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Family • Basellaceae

Alugbati
Basella alba Linn.
SPINACH VINE
Yan zhi cai

Scientific names  Common names 

Basella alba L. Alugbati (Bis.) 
Basella cordifolia Lam. Arogbati (Bik.) 
Basella crassifolia Salisb. Dundul (Sul.)
Basella japonica Burm.f. Grana (Tag.) 
Basella lucida Linn.  Ilaibakir (Ilk.) 
Basella nigra Lour. Libato (Tag.) 
Basella ramosa J.Jacq. ex Spreng.  Climbing Ceylon spinach (Engl.)
Basella rubra Linn.  Indian spinach (Engl.)
Basella volubilis Salisb.  Malabar nightshage (Engl.)
Gandola nigra (Lour.) Raf.  Red vine spinach (Engl.)
Gandola rubra Rumph. ex L.  Spinach vine (Engl.) 
Basella rubra L. is a synonym of Basella alba L. The Plant List
Basella alba L. is an accepted name The Plant List

Other vernacular names

ARABIC: Malabar.
ASSAMESE: Ronga puroi, Ronga puroi sak.
BENGALI: Puishak, Puin sang.
CHINESE: Mu er cai, Hong teng cai, Hong chan cai, Zi luo kui, Zi ruan teng, Zi bei teng cai, Yan zhi cai.
DANISH: Malabarspinat, Indisk spinat.
DUTCH: Oostindische spinazie, Ceylonspinazie, Malabar spinazie.
FRENCH: Baselle rouge, Epinard de Malabar à tiges rouges.
GERMAN: Malabarspinat, Weisse Beerblume, Indischer Spinat.
GUJARATI: Valchi bhagi.
HINDI: Lalbachlu, poi, Poi saag, Saag.
ITALIAN: Bassella bianca, Spinacio della Cina.
JAPANESE: Kuki no akai shin tsurumurasaki, Shin tsuru murasaki.
KANNADA: Basaḷe kempu.
MALAYALAM: Basella cheera, Vashala cheera.
MARATHI: Mayalu.
NEPALESE: Poi saag.
PORTUGUESE: Bertalha.
RUSSIAN: Bazella krasnaia.
SANSKRIT: Upodika.
SINHALESE: Vel niviti.
SPANISH: Espinaca de Malabar, Espinaca basela, Espinaca blanca de Malabar, Espinaca de la China.
TAMIL: Kodippasali, Koṭippacaḷi, Pasalai keerai, Vasalakirrai.
TELUGU: Erra allubaccali.
THAI: Phak pang, Phak plang, Phak plang yai, Po deng chai.
TURKISH: Pazu.
VIETNAMESE: Mongtoi.
Botany
Alugbati is a succulent, branched, smooth, twining herbaceous vine, several meters in length. Stems are
purplish or green. Leaves are somewhat fleshy, ovate or heart-shaped, 5 to 12 centimeters long,
stalked, tapering to a pointed tip with a cordate base. Spikes are axillary, solitary, 5 to 29 centimeters
long. Flowers are pink, about 4 millimeters long. Fruit is fleshy, stalkless, ovoid or nearly spherical, 5 to 6
millimeters long, and purple when mature.

Distribution
- Found in settled areas, in hedges, old cultivated areas, etc., throughout the Philippines.
- Often cultivated.
- Prehistoric introduction.
- Also occurs in tropical Asia, Africa, and Malaya.

Constituents
• Phytochemical screening of various extracts yielded cardiac glycosides, saponins, tannins, flavonoids,
terpenoids, carbohydrates, and reducing sugars.
• Study isolated Basellasaponins A, B, C, and D, oleanane-type triterpenes oligoglycosides, together
with betavulgaroside 1, spinacoside C, and momordins IIb and IIc, from fresh aerial parts.
• Leaves yield saponin, vitamin A and B.
• Fruit yields mucilage and iron.
• Study of wild Basella rubra showed it to be abundant in carotene, middle in vitamin C, and low in
nitrate. Nitrate in planted B. rubra is about twice that of the wild variety.

Properties
• Aperient, demulcent, diuretic, emollient, laxative,
rubefacient.
• Mucilaginous when cooked.
• Studies exhibited androgenic, antidiabetic, anti-
inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiulcer,
antiviral, CNS depressant, hepatoprotective, and
wound healing activities.

