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Scientists have been trying since the mid-1990s to synthesize several anti-cancerous plant chemicals found in vassourinha, including scopadulcic acid B and betulinic acid, for their use in the pharmaceutical industry.* Herbalists and natural health practitioners have used and will continue to use the plant as an effective natural remedy for upper respiratory problems and viruses, for menstrual problems, and as a natural pain reliever and antispasmodic remedy when needed.* For more information about vassourinha (Scoparia dulcis), please refer to the Database File for Vassourinha in the Tropical Plant Database. To see pictures of vassourinha, click here.

Traditional Uses:* for menstrual problems (pain, cramps, premenstrual syndrome [PMS], and to promote and normalize menstruation); for upper respiratory bacterial and viral infections; to relieve pain of all types (arthritis, migraines and headaches, stomach aches, muscle pain, etc.); to tone, balance, and strengthen heart function (and for mild hypertension); for venereal diseases and urinary tract infections

Suggested Use: This plant is best prepared as an infusion (tea). Use one teaspoon of powder for each cup of water. Pour boiling water over herb in cup and allow to steep 10 minutes. Strain tea (or allow settled powder to remain in the bottom of cup) and drink warm. It is traditionally taken in 1 cup dosages, 1 or 2 times daily. For more complete instructions on preparing herbal infusions, see the Methods for Preparing Herbal Remedies Page.

Contraindications:

• 1. The traditional use as an abortive and/or childbirth aid warrants that vassourinha should not be taken during pregnancy.
• 2. Vassourinha has shown in animal studies to lower blood sugar levels. This plant is probably contraindicated in people with hypoglycemia. Diabetics should monitor their blood sugar levels if they use vassourinha to monitor these possible effects.
• 3. Avoid combining with antidepressants or barbiturates unless under the supervision of a qualified health care practitioner (see drug interactions below).

Drug Interactions: One human study documented that an ethanol extract of vassourinha inhibited radioligand binding to dopamine and seratonin. Another study reported that a water extract given intragastrically to rats potentiated the effects of barbiturates. As such, it is possible that vassourinha may enhance the effect of barbiturates and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants.

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Published Research on Vassourinha

All available third-party published research on vassourinha be found at PubMed. A partial listing of the third-party published research on vassourinha updated through Feb 2019 is shown below:

Pain Relieving, Antispasmodic, Sedative, & Anti-inflammatory actions:
Bellapalli, S., et al "Betulinic acid, derived from the desert lavender Hyptis emoryi, attenuates paclitaxel-, HIV-, and nerve injury-associated peripheral sensory neuropathy via block of N- and T-type calcium channels." Pain. 2019 Jan; 160(1): 117-135.
Moniruzzaman, M., et al. "Evaluation of sedative and hypnotic activity of ethanolic extract of Scoparia dulcis Linn." Evid. Based Complement. Alternat. Med. 2015; 2015: 873954.
Tsai, J., et al. "Anti-inflammatory effects of Scoparia dulcis L. and betulinic acid." Am. J. Chin. Med. 2011; 39(5): 943-56.
Bangou, M., et al. "Evaluation of enzymes inhibition activities of medicinal plant from Burkina Faso." Pak. J. Biol. Sci. 2011 Jan; 14(2): 99-105.
Coulibaly, A., et al. "Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Scoparia dulcis L." J. Med. Food. 2011 Dec; 14(12): 1576-82.
Phan, M. G., et al. "Chemical and biological evaluation on scopadulane-type diterpenoids from Scoparia dulcis of Vietnamese origin." Chem. Pharm. Bull. 2006 Apr; 54(4): 546-9.
Ahmed, M., et al. "Analgesic, diuretic, and anti-inflammatory principle from Scoparia dulcis." Pharmazie. 2001; 56(8): 657-60.
Freire, S. M., et al. "Sympathomimetic effects of Scoparia dulcis L. and catecholamines isolated from plant extracts." J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 1996; 48(6): 624-8.
Freire, S., et al. "Analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of Scoparia dulcis L. extracts and glutinol in rodents." Phytother. Res. 1993; 7: 408-14.
Freire, S., et al. "Analgesic activity of a triterpene isolated from Scoparia dulcis (vassourinha)." Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz. 1991; 86 (Suppl. II): 149-51.
Ahmed, M. "Diterpenoids from Scoparia dulcis." Phytochemistry. 1990; 29(9): 3035-37.
Dhawan, B. N., et al. "Screening of Indian plants for biological activity. VI." Indian J. Exp. Biol. 1977; 15: 208-219.

