红景天苷对神经系统作用机制研究进展

红景天在我国种类多、分布广、资源丰富,具有扶正固本、调和阴阳、益气补血、通脉养心、健脑益智等作用.近年来对红景天的化学成分、药理作用方面等研究有了较快的发展,现代研究表明,红景天除了具有抗疲劳、抗微波辐射、抗缺氧等作用,并且在心脑血管系统保护,抗肝纤维化,抗肾损害,抗肿瘤,调节内分泌等方面有了新的进展[1-2].     

红景天胶囊主要药效学试验研究

红景天胶囊具有益气强身、扶正固本、通脉养心之功效,主治高原反应等症。依据其功效和主治,本实验从耐缺氧、抗应激、抗疲劳、抗心肌缺血及免疫调节五方面进行了药效学研究。结果表明:红景天胶囊1.875、0.938g/kg剂量能明显延长小鼠常压耐缺氧的时间(P<0.01),并能明显提高小鼠耐减压缺氧的能力,提高小鼠存活率(P<0.05,P<0.01);红景天胶囊     

紫堇属(Corydalis DC.)植物资源在藏药中的应用及其开发与保护

紫堇属植物在藏药中有比较广泛的应用。本文从文献考证、植物的形态和地理分布、化学成分、药理作用、紫堇属植物分布的生境特点等方面对紫堇属植物资源在藏药中的应用及研究进行了总结,并对该属植物资源的开发利用和保护提出了建议。     

红景天甙对拟高原缺氧大鼠肝损伤的保护作用

背景:大量流行病学调查表明,高原低氧环境可能导致肝脏损伤,但对其发病机制的研究还相对较少。红景天甙为藏药红景天的主要活性成分,具有清除氧自由基,保护细胞膜等功能。目的:以肝动脉结扎模拟高原肝脏缺氧,了解高原缺氧对大鼠肝损伤的影响,并验证药物红景天甙对拟高原缺氧大鼠肝损伤的保护作用。方法:将Wistar大鼠按随机数字表法分为3组,结扎组制备肝动脉结扎模型;红景天甙+结扎组分别于结扎前2d,1d、结扎前2h腹腔注射红景天甙灭菌水溶液,两组分别分为结扎1,2,4,6,8h五个时间段;设正常对照组。以全自动生化分析仪检测血清肝功能变化,硫代巴比妥酸法检测丙二醛含量,黄嘌呤氧化酶法检测超氧化物歧化酶活性,苏木精-伊红染色观察肝组织病理学变化,免疫组化检测肝组织缺氧诱导因子1α蛋白水平变化,TUNEL法观察肝组织凋亡情况。结果与结论:通过大鼠肝动脉结扎模拟高原肝脏缺氧可引起肝脏急性损伤。红景天甙干预处理可使大鼠血清肝功指标得到改善(P0.05);降低肝组织丙二醛含量、升高超氧化物歧化酶活性(P0.05);减轻肝组织病理学变化;上调缺氧诱导因子1α蛋白表达水平(P0.05)、减少细胞凋亡(P0.05)。提示药物红景天甙可通过抗氧化应激损伤,抑制细胞凋亡起到对拟高原缺氧大鼠急性肝损伤的保护作用。     

红景天抗肝纤维化研究进展

本文阐述了红景天的分布及主要有效成分、肝纤维化机制以及红景天抗纤维化相关机制。     

红景天抗肝纤维化研究进展

本文阐述了红景天的分布及主要有效成分、肝纤维化机制以及红景天抗纤维化相关机制。     

“三普红景天胶囊”问世

“三普红景天胶囊”问世青海医学专家历时１０余年研制成功的中藏药新品种——“三普红景天胶囊”，近期已投放市场。红景天具有与人参相似的生物活性，是我国继人参、刺五加之后开发出的又一强身健体植物药。据了解，在我国７０多种红景天中，青海占１０种以上。红景天主...     

