Gen info
- Cleomaceae are a small family of flowering plants in the order Brassicales, comprising about 220 species in two genera, Cleome and Cleomella. The genera were previously included in the family Capparaceae, but were raised to a distinct family when DNA evidence suggested the genera included in it were more closely related to Brassicaceae than to Capparaceae.
- In 1994, a group of scientists including Walter Stephen Judd suggested merging Capparaceae with
Brassicaceae. (29)
- Cleome rutidosperma, commonly known as fringed spider flower or purple cleome, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Cleome of the family Cleomaceae.
- In Jamaica, called 'consumption weed' for its folkloric use in treating tuberculosis.

Botany
• Seru walai is plant with spreading and prostrate branches. Leaves are divided in 3 leaflets. Flowers are small, violet-blue, 5 millimeters long, borne on long stalks from the leaf axil of the flowering stems. Fruit is cylindrical and curved, about 5 centimeters long, with numerous round, reddish-brown to black seeds, 1.5 millimeters diameter with barred surfaces.

• Growth form: Herbaceous plants that form dense mats or grow as an epiphyte. Foliage: Compound, trifoliate leaves are composed of elliptic to narrowly ovate leaflets. Leaflets are tightly packed together and united at the base without any intervening stalk. Sunken, pinnate venation creates a quilted leaf surface. Flowers: Flowers are composed of 4 reddish petals that gradually fade to pink or light purple. The petals point upwards and are arranged side-by-side in a fan-like pattern. Fruit: Dry, dehiscent fruits are known as capsules. Fruits are cylindrical with a beak at the tip (5-7 cm long, 0.4-0.5 cm wide). They have 2 compartments which hold many, tiny seeds that are brown to black and have a ribbed surface. Ants help to disperse seeds. (30)

Distribution
- Introduced; naturalized.
- First recorded in Manila around 1948.
- Now aggressively spreading on waysides, farmlands and gardens.
- A very common lowland weed along roadsides, waste places, etc.
- An invasive weed throughout most lowland wet tropical Asia and Australia.
- Native to Angola, Assam, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Gulf of Guinea Is., India, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zaïre. (7)

Constituents
- Phytochemical studies showed the presence of tannins, flavonoids and cardiac glycosides; alkaloids, steroids, pentose and reducing sugars. source
- Phytoochemical screening of leaves yielded tannins, saponins, glycoside, alkaloids, and flavonoid. (see study below) (15)
- Phytochemical screening of leaf and stem ethyl acetate extracts yielded glycoside (L), tannins (LS), flavonoids (L), alkaloids (L), essential oil (LS). (see study below) (17)
- Phytochemical screening of seed flour yielded alkaloids, steroids, pentose, reducing sugars, tannins, flavonoids, and cardiac glucosides. Seeds yielded carbohydrates 74.43%, fats 7.20%, and proteins 11.73%. Major minerals of the defatted seed flour were potassium 39.00 ppm, sodium 23.00 ppm, calcium 18.00 ppm, zinc 0.013 ppm.(18)
- Phytochemical screening of aqueous extract of leaves yielded flavonoids, polyphenols, triterpene, amino acid, protein, and tannins, while 70% ethanolic extract yielded alkaloids, flavonoids, reducing sugars, polyphenols, carbohydrates, steroids, proteins, and tannins. (see study below) (32)
- Study of aerial parts for essential oil by steam-distillation (0.02%) analyzed by GC-FID, GC-MS, and RI (retention index) yielded EO dominated by oxygenated diterpenes (67.6%), with (Z)-phytol (65.1%) being the single most abundant constituent. (see study below) (32)
- Phytochemical screening of hydroethanol extracts of leaves yielded alkaloids , flavonoids, saponins, tannins, steroids, terpenoid, cardiac glycoside, and phenols, while the root extract yielded the same except for alkaloids, cardiac glycoside and phenol. (see study below) (35)
- Study for phytoconstituents, proximate composition and mineral profile of C. rutidosperma in Nigeria yielded: moisture 11.8%, ash 10.4%, crude protein22.8%, fiber 5.1%, crude fat 4.42%, carbohydrate 45.5%.  Calcium showed highest mineral concentration 787 mg/100g, followed by potassium 545 mg/100g, phosphorus 289 mg/100g. Copper was 8.17 mg/100 g, least in minerals. Lead was not detected. Quantitative levels yielded alkaloids (0.158 mg/g), total tannins (6.25 mgTAE/g), flavonoids (8.22 mg QE/g), saponins (0.82 mg/g), and total phenolic content (16.6 mg TAE/g). (The appreciable amount of protein and carbohydrate suggest potential as a good food supplement). (36)