Immune Modulation Actions:
Li, N., et al. "Betulinic acid inhibits the migration and invasion of fibroblast-like synoviocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis." Int. Immunopharmacol. 2019 Feb; 67: 186-193.
Madakkannu, B., and Ravichandran, R., "In vivo immunoprotective role of Indigofera tinctoria and Scoparia dulcis aqueous extracts against chronic noise stress induced immune abnormalities in Wistar albino rats." Toxicol. Rep. 2017 Sep; 4: 484-493.
Sundareswaran, L., et al. "Effect of Scoparia dulcis on noise stress induced adaptive immunity and cytokine response in immunized Wistar rats." J. Ayurveda Integr. Med. 2017 Jan - Mar; 8(1): 13-19.

Cytotoxic & Anticancerous Actions:
Many of vassourinha's active biological properties, including its anticancerous properties, are attributed to various flavone and terpene chemicals, some only found in vassourinha.. The main chemicals being studied for their actions against cancer are scopadulcic acids A and B, scopadiol, scopadulciol, scopadulin, scoparic acids A, B, and C, and betulinic acid.
Wang, W., et al. "Betulinic acid induces apoptosis and suppresses metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines in vitro and in vivo." J. Cell. Mol. Med. 2019 Jan; 23(1): 586-595
Jiao, L., et al. "Betulinic acid suppresses breast cancer aerobic glycolysis via caveolin-1/NF-kB/c-Myc pathway." Biochem. Pharmacol. 2019 Mar; 161: 149-162.
Sousa, J., et al. "Recent developments in the functionalization of betulinic acid and its natural analogues: a route to new bioactive compounds." Molecules. 2019 Jan; 24(2).
Zhan, X., et al. "Betulinic acid exerts potent antitumor effects on paclitaxel-resistant human lung carcinoma cells (H460) via G2/M phase cell cycle arrest and induction of mitochondrial apoptosis." Oncol. Lett. 2018 Sep; 16(3): 3628-3634.
de Las Pozas, A., "Inhibiting multiple deubiquitinases to reduce androgen receptor expression in prostate cancer cells." Sci. Rep. 2018 Sep; 8(1): 13146.
Yang, C., et al. "Betulinic acid induces apoptosis and inhibits metastasis of human renal carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo." J. Cell. Biochem. 2018 Nov; 119(10): 8611-8622.
Fuentes, R., et al. "Scopadulciol, isolated from Scoparia dulcis, induces β-catenin degradation and overcomes tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis ligand resistance in AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma cells." J. Nat. Prod. 2015 Apr; 78(4): 864-72.
Wu, W., et al. "Benzoxazinoids from Scoparia dulcis (sweet broomweed) with antiproliferative activity against the DU-145 human prostate cancer cell line." Phytochemistry. 2012 Nov; 83: 110-5.
Hayashi, T., et al. "Investigation on traditional medicines of Guarany Indio and studies on diterpenes from Scoparia dulcis." Yakugaku Zasshi. 2011; 131(9): 1259-69.
Kessler, J., et al. "Broad in vitro efficacy of plant-derived betulinic acid against cell lines derived from the most prevalent human cancer types." Cancer Lett. 2007 Jun; 251(1): 132-45.
Mukherjee, R., et al. "Betulinic acid derivatives as anticancer agents: structure activity relationship." Anticancer Agents Med. Chem. 2006 May; 6(3): 271-9.
Phan, M., et al. "Chemical and biological evaluation on scopadulane-type diterpenoids from Scoparia dulcis of Vietnamese origin." Chem. Pharm. Bull. 2006 Apr; 54(4): 546-9.
Hayashi, K., et al. "The role of a HSV thymidine kinase stimulating substance, scopadulciol, in improving the efficacy of cancer gene therapy." J. Gene Med. 2006 Aug; 8(8): 1056-67.
Kasperczyk, H., et al. "Betulinic acid as new activator of NF-kappaB: molecular mechanisms and implications for cancer therapy." Oncogene. 2005 Oct; 24(46): 6945-56.
Fulda, S., et al. "Sensitization for anticancer drug-induced apoptosis by betulinic acid." Neoplasia. 2005; 7(2): 162-70.
Garg, A., et al. "Chemosensitization and radiosensitization of tumors by plant polyphenols." Antioxid. Redox. Signal. 2005; 7(11-12): 1630-47.
Wada, S., et al. "Betulinic acid and its derivatives, potent DNA topoisomerase II inhibitors, from the bark of Bischofia javanica." Chem. Biodivers. 2005 May; 2(5): 689-94.
Hayashi, K., et al. "Evaluation of scopadulciol-related molecules for their stimulatory effect on the cytotoxicity of acyclovir and ganciclovir against Herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase gene-transfected HeLa cells." Chem. Pharm. Bull. 2004; 52(8):1015-7.
Ahsan, M., et al. "Cytotoxic diterpenes from Scoparia dulcis." J. Nat. Prod. 2003; 66(7): 958-61.
Fulda, S., et al. "Betulinic acid induces apoptosis through a direct effect on mitochondria in neuroecto-dermal tumors." Med. Pediatr. Oncol. 2000; 35(6): 616-18.
Fulda, S., et al. "Betulinic acid: A new cytotoxic agent against malignant brain-tumor cells." Int. J. Cancer 1999; 82(3): 435-41.
Noda, Y., et al. "Enhanced cytotoxicity of some triterpenes toward leukemia L1210 cells cultured in low pH media; possibility of a new mode of cell killing." Chem. Pharm. Bull. 1997; 45(10): 1665-70.
Arisawa, M. "Cell growth inhibition of KB cells by plant extracts." Natural Med. 1994; 48(4): 338-47.
Nishino, H. "Antitumor-promoting activity of scopadulcic acid B, isolated from the medicinal plant Scoparia dulcis L." Oncology. 1993; 50(2): 100-3.
Hayashi, T., et al. "Scoparic acid A, a beta-glucuronidase inhibitor from Scoparia dulcis." J. Nat. Prod. 1992; 55(12): 1748
Hayashi, R., et al. "A cytotoxic flavone from Scoparia dulcis L." Chem. Pharm. Bull. 1988; 36: 4849-51.