Uses
Edibility / Nutrition
- Common market product, a popular leafy and stew
vegetable, and a good substitute for spinach.
- The green and purple cultivated varieties are
preferable to the wild ones.
- Both the young shoots and stems are eaten.
- Excellent source of calcium and iron; good source
of vitamins A, B, and C, with a high roughage value.
Folkloric
- Roots are employed as rubefacient.
- Poultice of leaves used to reduce local swelling.
- Sap is applied to acne eruptions to reduce
inflammation.
- Decoction of leaves used for its mild laxative
effects.
- Pulped leaves applied to boils and ulcers to hasten
suppuration.
- Sugared juice of leaves useful for catarrhal
afflictions in children.
- Leaf-juice, mixed with butter, is soothing and
cooling when applied to burns and scalds.
- In India, used in hemorrhagic diseases and as
tonic. Also used for burns and pruritic skin lesions. In Orissa, India, paste of root in rice water taken in
the morning on an empty stomach for a month to cure irregular periods.
- In Nigeria, leaves used for hypertension. In Cameroonian folk medicine, used for malaria.
- Mucilaginous liquid obtained from the leaves and tender stalks used for habitual headaches.
- In Ayurveda, used for hemorrhages, skin diseases, sexual weakness, ulcers and as laxative in
children. Leaves applied on the head for half a hour before bathing to help bring about a good refreshing
sleep. Sap is applied to acne eruptions to reduce inflammation. Decoction of leaves used for a mild
laxative effect. Pulped leaves applied to boils and ulcers to hasten suppuration. Leaf juice mixed with
butter applied to burns and scalds for a soothing and cooling effect. Leaves and stems have been used
as anticancer for melanoma, leukemia, and oral cancer.
- Roots and leaves used for the removal of after birth, stomach pains, and increase milk production.
- Used orally for anal prolapse and hernia.
- In Nigeria, used for hypertension. (37) Also used for fertility enhancement in women.
- In Nepal, leaf juice is used to treat dysentery, catarrh, and applied externally to boils.
- In Thai traditional medicine, the mucilage is used as application for bruises, ringworm, and laboring.
Stem and leaves used as mild laxative, diuretic and antipyretic.
- In Cameroon used for malaria. (37) Herbal healers use plant extracts to enhance libido and as remedy
for infertility.
- In Antilles leaves considered good maturative as cataplasm.
- In Thai traditional medicine, mucilage is used as topical medicine for skin irritation, bruises, ringworm,
and laboring. (37)
Others
Cosmetic: Fruit used by women as rouge for cheeks and lips; also as a dye.
Dye: With the anthocyanin content, it makes for a natural food colorant. Fruit provides a dark violet color
as food colorant.
Veterinary: Ground leaves rubbed on the human hand to introduce the preparation into the animal
vagina every morning for the treatment of sterility.
Pharmaceuticals: Plant mucilage has been proposed for applications in medicine and cosmetics. The
mucilage has also been proposed as thickener, water-retention agent, gelling agent, suspending agent
and film former.
Studies
• Anthocyanins / Natural Food Colorant : Study of pigment extracted from fruits of spinach vine (B.
rubra) showed good stability with a potential as a natural food color. (1)
• Antifungal: Study yielded two antifungal peptides with potent activity against Botrytis cinerea,
Mycosphaerella arachidicola and Fusarium oxysporum. (4)
• Antimicrobial / Leaves: A study of the aqueous, ethanolic and petroleum ether extracts of the leaves
of Basella rubra exhibited antimicrobial activity against all test organisms except P aeruginosa. The
ethanolic extract showed maximum effect against E coli. Further studies are needed to isolate the active
compound responsible for the antimicrobial effect. (6)
• Hypoglycemic / Leaf Pulp: A study of STZ-induced diabetic rats fed with Basella rubra showed the
leaf pulp of B. rubra possesses a strong hypoglycemic effect. (7)
• Volatile Flavor Components: Study identified volatile flavor components. The major components from
the volatile oil were: 1-methoxypropane, (Z)-3-hexen-l-ol, 3-methoxyphenyl acetate, acetophenone, 4-
vinylguaiacol, isophytol, and phytol. (8)
• Dyestuff / Microbiological Stain: Study showed the anthocyanin extracted from Basella rubra berries
produced a stain comparable with synthetic stains like crystal violet and safranin, and can be used as an
alternative microbiological stain. (9)
• Antidiabetic / Antioxidant: Study evaluated the action of B. rubra against streptozotocin-induced
diabetes in rats. Results showed effective reduction of oxidative stress induced by streptozotocin and
potential reduction in blood sugar level. (12)
• Antihyperglycemic / Antioxidant: Study evaluated an aqueous extract of B. rubra for
antihyperglycemic activity in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Phytochemical screening showed a rich source