Properties
- Considered abortifacient, stimulant, antiscorbutic, anthelmintic, vesicant, carminative, anticonvulsant.
- Studies have suggested diuretic, antibacterial, laxative, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antioxidant, anti-neuroinflammatory, wound healing, antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, antimalarial, immune boosting, anticonvulsant, hypocholesterolemic, anti-arthritic, sedative, hypnotic, anticandidal, antibiofilm, anti-osteoporotic, osteoregenerative, phytoremediative properties.

Parts utilized
Roots and leaves.

Uses
Edibility
- In Nigeria, used as vegetable by pregnant and breast feeding mothers. (25)
- In India, tender leaves eaten as 'sag.'
- Leaves have a bitter taste like mustard. In Uganda clarified butter (ghee) is added to give it more flavor. Sometimes used as pot herb. (31)
Folkloric
- Reported abortifacient use.
- Traditionally used in treatment of paralysis, epilepsy, spasms, pain, and skin diseases. (12)
- In Cameroon, plant is used by traditional healers for treatment of malaria. (16)
- In Nigeria, leaves used by expectant or breast feeding mothers for hormonal balance. Also used for ear inflammation and as anthelmintic and carminative. (25)
- In Ghana, Gabon, and DR Congo, leaf sap used to treat earache, ear inflammation and deafness. In Ghana and the Igbos of South Nigeria, leaf extract used to treat irritated skin and prickly heat. In Nigeria, used to treat convulsions. (31)
- In Indian medicine, used for treatment of paralysis, convulsions, epilepsy, pain, spasm, and skin diseases. IN
Others
- Insect control: In Malaysia, Cleome rutidosperma is planted around field edges as part of an insect control program, diverting oviposition of diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) away from cultivated plants. (31)

