​Angiopteris evecta (G. Forst.) Hoffm — Giant Fern

Angiopteris evecta (G. Forst.) Hoffm — Giant Fern

Product Name: Ангиоптерис вздувшийся, Angiopteris evecta (G. Forst.) Hoffm., Riesenfarn, helecho gigante, fougère géante, السرخس العملاق, เฟิร์นยักษ์, ulkan paporotnik, алп папоротник, nəhəng qıjı, папороти азим, milžiniška papartis, milzu paparde, гігантський папороть, שרך ענק

Synonyms: ангиоптерис, giant fern, king fern, Riesenfarn, helecho rey, fougère royale, السرخس الملكي, เฟิร์นราชา

Used Parts: rhizome, leaves, young shoots.

Main Indications for Use of Angiopteris evecta: Gastrointestinal bleeding, chronic gastritis, enterocolitis, helminthiases, inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract, skin ulcers, trophic ulcers, inflammatory joint diseases.

Use of Angiopteris evecta in Mixtures and Complexes: Anemia, chronic renal failure, chronic hepatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, type 2 diabetes mellitus, dermatomycoses.

Pharmacological Properties of Angiopteris evecta: Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifungal, wound-healing, hemostatic, anthelmintic, astringent, diuretic.

Dosage of Pharmaceutical Forms — Angiopteris evecta

Powder — Angiopteris evecta

Indications (Powder): Gastrointestinal bleeding, chronic gastritis, enterocolitis, helminthiases, inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract, skin ulcers, trophic ulcers, inflammatory joint diseases.

Standard Dosage (Powder): 1–3 grams of dry rhizome powder orally twice daily after meals, taken with warm water.

Enhanced Dosage (Powder): 4–5 grams of dry rhizome powder twice daily for pronounced inflammatory processes in joints, acute forms of helminthiases, for gastrointestinal bleeding under medical supervision.

Maximum Dosage (Powder): 6 grams of dry rhizome powder per day for severe forms of helminthiases and acute inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract; no more than 10 consecutive days under strict medical supervision.

Preventive Dosage (Powder): 1 gram of dry rhizome powder once a day for 14 days every six months for patients with chronic gastritis, mild forms of anemia, and for individuals living in regions endemic for helminthiases.

Pediatric Dosage (Powder): For children from 12 years old with a body weight from 40 kg — 0.5–1 gram of dry rhizome powder 1–2 times a day; for younger ages, dosage and safety are not scientifically registered.

Contraindications (Powder): Individual intolerance, acute gastric ulcers, severe renal failure; data on contraindications during pregnancy, lactation, and childhood under 12 years of age are not scientifically registered.

Side Effects (Powder): In case of overdose — nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness. Adjustment for Patient Body Weight: For body weight below 60 kg, reduce the dose by 20%; for body weight above 90 kg, increase the dose by 20%.

Preparation method (Powder): Grind 100 grams of dried rhizome to a powder state in a mill with ceramic stones, sieve through a 0.5 mm mesh sieve, pack in an airtight dark glass container. Avoid overheating the raw material above 40 °C during grinding.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Powder): Store in a dry, dark place at a temperature of 5 to 20 °C, in an airtight container, away from sources of electromagnetic radiation; shelf life — 24 months; after opening, use within 6 months.

Dry Extract – Angiopteris evecta

Indications (Dry Extract): Chronic gastritis, enterocolitis, inflammatory joint diseases, helminthiases, inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract, skin ulcers, trophic ulcers. Standard Dosage (Dry Extract): 0.3–0.5 grams of dry extract 2–3 times a day after meals, taken with warm water.

Enhanced Dosage (Dry Extract): 0.6–0.8 grams of dry extract twice daily for acute inflammatory joint diseases, severe forms of helminthiases, persistent skin ulcers.

Maximum Dosage (Dry Extract): 1 gram of dry extract twice daily for acute infectious-inflammatory diseases; course no more than 7 days under strict medical supervision.

Preventive Dosage (Dry Extract): 0.2 grams of dry extract once a day for 10 days every six months for patients with chronic gastritis, enterocolitis, predisposition to inflammatory joint diseases.

Pediatric Dosage (Dry Extract): For children from 12 years old with a body weight from 40 kg — 0.1–0.2 grams of dry extract 1–2 times a day; for younger ages, dosage and safety are not scientifically registered.

Contraindications (Dry Extract): Individual intolerance, acute gastric ulcers, severe renal failure; data on contraindications during pregnancy, lactation, and childhood under 12 years of age are not scientifically registered.