Cancer Preventative (Antimutagenic) Actions:
de Freitas, P., et al. "Antimutagenic action of the triterpene betulinic acid isolated from Scoparia dulcis (Scrophulariaceae)." Genet. Mol. Res. 2015 Aug; 14(3): 9745-52.

Antimicrobial, Antiparasitic, & Antimalarial Actions:
Tchinda, C., et al. "Antibacterial activities of the methanol extracts of Albizia adianthifolia, Alchornea laxiflora, Laportea ovalifolia and three other Cameroonian plants against multi-drug resistant Gram-negative bacteria." Saudi J. Biol. Sci. 2017 May; 24(4): 950-955.
Wankhar, W., et al. "HPTLC analysis of Scoparia dulcis Linn (Scrophulariaceae) and its larvicidal potential against dengue vector Aedes aegypti." Nat. Prod. Res. 2015; 29(18): 1757-60.
Dos Santos, E., et al. "Bioactivity evaluation of plant extracts used in indigenous medicine against the snail, Biomphalaria glabrata, and the larvae of Aedes aegypti." Evid. Based Complement. Alternat. Med. 2012; 2012: 846583.
Hayashi, T., et al. "Investigation on traditional medicines of Guarany Indio and studies on diterpenes from Scoparia dulcis." Yakugaku Zasshi. 2011;131(9):1259-69.
Ruiz, L., et al. "Plants used by native Amazonian groups from the Nanay River (Peru) for the treatment of malaria." J Ethnopharmacol. 2011 Jan; 133(2): 917-21.
Gonzales, M., et al. "Synthesis and antiviral activity of scopadulane-rearranged diterpenes." Antiviral Res. 2010 Mar; 85(3): 562-5.
Gachet, M., et al. "Assessment of anti-protozoal activity of plants traditionally used in Ecuador in the treatment of leishmaniasis." J Ethnopharmacol. 2010 Mar; 128(1): 184-97.
Hayashi, T., et al. "[Studies on evaluation of natural products for antiviral effects and their applications]." Yakugaku Zasshi. 2008 Jan;128(1):61-79.
Latha, M., et al. "Phytochemical and antimicrobial study of an antidiabetic plant: Scoparia dulcis L." J. Med. Food. 2006 Fall; 9(3): 391-4.
Phan, M., et al. "Chemical and biological evaluation on scopadulane-type diterpenoids from Scoparia dulcis of Vietnamese origin." Chem. Pharm. Bull. 2006 Apr; 54(4): 546-9.
Hayashi, K., et al. "Evaluation of scopadulciol-related molecules for their stimulatory effect on the cytotoxicity of acyclovir and ganciclovir against Herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase gene-transfected HeLa cells." Chem. Pharm. Bull. 2004 Aug; 52(8): 1015-7.
Riel, M., et al. "Efficacy of scopadulcic acid A against Plasmodium falciparum in vitro." J. Nat. Prod. 2002; 65(4): 614-5.
Kanamoto, T., et al. "Anti-human immunodeficiency virus activity of YK-FH312 (a betulinic acid derivative), a novel compound blocking viral maturation." Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 2001; 45(4): 1225-30.
Rahman, S., et al. "The first total synthesis of (+/-)-scopadulin, an antiviral aphidicolane diterpene." Org. Lett. 2001 Feb; 3(4): 619-21.
Begum, S., et al. "Chemical and biological studies of Scoparia dulcis L. plant extracts." J. Bangladesh Acad. Sci. 2000; 24(2): 141-148.
Hayashi, T., et al. "Antiviral agents of plant origin. II. Antiviral activity of scopadulcic acid B derivatives." Chem. Pharm. Bull. 1990; 38(1): 239-42.
Hayashi, T. Et al. "Antiviral agents of plant origin. III. Scopadulin, a novel tetracyclic diterpene from Scoparia dulcis L." Chem. Pharm. Bull. 1990; 38(4): 945-47.
Hayashi, K., et al. "In vitro and in vivo antiviral activity of scopadulcic acid B from Scoparia dulcis, Scrophulariaceae, against Herpes simplex virus type 1." Antiviral Res. 1988; 9(6): 345-54.
Laurens, A., et al. "Antimicrobial activity of some medicinal species of Dakar markets." Pharmazie. 1985; 40(7): 482.

Anti-ulcer & Antacid Actions:
Hayashi, T., et al. "Investigation on traditional medicines of Guarany Indio and studies on diterpenes from Scoparia dulcis." Yakugaku Zasshi. 2011; 131(9): 1259-69.
Babincova, M., et al. "Antiulcer activity of water extract of Scoparia dulcis." Fitoterapia. 2008 Dec; 79(7-8): 587-8.
Mesia-Vela, S., et al. "In vivo inhibition of gastric acid secretion by the aqueous extract of Scoparia dulcis L. in rodents." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2007 May; 111(2): 403-8.
Hayashi, T., et al. "Scopadulciol, an inhibitor of gastric H+, K+-atpase from Scoparia dulcis, and its structure-activity relationships." J. Nat. Prod. 1991; 54(3): 802-9.
Asano, S., et al."Reversible inhibitions of gastric H+,K(+)-ATPase by scopadulcic acid B and diacetyl scopadol. New biochemical tools of H+,K(+)-ATPase." J. Biol. Chem. 1990 Dec; 265(36): 22167-73.
Hayashi, T., et al. "Scopadulcic acid B, a new tetracyclic diterpenoid from Scoparia dulcis L. Its structure, H+, K(+)-adenosine triphosphatase inhibitory activity and pharmacokinetic behaviour in rats." Chem. Pharm. Bull. 1990; 38(10): 2740-5.

