Laggera aurita
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Laggera aurita Common Names: Laggera, Hairy Laggera Scientific
Classification Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Tracheophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Asterales Family: Asteraceae Genus: Laggera Species: L. aurita Synonyms: Blumea aurita (L.f.) DC., Conyza aurita L.f., Pseudoconyza viscosa (Mill.) D'Arcy Morphological Description Laggera aurita is
an erect, perennial herb typically growing 1–2 m tall, characterized by its
aromatic, hairy foliage and clustered flower heads. Its key features include: · Habit: Erect annual or short-lived perennial, densely pubescent
with glandular hairs. · Stem: Green to reddish, cylindrical, covered with fine, sticky
hairs. · Leaves: Ovate to lanceolate, 5–15 cm long, 2–6 cm wide, with acute
apex, serrate-toothed margins, and a rough, hairy surface. · Flowers: Small, purple to mauve, 5–8 mm long, in dense terminal
capitula; florets tubular, bisexual, with a bristly pappus (Beentje, 2002). · Fruit: Achenes, 1–2 mm long, ribbed, with a white pappus aiding
wind dispersal. The plant’s hairy
texture and purple inflorescences distinguish it within the Asteraceae family
(Getahun et al., 2019). Distribution and Habitat Laggera aurita is
widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions: · Africa: Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda. · Asia: India, Pakistan, China (Yunnan), Thailand. It thrives in open,
disturbed habitats such as roadsides, fallow fields, and grassy plains, at
elevations of 200–1,800 m. It prefers sandy or loamy soils (pH 5.5–7.0) with
moderate moisture and full sun (Burkill, 1985). Ethnopharmacology Laggera aurita, a member of the Asteraceae family, is widely utilized in
traditional African medicine for various health conditions. In Nigeria, its
leaves are employed to manage epilepsy, while its essential oils are used to
treat cancer, atherosclerosis, and thrombosis, and also serve as antispasmodics
and diuretics. Additionally, the plant is traditionally used to treat pediatric
fever, malaria, stomatitis, pain, asthma, nasal congestion, bronchitis, and
bacterial infections in countries like Burkina Faso, Cameroon, and Nigeria.
Phytochemical investigations have identified several compounds in Laggera
aurita, including monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, and flavonoids. Notably,
compounds such as 2,5-dimethoxy-p-cymene, β-caryophyllene,
2,3-dimethoxy-p-cymene, α-humulene, laggerol, m-menth-6-en-8-ol, α-cadinol, and
δ-cadinene have been isolated from the plant. Pharmacological studies have
demonstrated that L. aurita possesses
a range of therapeutic properties, including antipyretic, analgesic,
anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, antimicrobial, antimalarial, and
antioxidant effects. These findings support the traditional uses of Laggera
aurita and highlight its potential for further research and development into
therapeutic applications. · Analgesic/Anti-inflammatory: Leaf decoctions in Nigeria treat pain and
swelling. Olurishe and Mati (2014) found methanol extracts (400 mg/kg) reduced
acetic acid-induced writhing in mice by 19.75% more than piroxicam, linked to
flavonoids and saponins. · Antipyretic: Used in Burkina Faso for fever. Julde et al. (2022) note its
traditional use aligns with antipyretic effects observed in related Laggera
species. · Anticonvulsant: In Northern Nigeria, it manages epilepsy.
Malami et al. (2016) showed methanol leaf extract (600 mg/kg) delayed maximal
electroshock seizures in chicks by 50%, suggesting GABA-mediated action. · Antiplasmodial: Leaf infusions in Ethiopia treat malaria.
Magajia and Malami (2018) reported extracts (200 mg/kg) reduced Plasmodium berghei parasitemia in mice by 60%. · Anxiolytic: Used in Cameroon for anxiety. Guragi et al. (2018) confirmed
methanol extract (300 mg/kg) increased open-arm time in mice on the elevated
plus maze by 40%, comparable to diazepam. · Antimicrobial: Root extracts in Pakistan fight infections. Shahwar et al. (2012)
found essential oils (MIC 50 μg/ml) effective against Staphylococcus aureus, due to 2,5-dimethoxy-p-cymene. Phytochemicals include
flavonoids, saponins, sesquiterpenes (e.g., eudesmanolides), and essential oils
(Getahun et al., 2019). ⚠ Toxicity Profile: Acute toxicity is low (LD₅₀ 3,807 mg/kg i.p. in
mice), but sub-chronic doses (>500 mg/kg) may elevate liver enzymes. High
doses of bitter varieties could indicate toxic sesquiterpene lactones (Julde et
al., 2022). Additional Uses · Ecological: Stabilizes soil in disturbed areas and supports pollinators
(Burkill, 1985). · Cultural: Used in Nigerian rituals for purification (Getahun et al.,
2019). · Economic: Essential oils explored for pharmaceutical use (Shahwar et
al., 2012). References
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| Compounds of Laggera aurita | |
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