Compendium of the most significant studies with reference to properties, intake, effects.

Prachayasittikul V, Prachayasittikul S, Ruchirawat S, Prachayasittikul V. High therapeutic potential of Spilanthes acmella: A review. EXCLI J. 2013 Apr 4;12:291-312.

Abstract. Spilanthes acmella, a well known antitoothache plant with high medicinal usages, has been recognized as an important medicinal plant and has an increasingly high demand worldwide. From its traditional uses in health care and food, extensive phytochemical studies have been reported. This review provides an overview and general description of the plant species, bioactive metabolites and important pharmacological activities including the preparation, purification and in vitro large-scale production. Structure-activity relationships of the bioactive compounds have been discussed. Considering data from the literature, it could be demonstrated that S. acmella possesses diverse bioactive properties and immense utilization in medicine, health care, cosmetics and as health supplements. As a health food, it is enriched with high therapeutic value with high potential for further development.

Dubey S, Maity S, Singh M, Saraf SA, Saha S. Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Toxicology of Spilanthes acmella: A Review. Adv Pharmacol Sci. 2013;2013:423750. doi: 10.1155/2013/423750. 

Abstract. Spilanthes acmella is an important medicinal plant, found in tropical and subtropical countries mainly India and South America. Popularly, it is known as toothache plant which reduces the pain associated with toothaches and can induce saliva secretion. Various extracts and active metabolites from various parts of this plant possess useful pharmacological activities. Literature survey proposed that it has multiple pharmacological actions, which include antifungal, antipyretic, local anaesthetic, bioinsecticide, anticonvulsant, antioxidant, aphrodisiac, analgesic, pancreatic lipase inhibitor, antimicrobial, antinociception, diuretic, vasorelaxant, anti-human immunodeficiency virus, toothache relieve and anti-inflammatory effects. This review is elaborately describing the traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of this plant. This review would assist researchers to search scientific information in the future.

Ekanem AP, Wang M, Simon JE, Moreno DA. Antiobesity properties of two African plants (Afromomum meleguetta and Spilanthes acmella) by pancreatic lipase inhibition. Phytother Res. 2007 Dec;21(12):1253-5. doi:

Abstract. Ethanol extracts of seeds of Afromomum meleguetta and flower buds of Splilanthes acmella presented pancreatic lipase inhibitory activities in a concentration related manner under in vitro conditions. The two plants were extracted with 70% ethanol by sonication, fractionated on silica gel and tested at concentrations in the range 0.75-2.0 mg/mL. Lipase inhibitory activities of 90% and 40% were observed in A. meleguetta and S. acmella, respectively. The two plants have potentials as candidates for weight reduction and obesity control. Copyright (c) 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Prachayasittikul S, Suphapong S, Worachartcheewan A, Lawung R, Ruchirawat S, Prachayasittikul V. Bioactive metabolites from Spilanthes acmella Murr. Molecules. 2009 Feb 19;14(2):850-67. doi: 10.3390/molecules14020850. 

Abstract. Spilanthes acmella Murr. (Compositae) has been used as a traditional medicine for toothache, rheumatism and fever. Its extracts had been shown to exhibit vasorelaxant and antioxidant activities. Herein, its antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities were evaluated. Agar dilution method assays against 27 strains of microorganisms were performed. Results showed that fractions from the chloroform and methanol extracts inhibited the growth of many tested organisms, e.g. Corynebacterium diphtheriae NCTC 10356 with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 64-256 mg/mL and Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 with MIC of 128-256 mg/mL. The tested fractions all exhibited antioxidant properties in both DPPH and SOD assays. Potent radical scavenging activity was observed in the DPPH assay. No cytotoxic effects of the extracts against KB and HuCCA-1 cell lines were evident. Bioassay-guided isolation resulted in a diverse group of bioactive compounds such as phenolics [vanillic acid (2), trans-ferulic acid (5) and trans-isoferulic acid (6)], coumarin (scopoletin, 4) and triterpenoids like 3-acetylaleuritolic acid (1), b-sitostenone (3), stigmasterol and stigmasteryl-3-O-b-D-glucopyranosides, in addition to a mixture of stigmasteryl-and b-sitosteryl-3-O-b-D-glucopyranosides. The compounds 1-6 represent bioactive metabolites of S. acmella Murr. that were never previously reported. Our findings demonstrate for the first time the potential benefits of this medicinal plant as a rich source of high therapeutic value compounds for medicines, cosmetics, supplements and as a health food.

Sharma V, Boonen J, Chauhan NS, Thakur M, De Spiegeleer B, Dixit VK. Spilanthes acmella ethanolic flower extract: LC-MS alkylamide profiling and its effects on sexual behavior in male rats. Phytomedicine. 2011 Oct 15;18(13):1161-9. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2011.06.001.

Abstract.... The aphrodisiac potential of an ethanolic Spilanthes acmella extract was demonstrated in vitro and in vivo. N-Alkylamides might attribute to the improved sexual potential. Study lends support to the traditional utilization of S. acmella as a sexual stimulating agent. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier GmbH. 

Ramsewak RS, Erickson AJ, Nair MG. Bioactive N-isobutylamides from the flower buds of Spilanthes acmella. Phytochemistry. 1999 Jul;51(6):729-32. doi: 10.1016/s0031-9422(99)00101-6. 

Abstract. The hexane extract of dried flower buds of Spilanthes acmella afforded three N-isobutyl amides: spilanthol, undeca-2E,7Z,9E-trienoic acid isobutylamide and undeca-2E-en-8,10-diynoic acid isobutylamide. Their structures were determined by 1H and 13C NMR, MS and GC-MS spectroscopic methods. All were active against Aedes aegyptii larvae and Helicoverpa zea neonates at 12.5 and 250 micrograms/mL concentrations, respectively.

Chakraborty A, Devi BR, Sanjebam R, Khumbong S, Thokchom IS. Preliminary studies on local anesthetic and antipyretic activities of Spilanthes acmella Murr. in experimental animal models. Indian J Pharmacol. 2010 Oct;42(5):277-9. doi: 10.4103/0253-7613.70106. 

Abstract. Objective: Spilanthes acmella Murr. (Family: Compositae) is a herb that grows throughout the tropics. It is used in the treatment of rheumatism, fever, sore throat, and hemorrhoids. A tincture of the flowers is used to relieve toothache. The leaves and flowers produce numbness of the tongue when eaten as salad. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the local anesthetic and antipyretic activities of S. acmella in experimental animal models....Conclusion: The present study shows that SAM has significant local anesthetic and antipyretic activities.

Moldovan M, Lahmar A, Bogdan C, Părăuan S, Tomuţă I, Crişan M. Formulation and evaluation of a water-in-oil cream containing herbal active ingredients and ferulic acid. Clujul Med. 2017;90(2):212-219. doi: 10.15386/cjmed-668.

Abstract. Background and aims: The main aims of the present study were to formulate an anti-age cream based on vegetal ingredients and ferulic acid and to evaluate the physical characteristics and the efficacy of the cream. Conclusions: An anti-age cream containing herbal active ingredients and ferulic acid with appropriate physical characteristics was obtained. In vivo study of clinical efficacy revealed a positive effect on skin density, which increased after 8 weeks of cream application.