Anti-neurodegenerative, Anti-Alzheimer’s & Neuroprotective Actions:
Kleinrichert, K., and Alappat, B. "Comparative analysis of antioxidant and anti-amyloidogenic properties of various polyphenol rich phytoceutical extracts." Antioxidants. 2019 Jan 1; 8(1).
Sarkaki, A., et al. "The protective effect of betulinic acid on microvascular responsivity and protein expression in Alzheimer disease induced by cerebral micro-injection of beta-amyloid and streptozotocin." Microcirculation. 2018 Nov; 25(8): e12503.
Wankhar, W., et al. "Role of Scoparia dulcis Linn on noise-induced nitric oxide synthase (NOS) expression and neurotransmitter assessment on motor function in Wistar albino rats." Biomed. Pharmacother. 2017 Feb; 86: 475-481.
Wankhar, W., et al. "Antioxidant mediated response of Scoparia dulcis in noise-induced redox imbalance and immunohistochemical changes in rat brain." J. Biomed. Res. 2017 Jan; 31(2): 143-153.
Loganathan, S., and Rathinasamy, S. "Alteration in memory and electroencephalogram waves with sub-acute noise stress in albino rats and safeguarded by Scoparia dulcis." Pharmacogn. Mag. 2016 Jan; 12(Suppl 1): S7-S13.
Shakir, T., et al. "An exploration of the potential mechanisms and translational potential of five medicinal plants for applications in Alzheimer's disease." Am. J. Neurodegener Dis. 2013 Jun; 2(2): 70-88.
Bangou, M., et al. "Evaluation of enzymes inhibition activities of medicinal plant from Burkina Faso." Pak. J. Biol. Sci. 2011 Jan; 14(2): 99-105.
Li, Y., et al. "Search for constituents with neurotrophic factor-potentiating activity from the medicinal plants of Paraguay and Thailand." Yakugaku Zasshi. 2004; 124(7): 417-24
Li, Y., et al. "Acetylated flavonoid glycosides potentiating NGF action from Scoparia dulcis." J. Nat. Prod. 2004; 67(4): 725-7.
Pari, L., et al. "Protective role of Scoparia dulcis plant extract on brain antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in STZ diabetic male Wistar rats." BMC Complement. Altern Med. 2004 Nov; 4: 16.

