Is aristolochic acid nephropathy a widespread problem in developing countries?: A case study of Aristolochia indica L. in Bangladesh using an ethnobotanical–phytochemical approach

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Species of Aristolochia are associated with aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN), a renal interstitial fibrosis and upper urinary tract cancer (UUC). Aristolochic acid nephropathy has been reported in ten countries but its true incidence is unknown and most likely underestimated. By combining an ethnobotanical and phytochemical approach we provide evidence for the risk of AAN occurring in Bangladesh. More specifically, we assess the intra-specific variation of aristolochic acid analogues in medicinally used Aristolochia indica samples from Bangladesh.

Materials and methods

Ethnobotanical information was collected from 16 kavirajes (traditional healers) in different study locations in Bangladesh. Plant samples were obtained from native habitats, botanical gardens, herbal markets and pharmaceutical companies. The samples were extracted using 70% methanol and were analysed using LC-DAD-MS and ¹H-NMR.

Results

Roots as well as leaves are commonly used for symptoms such as snake bites and sexual problems. Among the informants knowledge about toxicity or side effects is very limited and Aristolochia indica is often administered in very high doses. Replacement of Aristolochia indica with other medicinal plants such as Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Benth. ex Kurz was common. Aristolochia indica samples contained a variety of aristolochic acid analogues such as aristolochic acid I, aristolochic acid II, cepharadione A and related compounds.

Conclusions

AAN cases are likely to occur in Bangladesh and more awareness needs to be raised about the health risks associated with the use of Aristolochia indica and other species of Aristolochia as herbal medicines.     

Genotoxicity of polar and apolar extracts obtained from Qualea multiflora and Qualea grandiflora

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The species Qualea grandiflora and Qualea multiflora, which belong to the Vochysiaceae family, are common in the Brazilian savannah (Cerrado biome), and the local inhabitants use these species to treat external ulcers and gastric diseases and as an anti-inflammatory agent. Studies have demonstrated that these plants contain compounds that exhibit pharmacological activities; however, the risks associated with their consumption are not known.

Material and methods

In the present study, the mutagenicity of polar and apolar extracts from Qualea grandiflora and Qualea multiflora were assessed by employing the Ames assay with and without metabolic activation. Additionally, phytochemical analyses (HPLC-ESI-IT-MS, HPLC-UV-PDA and GC-IT-MS) were performed to identify the chemical constituents present in these species, including the evaluation of physico-chemical properties, such as polarity or apolarity of the organic compounds, which are related to each fraction obtained. These studies provide important information regarding the biochemical behaviour of these compounds.

Results

All extracts exhibited mutagenicity, inducing frameshift mutations and base substitutions in DNA. Phytochemical analysis identified terpenes, ellagic acid derivatives and phytosteroids.

Conclusions

The mutagenicity observed might be due to the presence of pentacyclic triterpenes and polyphenols, which are able to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and result in the potential to cause DNA damage. The genetic risk identified in this present work shows that special attention should be considered for the use of compounds obtained from these plant species in medicinal treatments. Further studies must be conducted to identify safe therapeutic doses.     

In vitro antimicrobial activity of extracts and compounds of some selected medicinal plants from Cameroon

Aim of the study

Seven extracts and eight compounds from four selected Cameroonian medicinal plants, Solanecio mannii Hook f. (Asteraceae), Monodora myristica Dunal (Annonaceae), Albizia gummifera (J.F. Gmel) C.A. Smith (Fabaceae/Mimosoideae) and Glyphaea brevis (Spreng) Monachino (Tiliaceae), traditionally used for the treatment of hepatitis, parasites and other infectious diseases, were tested in vitro for their antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive (5 species) and Gram-negative (4 species) bacteria species and pathogenic yeasts (2 Candida species), to establish whether or not they have antimicrobial activity and to validate scientifically their use in traditional medicine.

Materials and methods

The agar disc diffusion and the microbroth dilution methods were used to determine the zone of inhibition between the edge of the filter paper and the edge of the inhibition area (IZ) and the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) respectively.

Results

The most active extracts against Candida albicans and Candida krusei were respectively the cyclohexane extract from the fruits of Monodora myristica and the ethyl acetate extract from the stem bark of Albizia gummifera (MIC = 6.3 μg/ml for both extracts). The lowest MIC value (1.6 μg/ml) for purified compounds was obtained on Candida albicans with a mixture of linear aliphatic primary alcohols (n-C24H50O to n-C30H62O), with n-hexacosanol (1b) as major compound and mixture of fatty acid esters of diunsaturated linear 1,2-diols (6).