of phytonutrients, including enzymic and nonenzymic antioxidants. Results concluded the aqueous
extract exhibited significant antihyperglycemic activity. (14)
• Haematologic Effects / Amylase Activity: Study evaluated various extracts for hematologic
parameters on Swiss mice and amylase activity on Wistar rats. Results showed an increase in the
haematological parameters (RBC, WBC, Hb, and PCV). There was also an increase in amylase content.
Results suggest potential use to prevent various complications in diabetes. (15)
• Antiulcer Activity / Antioxidant: Study evaluated the antiulcer activity of an aqueous extract of B.
rubra leaves on ethanol and pylorus ligated-induced gastric ulcers in rats. Results showed significant
and dose-dependent antiulcer activity and present a potential use in the treatment of gastric ulcers. (16)
• Fruit / Betacyanin / Antioxidant: Betacyanin extracted from the B alba fruit exhibited excellent
antioxidant activity, beneficial in scavenging free radicals. (18)
• Antimicrobial / Leaves and Stems: Study evaluated various extracts of leaves and stems for
antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. Methanol and
aqueous extracts of stems showed maximum activity against S. typhi and P. vulgaris. Ethanol extracts of
leaves and stems showed highest inhibition of B. subtilis and S. typhi. Antifungal activity was shown
against A. niger, C. albicans and R. stolonifers. (21)
• Cytotoxic / Antibacterial: Study evaluated the cytotoxic and antibacterial activity of Basella alba
whole plant extract. A methanolic extract showed significant growth inhibition on human cancer cell lines
and moderate activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis. (23)
• Gastroprotective / Leaf Extracts: Study of aqueous and ethanol extracts of leaves were investigated
for antiulcer activity on rats in pylorus ligated and ethanol induced ulcer models. Results showed
significant dose-dependent gastroprotective effect substantiated by histopathological examination of
ulcerated stomachs of the animals. (24)
• Increased Testosterone and Estradiol Production: Study evaluated a methanol extract of Baselia
alba (MEBa) for cell viability, steroid production, and level of aromatase mRNA. Results showed no
effect on Leydig cell viability. There was significant stimulation of testosterone and estradiol production
and enhanced aromatase mRNA level. (25)
• Antiurolithiatic / Calcium Oxalate / Leaves: Study of leaves extract of Basella alba showed
admirable dissolving capacity of calcium oxalate crystals in vitro. (27)
• Mucilage Suspending Properties / Leaves: Study evaluated the suitability of mucilage isolated from
leaves of Basella alba leaves as suspending agent. Results showed B. alba leaves possess properties
to be used as a suspending agent, and superior than both tragacanth and bentonite. (28)
• Burn Wound Healing / Leaves: Study evaluated an aqueous extract of leaves of B. alba formulated
as a gel for burn wound healing activity. Results showed significant improvement in burn wound
contraction. (29)
• Nephroprotective / Gentamycin Induced Renal Toxicity: Study evaluated an ethanolic extract of B.
alba on gentamycin induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar albino rats. Results showed the extract protected
GM-induced nephrotoxicity, possibly by enhancing renal antioxidant agent. (30)
• Antimicrobial / Antioxidant / Leaves: Study evaluated dried and powdered leaves of B. alba for
antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. Results showed high activity in removing free radicals by DPPH
(72.3 ± 5.98) and ABTS (78 ± 4.04). 100 mg/m extract showed high activity against bacterial strains. (32)
• Hypocholesterolemic / Antiatherosclerotic / Leaves: Study evaluated the hypocholesterolemic and
antiatherosclerotic effects of B. alba leaf extracts in hypercholesterolemia induced rabbits. Treatment
significantly lowered TC, LDL, and triglycerides and increased HDL and antioxidant enzymes SOD and
GPx levels. Treatment also significantly suppressed aortic plaque formation. Results suggest a potential
alternative therapy for hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis. (33)
• Positive Effect on Vitamin A Stores: Daily consumption of cooked, pureed green leafy vegetables or
sweet potatoes has a positive effect on vitamin A stores in populations at risk of vitamin A deficiency.  
(34)
• Hepatoprotective / Lead Induced Hepatotoxicity / Leaves: Study evaluated an ethanolic extract of
B. alba leaves on lead-induced hepatotoxicity in male Wistar rats. Results showed significant reduction
of alkaline phosphatase, AST, and ALT while glutathione was siginificantly increase. (35)
• Anti-Inflammatory / Leaves: Study evauated the anti-inflammatory activity of B. alba leaf extract in
experimentally induced inflammation in rats (carrageenan induced paw edema and cotton pellet
granuloma). Results showed significant and effective dose dependent anti-inflammatory activity. (36)