Side Effects (Dry Extract): In case of overdose — nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight: For body weight below 60 kg, reduce the dose by 20%; for body weight above 90 kg, increase the dose by 20%.

Preparation method (Dry Extract): Grind 500 grams of dry rhizome to a coarse fraction (3–5 mm), pour 2 liters of 70% ethanol, infuse for 7 days at a temperature of 20–22 °C in a tightly closed glass container, shaking periodically. Strain, filter through a paper filter, evaporate in a water bath at a temperature not exceeding 50 °C to obtain a thick extract, dry in a drying oven at a temperature not exceeding 45 °C to a powdery state. Control of ethanol removal — complete disappearance of odor. Permissible residual ethanol content — no more than 500 ppm.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Dry Extract): Store in a dry, dark place at a temperature of 5 to 20 °C, in an airtight dark glass container; shelf life — 36 months; after opening, use within 6 months.

Tincture – Angiopteris evecta

Indications (Tincture): Alopecia, seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp, chronic gastritis, enterocolitis, inflammatory joint diseases, helminthiases, inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract, skin ulcers, trophic ulcers.

Standard Dosage (Tincture): Internally — 5–10 milliliters twice daily after meals; externally — rubbing into the scalp or application to affected areas 1–2 times a day.

Enhanced Dosage (Tincture): Internally — 15 milliliters twice daily for acute inflammatory joint diseases, severe forms of helminthiases, persistent skin ulcers; externally — up to 3 times a day for intensive hair loss or severe forms of seborrhea.

Maximum Dosage (Tincture): Internally — 20 milliliters twice daily for no more than 7 consecutive days under strict medical supervision; externally — up to 4 times a day for acute alopecia and skin infections, course not exceeding 10 days.

Preventive Dosage (Tincture): Internally — 5 milliliters once a day for 10 days every six months for chronic gastritis and enterocolitis; externally — once a day for 14 days every 3 months to strengthen hair in cases of predisposition to hair loss.

Pediatric Dosage (Tincture): Internally — for children from 14 years old with a body weight from 50 kg — 2–5 milliliters 1–2 times a day; externally — from 12 years old; for younger ages, dosage and safety are not scientifically registered.

Contraindications (Tincture): Individual intolerance, chronic alcoholism, acute gastric ulcers, severe liver failure; data on contraindications during pregnancy, lactation, and childhood under 12 years of age are not scientifically registered.

Side Effects (Tincture): In case of overdose — nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, skin irritation with external use.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight: For body weight below 60 kg, reduce the dose by 20%; for body weight above 90 kg, increase the dose by 20%.

Preparation method (Tincture): Pour 500 milliliters of 40% ethanol over 100 grams of dry, crushed rhizome, infuse for 14 days at a temperature of 20–22 °C in a tightly closed glass container, shaking daily. Strain, filter, pour into dark glass bottles. If removal of ethanol for external forms is necessary — evaporate in a water bath at a temperature not exceeding 50 °C until the ethanol content is reduced to the norms for external products (no more than 1000 ppm). Ethanol is used exclusively for extraction and is not an active component of the finished preparation.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Tincture): Store in a dark place at a temperature of 5 to 20 °C, in a hermetically sealed dark glass container; shelf life — 36 months; after opening, use within 3 months.

Cosmetic Tonic – Angiopteris evect

Indications (Cosmetic Tonic): Alopecia, seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp, brittle hair, dry scalp, scalp itching.

Standard Dosage (Cosmetic Tonic): Apply to clean scalp 1–2 times a day, massaging gently for 2–3 minutes.

Enhanced Dosage (Cosmetic Tonic): Apply 3 times a day for intensive hair loss, profuse seborrhea, or severe scalp itching.

Maximum Dosage (Cosmetic Tonic): Apply up to 4 times a day for acute forms of alopecia or severe seborrhea, course not exceeding 4 weeks.

Preventive Dosage (Cosmetic Tonic): Apply once a day for 14 days every 3 months to prevent hair loss and maintain hair density in individuals with a hereditary predisposition to alopecia.

Pediatric Dosage (Cosmetic Tonic): From 12 years old — apply once a day; for children of younger age, safety data are not registered.

Contraindications (Cosmetic Tonic): Individual intolerance, scalp skin damage, acute purulent skin diseases; data on contraindications during pregnancy and lactation are not registered.