红景天苷通过PI(3)K/Akt激活HIF-1α表达抑制缺氧诱导的心肌细胞凋亡

目的:探讨红景天苷激活HIF-1α表达,抑制缺氧诱导的心肌细胞凋亡的可能的信号通路.方法:将原代培养的心肌细胞分为4组:正常对照组、缺氧组、缺氧 100 mg/L红景天苷组、缺氧 100 mg/L红景天苷 LY294002组.MTT法测定细胞存活率,Hoechst33258染色、DNA-ladder检测细胞凋亡,通过免疫荧光染色、Western blot检测细胞Akt、磷酸化Akt、HIF-1α的表达.结果:LY294002处理后,红景天苷对缺氧诱导的心肌细胞凋亡的保护作用被明显减弱,细胞存活率明显下降(P<0.01),细胞凋亡比率明显增加(P<0.01),琼脂糖凝胶电泳特异性"ladder"灰度明显加深,磷酸化Akt、HIF-1α2种蛋白表达水平明显降低.结论:红景天苷对缺氧诱导的心肌细胞凋亡的抑制作用,其机制可能是通过PI(3)K/Akt信号通路激活HIF-1α的表达有关.     

大株红景天胶囊中红景天苷含量的RP-HPLC测定

红景天中含有红景天苷、酪醇、黄酮、多种微量元素、氨基酸、维生素A、C、D、E和超氧化物岐化酶（SOD）等,红景天苷（salidroside）是红景天属植物中其主要成分之一。     

红景天甙对缺氧状态下兔肺动脉平滑肌细胞增殖的影响

目的 :高原缺氧性肺动脉高压形成的主要因素有缺氧性肺动脉收缩和缺氧性动脉壁构型重建。肺动脉平滑肌细胞的增殖是缺氧性肺动脉壁构型重建的重要环节。药用植物红景天甙具有抗缺氧、提高机体对高原的适应能力等作用 ,在我国西北、西南高原缺氧地区被用于防治高原适应不全症 ,取得满意效果 ,但对其作用机理尚缺乏研究。方法 :本实验应用细胞培养、ＭＴＴ实验、[3Ｈ]-ＴｄＲ掺入实验、流式细胞仪测定、Ｆｌｕｏ - 3和激光扫描共聚焦显微术以及斑点杂交等方法研究缺氧状态下红景天甙 (Ｓａｌ)对兔肺动脉平滑肌细胞 (ＰＡＳＭＣ)增殖、ＤＮＡ合…     

Medicinal Plants Used for the Treatment of Tuberculosis by Bapedi Traditional Healers in Three Districts of the Limpopo Province,South Africa

The present study was aimed at documenting medicinal plants used for the treatment of tuberculosis (TB) by the Bapedi traditional healers in three districts of the Limpopo Province, South Africa. Fifty two traditional healers from 17 municipalities covering Capricorn, Sekhukhune and Waterberg districts were interviewed between January and July 2011. Twenty one medicinal plant species belonging to 20 genera and 18 families were documented. The majority (61.9%) are indigenous and the rest are exotics, found near homes as weeds or cultivated in home gardens as ornamentals or food plants. Hyacinthaceae, Moraceae and Rutaceae families were the most represented families in terms of species numbers (9.5% each). Herbs and trees (38% each) constituted the largest proportion of the growth forms of the medicinal plants used. Tuberculosis remedies were mostly prepared from leaves (34%) followed by roots (21%). The therapeutic claims made on medicinal plants used to treat TB by the Bapedi traditional healers are well supported by literature, with 71.4% of the species having antimicrobial properties or have similar ethno medicinal uses in other countries. This study therefore, illustrates the importance of medicinal plants in the treatment and management of TB in the Limpopo Province, South Africa.     

Ethnomedicines of Highly Utilized Plants in the Temperate Himalayan Region

Background

Himalayan region of Pakistan has been known as a rich source for valuable medicinal plants. The present work is the documentation of indigenous knowledge of highly utilized plants as natural remedy by the local inhabitants of the northwest part of the country.