Availability
- Cultivated vegetable market produce.
- Wildcrafted.
- Seeds in the cybermarket.
© Godofredo U. Stuart Jr., M.D.

Last Update March 2017

Updated December 2015
Photo / Contents © Godofredo Stuart / StuartXchange
OTHER IMAGE SOURCE / Public Domain / File:Basella rubra Blanco1.74.png / Flora de Filipinas / Franciso Manuel
Blanco (OSA), 1880-1883 / Wikimedia Commons
SOURCES
Additional Sources and Suggested Readings
(1)
Stability of anthocyanin in spinach vine (Basella rubra) fruits  / Cien. Inv. Agr. 34 (2):115-120, 2007
(2)
Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants
(3)
Medicinal foodstuffs. XXIII. Structures of new oleanane-type triterpene oligoglycosides, basellasaponins
A, B, C, and D, from the fresh aerial parts of Basella rubra L. / Murakami T et al / Chemical &
pharmaceutical bulletin 2001;49(6):776-9.
(4)
Novel Antifungal Peptides from Ceylon Spinach Seeds / doi:10.1006/bbrc.2001.5822 / Biochemical and
Biophysical Research Communications / Volume 288, Issue 4, 9 November 2001, Pages 765-770
(5)
Phytochemical, nutritional and medical properties of some leafy vegetables consumed by Edo people of
Nigeria / J.K. Mensah, R.I. Okoli et al
(6)
ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF BASELLA RUBRA LEAVES / K Sen et al / International Journal of
Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research / IJPSR (2010), Vol. 1, Issue 2
(7)
Hypoglycemic effect of Basella rubra in streptozotocin – induced diabetic albino rats  / A Nirmala, S
Saroja, H R Vasanthi, and G Lalitha / Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy Vol. 1 (2) pp. 025-
030, August, 2009
(8)
Volatile flavor components of malabar-nightshade (Basella rubra L.)  / Hiromu Kameoka, Kanji Kubo and
Mitsuo Miyazawa / Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, Vol 4, Issue 4, December 1991, Pages
315-321 / doi:10.1016/0889-1575(91)90017-Z
(9)
Utilization of an indigenous dyestuff from Basella rubra (alugbati) as microbiological stain / Enerva,
Lorna T., et al / Fil Q149.P5 N25 / 28(1) / ISSUE DATE 2006
(10)
Basella alba L. / Chinese names / Catalogue of Life, China
(11)
Sorting Basella names / Maintained by: Michel H. Porcher, / MULTILINGUAL MULTISCRIPT PLANT
NAME DATABASE / A Work in Progress / Copyright © 1997 - 2000 The University of Melbourne.
(12)
Antidiabetic Activity of Basella rubra and its Relationship with the Antioxidant Property / A. Nirmala*, S.
Saroja and G. Gayathri Devi / British Biotechnology Journal 1(1): 1-9, 2011
(14)
Phytochemical Screening and Antihyperglycemic Activity of Basella rubra / A. Nirmala*, S. Saroja and S.
Gayathri Devi / Recent Research in Science and Technology 2011, 3(11): 80-83
(15)
Effect of Basella rubra L. leaf extract on haematological parameters and amylase activity / Deep Shikha
Sonkar,* Rajiv Gupta, Shubhini A. Saraf / Pharmacognosy Communications, Volume 2 | Issue 3 | Jul-
Sep 2012
(16)
Antiulcer activity of aqueous extract of Basella rubra in albino rats.  / S. Deshpande, G. B. Shah, I.
Deshpande, N. S. Parmar* / Journal of Natural Remedies, Vol. 3/2 (2003) 21
(17)
Screening of Wound Healing and Antimicrobial Activity of Basella rubra Plant  / Thesis / Study Proposal /
Jameel Ahma /
(18)
Antioxidant analysis of betacyanin extracted from Basella alba fruit / S. K. Reshmi, K.M. Aravinthan and
P. Suganya devi / International Journal of PharmTech Research, Vol.4, No.3, pp 900-913, July-Sept
2012
(19)
A Review on Medicinal Importance of Basella alba / L. Roshan Adhikari, Naveen Kumar HN, Shruthi
SD* / International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research 2012; 4(2): 110-114
(20)
Study on Content of Nitrate,Vitamin C and Carotene in Basella Rubra  / ZHANG Shu-Xia XIAO Sheng-
Hong / Chinese Journal of Spectroscopy Laboratory, 2006-02
(21)
Alugbati (Basella Rubra Linn.) Leaves and Stems Extracts Against Pathogenic Microoganisms / BURCE,
J.M., MARCELLANA, W.B, & TUANDO / Dept. of Biology, Rizal Technological University
(22)