Conclusion

These results afford ground informations for the potential use of the crude extracts of these species as well as of some of the isolated compounds in bacterial and fungal infections.     

Antimutagenic effects of ethanolic extracts from selected Palestinian medicinal plants

Aim of the study

Eryngium creticum, Nigella sativa, and Teucrium polium have been traditionally used for the treatment of inflammations, liver disorders, and arthritis. Various studies on these plants revealed anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective and antimutagenic activities. Previous results of our research group, however, indicate that aqueous extracts prepared as for the traditional use (tea) have neither cytoprotective nor antimutagenic activity. Instead, there is evidence for a mutagenic potential. Since the described antimutagenic activity may not be present in effective amounts in the aqueous extracts this study focuses on ethanolic extracts.

Materials and methods

Ethanolic extracts of the three plant species were prepared and tested against N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), a directly acting mutagen. Since it cannot be excluded that the active constituents of the plant extracts require biotransformation or induce metabolic enzymes, causing antimutagenic or detoxifying effects, primary cultures of rat hepatocytes were used for this study. Plant ethanolic extracts were applied along with MNNG in three protocols: pre-treatment, combined treatment and post-treatment.

Results and conclusions

The results of this investigation clearly indicate an inhibitory effect of the plant extracts on MNNG mutagenicity, while the extracts had no effect on cytotoxicity indicators such as necrosis and apoptosis. The effects obtained can be attributed to a direct antimutagenic activity and an increased recovery at the chromosomal level. In order to identify the responsible compounds extracts will in a next step have to be fractionated, tested and chemically analyzed.     

Atractylis gummifera and Centaurea ornata in the Province of Badajoz (Extremadura,Spain)—Ethnopharmacological importance and toxicological risk

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Atractylis gummifera L. and Centaurea ornata Willd. are locally marketed herbal remedies, even though in Spain it is forbidden to sell toxic plants like Atractylis gummifera. Intoxications in Spain are mainly due to accidental substitution of Centaurea ornata with Atractylis gummifera which may be fatal.

Aim of study

The aim of this article is to analyse the current use and marketing of Atractylis gummifera and Centaurea ornata in Badajoz and analyse the ethnopharmacological relevance of two recent cases of Atractylis gummifera poisoning.

Background and methods

An ethnopharmacological survey was conducted in the area where one of the poisoned patients lives and in Guadiana del Caudillo. The use, knowledge and naming of the species involved in the poisoning was assessed. This information was complemented with an exhaustive search in Spanish ethnobotanical works on the ethnopharmacological uses of both species.

Results

Intoxications are due to species’ substitutions. The two species are similar in name and use in the area, and both are locally marketed. AG is mainly used to heal wounds and calcaneal spurs, and CO to treat gastric ulcers and wounds.

Conclusions

New intoxications are likely since consumers often have limited knowledge of the plants they consume. Also, it is common to think that all medicinal plants are harmless. As the use of Atractylis gummifera seems to increase in the area, preventive measures need to be taken.     

Iridoids as chemical markers of false ipecac (Ronabea emetica), a previously confused medicinal plant

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Several roots or rhizomes of rubiaceous species are reportedly used as the emetic and antiamoebic drug ipecac. True ipecac (Carapichea ipecacuanha) is chemically well characterized, in contrast to striated or false ipecac derived from the rhizomes of Ronabea emetica (syn. Psychotria emetica). Besides its previous use as substitute of ipecac, the latter species is applied in traditional medicine of Panama and fruits of its relative Ronabea latifolia are reported as curare additives from Colombia.

Materials and methods

Compounds of Ronabea emetica were isolated using standard chromatographic techniques, and structurally characterized by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Organ specific distribution in Ronabea emetica as well as in Ronabea latifolia was further assessed by comparative HPLC analysis.

Results

Four iridoid-glucosides, asperuloside (1), 6α-hydroxygeniposide (2), deacetylasperulosidic acid (3) and asperulosidic acid (4) were extracted from leaves of Ronabea emetica. Rhizomes, used in traditional medicine, were dominated by 3. HPLC profiles of Ronabea latifolia were largely corresponding. These results contrast to the general tendency of producing emetine-type and indole alkaloids in species of Psychotria and closely related genera and merit chemotaxonomic significance, characterizing the newly delimited genus Ronabea.

