Pedalium murex L.

: Potential genetic resource for

herbal medicine and mucilage
Sujata Shekhar
Dayalbagh Educational Institute
Rajat Rathur
Dayalbagh Educational Institute
Rajat P Singh
Dayalbagh Educational Institute
Akhilesh Kumar (  akhilpbh@rediffmail.com )
Dayalbagh Educational Institute https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7274-1359

Research Article

Keywords: Pedalium murex, Bada Gokhru, Pedaliaceae, Reproductive disorders, leafy vegetable, Mucilage,
Biodeisel

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-657864/v1

License:   This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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Page 1/17
Abstract
Pedalium murex (Pedaliaceae), commonly known as large caltrops in English and bada gokharu in Hindi
is an underutilized mucilaginous medicinal herb having multiple uses in traditional system of medicine. It
is mainly used to cure reproductive disorders, like impotency in men, nocturnal emissions, gonorrhoea as
well as leucorrhoea in women. It is also useful in the treatment of urinary and gastrointestinal tract
disorders. The present paper deals with botanical identity, vernacular names, ecology, environmental
requirement and growth conditions, origin and geographical distribution, morphological/botanical
description, propagation and cultivation, usages as a source of food, mucilage, medicine and biodiesel,
important Ayurvedic formulations, phytochemical and pharmacological profile, future prospect.

Introduction
Genus Pedalium belongs to family Pedaliaceae (Sesame family). According to Stapf 1905, there are four
species of Pedalium viz P. intermedium, P. caillaudii, P. filiforme and P. busseanum but according to
modern databases (The Plant List and USDA GRIN-Global), it includes a single species with accepted
name Pedalium murex L. whereas P. microcarpum Decne., P. muricatum Salisb., and Rogeria microcarpa
Klotzsch are synonyms of P. murex. Other names were unable to establish their status either as an
accepted species name or as a synonym of any accepted botanical name in modern database and are in
unresolved status till date. It is generally known as large caltrops and land caltrops in English, Bada
gokhru in Hindi and Gaja-daunstraka, Gokshura or Titta-gokshura in Sanskrit. Other vernacular names of
P. murex are Pila gokhru, enugupalleru, pedda paleru, enuga palleru mulla, yenugapalleru (Telugu),
annegalu –gida, aneneggilu, doddaneggilu (Kannada), motto ghokru, motherghokharu, hatti charatte,
karonathia (Marathi), kadvaghokru, mothaghokru, mothangokharu, mottoghokru, ubbaghokru (Gujarathi),
motto ghokru, baraghokhu, mothar ghokru (Bengali), gokshura, gokara (Oriya), gokrukalan (Punjabi),
khas ake kabir (Arabic), sulegi (Burmese), Dakhini-gokhru (Rajasthan) Kaxar-marood (Somalia) ati
neranchi (Singapore), khasake kalan (Persian) Vilyati gokhru, Dakhini gokhru, Brihat gokhru, Peru neranji,
Yanai Nerinji, Peru Nerinji etc.

Ecology, environmental requirement and growth condition

P. murex generally grows as a weed at the edges/ open grassland near seashore, up to 500 m altitude. It
is a saline soil indicator, and also occurs on sandy and limestone soils. It grows luxuriously in fertile soils
and crop land as a weed at 25-30°C temperature. In Western Uttar Pradesh germination starts during the
month of June-July and flowering fruiting occurs during September to December.

Geographical distribution

P. murex is native to Africa and Asia. It is distributed in most of the dry and coastal areas of Africa and
Asia. In Africa, it is distributed in nearly all directions of Tropical Africa i.e., Northeast Tropical Africa
(Djibouti, Somalia), East Tropical Africa (Kenya, Tanzania), West Tropical Africa (Ghana, Nigeria, Togo),
South Tropical Africa (Mozambique) and in western Indian Ocean (Madagascar and Comoros). In Asia
Page 2/17
the species is distributed in Arabian Peninsula (Yemen) and Indian Subcontinent (India and Sri Lanka)
(Fig. 1). In India, it mainly occurs as a weed of waste places in the southern India especially in Deccan
Peninsula and Corommandal coasts, and in saline sandy areas along river belts in the Tamil Nadu, Andra
Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Punjab, Gujarat and Madhy Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh etc.