A review of the taxonomy, ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Basella alba
(Basellaceae) / S. A. Deshmukh and D. K. Gaikwad* / Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science Vol. 4
(01), pp. 153-165, January, 2014 / DOI: 10.7324/JAPS.2014.40125
(23)
Cytotoxic and Antibacterial Activity of Basella Alba Whole Plant: A Relatively Unexplored Plant / Rathee
Sushila, Ahuja Deepti, Rathee Permender, Thanki Madhavi, Rathee Dharmender* / Pharmacologyonline
3: 651-658 (2010)
(24)
Gastroprotective effect of leaf extracts of Basella alba var. alba against experimental gastric ulcers in
rats / Vijender KumarI, *; Z. A. BhatI; Dinesh KumarI; N. A. KhanI; I. A. ChashooI; Irfat AraII / Rev. bras.
farmacogn. vol.22 no.3 Curitiba May/June 2012 Epub Mar 08, 2012 / http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-
695X2012005000032
(25)
Effects of the methanol extract of Basella alba L (Basellaceae) on steroid production in Leydig cells. /
Nantia EA, Travert C, Manfo FP, Carreau S, Monsees TK, Moundipa PF. / Int J Mol Sci. 2011 Jan
14;12(1):376-84. doi: 10.3390/ijms12010376.
(26)
Basella alba / Synonyms / The Plant List
(27)
To study the action of Basella alba ethanolic extract on Calcium Oxalate in vitro. / Sudhir Sase*, R . P.
Limaye, Navneet Soni, Sudin Gaikwad / International Journal of Ayurvedic and Herbal Medicine 3:5
(2013) 1343–1346
(28)
Studies on Basella alba L. leaves mucilage: Evaluation of suspending properties / Dilipkumar Pal, Amit
Kumar Nayak, Samir Kalia / Int J Drug Discov Tech 01/2010; 1:15-20.
(29)
Formulation and Evaluation of Herbal Gel of Basella alba for wound healing activity / Mohammed
Haneefa K.P*, Guru Prasad Mohanta, Chandini Nayar / J. Pharm. Sci. & Res. Vol.4(1), 2012, 1642-1648
(30)
Protective effect of Basella alba L. on nephrotoxicity induced by gentamycin in rats / Saleh Alqasoumi /
Clinical and Experimental Medical Journal, Volume 5, Issue 4 / DOI: 10.1556/CEMED.5.2011.4.6
(31)
Sorting Basella names / /Maintained by: Michel H. Porcher / MULTILINGUAL MULTISCRIPT PLANT
NAME DATABASE / Copyright © 1995 - 2020 / A Work in Progress. School of Agriculture and Food
Systems. Faculty of Land & Food Resources. The University of Melbourne. Australia.
(32)
Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activity of the Leaf Extract of Basella alba / J. Suguna et al. / Human
Journals : International Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Research, Vol 3, Issue 2, May 2015
(33)
Hypocholesterolemic and Antiatherosclerotic Potential of Basella alba Leaf Extract in
Hypercholesterolemia-Induced Rabbits / Gunasekaran Baskaran, Shamala Salvamani, Azrina Azlan, Siti
Aqlima Ahmad, Swee Keong Yeap, and Mohd Yunus Shukor / Evidence-Based Complementary and
Alternative Medicine, Vol 2015 (2015) / http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/751714
(34)
Daily consumption of Indian spinach (Basella alba) or sweet potatoes has a positive effect on total-body
vitamin A stores in Bangladeshi men. / Haskell MJ1, Jamil KM, Hassan F, Peerson JM, Hossain MI,
Fuchs GJ, Brown KH. / Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Sep;80(3):705-14.
(35)
The effect of ethanolic extract of Basella alba l. Leaves on lead induced hepatotoxicity in male albino
wistar rats (rattus norvegicus) / Bamidele Olubayode, Temitope Ibiere Adebiyi, Lawrence Babatunde,
Arokoyo Ds / International Journal of Plant Science and Ecology Vol. 1, No. 5, 2015, pp. 218-224
(36)
INVESTIGATION ON ANTI INFLAMMATORY PROPERTY OF BASELLA ALBA LINN LEAF EXTRACT /
RAGHUVEER RODDA*, ABEESH KOTA, SINDHURI T, SANJEEVA A KUMAR, GNANANATH K /
International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vol 4, Issue 1, 2012
(37)
Overview On Anti-Ulcer Activity Of Basella Alba : A Therapeutic Herb / Praveen Kumar Prajapati*,
Swatantra Bahadur Singh, Sunil Jaiswal / International Archive of Applied Sciences and Technology, Vol
5 (2), June 2014: pp 49-61

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