Methodology

Data on highly utilized medicinal plants were collected during May–September 2012 using semi-structured questionnaire from the elders, local herbalists and medicinal plants collectors.

Results

In total about 53, plants belonging to 38, families were highly utilized in the study area, of which majority of those (43), were medicinal plants. The most frequent part used in preparation of different medicinal remedies is leaves (53%). Most of the medicinal plant species (14) were used as antipyretic. The inhabitants of the study area were producing ethno-medicines mostly in crushed form (26%). Most of the remedies (74%), were taken orally within the study area. Ten species were found most valuable from the local''s perspective such as Bergenia ciliata, Hedera nepalensis and Viola canescens.

Conclusion

In conclusion, traditional healers depend largely on naturally growing medicinal plant species, which are under severe threat. This study can provide a basis for further phyto-chemical and pharmacological studies on the region''s medicinal plants. Moreover, documentation of indigenous recipes would serve as preservation of the knowledge for the generations to come.     

Medicinal Plants Used as Home Remedies: A Family Survey by First Year Medical Students

Background

There is a hierarchical organisation of knowledge in the use of medicinal plants in communities. Medicinal use knowledge starts in the home and is passed on to family members. Next in the hierarchy are neighbours, village elders and finally, traditional healers being the most knowledgeable. For primary health care this hierarchy is actively followed in seeking remedies for ailments.

Materials and Methods

This study was a survey of medicinal plant knowledge from family members of 1^st year medical students registered at Walter Sisulu University. A total of 206 first year medical students participated in this study in 2010 and 2011.

Results

Results revealed 47 species used as home remedies, 32% of which are food plants. Leaves and roots were reported as most commonly used. The top five ailments managed at home were gastrointestinal problems (25 plants), wounds (19 plants), respiratory tract problems (19 plants), infections, including sexually transmitted diseases (19 plants) and pain including headaches (19 plants). Chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer and reproductive ailments also formed a large group of diseases self-managed at home (29 plants).

Conclusion

Family members hold knowledge of medicinal plant use. From this study, first year medical students were made aware of the relationship between common ailments and associated home remedies. This study forms a basis for further study of medicinal plants to validate their use as medicinal remedies.     

Medicinal Plants and Formulations Used by the Soren Clan of the Santal Tribe in Rajshahi District,Bangladesh for Treatment of Various Ailments

The Santals form the largest tribal community in northern Bangladesh reside primarily in Rajshahi and Rangpur Divisions, where they live in the districts of Rajshahi, Rangpur, Thakurgaon, Dinajpur, and Panchagarh. Although they are fast losing their traditional medicinal practices, they still have their own medicinal practitioners who rely mostly on medicinal plants for treatment of a variety of ailments. The traditional medicinal practices vary quite extensively between the twelve clans of the Santals. The objective of the present study was to conduct an ethnomedicinal survey amongst the Soren clan of the Santal community residing in two villages of Tanor Santal Para in Rajshahi district to collect information on their use of medicinal plants. Interviews were conducted of the two existing Santal traditional medicinal practitioners of the Soren clan with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire and using the guided field-walk method. Plant specimens as pointed out by the practitioners were collected and pressed on the field and identification completed at the Bangladesh National Herbarium. Information on 53 medicinal plants distributed into 32 families was obtained in this survey. Ailments treated by these plants included skin disorders, respiratory tract disorders, gastro-intestinal disorders, sexual dysfunctions, sexually transmitted diseases, diabetes, helminthiasis, pain, urinary problems, filariasis, leprosy, tuberculosis, epilepsy, snake bite, enlarged heart, and paralysis. The medicinal plants used by the Santals merit further scientific studies for some of their formulations are used to treat diseases like diabetes, paralysis, enlarged heart, tuberculosis, and filariasis for which modern medicine has no known cure or medicines have developed resistant vectors.     

