount latency (ML) and post-ejaculatory latency. The ethanolic extract exhibited pronounced anabolic effects in treated animals, as evidenced by gains in the body and reproductive organ weights. Increased spermatogenesis due to treatment with extracts was also witnessed in transverse section. The Kuliakhara treatment further markedly affected sexual behaviour of the animals, as reflected by the reduction of ML, increase in MF and enhanced attractability towards females. A significant increase in the sperm count as well as fructose levels of seminal vesicles was noted.

Substances in Kuliakhara plant
This herb has numerous compounds including aliphatic esters and betulin.

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