Treatment of patients with arthrosis of hip or knee with an aqueous extract of devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens DC.)

Preparations made from the secondary tubers of Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) are successfully used in patients with rheumatic diseases (arthrosis and low back pain). In order to add data on the efficacy and long-term safety of an aqueous extract (Doloteffin; 2400 mg extract daily, corresponding to 50 mg harpagoside), which has been tested successfully in patients with low back pain, an uncontrolled multicentre drug surveillance study for about 12 weeks was conducted in 75 patients with arthrosis of the hip or knee. To standardize the assessment of treatment effects, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) osteoarthritis index (10 point scale) as well as the 10 cm VAS pain scale were used. The results of the study revealed a strong reduction of pain and the symptoms of osteoarthritis. There was a relevant improvement of each WOMAC subscale as well as of the total WOMAC index: 23.8% for the pain subscale, 22.2% for the stiffness subscale and 23.1% for the physical function subscale. The WOMAC total score was reduced by 22.9%. VAS pain scores were decreased by 25.8% for actual pain, 25.2% for average pain, 22.6% for worst pain and 24.5% for the total pain score. The physicians reported a continuous improvement in typical clinical findings such as 45.5% for pain on palpation, 35% for limitation of mobility and 25.4% for joint crepitus. Only two cases of possible adverse drug reactions were reported (dyspeptic complaints and a sensation of fullness). Although this was an open clinical study, the results suggest that this Devil's claw extract has a clinically beneficial effect in the treatment of arthrosis of the hip or knee.     

Effect of isolated fractions of Harpagophytum procumbens D.C. (devil's claw) on COX‐1, COX‐2 activity and nitric oxide production on whole‐blood assay

The present study evaluates the effect of isolated fractions of Harpagophytum procumbens (devil's claw) on cyclooxygenase (COX‐1 and COX‐2) activities and NO production using a whole blood assay. The activity of COX‐1 was quantified as platelet thromboxane B₂ production in blood clotting and COX‐2 as prostaglandin E₂ production in LPS‐stimulated whole blood. Total NO₂^?/NO₃^? concentration was determined by Griess reaction in LPS stimulated blood. Assays were performed by incubation of isolated fractions obtained by flash chromatography monitored with HPLC, TLC and identified by ¹HNMR, containing different amounts of harpagoside with blood from healthy donors. Indomethacin and etoricoxib were the positive controls of COX‐1 and COX‐2 Inhibition. Data shows that fraction containing the highest concentration of harpagoside inhibited indistinctively COX‐1 and COX‐2 (37.2 and 29.5% respectively) activity and greatly inhibited NO production (66%). In contrast the fraction including iridoid pool increased COX‐2 and did not alter NO and COX‐1 activities. The fraction containing cinnamic acid was able to reduce only NO production (67%). Our results demonstrated that the harpagoside fraction is the main responsible for the effect of devils claw on these enzyme activities. However, other components from devil's claw crude extract could antagonize or increase the synthesis of inflammatory mediators. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Retrospective evaluation of biopsychosocial determinants and treatment response in patients receiving devil's claw extract (doloteffinR)

In a retrospective evaluation of patients taking part for 2 months in a postmarketing surveillance study on the effectiveness and safety of Harpagophytum procumbens, associations were found to known explanators of pain, disability and depression. Therefore, treatment non‐responders might best be referred to a multimodal pain relief program that deals with fear avoidance beliefs, enhances experiences that decrease perceptions linking disability and pain and forces the patients to rethink the way they deal with the problem. However, during treatment with the aqueous Harpagophytum extract, this decision might reasonably be postponed to the end of month 4, since it has been shown that the maximum pain relief occurs after 3–4 months. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cholinesterases inhibitory and antioxidant activities of Harpagophytum procumbens from in vitro systems

A previous report showed that extracts of cell suspension and transformed root cultures of Harpagophytum procumbens (commonly known as Devil's claw), an African plant with high medicinal value, exhibit strong antiinflammatory characteristics. The present work tests the ability of extracts, phenylethanoid-containing fractions and the major phenylethanoid glycoside isolated from the Devil's claw cultures, to inhibit acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase, and the antioxidant activity in iron-related systems (e.g. ferric-reducing antioxidant power and ferrous ion-chelating capacity). The results indicated that the phenylethanoid fractions may be attractive for various commercial purposes since they displayed significant cholinesterase inhibitory activity (even higher than that of pure galanthamine in the case of butyrylcholinesterase inhibition assay). Crude methanolic extracts from cell and hairy root cultures of Devil's claw exhibited strong ferrous ion-chelating capacity (1.5-2 times higher than pure butylated hydroxyanisole, used as positive standard).     

