.png)
.png)
* Corresponding Author
Lycopodium cernuum L. in Traditional and Contemporary Medicine: A Review of Its Pharmacognostic Profiles
https://doi.org/10.22146/mot.106002 Rollando Rollando(1*), Dodi Iskandar(2), Viol Dhea Kharisma(3), Arif Nur Muhammad Ansori(4)
(1) Pharmacy Study Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ma Chung University, Malang, East Java; Drug Discovery and Design Group Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ma Chung University, Malang, East Java
(2) Pontianak State Polytechnic, Pontianak, West Kalimantan
(3) Doctoral Student of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, East Java
(4) Postgraduate School, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia; Uttaranchal Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India; Drug and Vaccine Innovation Research Group, Virtual Research Center for Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Surabaya, East Java
(*) Corresponding Author
Abstract
Traditional medicinal plants continue to serve as important sources of therapeutic agents due to their diverse bioactive compounds and generally favorable safety profiles. This review aims to comprehensively summarize the ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemical constituents, and therapeutic activities of Lycopodium cernuum, highlighting its potential for drug development. A systematic search of major scientific databases and authoritative references was conducted with no a priori restriction on publication year or language, yielding 50 eligible articles published between 1948 and 2024. L. cernuum has been widely utilized in traditional medicine systems across Asia, Latin America, and other regions to manage conditions related to inflammation, metabolic disorders, infections, and cancer-associated symptoms. Phytochemical investigations have identified diverse secondary metabolites, particularly alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, and terpenoids, which are proposed to underlie its pharmacological effects. Preclinical evaluations indicate that L. cernuum exerts multi-target activities on inflammatory, oxidative, metabolic, infectious, and immune pathways, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, antiviral, antidiabetic, antiplatelet, and immunomodulatory effects, thereby providing mechanistic support for several of its traditional uses. Preliminary toxicological studies suggest a relatively wide safety margin at commonly tested doses. Nevertheless, the current evidence base is limited by a predominance of in vitro and animal studies, heterogeneous experimental designs, and a lack of standardized extracts and dose–response evaluations, while clinical data in humans are virtually absent. Collectively, these findings underscore the promising pharmacological potential of L. cernuum and highlight the need for rigorously designed studies, particularly well-controlled clinical trials and mechanistic investigations, to validate its efficacy and safety and to inform its rational development as a therapeutic agent.
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
Abreu Miranda, M., Lemos, M., Alves Cowart, K., Rodenburg, D., D McChesney, J., Radwan, M. M., Furtado, N. A. J. C., & Kenupp Bastos, J. (2015). Gastroprotective activity of the hydroethanolic extract and isolated compounds from the leaves of Solanum cernuum Vell. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 172, 421–429. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2015.06.047
Andriamaro, T. N., Ramanantsoa, N. J. P., Fidiniaina, R. J., Mohamad, C. C., Rajaonarison, J. F., Andriamaro, T. N., Ramanantsoa, N. J. P., Fidiniaina, R. J., Mohamad, C. C., & Rajaonarison, J. F. (2024). Antihypertensive activity of Lycopodium cernuum (Lycopodiaceae) hydro alcoholic extract on rats. World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 18(2), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjbphs.2024.18.2.0245
Atanasov, A. G., Zotchev, S. B., Dirsch, V. M., International Natural Product Sciences Taskforce, & Supuran, C. T. (2021). Natural products in drug discovery: Advances and opportunities. Nature Reviews. Drug Discovery, 20(3), 200–216. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41573-020-00114-z