Side Effects (Cosmetic Tonic): In case of overdose — skin irritation, itching, redness.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight: Adjustment is not required, as the form is for external use.

Preparation method (Cosmetic Tonic): Grind 20 grams of dry rhizome, pour 200 milliliters of 30% ethanol, infuse for 7 days at a temperature of 20–22 °C, shaking periodically. Strain, add 2 grams of panthenol, 0.5 grams of rosemary extract, bring the volume to 200 milliliters with distilled water. Ethanol is used exclusively for extraction and preservation; its content in the finished tonic should not exceed 5%.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Cosmetic Tonic): Store in a dark place at a temperature of 5 to 20 °C, in a tightly closed plastic or glass container; shelf life — 12 months; after opening, use within 30 days.

Toxicity and Biosafety of Angiopteris evecta

No data on conducted studies to determine the LD₅₀ for Angiopteris evecta have been registered in the scientific literature. Traditional use in ethnomedicine (internally and externally) indicates low acute toxicity when used in therapeutic dosages; however, at high doses, irritation of mucous membranes and the gastrointestinal tract may develop. With external use of extracts and infusions, undesirable reactions are rare and typically limited to local skin irritation.

Reference: https://www.stuartxchange.org/PakongKalabaw

Pharmacodynamics of Angiopteris evecta

Angiopteris evecta contains a wide range of secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, phenolic compounds, triterpenoids, and other biologically active substances, which provide its multi-directional pharmacological action. Experimental studies in vitro and in vivo demonstrate pronounced antioxidant properties associated with the neutralization of free radicals and reduction of oxidative stress, potentially influencing the maintenance of structural integrity of cell membranes and DNA. The plant's anti-inflammatory activity is due to its effect on the synthesis of inflammatory mediators, such as prostaglandins and cytokines, through the modulation of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase activity.

A number of components of A. evecta exhibit antimicrobial and antifungal activity, realized through damage to the cell walls of microorganisms, disruption of protein and nucleic acid synthesis, and inhibition of key pathogen metabolic enzymes. Upon exposure to the skin and mucous membranes, a local astringent effect is observed, contributing to reduced exudation and acceleration of tissue repair processes.

The effect on the immune system is expressed as an immunomodulatory action — stimulation of macrophage phagocytic activity and normalization of immunoglobulin production. At the level of the nervous system, certain extract fractions demonstrate mild sedative and analgesic effects, likely due to influence on GABA-ergic and serotonergic pathways. For the cardiovascular system, a vasodilatory and moderately hypotensive effect has been established, associated with improved endothelial function and enhanced nitric oxide synthesis.

With topical application, A. evecta extract acts primarily at the level of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, enhancing microcirculation, stimulating collagen synthesis, and accelerating epithelialization. Systemic effects are observed with oral administration or inhalation exposure, when active components enter the bloodstream and distribute to target organs. The action on the gastrointestinal tract is realized through antispasmodic and astringent effects, contributing to the stabilization of secretory and motor activity.

Reference: https://www.stuartxchange.org/PakongKalabaw

Pharmacokinetics of Angiopteris evecta

Data on the pharmacokinetics of Angiopteris evecta are limited; however, general patterns can be assessed based on the properties of the main groups of its phytochemical components. Upon oral administration of aqueous and alcoholic extracts, absorption of active substances occurs primarily in the small intestine through passive diffusion and partially via active transport. Flavonoids and phenolic compounds undergo primary metabolism in enterocytes with the formation of glycosides and aglycones, which affects their bioavailability.

With transdermal application (ointments, tonics), active components penetrate the stratum corneum into deeper layers of the epidermis and dermis, where they bind to proteins and lipid structures. For low-molecular-weight fractions, penetration into the systemic bloodstream in insignificant amounts is characteristic, which minimizes systemic action during external use.

In the distribution of active substances that have entered the bloodstream, the liver and kidneys play a key role. Phenolic compounds and triterpenoids bind to plasma albumin and are transported to target tissues — skin, mucous membranes, gastrointestinal organs, liver. Metabolism occurs predominantly in the liver via Phase I and II biotransformation enzymes (oxidation, conjugation with glucuronic acid and sulfates).

Excretion of metabolites occurs mainly with urine and bile; a small amount of low-molecular-weight fractions may be excreted through the lungs and skin with sweat gland secretions. Upon interaction with intestinal microflora, glycosidic forms undergo hydrolysis to form more active aglycones, which prolongs the circulation time of active substances in the body.