Conclusions

The aim of the work was to resolve the historic problem of adulteration of ipecac by establishing the chemical profile of Ronabea emetica, the false ipecac, as one of its less known sources. The paper demonstrates that different sources of ipecac can be distinguished by their phytochemistry, thus contributing to identifying adulterations of true ipecac.     

Screening of the topical anti-inflammatory activity of the bark of Acacia cornigera Willdenow, Byrsonima crassifolia Kunth, Sweetia panamensis Yakovlev and the leaves of Sphagneticola trilobata Hitchcock

Ethnopharmacological relevance

An investigation of topical anti-inflammatory activity was undertaken on plants used in Central America traditional medicine.

Aim of study

Four herbal drugs used in the folk medicine of Central America to treat inflammatory skin affections (Acacia cornigera bark, Byrsonima crassifolia bark, Sphagneticola trilobata leaves and Sweetia panamensis bark) were evaluated for their topical anti-inflammatory activity.

Materials and methods

Petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol extracts were obtained for herbal medicines and then extracts were tested on Croton oil-induced ear dermatitis model in mice.

Results

Almost all the extracts reduced the Croton oil-induced ear dermatitis in mice and the chloroform ones showed the highest activity, with ID₅₀ (dose giving 50% oedema inhibition) values ranging from 112 μg/cm² (Byrsonima crassifolia) to 183 μg/cm² (Sphagneticola trilobata). As reference, ID₅₀ of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin was 93 μg/cm².

Conclusions

Lipophilic extracts from these species can be regarded as potential sources of anti-inflammatory principles.     

Bitterness values for traditional tonic plants of southern Africa

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Bitterness values have been determined for southern African plant species that are traditionally used as tonics (imbizas or ’musa-pelo) to alleviate the symptoms of stress and a variety of ailments related to the digestive system.

Aim of the study

To measure and present, for the first time, the bitterness values of 15 of the best-known and most widely used tonic plants in southern Africa in order to find a rationale for their traditional use in improving appetite and treating digestive ailments.

Results

Most of the plants were found to be very bitter, with bitterness values comparable to those reported for internationally well-known bitter tonics such as Artemisia absynthium L. and Gentiana lutea L.

Conclusions

The relatively high bitterness values obtained for all of the plants indicate that their alleged value in improving digestion and appetite may at least be partly ascribed to the bitter tonic (amarum) effect, i.e., the stimulation of gastric juices via the nervus vagus. It may be interesting to examine the chemical compounds responsible for the bitter taste, as well as the possible links between bitterness and the anecdotal anti-stress properties ascribed to these species.     

云南地区三七和草果上真菌污染的初步分析

目的:了解云南地区主产的中药材三七和草果上污染真菌的主要类群,分析这2种常用药材上潜在的真菌毒素污染的可能性。方法:采集来源于云南不同地区市售的三七、草果药材,使用稀释平板法分离药材表面真菌,依据形态学特征结合分子生物学方法对主要分离菌株进行鉴定。结果:三七污染真菌以淡紫拟青霉和橘青霉为优势菌;草果污染菌中的优势菌为淡紫拟青霉和黄曲霉。结论:根据三七和草果上污染菌的情况,在云南地区三七存在橘青霉毒素污染的风险,草果存在黄曲霉毒素污染的风险。     

Antimicrobial activity of the methanolic extracts and compounds from Treculia obovoidea (Moraceae)

The crude extract from Treculia obovoidea was subjected to purification by repeated chromatography. Eight compounds were isolated from Treculia obovoidea and identified as Psoralen (1), Bergapten (2), 7-methoxycoumarin (3), 7-hydroxycoumarin (4), 4,2′,4′-trihydroxychalcone (5), 4,2′,4′-trihydroxy-3-prenylchalcone (6), 3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzoic acid (7) and O-[3-(2,2-dimethyl-3-oxo-2H-furan-5-yl) butyl] bergaptol (8). These compounds together with the extract were tested for their antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (six species), Gram-negative bacteria (12 species) and three Candida species using micro-dilution methods for the determination of the minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) and the minimal microbicidal concentration (MMC). The MIC values obtained with the crude extracts varied from 78.12 to 156.25 μg/ml against 17 (80.95%) of the 21 tested microorganisms. All the isolated compounds showed selective activity. The antimicrobial activity of this plant as well as that of compounds 6 and 8 is being reported for the first time. The obtained results provide promising baseline information for the potential use of these crude extract as well as some of the isolated compounds in the treatment of bacterial and fungal infections.     

