''Grona triflora'', known as creeping tick trefoil or three-flower beggarweed, is a plant in the family
. It is native to tropical regions around the globe and introduced to subtropical regions including the southern United States.
[
File:Desmodium triflorum in Kadavoor.jpg, Foliage
File:Desmodium triflorum fruit and seeds.jpg, Fruit and seeds
File:Desmodium triflorum at Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden.jpg, At Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden
]
Phytochemicals
''Grona triflora'' (''Desmodium triflorum'') contains alkaloids including ''N'',''N''-dimethyltryptophan
Tryptophan (symbol Trp or W)
is an α-amino acid that is used in the biosynthesis of proteins. Tryptophan contains an α-amino group, an α- carboxylic acid group, and a side chain indole, making it a polar molecule with a non-polar aromatic ...
methyl ester, dimethyltryptamine-''N''-oxide, hypaphorine (structurally related to plakohypaphorine Plakohypaphorines are halogenated indolic non-proteinogenic amino acids named for their similarity to hypaphorine (''N,N,N''-trimethyltryptophan). First reported in the Caribbean sponge
Sponges, the members of the phylum Porifera (; meaning ...
), phenylethylamine
Phenethylamine (PEA) is an organic compound, natural monoamine alkaloid, and trace amine, which acts as a central nervous system stimulant in humans. In the brain, phenethylamine regulates monoamine neurotransmission by binding to trace amin ...
, hordenine
Hordenine is an alkaloid of the phenethylamine class that occurs naturally in a variety of plants, taking its name from one of the most common, barley (''Hordeum'' species). Chemically, hordenine is the ''N''-methyl derivative (chemistry), derivat ...
, tyramine
Tyramine ( ) (also spelled tyramin), also known under several other names, is a naturally occurring trace amine derived from the amino acid tyrosine. Tyramine acts as a catecholamine releasing agent. Notably, it is unable to cross the blood-b ...
, and trigonelline
Trigonelline is an alkaloid with chemical formula . It is a zwitterion formed by the methylation of the nitrogen atom of niacin (vitamin B3). Trigonelline is a product of niacin metabolism that is excreted in urine of mammals.
Trigonelline occurs ...
.
Medicinal applications and qualities
Creeping tick trefoil has been utilized in folk medicine. Conditions it has been used for include wounds, diarrhea, rheumatism, dysentery, and skin diseases.
Known substances found in trefoils include alkaloids and flavonoids. The entire plant is used in human nutritional treatment.[Herbpathy https://herbpathy.com/Uses-and-Benefits-of-Creeping-Tick-Trefoil-Cid1166 retrieved 17 Oct 2022]
Agricultural applications
Creeping tick trefoil is used in agriculture similarly to the closely related ''Desmodium''; see Desmodium#uses.
References
triflora
{{Faboideae-stub