Morphological description

Morphological study of P. murex collected from Bahadurpur site (established in 2017 for rehabilitation of
degraded sandy soil and conservation of local phytodiversity) of Botany department, Dayalbagh
Educational Institute (Deemeed to be University), Dayalbagh, Agra shows that it is an annual, diffuse,
succulent, mucilaginous herb of about 60-70 cm height (Fig. 2).

Root

Tap root system, 4 to 5 inch long, reddish brown in colour and bear a sweet aroma.

Stem

Stem is of about one cm diameter, much branched, succulent, glandular green in colour having branches
spread up to 30 X 30 to 60 X 60 cm east-west and north-south diameter. The main shoot may be prostrate
or erect. Phyllotaxy is opposite decussate.

Leaves

Leaves are simple, opposite, ovate, glabrous, alternate, fleshy, estipulate, petiolate and irregular in shape.
Leaf length and width varies from 4.0-6.5 cm, and 4.0-5.0 cm respectively. Petiole length varies from 2.7-
3.0 cm. Leaf contain prominent midrib, slightly thicker lateral veins, uniformly thick lamina with smooth
surface, flat petiole and glandular trichomes are also found on both abaxial and adaxial sides of leaf.
Venation is reticulate type with thick and straight veins.

Flowers

Flowers arise on leaf axis, pentamerous, gamopetalus, 2.5-3.0 cm long and 1.0-1.5 cm width and are
yellow in colour with short pedicel. Calyx five, parietal with gamopetalous corolla, five lobes, round,
tetradynamous stamens, bicarpellary stigma, ovules four celled

Fruits

Fruits are 1.5-2.0 cm long, 0.8-1.5 cm diameter in size with pale yellowish to brown colour, indehiscent
hard drupe, pyramidal glabrous surface and ovoid, globular in shape with four‑ridges, having four
spreading spines of 2.0-4.0 mm long at the base; attached with a short curved pedicle and having a
terminal apex. Fruit possess 5-12 compartments having single seed in each compartment.

Seeds

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Seeds are oblong, black in colour and covered with pappus. Seeds are mucilaginous, odourless and sweet
in taste. Average weight of 1000 seeds was estimated to 151.69 grams.

Propagation And Cultivation

Plant is propagated by seeds in nature, but the germination requirement of seed and information
regarding dormancy and viability period of the seeds are not known. There is no information regarding
cultivation practices, requirement of nutrients and irrigation. Germination of seed without any seed
treatment from the seeds collected from Bahadurpur site before one year was unsuccessful in soil as well
as by filter paper method; however plant was propagated successfully by stem cuttings.

An experiment was carried out in the month of October, 2019 in the Department of Botany, Dayalbagh
Educational Institute, Agra (27°13'45.57"N and 78°0'9.45"E). About 4-5 inches long and one cm thick stem
cuttings were collected from natural vegetation with the help of a sharp sterilized knife. Leaves from the
cutting were trimmed, and 6 cuttings were planted in four replicate in pots containing a potting mixture
farm yard manure and sandy soil in a ratio of 1:3. The average environmental condition at that time in
the month of October (post monsoon month) with temperature ranges of average high was 29.4°C (85°F)
in day time and an average low of 20°C (68°F) during night and average relative humidity was near to
about 40%. Sprouting started in 4th day after transplantation (DAT) and all the cuttings were sprouted in
seven days. The number of sprouts’ increases with time (Fig. 3 and 4)