Analgesic,anti-inflammatory and venotonic effects of Cissus quadrangularis Linn.

Cissus quadrangularis, a medicinal plant indigenous to Asia and Africa, is used for many ailments, especially for the treatment of hemorrhoid. The effects associated with hemorrhoid, i.e. analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities as well as the venotonic effect of the methanol extract of C. quadrangularis (CQ) were assessed in comparison with reference drugs. In the analgesic test, CQ provoked a significant reduction of the number of writhes in acetic acid-induced writhing response in mice. CQ also significantly reduced the licking time in both phases of the formalin test. The results suggest peripheral and central analgesic activity of CQ. In acute phase of inflammation CQ elicited the inhibitory effect on the edema formation of the rats’ ear induced by ethyl phenylpropiolate as well as on the formation of the paw edema in rats induced by both carrageenin and arachidonic acid. It is likely that CQ is a dual inhibitor of arachidonic acid metabolism. In addition, CQ exerted venotonic effect on isolated human umbilical vein similarly to the mixture of bioflavonoids, i.e. 90% diosmin and 10% hesperidin. The results obtained confirmed the traditional use of C. quadrangularis for the treatment of pain and inflammation associated with hemorrhoid as well as reducing the size of hemorrhoids.     

中药中马兜铃酸快速检测及分离技术研究进展

马兜铃酸是一类广泛存在于马兜铃属及细辛属植物中的硝基菲羧酸类化合物,因其具有不可逆转的肾毒性,2000年6月,美国食品药品监督管理局下令停止进口、制造和销售含有马兜铃酸的原料及药品。随后,世界各国和地区纷纷暂停了含马兜铃酸药物的使用。但目前,一些含有低剂量马兜铃酸的药物仍在我国临床上广泛应用,鉴于马兜铃酸的不良反应,为保障临床用药安全和人民生命安全,对其进行风险评估具有重要意义。因此,对近年来马兜铃酸快速检测和分离技术的原理、应用、优势与不足进行总结,以期为含马兜铃酸的中药及其制剂的风险控制及安全使用提供科学依据。     

常用藏药“蒂达”(藏茵陈)基原物种药用合理性及资源利用价值评价

目的:对“蒂达”各品种不同基原植物药用合理性及其资源利用价值作出评价.方法:采用HPLC指纹图谱共有特征峰、结合SPSS聚类分析方法,评价“蒂达”不同品种基原植物的成分组成相似性.结果:“蒂达”不同品种涉及的来源有龙胆科獐牙菜属、花锚属、扁蕾属及肋柱花属共15种1变种33个样品,指纹图谱全谱相似度较差;以10个共有峰成分的相对面积聚类,其基原植物可分别聚为4个组;上述4个属的属间成分组成差异较大;其中獐牙菜属不同种间成分组成变化较大,而其他各属种间成分组成相似度较高.结论:上述龙胆科4属植物均含有具有保肝利胆生物活性的环烯醚萜类、(山)酮类及三萜类成分,藏医学将其归为“蒂达”一类药材使用具有一定的物质基础;鉴于“蒂达”类药材不同基原各品种间在成分组成上差异较大,分别制定各品种的HPLC指纹图谱,是鉴别和控制各品种质量的有效手段,可有效控制各基原品种质量.     

药用淫羊藿品种的分子鉴定研究——朝鲜淫羊藿的位点特异性PCR鉴定

目的:建立朝鲜淫羊藿的位点特异性PCR鉴定方法,用于朝鲜淫羊藿来源鉴定和药材质量控制。方法:依据自己测得和来自于GenBank主要药用淫羊藿种的核糖体基因组ITS序列,比对分析寻找朝鲜淫羊藿区别于其他种的变异位点,并根据这些变异位点设计专属性的PCR鉴定引物对植物样本进行扩增,并用药材饮片进行验证。结果:本研究获得了2对朝鲜淫羊藿特异性鉴定引物,能够区别朝鲜淫羊藿与其他药用品种,本方法适用于淫羊藿药材和饮片。     

Inhibitory effects of the root extract of Litsea cubeba (lour.) pers. on adjuvant arthritis in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The dried root of Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers. (Family Lauraceae) has long been used as a folk remedy in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Dai Ethnopharmacy for the treatment of rheumatic diseases in southwestern China.