Studies
• Diuretic / Antibacterial: Study of crude aqueous extract showed CR to possess significant dose-dependent diuretic activity and concentration dependent antibacterial activity against gram positive and gram negative bacteria. (1)
• Diuretic / Laxative: Study of CR showed significant diuretic effect and well as dose-dependent laxative effect. (2)
• Analgesic / Antipyretic / Anti-Inflammatory: Study of ethanolic extract showed significant analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activity. (3) Study of methanol extract of CR roots showed significant analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activity, suppressing paw edema induced by s in rats compared with aspirin, (6)
• Nutritional Composition: Flour from the seeds of Cleome rutidosperma revealed alkaloids, steroids, pentose and reducing sugars. It also contained tannins, flavonoids and cardiac glycosides. The major mineral contents were potassium, sodium and calcium. The seeds are potential sources of carbohydrate, fats, protein, and micro- and macrominierals, a potential use as human food or incorporation into livestock feed. (4)
• Analgesic / Locomotor Activity Effect : Crude methanol, chloroform and petroleum ether extracts of Cleome rutidosperma all showed significant analgesic and depressed locomotor activity compared to control treatment with morphine treatment, aspirin and chlorpromazine. (5)
• Antimicrobial: Study of an ethanolic extract and various fractions of C. rutidosperma showed antimicrobial activity against tested strains of microorganisms. The activity of the mother extract was potentiated by fractionation; highest activity was seen with the diethyl ether fractions. (8)
• Anti-Neuroinflammatory: Study evaluated the anti-neuroinflammatory activities of ethanol extracts of C. rutidosperma and Euphorbia thymifolia using LPS-stimulated microglial cell line BV2. CR and ET suppressed BV2 activation, downregulated iNOS and COX-2 expression and inhibited NO overproduction without affecting cell viability. Results suggest CR and ET possess anti-neuroinflammatory activities by inhibiting pro-inflammatory mediator expression and production, upregulating HO-1, GCLM and NQO1, blocking NF-kN and modulating JNK signaling pathways. (9)
• Wound Healing / Roots: Study evaluated various extracts of C. rutidosperma roots for wound healing activities in rats using excision and incision wound models. Results showed methanol and aqueous extracts with faster rate of wound healing compared with other extracts. (10)
• Antidiabetic Effect / Leaves: Study evaluated the effect of oral administration of aqueous extract of leaves of C. rutidosperma and Senecio biafrae roots on blood glucose, biochemical parameters, lipid profile, antioxidant enzymes and hepatic glucose regulating enzymes on STZ-induced diabetic rats. The aqueous extracts of both plants produced significant (p<0.05) decreased in blood glucose, TC, LDL, triacylglycerols, creatinine, BUN, and various other marker enzymes. There was acceleration of hepatic glucokinase activity and inhibition of gluconeogenesis enzymatic activity. Comparatively, CR aqueous extract of leaves showed better activities than SB extract of roots. (11) Study evaluated the hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic effect of methanol extract of leaves of C. rutidosperma in alloxan induced diabetic Wistar rats. Results showed an antihyperglycemic effect with more rapid onset of action and better glycemic control compared to glibenclamide. (21)
• Comparative Antoxidant Activity: Study evaluated the antioxidant activity of water and ethanol extracts of aerial parts of C. rutidosperma. Both extracts showed significant antioxidant activity in DPPH, NO, and OH radical induced in-vitro assay methods. Both extracts showed promising free radical scavenging of DPPH in a concentration dependent manner up to 250 µg/ml, with the ethanol extract showing more activity than the aqueous extract. (12)
• Antinociceptive Activity: Study evaluated the anti-nociceptive properties of methanol extract from C. rutidosperma in-vivo using thermal (hot plate test and tail flick test) and chemical (formalin induced licking test and writhing test by acetic acid) methods in mice and rats. The results suggest both peripheral and central mechanisms. (13) Study evaluated the analgesic effect of ethanolic extract of C. rutidosperma leaves using Swiss albino mice by Eddy's hot plate method and Formalin test method. Results showed significant reduction in paw licking and paw jumping response. (14)
• Immune Boosting / Lipid Effects / Synergism with Costus afer / Leaves: Study evaluated the effect of combined ethanolic leaf extract of Costus afer and Cleome rutidosperma on hematological and serum lipid parameters. Results suggest the combined leaf extract could be used in boosting the immune system, along with its beneficial effects of serum cholesterol concentration. (15)