A survey of potential huperzine A natural resources in China: the Huperziaceae

The Huperziaceae is comprised of two genera, Huperzia and Phlegmariurus. Because of the content of Lycopodium alkaloids like huperzine A, which are used to treat a number of human ailments, plants of the Huperziaceae are experiencing a rapid decline in China, mostly due to over-harvesting. Because of this trend, we engaged from 1995 to 2001 in an investigation of the natural resources of the Huperziaceae in China. The main objectives of this study were: to catalog Huperziaceae plant resources including the occurrence, general distribution, and abundance of the various Huperziaceae species in China; and to determine traditional use and pharmaceutical values of each species. Twenty-nine species, 2 varieties, and 2 forma of Huperzia and 19 species of Phlegmariurus were identified through field investigation, collection, visits with local traditional doctors, and review of specimens in herbaria and of the literature. Ethnobotanical studies of these plants revealed that 33 of these species are used by the local communities for medicinal purposes. One species, Huperzia serrata, is one of the most popular. As a result, it is observing the greatest decline, mandating a change in collection practice and general attitude towards these plants. Introduction of conservation plans and training of the local communities regarding appropriate collection practices of these plants and their marketing in China are required to reverse the trend of decline among these species. In addition, development of cultivation or other propagation practices, such as in vitro propagation, would have the added benefits of socio-economic uplift of the local communities and sustainability of this important source of huperzine A.     

Assessing African medicinal plants for efficacy and safety: agricultural and storage practices

The paper reviews an important but little researched area of ethnopharmacology, namely, the effect of cultivation and post-harvest storage practices on levels of biological activity in traditionally used medicinal plants. Changes in COX-1 inhibition and antibacterial activity, for example, occur at the onset of senescence and, in some species, are influenced by plant age. Plants in cultivation were also shown to have reduced anthelmintic and antibacterial activity while hypoxoside production was affected by nitrogen and phosphorous. Irrigation treatments, however, increased anthelmintic activity and, therefore, could be applied to medicinal plants cultivated in low rainfall areas. Pesticides have also been implicated in the regulation of plant growth and secondary metabolite production in cultivated medicinal plants, but residue levels have, so far, not been monitored. Post harvest storage of medicinal plants has been poorly researched in southern Africa. Available data indicates that antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity changes following storage and is both species and temperature dependent. Similar trends were noted for materials that had been rapidly aged. Fatty acids with antibacterial activity are stable in dry specimens and, as such, may account for the fact that activity is unaffected by storage in certain instances.     

Current perspectives on an emerging formal natural products sector in South Africa

Indigenous medical plants contribute significantly to a large South African population as part of a long-standing healthcare system intimately linked to folklore and for livelihood security. For the economically marginalized, access to such plants is largely through herbal markets which are part of an informal economy. Otherwise the formal natural products economy services those with a better socio-economic standing. Recently, the latter has experienced tremendous growth which largely mirrors the global cultural trend for organic naturopathies. Commercialisation of traditional plants and their contribution to the cosmeceutical, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries locally and abroad is reviewed. Traditional plant knowledge of southern African people is a source of inspiration for new product development. Concomitantly, an upsurge in research activities emanating from South Africa which confirms the pharmacological efficacy of these plants is fuelling a greater trust in indigenous flora. The escalating consumption of ethnomedicinals as highly valued commodities not only presents South Africa with socio-economic opportunities but also with challenges. Sustainable utilization benefiting the commodification of ethnoherbals, plus meeting aims of poverty alleviation and people empowerment, is a new paradigm in South Africa. The future sustainability of local ecosystems depends upon scientific conservation management practices that recognize the importance of involving local communities. Conservationists should remain aware and sensitive of socio-cultural dynamics within communities in order to manage natural resources.     