Antidiabetic, Cholesterol Lowering and Anti-Obesity Actions:
One method vassourinha has to benefit diabetes is its documented α-glucosidase inhibitory effects. This action blocks the amount of dietary sugars that are broken down and absorbed in the intestines. Vassourinha has also exhibited good lipogenesis, adiponectinesis and glucose uptake stimulatory properties. One study reported it "showed significant inhibition of blood glucose level as compared to control and similar to that of standard glibenclamide." Vassourinha has also shown to be an agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma which is implicated in the cause and/or progression of Metabolic Syndrome. Vassourinha’s beneficial actions for treating diabetes and metabolic syndrome are attributed to various plant chemicals including scoparic acid A, scoparic acid D, scutellarein, apigenin, luteolin, coixol, betulinic acid, and glutinol. This 2016 article has a good review of vassourinha’s benefits for diabetes.
Kim, K., et al."Betulinic acid inhibits high-fat diet-induced obesity and improves energy balance by activating AMPK." Nutr. Metab. Cardiovasc. Dis. 2019 Jan 8.
Ajala-Lawal R., "Betulinic acid improves insulin sensitivity, hyperglycemia, inflammation and oxidative stress in metabolic syndrome rats via PI3K/Akt pathways." Arch. Physiol. Biochem. 2018 Oct 5: 1-9.
Ahangarpour, A., The effect of betulinic acid on leptin, adiponectin, hepatic enzyme levels and lipid profiles in streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced diabetic mice." Res. Pharm. Sci. 2018 Apr; 13(2): 142-148.
Ding, H., et al. "New insights into the inhibition mechanism of betulinic acid on α-glucosidase." J. Agric. Food Chem. 2018 Jul; 66(27): 7065-7075.
Ali, A., et al. "Sensitive quantification of coixol, a potent insulin secretagogue, in Scoparia dulcis extract using high-performance liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry and UV detection." Biomed. Chromatogr. 2017 Oct; 31(10).
Pamunuwa, G., et al. "Antidiabetic properties, bioactive constituents, and other therapeutic effects of Scoparia dulcis." Evid Based Complement. Alternat. Med. 2016; 2016: 8243215. Erratum in: Evid. Based Complement. Alternat. Med. 2017; 2017: 2535014
Senadheera, S., et al. "Anti-hyperglycaemic effects of herbal porridge made of Scoparia dulcis leaf extract in diabetics - a randomized crossover clinical trial." BMC Complement. Altern. Med. 2015 Nov; 15: 410.
Sharma, K., et al. "Potent insulin secretagogue from Scoparia dulcis Linn of Nepalese origin." Phytother. Res. 2015 Oct; 29(10): 1672-5.
Perumal, P., et al. "Therapeutic potency of saponin rich aqueous extract of Scoparia dulcis L. in alloxan induced diabetes in rats." Ayu. 2014 Apr; 35(2): 211-7.
Liu, Q., et al. "Bioactive diterpenoids and flavonoids from the aerial parts of Scoparia dulcis." J. Nat. Prod. 2014 Jul; 77(7): 1594-600.
Senadheera, S., et al. "Anti-diabetic properties of rice-based herbal porridges in diabetic Wistar rats." Phytother Res. 2014 Oct; 28(10): 1567-72.