Medicinal Plants Useful for Malaria Therapy in Okeigbo, Ondo State, Southwest Nigeria

There is increasing resistance of malaria parasites to chloroquine, the cheapest and commonly used drug for malaria in Nigeria. Artemisin, a product from medicinal plant indigenous to China, based on active principle of Artemisia annua, has been introduced into the Nigerian market. However not much has been done to project antimalaria properties of indigenous medicinal plants. This study thus, has the main objective of presenting medicinal plants used for malaria therapy in Okeigbo, Ondo State, South west Nigeria. Focus group discussions and interview were held about plants often found useful for malaria therapy in the community. Fifty species (local names) including for example: Morinda lucida (Oruwo), Enantia chlorantha (Awopa), Alstonia boonei (Ahun), Azadirachta indica (Dongoyaro) and Khaya grandifoliola (Oganwo) plants were found to be in use for malaria therapy at Okeigbo, Southwest, Nigeria . The parts of plants used could either be the barks, roots, leaves or whole plants. The recipes also, could be a combination of various species of plants or plant parts. This study highlights potential sources for the development of new antimalarial drugs from indigenous medicinal plants found in Okeigbo, Nigeria.     

A Survey of Medicinal Plants Used by Kavirajes of Chalna Area, Khulna District, Bangladesh

Kavirajes or traditional medicinal practitioners form the primary healthcare providers of the predominantly rural population of Bangladesh. Kavirajes use a variety of medicinal plants for treatment of different ailments. The formulations prepared from medicinal plants vary considerably between Kavirajes of different regions of the country. The objective of this study was to conduct an ethnomedicinal survey amongst the Kavirajes of Chalna area, Khulna district, Bangladesh. That area is known to contain a diversity of medicinal plants. Information on 50 plant species was obtained. These medicinal plants belonged to 49 genera and 33 families. Twenty five plants were used to treat skin diseases and twenty three plants for treatment of intestinal tract disorders, which included constipation, indigestion, stomachache, diarrhea, and dysentery. Fourteen plants were also used by the Kavirajes to treat cancer or tumor. Nine plants were used as insecticide, eight for rheumatoid arthritis, and seven for wounds. Five plants were used to treat jaundice. Five plants were also utilized to treat animal and snake bites, which included tiger bites. Six plants were used to treat diabetes, and two each for the treatment of leprosy, and sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea. Five plants were used to treat impotency, while one plant was used as an abortifacient. Three plants were used to treat helminthiasis, which we found to be quite common amongst the population, while four plants were used to treat heart disorders. Taken together, these plant species offer considerable potential for discovery of novel compounds of pharmacological interest.     

The Role and Place of Medicinal Plants in the Strategies for Disease Prevention

Medicinal plants have been used in healthcare since time immemorial. Studies have been carried out globally to verify their efficacy and some of the findings have led to the production of plant-based medicines. The global market value of medicinal plant products exceeds $100 billion per annum. This paper discusses the role, contributions and usefulness of medicinal plants in tackling the diseases of public health importance, with particular emphasis on the current strategic approaches to disease prevention. A comparison is drawn between the ‘whole population’ and ‘high-risk’ strategies. The usefulness of the common-factor approach as a method of engaging other health promoters in propagating the ideals of medicinal plants is highlighted. The place of medicinal plants in preventing common diseases is further examined under the five core principles of the Primary Health Care (PHC) approach. Medicinal plants play vital roles in disease prevention and their promotion and use fit into all existing prevention strategies. However, conscious efforts need to be made to properly identify, recognise and position medicinal plants in the design and implementation of these strategies. These approaches present interesting and emerging perspectives in the field of medicinal plants. Recommendations are proposed for strategising the future role and place for medicinal plants in disease prevention.     

Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants Used by Sabaots of Mt. Elgon Kenya

Though the majority of people in Kenya and at Kopsiro Division in particular, rely on ethnomedicinal plant species to manage human ailments, the indigenous knowledge largely remains undocumented. Therefore, an ethnobotanical study was conducted on medicinal plant species used to manage human ailments at Kopsiro Division Mt. Elgon District Kenya. The objectives were to identify and document plants traditionally used for medicinal therapy by the Sabaots, to find out the method used for preparing and administering the drugs and to find out the conservation practices for the medicinal plants. Observations and semi-structured interviews were used to gather ethnobotanical data. 107 plants belonging to 56 families were identified and reported to be of medicinal value to the locals. Roots (47.3%) were the most frequently used parts of the plant followed by the bark (23.35%) then leaves (22.75%). The whole plant (1.8%), seed (1.2%), fruit (1.2%), sap (1.2%), flower (0.6%) and wood (0.6%) are least used in that order. The study revealed other hitherto undocumented medicinal plant species that may be new records for treating various ailments. Traditional medicine in Kopsiro division offers cheap, accessible and convenient remedy that suits the traditional lifestyle of the local community in comparison to the conventional medicine. Most medicinal plant species reported in this study were found to be under threat and this calls for urgent conservation measures so as to maximize the sustainable use of these vital resources in the study area.     

Medicinal Plants Used for Treatment of Diabetes by the Marakh Sect of the Garo Tribe Living in Mymensingh District,Bangladesh

Diabetes mellitus is an endocrinological disorder arising from insulin deficiency or due to ineffectiveness of the insulin produced by the body. This results in high blood glucose and with time, to neurological, cardiovascular, retinal and renal complications. It is a debilitating disease and affects the population of every country of the world. Around 200 million people of the world suffer from this disease and this figure is projected to rise to 300 million in the coming years. The disease cannot be cured with allopathic medicine as the drugs used do not restore normal glucose homeostasis and moreover have side-effects. On the other hand, traditional medicinal practitioners of various countries claim to cure diabetes or at least alleviate the major symptoms and progression of this disease through administration of medicinal plants. The Garos are an indigenous community of Bangladesh, who still follow their traditional medicinal practices. Their traditional medicinal formulations contain a number of plants, which they claim to be active antidiabetic agents. Since observation of indigenous practices have led to discovery of many modern drugs, it was the objective of the present study to conduct a survey among the Marakh sect of the Garos residing in Mymensingh district of Bangladesh to find out the medicinal plants that they use for treatment of diabetes. It was found that the tribal practitioners of the Marakh sect of the Garos use twelve medicinal plants for treatment of diabetes. These plants were Lannea coromandelica, Alstonia scholaris, Catharanthus roseus, Enhydra fluctuans, Terminalia chebula, Coccinia grandis, Momordica charantia, Cuscuta reflexa, Phyllanthus emblica, Syzygium aqueum, Drynaria quercifolia, and Clerodendrum viscosum. A review of the scientific literature demonstrated that almost all the plants used by the Garo tribal practitioners have reported antidiabetic and/or antioxidant properties and have enormous potential for possible development of new and efficacious antidiabetic drugs.     

The regulatory mechanism of fungal elicitor-induced secondary metabolite biosynthesis in medical plants

A wide range of external stress stimuli trigger plant cells to undergo complex network of reactions that ultimately lead to the synthesis and accumulation of secondary metabolites. Accumulation of such metabolites often occurs in plants subjected to stresses including various elicitors or signal molecules. Throughout evolution, endophytic fungi, an important constituent in the environment of medicinal plants, have known to form long-term stable and mutually beneficial symbiosis with medicinal plants. The endophytic fungal elicitor can rapidly and specifically induce the expression of specific genes in medicinal plants which can result in the activation of a series of specific secondary metabolic pathways resulting in the significant accumulation of active ingredients. Here we summarize the progress made on the mechanisms of fungal elicitor including elicitor signal recognition, signal transduction, gene expression and activation of the key enzymes and its application. This review provides guidance on studies which may be conducted to promote the efficient synthesis and accumulation of active ingredients by the endogenous fungal elicitor in medicinal plant cells, and provides new ideas and methods of studying the regulation of secondary metabolism in medicinal plants.