中药材实施《中药材生产质量管理规范》栽培与地道药材的关系研究

根据中药材《中药材生产质量管理规范》(GAP)栽培要求,从品种选择、药材产地、栽培技术、采收加工、栽培地的特色文化和群众基础方面与地道药材之间的关系进行了系统地论述,指出中药材GAP栽培必须与发展地道药材相结合,才能保证药材质量稳定,减少不必要的资源浪费。     

Medicinal plant diversity and use in the highlands of Dolakha district,Nepal

This paper presents the ethnomedical uses of wild species among nine rural communities managing local forest resources in the Bonch Village Development Committee (VDC), Dolakha district, Nepal. Local communities possess knowledge of 113 medical remedies derived from 58 species belonging to 40 families to treat a wide range of ailments. A review of literature indicated that 56 medical remedies reported in this paper are new. Most medicines were prepared in the form of juice and were administered orally. Roots and leaves were the most frequently used plant parts. Local people were familiar mostly with the species dealing with common ailments particularly cough/cold, digestive problems, fever, headache, and skin infections. Complex ailments were treated by traditional healers. Haphazard harvesting and over-exploitation of commercial species were also reported. Sustainable harvesting methods and domestication of potential commercial species require attention in the local forest operational plans. The present study indicates that the area harbors a high diversity of medicinal plants. Despite gradual socio-cultural transformation, local communities still possess substantial knowledge of plants and their uses. The reliance on folk medicines for health care is associated with the lack of modern medicines and medication, poverty and the traditional belief of its effectiveness. Since there is a lack of phyto-therapeutic evidence for many of the species, we recommend that phytochemical and pharmacological studies be carried out in order to confirm the validity of properties attributed to these species: this is particularly relevant for species with market potential beyond the district. With setting up management plans for their extraction, these medicinal resources can provide for both subsistence needs and income. This, however, requires detail assessment of resource quantities, productivity potential, sustainable harvesting methods, domestication possibilities, market value of potentially promising species, and importantly, equitable benefit sharing regimes.     

钩藤的规范化栽培研究

目的：推进钩藤的野生转家种并探索钩藤的栽培管理、采收加工对其产量和品质的影响。方法：深圳津村药业有限公司结合业务发展需要与贵州昌吴中药发展有限公司等合作开展了钩藤的规范化栽培研究工作,并进行了不同定植年限、不同采收时间、不同采收部位和不同加工方法的试验。结果：从定植年限来看,定植2年后随着定植年限的增加,钩藤总生物碱含量没有明显差异;10月至次年1月由于钩藤枝条中总生物碱含量较高,属于最佳采收期;煮后再烘、蒸后再烘、直接烘干和直接晒干4种加工方法加工的钩藤,其总生物碱含量也没有明显差异,但从外观颜色来看,直接烘干的较深,其他3种没有明显差异。结论：人工栽培的技术问题已经解决,钩藤的生长适宜于林下间种栽培方式,结合贵州省山多林广的自然地理环境特点,可以支持当地产业的经济发展。     

三七多糖成分的含量测定及其变化

目的 分析不同产地，不同规格，不同采收期三七中的多糖含量，并考察其变化规律，为三七的质量评价提供依据。方法 采用苯酚-硫酸比色法测定了多糖含量。结果 不同产地，不同采收期和不同规格的三七中多糖含量有明显差异。结论 产地，采收期及规格是影响三七多糖含量的重要因素。     

我国甘草药用植物资源调查及质量评价研究

目的:摸清我国甘草药用植物野生分布区和人工种植区的资源现状,分析不同分布区甘草药材中甘草酸和甘草苷的含量。方法:采用走访调查、现地样方取样和实验室数据测定分析相结合的方法。结果:我国野生甘草分布范围没有发生明显变化,但种群密集程度发生了较大改变;当前全国野生甘草蕴藏量不足50万t,栽培甘草地里蓄积量不到25万t;99份野生甘草药材甘草酸和甘草苷的平均质量分数分别为3.48%,1.73%,仅61.6%的样品达到《中国药典》(2005年版)标准;11份栽培甘草药材甘草酸和甘草苷的平均质量分数分别为2.85%,1.53%,其中4份二年生样品中有3份低于药典标准。结论:甘草资源总蕴藏量仍然在减少,人工甘草将成为野生甘草的重要替代资源;栽培与野生甘草药材之间存在较大的质量差异;加强野生甘草资源保护,提高人工甘草药材质量,发展优质甘草栽培产业,是解决资源危机与实现甘草资源可持续利用的有效途径。     

Medicinal plants used by the Bapedi traditional healers to treat diarrhoea in the Limpopo Province,South Africa

Ethnopharmacological relevance

This paper provides ethnobotanical information on medicinal plants used to treat diarrhoea in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. Documentation of this nature usually provides the basis for selecting medicinal plants for future phytochemical and pharmaceutical studies aimed at developing new, effective and affordable plant-derived diarrhoea remedies.