Austin, D. F., & Bourne, G. R. (1992). Notes on Guyana’s medical ethnobotany. Economic Botany, 46(3), 293–298. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02866627
Ayer, W. A., Jenkins, J. K., Valverde-Lopez, S., & Burnell, R. H. (1967). The alkaloids of Lycopodium cernuum L. I. The structures of cernuine and lycocernuine. Canadian Journal of Chemistry, 45(5), 433–443. https://doi.org/10.1139/v67-077
Bastaki, S. M. A., Amir, N., Adeghate, E., & Ojha, S. (2022). Lycopodium Mitigates Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in the Colonic Mucosa of Acetic Acid-Induced Colitis in Rats. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 27(9), 2774. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27092774
Boonya-Udtayan, S., Thasana, N., Jarussophon, N., & Ruchirawat, S. (2019). Serratene triterpenoids and their biological activities from Lycopodiaceae plants. Fitoterapia, 136, 104181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2019.104181
Changkija, S. (1999). Folk Medicinal Plants of the Nagas in India. Asian Folklore Studies, 58(1), 205–230. https://doi.org/10.2307/1178894
Chuong, N. N., Trung, B. H., Luan, T. C., Hung, T. M., Dang, N. H., & Dat, N. T. (2014). Anti-amnesic effect of alkaloid fraction from Lycopodiella cernua (L.) Pic. Serm. On scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice. Neuroscience Letters, 575, 42–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neulet.2014.05.031
Erinoso S. M. (2012). Ethnobotanical survey of some medicinal plants used in traditional health care in Abeokuta areas of Ogun State, Nigeria. African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 6(18). https://doi.org/10.5897/AJPP12.127
Franco, R. R., da Silva Carvalho, D., de Moura, F. B. R., Justino, A. B., Silva, H. C. G., Peixoto, L. G., & Espindola, F. S. (2018). Antioxidant and anti-glycation capacities of some medicinal plants and their potential inhibitory against digestive enzymes related to type 2 diabetes mellitus. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 215, 140–146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2017.12.032
Ghosh, R., Barman, S., Mukherjee, R., & Mandal, N. C. (2016). Role of phosphate solubilizing Burkholderia spp. For successful colonization and growth promotion of Lycopodium cernuum L. (Lycopodiaceae) in lateritic belt of Birbhum district of West Bengal, India. Microbiological Research, 183, 80–91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micres.2015.11.011
Giang, V. H., Thuy ,Le Thi, Cham ,Pham Thi, Vinh ,Le Ba, Ban ,Ninh Khac, Linh ,Tran My, Mai ,Nguyen Chi, Hoe ,Pham Thi, Huong ,Tran Thu, Dang ,Nguyen Hai, Oh ,Hyuncheol, & and Quang, T. H. (2022). Chemical constituents from Lycopodiella cernua and their anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities. Natural Product Research, 36(16), 4045–4051. https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2021.1958807
He, J., Wu, X.-D., Liu, F., Liu, Y.-C., Peng, L.-Y., Zhao, Y., Cheng, X., Luo, H.-R., & Zhao, Q.-S. (2014). Lycopodine-Type Alkaloids from Lycopodium japonicum. Natural Products and Bioprospecting, 4(4), 213–219. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13659-014-0027-1
Ho, R., Marsousi, N., Eugster, P., Bianchini, J.-P., & Raharivelomanana, P. (2009). Detection by UPLC/ESI-TOF-MS of alkaloids in three Lycopodiaceae species from French Polynesia and their anticholinesterase activity. Natural Product Communications, 4(10), 1349–1352.
Holttum, R. E., Holttum, R. E., Steenis, C. G. G. J. van, Indonesia, K. R., Nasional, L. B., & Rijksherbarium (Netherlands). (1991). Flora Malesiana. Series II, Pteridophyta: Vol. ser.2:v.2:pt.1 (1991) (pp. 1–140). M. Nijhoff/W. Junk. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.41457
Hung, T. M., Lee, J. S., Chuong, N. N., Kim, J. A., Oh, S. H., Woo, M. H., Choi, J. S., & Min, B. S. (2015). Kinetics and molecular docking studies of cholinesterase inhibitors derived from water layer of Lycopodiella cernua (L.) Pic. Serm. (II). Chemico-Biological Interactions, 240, 74–82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbi.2015.07.008
Jain, S. K., Srivastava, S., Jain, S. K., & Srivastav, S. (2005). Traditional uses of some Indian plants among islanders of the Indian Ocean. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge, 4(4), Article 4.