Aim of the study

This study investigated the preventive efficacy of Litsea cubeba root in treating rheumatoid arthritis using Freund's complete adjuvant (CFA) induced arthritis (AA) in rat model.

Materials and methods

Arthritis was induced in male Wistar rats by immunization with CFA. Ethanol extract (EELC) and water extract (WELC) of Litsea cubeba root both at 50 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg were orally administered from a day after the induction of arthritis. Paw swelling, arthritic score, body weight growth rate, index of thymus and spleen were observed, and the production of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 in serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression levels of inflammatory enzymes like cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase were also measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Moreover, histological changes in the ankle joint were analyzed in AA rats.

Results

Both EELC and WELC significantly suppressed paw swelling and arthritic score, increased the loss in body weight and decreased the index of thymus. Histopathological improvement in joint architecture was also observed in EELC, WELC-treated AA rats. The expression levels of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) were decreased on treatment with EELC and WELC. Furthermore, the overproduction of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were remarkably attenuated in serum of all Litsea cubeba-treated rats, however, IL-10 was markedly increased at doses of 50 mg/kg of EELC and WELC.

Conclusions

These results indicate that extract of Litsea cubeba root significantly attenuates adjuvant arthritis in rats by decreasing the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 and increasing of IL-10 in serum as well as down-regulate the levels of inflammatory enzymes such as COX-2 and 5-LOX. This suggests that Litsea cubeba root might be used as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of human arthritis.     

Metabolomic investigation of the ethnopharmacological use of Artemisia afra with NMR spectroscopy and multivariate data analysis

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Artemisia afra has been used as an infusion to treat malaria throughout the southern parts of Africa, in much the same way as the antimalarial plant Artemisia annua in China. The antiplasmodial activity of purified components from an apolar fraction of Artemisia afra has been shown in the past. No data on the efficacy of the tea infusion prepared from Artemisia afra are however available.

Objective

To investigate the antiplasmodial activity of various extracts of Artemisia afra including an ethnopharmacological prepared sample. To identify polar metabolites in Artemisia afra and Artemisia annua and by using multivariate data analysis investigate the metabolic differences between these species.

Materials and methods

The antiplasmodial activity of Artemisia afra and Artemisia annua extracts were tested for activity against Plasmodiam falciparum 3D7 (chloroquine-sensitive strain) with chloroquine, quinine and artemisinin as positive controls. Hydrophilic metabolites in Artemisia afra and Artemisia annua were identified directly from the crude extracts through 1D- and 2D-NMR spectra. The NMR spectra were also used to differentiate between the two species using principal component analysis (PCA) for quality control purposes.

Results

The apolar fractions of both Artemisia afra and Artemisia annua showed activity against P. falciparum while activity was only found in the tea infusion of Artemisia annua. Metabolomic studies using 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy identified 24 semi-polar components in Artemisia afra including three new phenylpropanoids for this species: caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid and 3,5-dicaffeoyl quinic acid. PCA analysis conducted on the samples yielded good separation between the polar extracts of Artemisia afra and Artemisia annua.

Conclusion

These findings shows that there are no in vitro activity in the tea infusion of Artemisia afra and lists the identified metabolites causing the metabolic differences between Artemisia afra and Artemisia annua for quality control purposes.     

Ethnobotany,phytochemistry and pharmacology of the genus Caragana used in traditional Chinese medicine

The genus Caragana is a member of the family Fabaceae, subfamily Faboideae and is native to arid and semi-arid areas of the temperate zones of Asia and Eastern Europe. Many species are cultured for dune-fixation, livestock forage and biological resources for fuel energy and fiber production. More than 10 species in this genus have a long history of use in traditional Chinese, Mongolian and Tibetan medicines and are believed to “nourish yin, invigorate the spleen, temper the blood and promote blood flow”. They have been used for the treatment of a wide range of ailments including fevers, inflammation, wounds and infections, dizziness, headache, hypertension, female disorders, arthritis and cancer. Over 100 phytochemicals have been identified with flavonoids and stilbenoids being the major constituents of this genus. Clinical studies have demonstrated the pharmacological activities of different Caraganum species, e.g. Caragana sinica for the treatment of hypertension, and in vivo and/or in vitro studies have provided some support for other traditional uses, e.g. anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, phytoestrogenic, immunostimulant and immunosuppressant activities. However, further studies to identify the active components and further verify the pharmacological activities are warranted. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of the ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology of the genus Caragana.     