Mishra, M., et al. "Antidiabetic and antioxidant activity of Scoparia dulcis Linn." Indian J. Pharm. Sci. 2013 Sep; 75(5): 610-4.
Beh, J., et al. "SDF7, a group of Scoparia dulcis Linn. derived flavonoid compounds, stimulates glucose uptake and regulates adipocytokines in 3T3-F442a adipocytes." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2013 Oct; 150(1): 339-52.
Attanayake, A., et al. "Study of antihyperglycaemic activity of medicinal plant extracts in alloxan induced diabetic rats." Anc. Sci. Life. 2013 Apr; 32(4): 193-8.
Anuruddhika, S., et al. "Green leafy porridges: how good are they in controlling glycaemic response? Int. J. Food Sci. Nutr. 2013 Mar; 64(2): 169-74.
Beh, J., et al. "Scoparia dulcis (SDF7) endowed with glucose uptake properties on L6 myotubes compared insulin." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2010 May; 129(1): 23-33.
Latha, M., et al. "Antidiabetic effects of scoparic acid D isolated from Scoparia dulcis in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes." Nat. Prod. Res. 2009; 23(16): 1528-40.
Lans, C. A. "Ethnomedicines used in Trinidad and Tobago for urinary problems and diabetes mellitus." J. Ethnobiol. Ethnomedicine. 2006 Oct; 2: 45.
Pari, L., et al. "Antihyperlipidemic effect of Scoparia dulcis (sweet broomweed) in streptozotocin diabetic rats." J. Med. Food. 2006 Spring; 9(1): 102-7.
Pari, L., et al. "Antidiabetic effect of Scoparia dulcis: effect on lipid peroxidation in streptozotocin diabetes." Gen. Physiol. Biophys. 2005 Mar; 24(1): 13-26.
Latha, M., et al. "Effect of an aqueous extract of Scoparia dulcis on plasma and tissue glycoproteins in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats." Pharmazie. 2005; 60(2): 151-4.
Pari, L., et al. "Effect of Scoparia dulcis (Sweet Broomweed) plant extract on plasma antioxidants in streptozotocin-induced experimental diabetes in male albino Wistar rats." Pharmazie. 2004; 59(7): 557-60.
Pari, L., et al. "Effect of Scoparia dulcis extract on insulin receptors in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats: studies on insulin binding to erythrocytes." J. Basic Clin. Physiol. Pharmacol. 2004; 15(3-4): 223-40.
Latha, M., et al. "Scoparia dulcis, a traditional antidiabetic plant, protects against streptozotocin induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in vitro and in vivo." J. Biochem. Mol. Toxicol. 2004; 18(5): 261-72.
Latha, M., et al. "Insulin-secretagogue activity and cytoprotective role of the traditional antidiabetic plant Scoparia dulcis (Sweet Broomweed)." Life Sci. 2004 Sep; 75(16): 2003-14.
Latha, M., et al. "Effect of an aqueous extract of Scoparia dulcis on blood glucose, plasma insulin and some polyol pathway enzymes in experimental rat diabetes." Braz. J. Med. Biol. Res. 2004; 37(4): 577-86.
Latha, M., et al. "Modulatory effect of Scoparia dulcis in oxidative stress-induced lipid peroxidation in streptozotocin diabetic rats." J. Med. Food. 2003 Winter; 6(4): 379-86.
Pari, L., et al. "Hypoglycaemic activity of Scoparia dulcis L. extract in alloxan induced hyperglycaemic rats."Phytother. Res. 2002 Nov; 16(7): 662-4.