Usages As A Source Of Food, Mucilage, Medicine And Biodiesel

P. murex is a very important source of food, mucilage and medicine. Leaves are used as vegetable
(Kirtikar and Basu, 1935). Various parts of the plant are used for the maintenance of general health and
vitality, prevention and treatment of various disease and ailments of human being and domestic animals.
The leaves and stems when agitated in cold water turn into tasteless, colourless thick mucilage, which is
of high medicinal importance. It is a cheap and effective natural excipient that can be used as an
effective alternative for the formulation of pharmaceutical suspensions. It have low rate of
sedimentation, high viscosity, slightly basic pH and is easily redispersible (Yeole et al. 2010). An infusion
of the stem and leaves is also used in gonorrhoea and dysuria (Kirtikar and Basu, 1935). It is a medicinal
plant used in Ayurveda for the treatment of calculi, spermatorrhoea, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea,
inflammation, ulcers, fevers and other disorders. In Ayurveda, it is used as a tonic, aphrodisiac, appetizer,
strangury, bladder stone, cough, asthma, pain, heart trouble, piles, leprosy, blood purifier and to cure skin
diseases (Chopra et al. 1956). It is a major constituent of Ayurvedic formulations such as
Gokhuradiguggul, Gokhurkwath, Gokhuradiawalaha, and Deshnularishta (Sivarajan and Balchandra
1994). According to Unani system of medicine, it helps to cure gleet, lumbago, stomachache,
emmenagogue etc. (Shukla and Khanuja 2004). Beside Ayurveda and Unani system of medicine various
parts of the plant are used as ethno medicine by the indigenous communities for treatment and
prevention from various diseases and ailments in various parts of the world (Table 1).

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P. murex is also used for the biological synthesis nanoparticles. Biosynthesis of gold nanoparticle using
cold and hot extract of P. murex showed that both the extracts produced nanoparticles in the range of
180-200nm. The biosynthesized AgNPs were found to have a potent antibacterial activity against E. coli,
K. pneumonia, B. subtilis, S. aureus, etc. Ceramic SrO/CeO2 mixed oxide NPs biosynthesised from leaves
of P. murex shows high antibacterial activity against S. aureus (G+) and E. coli (G−) bacteria and high
antioxidant activity (Peter et al. 2014; Anandalakshmi et al. 2015; Pandiyan et al. 2019). Due to presence
of high lipid content in areal parts P murex can be used for biodiesel production (Shivprakash et al. 2019)

Phytochemical And Pharmacological Profile

Phytochemical and pharmacological profile of the plant is studied well and documented in scientific
literatures. P. murex is a rich source of various triterpenoids, fatty acids, steroids, flavonoids, tannins,
saponins, vitamins, proteins, sugars, vanillin, ursolic acid. It contains higher concentrations of steroids
and sterols, and moderate concentrations of flavanoids, phenols, glycosides, alkaloids, proteins, terpenes,
carbohydrates, gums and mucilage. It has been reported that steroidal components found in the plants
possess fertility potentiating properties, and they have been found to be useful in the treatment of
impotence (Das et al. 1966; Subramanian and Nair 1972; Rastogi et al.1982; Zafar et al.1989; Bhakuni et
al. 1992; Vedavathy et al. 1997; Srinivasrao et al. 1999; Suganthy 2000; Venkatarathina et al. 2005;
Kapoor et al. 2006; Rajashekar et al. 2012; Ananth 2018).

Pharmacological profile of the P. murex is also well explored and documented. Various parts of the plant
exhibit antimicrobial activity (moderate activity), anti-inflammatory, anti-nephrolithic, anti-hyperlipidemia,
antioxidant, antiulcer, anti-pyretic; aphrodisiac, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, increases testosterone
properties (Balamurugan et al., 2010; Srinivas et al., 2011; Siva et al. 2012; Ananth 2018; Rathur 2019;
Madhvan et al. 2020; Ramadevi et al. 2020; Abirami et al. 2021)

Conclusion And Future Perspectives

On the basis of multidimensional potential of P. murex it is concluded that the species is underutilized
and used for the healthcare management only by the practiceners of Ayurveda, Unani, and folklore
system of medicines. The plant has industrial value and hard and prickly fruits are traded as raw
medicine in Indian herbal mandies and used by Aurvedic medicines manufacturers for the medicinal
preparations. Due to edible nature of leaves as green vegetable and high mucilage and lipid content (to
be used for industrial production) the plant may have high demand in near future. As the plant is
collected from natural resources and seeds are collected for selling in local market/venders the species
should be properly conserved and domesticated. Studies for the development of suitable agro-technology
for commercial cultivation of P. murex should be conducted to utilize full potential of this species for
human welfare.