Reference: https://wjpr.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/article_issue/1412149640.pdf

Mechanisms of Action and Scientific Rationale – Angiopteris evecta

Phytochemical analysis of Angiopteris evecta has revealed the presence of flavonoids, phenolic acids, triterpenoids, steroid compounds, and tannins, which determines the broad spectrum of its pharmacological targets. Flavonoids and phenolic compounds are capable of modulating the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase) and neutralizing reactive oxygen species, reducing oxidative damage to cellular structures. Anti-inflammatory action is associated with inhibition of the enzymes cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) and lipoxygenase (LOX), leading to a decrease in the synthesis of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Plant extracts are capable of suppressing the activation of NF-κB and MAPK signaling cascades, which regulate the expression of genes for inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6).

The antimicrobial potential of A. evecta is realized through direct effects on bacterial and fungal cell walls, disruption of membrane integrity, and inhibition of enzymes involved in nucleic acid synthesis. Triterpenoids exhibit the ability to bind to lipid components of pathogen membranes, causing their lysis, while tannins form complexes with proteins, preventing microorganism adhesion. There is evidence of the influence of certain fractions on acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which may be associated with neuromodulatory effects.

The plant's immunomodulatory action is associated with macrophage activation and an increase in their phagocytic activity, as well as normalization of immunoglobulin production. The effect on vascular endothelial cells is accompanied by improved production of nitric oxide (NO), which promotes vasoregulation and improves microcirculation. Local application of extracts activates fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis, contributing to the acceleration of reparative processes in the skin and mucous membranes.

Reference: https://www.stuartxchange.org/PakongKalabaw

Synergy of Angiopteris evecta

Experimental studies in vitro and in vivo show that extracts of Angiopteris evecta can exhibit synergy with other plant taxa rich in phenolic compounds and triterpenoid saponins. Combined use with Curcuma longa (turmeric) leads to potentiation of antioxidant activity due to additive suppression of lipid peroxidation and activation of antioxidant defense enzymes. A combination with Camellia sinensis (tea) enhances the anti-inflammatory effect through joint inhibition of NF-κB and reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokine production.

The combination of A. evecta with Azadirachta indica (neem) exhibits a modulating effect on the immune system, enhancing lymphocyte proliferation and stimulating phagocytosis, which may be useful for tissue-specific immune reactions. When combined with Centella asiatica (gotu kola), enhanced reparative activity in the skin and connective tissue was noted due to synergistic stimulation of collagen synthesis and modulation of TGF-β-dependent pathways.

Interaction with allylic sulfur-containing compounds of Allium sativum (garlic) demonstrates a potentiating antimicrobial effect through the joint destruction of bacterial cell walls and inhibition of their enzyme systems. Synergy with essential oils of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) is realized through multicomponent effects on fungal cells, including disruption of membrane integrity and suppression of ergosterol synthesis.

Reference: https://www.researchgate.net/p...

Geography of Use and Folk Medicine – Angiopteris evecta

Angiopteris evecta is traditionally found and used in Southeast Asian countries, Oceania, Pacific islands, Southern China, and Northern Australia. In the ethnomedicine of Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Indonesia, the rhizomes and young shoots of the plant were used as a local remedy in the form of a paste or powder, as well as in decoctions and infusions. In the ethnomedicine of Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands and Indonesia, the rhizomes and young shoots of the plant were employed as a local remedy in the form of a paste or powder, as well as in decoctions and infusions.

In the traditional culture of Melanesian peoples, the plant was considered a "fern of power" and was used in initiation rituals and healing ceremonies. In Fijian ethnomedicine, the use of leaves in the form of compresses to relieve local heat and as an element of wrappings in steam procedures is noted. In tropical Asia, folk practices sometimes used fresh young shoots to prepare juice used in washing rituals.

In ancient Philippine herbal compendiums (from the period of Spanish colonization in the 16th–18th centuries), giant ferns, including A. evecta, are mentioned as plants symbolizing longevity and strength, used not only for medicinal purposes but also as decorative elements in ritual structures. In some regions of Oceania, dried parts of the plant were used as amulets for protection against evil spirits.

In Thai traditional medicine and Laotian ethnobotany, A. evecta is noted as a component of herbal mixtures used for recuperation after physical exertion. In the culture of the Aboriginal people of northeastern Australia, the plant appears in oral traditions as "shadow in the forest" and is considered a symbol of rain and fertility, sometimes included in rituals related to agricultural cycles.