• Antimalarial / Plasmodium falciparum / Aerial Parts: Study evaluated an ethanolic extract of aerial parts of Cleome rutidosperma for in-vitro antiplasmodial activity against chloroquine sensitive (CQS) D10 strain of Plasmodium falciparum. Results showed moderate activity against P. falciparum CQS D10 with IC50 of 34.4 µg/mL. The diethyl ether fraction showed more potency with good antiplasmodial activity (IC50 8.1 µg/ml). Study suggests the activity may be due to the presence terpenoids or flavonoids. (16)
• Antibacterial / Bioenhancing Activity / Leaves: Study of en ethyl acetate soxhlet extract of Cleome rutidosperma showed antibacterial and bioenhancing properties against clinically isolated multiple drug resistant (MDR) strains. (17)
• Antidiabetic Fraction: An earlier study of an aqueous crude extract of C. rutidosperma showed anti-hyperglycemic activity. This bioassay guided fractionation sought to identify the potent antihyperglycemic fraction from the aqueous extract. A methanol fractions significantly (p<0.05) reduced blood glucose more than other fractions. (19)
• CNS Anti-Depressant Activity: In-vivo study of Cleome rutidosperma extract in mice models using open field, hole cross, and thiopental sodium induced sleeping time tests. showed promising central nervous system depressant effect. (20)
• Antioxidant / Antibacterial / Anticancer / Leaves: Study evaluated various leaf extracts of Cleome. rutidosperma for antioxidant, antibacterial and anticancer activities using in vitro methods. A ME showed 12 mm zone of inhibition against B. cereus and E coli, while an EA extract showed 10 mm against S. aureus and 12 mm against S. typhi. A ME also exhibited significant antioxidant activity by DPPH assay and anticancer activities. (22)
• Hypoglycemic / Roots: Study evaluated the hypoglycemic effect of an ethanolic extract of roots of Cleome rutidosperma in alloxan induced hyperglycemic rats. The root extract caused significant reduction in blood glucose in a dose dependent manner. (23)
• Anticonvulsant Activity / Aerial Parts: Study evaluated the anticonvulsant activity of ethanol, petroleum ether, diethyl ether, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol extracts of aerial parts of Cleome rutidosperma in strychnine induced tonic convulsion in Swiss albino mice. All extracts reduced convulsion in mice except the ethanol extract. The diethyl ether extract showed significant (p<0.01) anticonvulsant activity compared to other extracts. (24)
• Phytochemical Screening / Alkaloid Content: Qualitative analysis yielded alkaloids, tannin, saponin, steroid, and cardiac glycoside. Of ten medicinal plants screened, C. rutidosperma showed the lowest yield of alkaloid (0.32%) and highest yield of tannin (15.25%). (25)
• Toxicity Studies / Aerial Parts: Study evaluated the safety profile of ethanol extract of Cleome rutidosperma aerial parts by acute and sub-chronic toxicity studies in female Sprague-Dawley rats. A dose of 2000 mg/kbw was given as a single dose by oral gavage. A single dose of 400 mg/kbw was administered daily for 28 days. No toxicity was observed at levels administered. The LD50 of the aqueous extract is >2000 mg/kbw. (26)
• Antimicrobial / Antioxidant / Leaves: Study evaluated the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of aqueous and 70% ethanolic extracts of leaves of C. rutidosperma. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts showed phenolic content of 102.70 and 121.67 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g dry weight and total flavonoid contents of 36.93 and 65.08 mg quercetin equivalents (QE)/g dry weight, and total tannin content of 19.05 and 20.03 mg Tannic acid equivalent / g dry weight respectively. The 70% ethanolic content showed more higher antimicrobial and antioxidant activity than aqueous decoction. (see constituents above) (32)
• Antitubercular / Antimicrobial / Essential Oil / Aerial Parts: Cleome rutidosperma aerial essential oil exhibited moderate inhibition against the activity of recombinant arylamine N-acetyltransferase (NAT) from Mycobacterium marinum (IC50 22.20 µg/mL), while racemic phytol showed inhibition with IC50 of 22.33 µg/mL, which accounts for NAT inhibition from the crude oil. Inhibition of NAT, a key enzyme in mycobacterial growth may be the pathway for phytol to interact with the active site using in-silico methods to render its previously demonstrated anti-tubercular properties. The phytol rich EO also exhibited antimicrobial activity against all nine human pathogenic bacteria and fungal strain assayed, with most significant inhibitory activity against Bacillus cereus. (33)
• Anti-Arthritic / Aerial Parts: Study evaluated various extracts of aerial parts of Cleome rutidosperma for anti-arthritic activity in male albino rats using cotton pellet granuloma method and Freund's adjuvant induced arthritis model. Prednisolone (5 mg/kibw) was used as standard. The ethanolic extract exhibited significant anti-arthritic activity. Dose of 200 mg/kbw in chronic model of granuloma pouch in rats produced 48% inhibition and 44.0% inhibition in the arthritis model, compared to standard prednisolone with 58.5% and 59% inhibition. (34)