Declarations

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Funding

No specific fund was available from any funding agency. The research was conducted by using facilities
available in the Department of Botany, Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra.

Conflicts of interest/Competing interests

Authors have no competing interests

Availability of data and material

All data and materials are available in the Department of Botany, Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra.

Code availability

Not applicable

Ethics approval

Not applicable

Consent to participate

Not applicable

Consent for publication

All the authors have given their full consent for the publication of the Manuscript in Genetic Resources
and Crop Evolution

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Table
Table 1: Ethno medicinal uses of Pedalium murex L. in different parts of the world

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Plant Method of medicine preparation and administration Region and References
part
Local Name

Water boiled with whole plant is fed to animals to help in Gujarat Mistry et al.
expel out the placenta after delivery. (Sach (2003)
gokhru)

Whole plant extract is used as a tonic for health and Rajasthan Katewa et al.
vigour. (Dakhini (2005)
gokhru)

Plant mucilage is administered to livestock for every Tamil Nadu Ganesan et

delivery of young ones. (Anai al. (2006)
nerunji)

The entire plant is macerated and is given for ephemeral Andhra Reddy et al.
fever in cattle for 4 days. Pradesh (1989)
(Yenugu
Palleru)

Whole plant is fed to the animal for its cooling effect Rajasthan Galav et al.
Whole during summer. (Dakhini- (2013)
Plant gokhru)

Fresh whole herb is soaked overnight in water. The sticky Gujarat Punjani B.L
infusion mixed with cane sugar is taken daily once to (Ubbu- (2010)
cure painful urination, excess urination, haematuria, etc. gokhru)
An infusion is a remedy for dysuria.

Plant infusion is given for common fever Uttar Ali Z.A (1998)
Pradesh
(Bara
gokhru)

Fine powder or paste is mixed with butter milk and given Rajasthan Upadhyay et
to drunk to reduce body heat in animals and plants are (Gokhru al. (2011)
given as a fodder or soaked in water and this medicated Bada)
water is given to drink to reduce the exposure to diseases
in animals.

Aerial The plant twig is dipped in water seven to ten times and Rajasthan Upadhyay et
Part this water is taken orally to cure dysentery. (Bada al. (2010)
gokhru)

Crushed plant is soaked in water, filtered in next morning,

mixed with sugar candy and seed powder of black
pepper and taken as refrigerant as well as skin diseases.

Plant is used to cure male fertility disorders. Haryana Panghal et al.

(Vilyati (2010)
gokhru)

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 Aerial part of the plant is stirred in cup of water, to make Tamil Nadu Nazar et al.
oil appearance preparation; taken orally once a day up to (Anaineringi) (2008)
one week for the treatment of hyperacidity.

Stem and leaves are soaked and stirred in milk for few Tamil Nadu Vimalanathan
minutes until the milk becomes thick and is taken (Yanai et al. (2009)
internally to treat diabetes, urinary irritations, uterine and nerunjil)
puerperal diseases and local ulcers.

Leaves Leaves mixed with garlic are made into paste & Andhra Reddy et al.
administered orally for leucorrhoea. Pradesh (1989)
(Yenugu
Palleru)

Decoction prepared from the plant with leaves of Tamil Nadu Bose et al.
Azadirachta indica is taken internally to treat fever. (Anai (2014)
Nerunji)

Paste prepared from the leaves, ginger and common salt Tamil Nadu Jeeva et al.
is used to cure tympany. (Peru (2006)
nerunji)

Leaf decoction is used to cure diabetes. Tamil Nadu Bose et al.