Cellular Protective & Antioxidant Actions:
Kleinrichert, K., and Alappat, B. "Comparative analysis of antioxidant and anti-amyloidogenic properties of various polyphenol rich phytoceutical extracts." Antioxidants. 2019 Jan 1; 8(1).
Wankhar, W., et al. "Antioxidant mediated response of Scoparia dulcis in noise-induced redox imbalance and immunohistochemical changes in rat brain." J. Biomed. Res. 2017 Jan; 31(2): 143-153.
Wankhar, W., et al. "Role of Scoparia dulcis Linn on noise-induced nitric oxide synthase (NOS) expression and neurotransmitter assessment on motor function in Wistar albino rats." Biomed. Pharmacother. 2017 Feb; 86: 475-481.
Perumal, P., et al. "Therapeutic potency of saponin rich aqueous extract of Scoparia dulcis L. in alloxan induced diabetes in rats." Ayu. 2014 Apr; 35(2): 211-7.
Nambiar, S., et al. "Inhibition of LDL oxidation and oxidized LDL-induced foam cell formation in RAW 264.7 cells show anti-atherogenic properties of a foliar methanol extract of Scoparia dulcis." Pharmacogn. Mag. 2014 Apr; 10(Suppl 2): S240-8.
Mishra, M., et al. "Antidiabetic and antioxidant activity of Scoparia dulcis Linn." Indian J. Pharm. Sci. 2013 Sep; 75(5): 610-4.
Ratnasooriya, W., et al. "Antioxidant activity of water extract of Scoparia dulcis." Fitoterapia. 2005 Mar; 76(2): 220-2.
Pari, L., et al. "Protective role of Scoparia dulcis plant extract on brain antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in STZ diabetic male Wistar rats." BMC Complement. Altern Med. 2004 Nov; 4: 16.
Babincova, M., et al. "Free radical scavenging activity of Scoparia dulcis extract." J. Med. Food. 2001; 4(3): 179-181.

Antidepressant Actions:
Hasrat, J., et al. "Medicinal plants in Suriname: Screening of plant extracts for receptor binding activity." Phytomedicine. 1997; 4(1): 59-65.

Anti-Sickling Actions:
Abere, T., et al. "Antisickling and toxicological evaluation of the leaves of Scoparia dulcis Linn (Scrophulariaceae)." BMC Complement. Altern. Med. 2015 Nov; 15: 414.

Liver-Protecting Actions:
Tsai, J., et al. "Hepatoprotective effect of Scoparia dulcis on carbon tetrachloride induced acute liver injury in mice." Am. J. Chin. Med. 2010; 38(4): 761-75.
Praveen, T., et al. "Hepatoprotective activity of petroleum ether, diethyl ether, and methanol extract of Scoparia dulcis L. against CCl4-induced acute liver injury in mice." Indian J. Pharmacol. 2009 Jun;41(3):110-4.

Wound-Healing Actions:
Ediriweera, E., et al. "Pro blood clotting activity of Scoparia dulcis in rats." Ayu. 2011 Apr; 32(2): 271-4.

Heavy Metal Chelator Actions:
Chandrasekhar, C., and Ray, J. "Lead accumulation, growth responses and biochemical changes of three plant species exposed to soil amended with different concentrations of lead nitrate." Ecotoxicol. Environ. Saf. 2019 Apr; 171: 26-36.

Safety / Non-Toxic Actions:
Abere, T., et al. "Antisickling and toxicological evaluation of the leaves of Scoparia dulcis Linn (Scrophulariaceae)." BMC Complement. Altern. Med. 2015 Nov; 15: 414. (LD50: >8g/kg)
de Freitas, P., et al. "Antimutagenic action of the triterpene betulinic acid isolated from Scoparia dulcis (Scrophulariaceae)." Genet. Mol. Res. 2015 Aug; 14(3): 9745-52.

Chemical Constituents:
Yamamura, Y., et al. "Characterization of ent-kaurene synthase and kaurene oxidase involved in gibberellin biosynthesis from Scoparia dulcis." J. Nat. Med. 2018 Mar; 72(2): 456-463.
Yamamura, Y., et al. "Elucidation of terpenoid metabolism in Scoparia dulcis by RNA-seq analysis." Sci. Rep. 2017 Mar; 7: 43311.