Jiang, S., Gao, B.-B., Ou, Y.-F., & Zhao, Q.-S. (2024). Lycopodium alkaloids from Huperzia serrata and their cholinesterase inhibitory activities. Phytochemistry, 223, 114114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2024.114114
Jiao, R. H., Ge, H. M., Shi, D. H., & Tan, R. X. (2006). An apigenin-derived xanthine oxidase inhibitor from Palhinhaea cernua. Journal of Natural Products, 69(7), 1089–1091. https://doi.org/10.1021/np060038a
Konrath, E. L., Ortega, M. G., de Loreto Bordignon, S., Apel, M. A., Henriques, A. T., & Cabrera, J. L. (2013). Alkaloid profiling and anticholinesterase activity of South American Lycopodiaceae species. Journal of Enzyme Inhibition and Medicinal Chemistry, 28(1), 218–222. https://doi.org/10.3109/14756366.2011.633908
Li, C.-S., Ding, Y., Yang, B.-J., Miklossy, G., Yin, H.-Q., Walker, L. A., Turkson, J., & Cao, S. (2015). A New Metabolite with a Unique 4-Pyranone-γ-Lactam-1,4-Thiazine Moiety from a Hawaiian-Plant Associated Fungus. Organic Letters, 17(14), 3556–3559. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.orglett.5b01650
Li, J., Xu, P.-S., Tan, L.-H., Zou, Z.-X., Wang, Y.-K., Long, H.-P., Zhou, G., Li, G., Xu, K.-P., & Tan, G.-S. (2017). Neolignans and serratane triterpenoids with inhibitory effects on xanthine oxidase from Palhinhaea cernua. Fitoterapia, 119, 45–50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2017.04.005
Li, W., Zhu, H.-H., Shen, X., Tan, J.-L., Tang, Q., Ling, Z.-P., Zhao, H.-Y., Lin, Q., Sun, H., Zhang, H.-P., Li, Y.-L., Wang, G.-C., & Zhang, Y.-B. (2023). Lycopodium Alkaloids from Huperzia serrata and Their Anti-acetylcholinesterase Activities. Chemistry & Biodiversity, 20(9), e202301024. https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.202301024
Liu, B.-R., Shi, X.-L., Yan, J.-K., & Zhao, R. (2023). A high-resolution α-glucosidase inhibition profiling for targeted identification of natural antidiabetic products from Lycopodiella cernua (L.) Pic. Serm and their inhibitory mechanism study. Natural Product Research, 37(24), 4099–4111. https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2023.2169860
Liu, B.-R., Zheng, H.-R., Jiang, X.-J., Zhang, P.-Z., & Wei, G.-Z. (2022). Serratene triterpenoids from Lycopodium cernuum L. as α-glucosidase inhibitors: Identification, structure-activity relationship and molecular docking studies. Phytochemistry, 195, 113056. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2021.113056
Ma, X., & Gang, D. R. (2004). The Lycopodium alkaloids. Natural Product Reports, 21(6), 752–772. https://doi.org/10.1039/b409720n
Marion, L., & Manske, R. H. F. (1948). The alkaloids of lycopodium species: X. lycopodium cernuum l. Canadian Journal of Research, 26b(1), 1–2. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjr48b-001
Morel, A. F., Gehrke, I. T. S., Mostardeiro, M. A., Ethur, E. M., Zanatta, N., & Machado, E. C. S. (1999). Cyclopeptide alkaloids from the bark of Waltheria douradinha. Phytochemistry, 51(3), 473–477. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(99)00025-4
Morel, S., Kerzaon, I., Roumy, V., Azaroual, N., Sahpaz, S., Joseph, H., Bailleul, F., & Hennebelle, T. (2012). A new cernuane-type alkaloid from Lycopodium cernuum. Biochemical Systematics and Ecology, 45, 188–190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bse.2012.07.026
Morita, H., Hirasawa, Y., & Kobayashi, J. (2005). Lycopodatines A-C, C(16)N alkaloids from Lycopodium inundatum. Journal of Natural Products, 68(12), 1809–1812. https://doi.org/10.1021/np050389+
Ndip, R. N., Ajonglefac, A. N., Mbullah, S. M., Tanih, N. F., Akoachere, J., Ndip, L. M., Luma, H. N., Wirmum, C., Ngwa, F., & Efange, S. M. N. (2008). In vitro anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of Lycopodium cernuum (Linn) Pic. Serm. African Journal of Biotechnology, 7(22), Article 22. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajb/article/view/59495
Newman, D. J., & Cragg, G. M. (2020). Natural Products as Sources of New Drugs over the Nearly Four Decades from 01/1981 to 09/2019. Journal of Natural Products, 83(3), 770–803. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jnatprod.9b01285
Nguyen, V. T., To, D. C., Tran, M. H., Oh, S. H., Kim, J. A., Ali, M. Y., Woo, M.-H., Choi, J. S., & Min, B. S. (2015). Isolation of cholinesterase and β-secretase 1 inhibiting compounds from Lycopodiella cernua. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, 23(13), 3126–3134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bmc.2015.04.080
Porquis, H. C., Ang, A. M. G., Doblas, G. Z., Amoroso, V. B., Jacalan, D. R. Y., Batbatan, C. G., & Cruz, R. Y. D. (2018). Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant and Cytotoxicity Studies on Lycopodiella cernua (L.) J. Sm. In Bukidnon, Philippines. Asian Journal of Biological and Life Sciences, 7(2). https://doi.org/10.5530/ajbls.2018.7.3
Rimgailė-Voicik, R., Voicikas, A., Fediajevaitė, J., Juzėnas, S., & Patamsytė, J. (2024). Origin and Persistence of Lycopodium clavatum and Lycopodium annotinum (Lycopodiaceae) in Scots Pine Forests. Plants (Basel, Switzerland), 13(15), 2120. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13152120
Singh, A. K., Singh, R., Tomar, D., Pandya, C. D., & Singh, R. (2012). The leucine aminopeptidase of Staphylococcus aureus is secreted and contributes to biofilm formation. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 16(5), e375–e381. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2012.01.009
Thomas, B. A. (1981). The Vegetative Growth of Lycopodiella cernua (L.) Pic. Ser. And its Importance in the Generic Determination of the Species. Annals of Botany, 47(4), 443–449.