Aim of the study

To record and document medicinal plants used by the Bapedi traditional healers to treat diarrhoea in the Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Materials and methods

In order to record and document medicinal plants used by the Bapedi traditional healers to treat diarrhoea, 51 healers from 17 municipalities covering Capricorn, Sekhukhune and Waterberg districts in the Limpopo Province, South Africa were interviewed between January and July 2011. Data collected included the names of plants, plant part(s) used, methods of herbal preparation, administration, dosage and duration of treatments. Voucher specimens of the plants used by the Bapedi traditional healers to treat diarrhoea were collected, identified and deposited as future reference material at the Larry-Leach Herbarium (UNIN), University of Limpopo.

Results

A total of 20 plant species representing 16 families and 20 genera were found to be commonly used by the Bapedi traditional healers to treat and manage diarrhoea in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. The largest proportion of the medicinal plants belonged to the families Anacardiaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Malvaceae (10% each). The most frequently used species were Punica granatum (39.2%), Grewia bicolor (33.3%), Dombeya rotundifolia (21.6%), Commiphora marlothii (19.6%) and Acacia senegal (13.7%). The roots were the most commonly used plant part (50%), followed by leaves (20%), bark (15%), fruits (10%), pericarp, seed, tuber and whole plants (5% each). Mono therapies based on preparations made from a single plant species were the most dominant (90%). All medicinal preparations were taken orally for 1 week or until diarrhoea subsided. The therapeutic claims of the medicinal plants documented in this study are well supported by literature, with 70% of the species having anti-diarrhoeal properties or are used as diarrhoea remedies both in South Africa and also in other countries.

Conclusion

This study reveals that local communities in the Limpopo Province, South Africa still depend on traditional medicines for basic healthcare; and the use of traditional medicines is still an integral part of their socio-cultural life.     

三七中三七素的含量测定

 目的分析不同产地、不同规格、不同采收期、植株不同部位三七中的三七素含量,并考察其变化规律,为三七的质量评价提供依据。方法采用HPLC分析三七素含量。结果不同产地、不同采收期、不同规格和三七不同药用部位的三七中三七素含量有明显差异。结论产地、采收期、规格和不同药用部位对三七中三七素含量具有重要影响。     

Recognition and development of traditional medicine in Tanzania

The aim of this paper is to trace developments in Traditional Medicine (TM) and legislation concerning conservation and use of biodiversity in Africa, with Tanzania as a case study. Based on field trips, interviews with different actors, site visits, and literature we explored the history, current status, re-establishment, and development of TM. A summary of laws and regulations concerning forests, access and benefit sharing is presented. During the last decade the Government of Tanzania put forth legislation to address national health needs, traditional knowledge, and the resource base for TM (e.g., practitioners, biodiversity). Our findings indicate that TM is the most common form of health care, and that the HIV pandemic has highlighted the need to work across health sectors. New legislation has facilitated this need. In Tanzania TM is experiencing a renaissance in being formally recognized, integrated into mainstream health care, formal establishment of practitioners, and gaining the interests of different sectors. More studies on bioactivity, safety, domestication, and sustainability of use of medicinal plants are needed. Development of TM can also, other than making a significant contribution to health care and livelihoods, provide income possibilities. It is however yet to be seen if the recent regulations can be made fully operational and implemented.     