(Yanai (2014)
Nerinji or
Peru Nerinji)

8-10 fresh leaves are boiled in half litre of water, the Rajasthan Jain et al.
water becomes mucilaginous. Half cup of this water is (Gokhru, (2004)
taken once a day for seven days to cure gonorrhea by the Halvi
tribals. gokhru)

Leaves and stem are soaked & stirred in milk for few Tamil Nadu Vimalanathan
minutes until the milk becomes thick and is taken (Peru
internally to treat diabetes, urinary irritations, uterine and Nerunji) et al. (2004)
puerperal diseases and local ulcers.

Leaves soaked in water for twelve hours are crushed with Rajasthan Upadhyay et
sugar candy and cardamon, given to women suffering (Bada al. (2010)
from leucorrhoea. Gokhru)

Leaf maceration is drunk for aspermatogonia. Andhra Reddy et al.

Pradesh (1988)
(Yenugu
Palleru)
Leaves

Fruits Decoction of fruits is used for continuance of urine & Rajasthan Katewa et al.
other complaints of urinary system. (Dakhini- (2005)
gokhru)

Fruit powder is mixed with powdered sugar and ghee is Haryana Yadav et al.
Page 13/17
 taken for the treatment of leucorrhoea. (Bara (2006)
gokhru)

Fruits are used to cure sprematorrhoea, urinary problems, Rajasthan Mohammed

nocturnal emission, impotency and tonic. (Bara
gokhru) et al. (2004)

A pinch of shade dried fruit powder is taken regularly for Tamil Nadu Bose et al.
two weeks with honey for impotence. (Anai (2014)
Nerunji)

Fruits are used to cure fertility problems by taking two Andhra Panduranga
spoonful of fruit powder mixed with the leaf juice of Pradesh et al. (2011)
Cleome viscosa is administered from the fifth day of (Enugu
menstrual cycles before going to sleep daily once for 7 palleru)
days.

Two spoons of fruit powder mixed with Cleome Tamil Nadu Bose et al.
viscosa L. leaf juice from the fifth day of menses before (2014)
bed for seven days for fertility. (Yanai
Nerinji, Peru
Nerinji)

An extract of three fruits of gokhru and approx. 25 g of Madhya Anis et al.

babool (Acacia nilotica L,) leaves mixed with sugar are Pradesh (2000)
given twice a day for a week in case of venereal
diseases. (Gokhru)

Powder of fruits with roots of Capparis separia, Bombax Rajasthan Upadhyay et

ceiba and Chlorophyton are taken orally with water as a (Bada al. (2010)
cooling agent and also used as a tonic. Gokhru)

Roots The roots are powdered and mixed with cold water; the Somalia Anis et al.
patient is bathed in the mixture once a day for 3 days to (Kaxar- (1992)
cure allergic infections. marood)

Root paste made into small pellets and 2-3 pellets given Tamil Nadu Bose et al.
daily with boiled cow milk for increasing vigour in men (2014)
(Yanai
Nerinji or
Peru Nerinji)

Seeds Laddus (a type of sweet) is prepared from the seeds are Rajasthan Katewa et al.
given to patients suffering from joint pain, lumbago and (Dakhini- (2005)
for better health. gokhru)

Figures

Page 14/17
Figure 1

Map showing the geographical distribution of P. murex throughout the world

Figure 2

Habit and Morphology of P. murex L. (A) Naturally growing plant in field (B) A plant with flowers (C) A
flowering twig (D) Leaves with petiole (E) Flower (F) Stem bearing fruits (G) Dried fruits (H) Roots (I) A
local women collecting the seeds for medicinal purposes.

Page 15/17
Figure 3

Vegetative propagation through cuttings in P. murex L. (A) After 7 days (B) After 14 days (C) After 21 days
(D) After 28 days

Page 16/17
Figure 4

Sprouting in P. murex L cuttings

Page 17/17