基于中药系统鉴别法的金铁锁及其混淆品的精确鉴别

目的:建立金铁锁药材及其混淆品有效的鉴别方法,分析二者在显微特征、DNA信息特征等方面的差异,为精确鉴定金铁锁药材及其混淆品,以保障用药安全奠定基础.方法:采用中药系统鉴定,对金铁锁药材及其市售混淆品样本的显微特征及其ITS序列进行BLAST比对分析、ITS序列的特异位点差异分析,N-J系统发育树分析等,建立金铁锁及其混伪品的系统鉴定方法.结果:中药系统鉴定法的显微特征中,金铁锁正品药材中无草酸钙结晶,而其混淆品瓦草中具有大量的草酸钙簇晶分布,可作为其鉴定的重要依据之一;此外,金铁锁药材ITS序列与瓦草ITS序列差异明显,采用BLAST比对分析、N-J系统发育树分析等可将二者进一步精确鉴别.结论:采用中药系统鉴定法能够很好的对金铁锁及其混伪品进行精确的鉴别.     

Anti-ulcer activity of Cyrtocarpa procera analogous to that of Amphipterygium adstringens, both assayed on the experimental gastric injury in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The bark of Amphipterygium adstringens (Aa) is commonly mixed or adulterated with the bark of Cyrtocarpa procera (Cp) and sold in Mexican markets. Aa is a well known species in Mexico used as decoction to relieve ulcers. Scientific reports reinforcing the anti-ulcer activity of Aa have been previously described, but those describing the anti-ulcer properties of Cp as a substitute for Aa in folk medicine are scarce.

Aim of the study

To investigate anatomical and phytochemical differences between these species, as well as to assess the anti-ulcer effect of Cp extracts in comparison to the Aa extracts.

Material and methods

Anatomical micro-technique and physical and spectroscopic data were used to analyze differences between Cp and Aa. Regard to the pharmacological activity, it was assessed by using the ethanol-induced gastric damage model in rats.

Results

Whereas the bark anatomy of Aa was characterized by vertical canals in the periderm and the rare occurrence of fibers in its phloem, a periderm without vertical canals and abundant fibers in the phloem were distinctive features of Cp. Phytochemical analysis allowed the identification of tirucallane, masticadienonic and 3α-hydroxymasticadienonic acids as major components in Aa, while β-amyrin and β-sitosterol were obtained from Cp. Gastric lesions observed in the control group decreased in the presence of 100 mg/kg of hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts from the normal or regenerated bark of Cp, thus resembling the anti-ulcer effect of Aa. Nevertheless, major anti-ulcer potency was observed with the most active methanol extract from Cp obtained from normal [the effective dose fifty ED₅₀ = 45.54 mg/kg] or regenerated (ED₅₀ = 36.68 mg/kg) bark in comparison to Aa (ED₅₀ = 115.64 mg/kg).

Conclusion

Chemical and anatomical differences were found between these species, but since the anti-ulcer activity of Cp is similar to that shown by Aa our results reinforce the use of both species for the relief of gastric ulcer in folk medicine.     

列当属、肉苁蓉属和草苁蓉属植物传统药物学调查

通过野外资源调查、整理各大标本馆标本原始记录和查阅文献记载等方法,系统整理、总结、归纳了列当属、肉苁蓉属和草苁蓉属民族药用植物种类、功效及民间使用情况,结果表明列当属6种药用植物在4个少数民族间作为7种民族药应用,草苁蓉属2种药用植物在8个少数民族间作为10种民族药应用,肉苁蓉属2种药用植物在3个少数民族间作为3种民族药应用,且同种药用植物常作不同民族药;发现3属植物的传统疗效主要集中在补肾壮阳、止血和止痛3个方面,并且该传统疗效与现代药理研究结果基本吻合。因此深入研究植物种类丰富的列当属植物资源对缓解肉苁蓉植物资源匮乏局面和扩大药源具有积极意义。