The biological activity and chemistry of the southern African Combretaceae

AIM OF THE STUDY: Members of the Combretaceae family are widely traded in the traditional medicine market in southern Africa. The family is also used for medicinal purposes in the rest of Africa and Asia for close to 90 medicinal indications. Many of these indications are related to treating infections. This contribution summarizes work done to date and identifies avenues for future research. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Substantial work has already been done on the chemistry of especially Combretum and Terminalia species over many years. During the last decade we have focussed on bio-assay guided isolation of biologically active compounds with the aim of producing new effective antimicrobial products. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Methods developed to facilitate this process and data on 25 compounds isolated from 7 species are presented. The large majority of compounds isolated were known, but the biological activities were not known. In practically all cases the antibacterial or antifungal activity of compounds isolated were much lower than expected from the activity of the crude extracts. It appears that synergism plays a role in antimicrobial activity of plant extracts and that the hope of isolating a single compound that can be used as a new agent to address antibiotic resistance has been frustrated. By simple manipulation such as selective extraction the activity of some crude extracts could however, be increased substantially and this offers a new approach to address antibiotic resistance via the herbal medicine industry. Practically all extracts obtained using intermediate polarity extractants had reasonable to very good activity with MICs as low as 40 microg/ml, validating the traditional use for infectious diseases. Aqueous extracts however, generally had hardly any activity. CONCLUSIONS: The Combretaceae contains a diversity of antimicrobial compounds. Because poor people usually have only water available as extractant, it raises the question how plants growing in poor rural communities can be used to treat infections more effectively, and what the mechanism of activity of aqueous extracts used to treat infections in traditional medicine are.     

川陕滇乌头属药用植物资源调查

目的 调查四川、陕西、云南乌头属药用植物及附子药材主产区的资源、栽培及产地加工现状,为乌头类药材的资源保护、规范栽培、产地加工、质量控制等提供依据。方法 通过文献调研及走访产地、市场对四川、陕西、云南乌头属药材产区的乌头属植物种类、分布和附子药材情况进行调查。结果 四川、陕西、云南乌头属药用植物品种较多,分别有67、63、10个种。乌头属药材主要来自人工栽培,但基原复杂;乌头属药材新种植区域产地加工欠规范,部分存在品种间掺混现象。结论 四川、陕西、云南乌头属药用植物资源丰富,应加强资源保护、种源鉴定和新品种选育,大力推广规范栽培及产地加工,规范流通市场,建立质量溯源体系,保证用药安全。     

Indigenous patterns of conserving biodiversity: pharmacologic implications

The accelerating rate at which the world's botanical resources are being depleted today has inspired redoubled efforts on the part of global conservation programs. For the most part, this reflects the actions of outsiders who are culturally and politically detached from the threatened environments, and who identify species for conservation through western economic models. In view of this, ethnopharmacologists--and primarily those representing the social sciences--have drawn attention to the cogency of indigenous knowledge of biotic diversity and its conservation. This paper reviews how local paradigms of plant management promote conservation, and problematizes the issue specifically to the use of plants by Hausa peoples in northern Nigeria. The pharmacologic implications of indigenous patterns of plant use and conservation derive from the manifold and overlapping contexts in which plants, especially wild species, are used by local communities. These applications identify the importance of particular species and should be employed in assigning priority for the conservation of plants.     

Sustainable harvest of medicinal plants at Bulashbar Nullah,Astore (Northern Pakistan)

Rapid decline of plant resources due to their conventional use needs ex-situ and in-situ conservation, training of the community regarding collection of medicinal plants and their marketing. In this regard, the Bulashbar valley, Astore, District Diamer was identified as a case study. The main objectives of this activity were to enlist economic, medicinal and aromatic plants including their occurrence, general distribution and abundance in the project areas; to determine traditional use and pharmaceutical values of each medicinal plant species found in the project area. Ethnobotanical studies of the area revealed that 33 plants were being used by the local communities for medicinal purposes. Two species, Bunium persicum and Ephedra gerardiana, are recommended for in vitro cultivation to obtain quick benefits. While Hippophae rhamnoides can be sustainably used for socio-economic uplift of the local communities.     

环境生态因子对药用植物皂苷成分的影响

分析药用植物生长过程中主要的环境因子对药用植物皂苷成分的影响.分别从药材产地、药材采收期、光照和温度、栽培措施几个方面举例分析各个环境因子对药用植物皂苷成分的影响,分析其中的机制,寻找相关因子对药用植物皂苷成分影响的理论依据.药用植物产地、采收季节、生长年限、生长过程中的光照和温度及其栽培中的水肥管理等因素对药用植物皂苷成分都产生了很大的影响,这些现象具有一定的理论依据.优质药材的生产需考虑其栽培适宜区,确定合理的采收时间,同时在栽培过程中科学的栽培措施是提高药材产量和有效成分含量的有效手段.对药用植物采取适当的短期胁迫是优化栽培条件,提高药材质量的好方法.