Trinh, B. T. D., Staerk, D., & Jäger, A. K. (2016). Screening for potential α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory constituents from selected Vietnamese plants used to treat type 2 diabetes. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 186, 189–195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2016.03.060
Vandebroek, I., West, J., Otero-Walker, K., & Maldonado Silvestrini, S. (2024). Fostering greater recognition of Caribbean traditional plant knowledge. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 39(1), 9–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2023.10.007
Wang, J., Wong, Y.-K., & Liao, F. (2018). What has traditional Chinese medicine delivered for modern medicine? Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine, 20, e4. https://doi.org/10.1017/erm.2018.3
Wang, Z., Wu, J., Zhao, N., Yang, Y., & Chen, Y. (2016). Two new Lycopodium alkaloids from Phlegmariurus phlegmaria (L.) Holub. Natural Product Research, 30(2), 241–245. https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2015.1046131
Wei, J.-J., Wang, W.-Q., Song, W.-B., & Xuan, L.-J. (2018). Serratene-type triterpenoids from Palhinhaea cernua. Fitoterapia, 127, 151–158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2018.02.011
Winter, W. P. de, & Amoroso, V. B. (2003). Cryptogams: Ferns and fern allies. Backhuys Publishers. https://research.wur.nl/en/publications/cryptogams-ferns-and-fern-allies
Woolf, G. M., Petrovic, L. M., Rojter, S. E., Wainwright, S., Villamil, F. G., Katkov, W. N., Michieletti, P., Wanless, I. R., Stermitz, F. R., Beck, J. J., & Vierling, J. M. (1994). Acute hepatitis associated with the Chinese herbal product jin bu huan. Annals of Internal Medicine, 121(10), 729–735. https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-121-10-199411150-00001
Xiao, S., Tian, Z., Wang, Y., Si, L., Zhang, L., & Zhou, D. (2018). Recent progress in the antiviral activity and mechanism study of pentacyclic triterpenoids and their derivatives. Medicinal Research Reviews, 38(3), 951–976. https://doi.org/10.1002/med.21484
Yan, J., Sun, L., Zhang, X., Li, Z., Zhou, L., & Qiu, M. (2009). Serratene triterpenoids from Palhinhaea cernua var. Sikkimensis. Chemical & Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 57(12), 1381–1384. https://doi.org/10.1248/cpb.57.1381
Yang, Q., Zhu, Y., Peng, W., Zhan, R., & Chen, Y. (2016). A New Lycopodine-type Alkaloid from Lycopodium japonicum. Natural Product Research, 30(19), 2220–2224. https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2016.1146885
Zhang, D.-B., Chen, J.-J., Zhang, L., Song, Q.-Y., & Gao, K. (2014). Bioactive alkaloids from Palhinhaea cernua. Phytochemistry Letters, 10, 76–79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytol.2014.08.008
Zhang, Z., ElSohly, H. N., Jacob, M. R., Pasco, D. S., Walker, L. A., & Clark, A. M. (2002). Natural products inhibiting Candida albicans secreted aspartic proteases from Lycopodium cernuum. Journal of Natural Products, 65(7), 979–985. https://doi.org/10.1021/np0200616
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22146/mot.106002
Article Metrics
Abstract views : 0
| 
views : 0
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
Copyright (c) 2026 Majalah Obat Tradisional
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.