• Anti-Hyperglycemic / Anti-Hyperlipidemic / Antioxidant / Leaves and Roots: Study evaluated the effect of hydroethanol extracts of C. rutidosperma leaves and roots on hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and parameters of oxidative stress in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in male albino rats. STZ-induction cause significant (p<0.05) rise in blood glucose and marked disturbances in biochemical parameters. Treatment with extracts caused significant (p<0.05) reversal in blood glucose level and serum and tissue biochemical parameters in liver and kidney. Effects were dose dependent with the leave showing better activity than root extracts. (35)
• Sedative / Hypnotic / Leaves: Study evaluated the sedative and hypnotic activities of ethanolic extract from leaves of C. rutidosperma (EECR) in Swiss albino mice. EECR exhibited significant (p<0.001) sedative effect by decreasing the number of square and hole crossed by mice in open field and hole cross tests in a dose-dependent (100-400 mg/kg) manner. Hole-board test significantly (p<0.001) showed decrease number of head dips, similar in effect to diazepam (1 mg?kg) in a dose-dependent manner. Rota-rod test also showed significant (p<0.001) decrease in performance time as well as increase in number of falls in a dose dependent manner. In thiopental sodium-induced sleeping test, EECR significantly (p<0.001) produced shortening in latency period and prolonged sleeping time in a dose-dependent (100-400 mg/kg) manner. (37)
• Anthelmintic / Antimicrobial / Aerial Parts: Study evaluated powdered plant material defatted with petroleum spirit and extract with ethanol for antimicrobial and anthelmintic activities.The chloroform fraction of ethanol extract showed strong anthelmintic activity against adult Lumbricus terrestris. Antimicrobial testing using agar disc diffusion method showed inhibitory effect for gram (-) Escherichia coli and gram (+) Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus faecalis. The chloroform fraction showed more pronounced activity against Gram(+) bacteria and fungi. Antimicrobial activities were attributed to phytol and eucalyptol plant constituents. (38)
• Silver Nanoparticles / Anti-Candidal / Antibiofilm / Anticancer / Leaves: Study reports on the synthesis of AgNPs using Cleome rutidosperma leaf extract. The AgNPs produced an inhibitory zone against Candida albicans and its biofilm between 30 to 50 µg/mL concentrations and produced cytotoxicity against A431 (epidermoid carcinoma) cells in vitro with IC50 of 36.56 µg/ml. Results showed potential for AgNPs from leaf extract as anti-candida treatment. (39)
• Hepatoprotective / CCl4 Toxicity / Aerial Parts: Study evaluated an ethanolic extract of aerial parts of Cleome rutidosperma for hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride induced toxicity. The extract at dose of 400 mg/kbw exhibited moderate protective effect by significantly lowering the serum levels of ALT and AST and cholesterol, along with histopathological evidence of regeneration effects. (40)
• Anti-Osteoporotic / Osteoregenerative: Study evaluated the effect of aqueous extract on osteoporotic fractures in osteoporotic ovariectomized female rats with holes created in the femur. The ovariectomized-fractured mice received distilled water, extract )75, 150, or 300 mg/kg) or estradiol valerate (1 mg/kg) orally for 28 days. Extract treated rats showed improved in lipid profile, a significant increase in bone density with improvement in ALP activity. reduced oxidative stress with increased GSH, nitrite concentrations and caralase activity, with decreased MDA levels. Extract increased TGF-ß and osteocalcin levels while TNFα decreased. At 75 mg/dose, there was disappearance of resorptive area in the femoral head with a more compact bone formation at the fracture site. Results demonstrated anti-osteoporotic and osteoregenerative effects, which could be partially due to presence of ursolic acid, phytol, and kaempferitrin in the extract. (41)
• Phytoremediation / Cadmium and Lead / Shoots and Roots: Study evaluated the hyperaccumulator potentialities of Cleome rutidosperma against cadmium and lead in contaminated sites. Hydroponic screening experiment against cadmium and lead revealed that even at 10 mg/kg concentration, it could accumulate 42.49 mg/kg of Cd and 27.79 mg/kg of Pb in shoots, and 134.71 mg/kg Cd and 491.35 mg/kg of Pb in roots. Study suggests R. rutidosperma can accumulate and translocate heavy metals to the aerial parts when metal concentration is extremely high, proving itself as an efficient hyperaccumulator. GC-MS analysis of root exudates revealed five major compounds viz., palmitic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid, campesterol, and stigmasterol, which are metabolic markers for detoxification mechanisms triggered by various stresses. Results suggest C. rutidosperma is a potent hyper-accumulator and can be explored for remediation of other classes of environmental pollutants.(42)

Availability
Wildcrafted.