Acanthus montanus
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Acanthus montanus Common Names: Bears Breech, Mountain Thistle, False
Thistle, Leopards Tongue, Alligator Plant Scientific
Classification Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Tracheophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Lamiales Family: Acanthaceae Genus: Acanthus Species: A. montanus Synonyms: Acanthus barteri T.Anderson, Cheilopsis montana Nees Morphological Description Acanthus montanus, commonly known as Bear’s Breech or Mountain Thistle, is a
perennial shrub valued for ornamental and medicinal purposes, growing 1–1.8 m
tall and up to 61 cm wide. Its key features include: · Stem: Sparse, soft, erect, with occasional branching · Leaves: Oblong to lance-shaped, 10–30 cm long, 5–12 cm wide, glossy
dark green with silver markings, wavy margins, and spiny edges · Flowers: Pale pink to white, 3–5 cm long, borne on erect spikes
(20–50 cm tall), blooming from summer to fall · Fruit: Capsule, 2–3 cm long, containing 2–4 flat, shiny seeds · Roots: Robust, spreading, ideal for erosion control on slopes Its striking foliage and
bold flower spikes make it a popular ornamental in tropical gardens (Fern,
2024). Distribution and Habitat Acanthus montanus is native to West and Central Africa, including Nigeria,
Ghana, Cameroon, Gabon, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It
thrives in: · Ecosystems: High forests, woodlands, forest margins, grasslands, and
rocky slopes · Climate: Tropical, with rainfall of 1,000–2,500 mm annually and
temperatures of 20–35°C · Soils: Well-drained, fertile, loamy to sandy, tolerating both moist
and dry conditions · Altitude: 100–1,500 m It grows in shaded to
semi-shaded areas but adapts to sunny, dry locations, making it versatile for
cultivation worldwide (Lemmens, 2013). Ethnopharmacology Acanthus montanus, commonly known as bear’s breech or mountain thistle, is a
medicinal plant widely used in African traditional medicine. Various parts of
the plant, particularly the leaves and roots, are valued for their
anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and wound-healing
properties. It is traditionally used to treat wounds, skin infections, ulcers,
rheumatism, gastrointestinal disorders, and respiratory ailments such as coughs
and asthma. Decoctions made from the leaves are often applied topically for
skin conditions or taken internally to relieve pain and inflammation.
Phytochemical analyses have revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids,
tannins, and saponins, which are believed to contribute to its medicinal
effects. Although it is widely utilized in folk medicine, further
pharmacological and clinical studies are necessary to scientifically validate
its therapeutic potential and establish safe dosage guidelines. · Antimicrobial Activity: The aqueous root
extract exhibited moderate inhibition against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus
(Okoli et al., 2008). · Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Effects: The plant
demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory activity in animal models, reducing
edema and pain (Okoli et al., 2008). · Immunomodulatory Properties: Studies indicate
that the root extract enhances leukocyte migration and phagocytic activity,
contributing to its effectiveness in treating boils (Okoli et al., 2008). · Anticonvulsant Activity: The plant
provided protection against chemically induced convulsions in mice, suggesting
potential anticonvulsant properties (Bum et al., 2009). · Hepatoprotective Effects: Extracts of Acanthus montanus have
shown protective effects against liver damage in animal studies (Okoli et al.,
2008). · Phytochemical Constituents: The plant
contains alkaloids, carbohydrates, saponins, glycosides, terpenoids,
flavonoids, and tannins, which may contribute to its medicinal properties
(Okoli et al., 2008). · Cardiovascular Support: Leaf extracts is use for heart-related
issues in Cameroon · Antidiabetic Potential: Leaf extracts reduced blood glucose in
rats by 30% at 200 mg/kg, validating its use for diabetes management in Nigeria
(Ukwe & Ubaka, 2011). ⚠ Toxicity Profile: Acanthus montanus contains alkaloids and tannins, which may
cause gastrointestinal irritation or toxicity at high doses. Acute toxicity
studies have established that the oral and intraperitoneal LD₅₀ of Acanthus
montanus extract is greater than 5,000 mg/kg in mice, indicating a high degree
of safety (Okoli et al., 2008). Additional Uses · Ornamental: Cultivated globally for its glossy, spiny leaves and bold
flower spikes, ideal for tropical and subtropical gardens. · Ecological: Robust roots stabilize soil on slopes, preventing erosion in
forested areas. · Culinary: Young shoots, cooked with groundnuts or Irvingia gabonensis, are consumed as a vegetable in Nigeria, valued
for nutritional content. · Insecticidal: Leaf extracts showed insecticidal activity against Callosobruchus maculatus, supporting its use as a natural pest control
in Nigeria References
External Links More Pictures
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