A recent review on phytochemical constituents and medicinal properties of kesum (Polygonum minus Huds.)

Medicinal plants and herbal preparations are gaining renowned interest in scientific communities nowadays due to their reliable pharmacological actions and affordability to common people which makes them effective in control of various diseases. Polygonum minus (Polygonaceae) locally known as kesum is an aromatic plant commonly used in Malay delicacies. The plant is having potential applications due to its high volatile oil constituents in perfumes and powerful antioxidant activity. It has been used traditionally to treat various ailments including dandruff. The research has been carried out by various researchers using different in vitro and in vivo models for biological evaluations to support these claims. This review paper may help upcoming research activities on Polygonum minus by giving up to date information on the phytochemical constituents and medicinal properties of kesum to a possible extent with relevant data.     

Biological activities and medicinal properties of Gokhru (Pedalium murex L.)

Bada Gokhru (Pedalium murex L.) is perhaps the most useful traditional medicinal plant in India. Each part of the neem tree has some medicinal property and is thus commercially exploitable. During the last five decades, apart from the chemistry of the Pedalium murex compounds, considerable progress has been achieved regarding the biological activity and medicinal applications of this plant. It is now considered as a valuable source of unique natural products for development of medicines against various diseases and also for the development of industrial products. This review gives a bird''s eye view mainly on the biological activities of some of this compounds isolated, pharmacological actions of the extracts, clinical studies and plausible medicinal applications of gokharu along with their safety evaluation.     

药用金钮扣属植物研究综述

植物药在人类的医学实践中已有上千年的应用历史,特别是在亚洲的一些国家,植物药用资源被认为是一种可以随时取用的宝贵的医疗保健资源。印度拥有众多种类的药用植物,然而,其中很大一部分传统药用植物并没有被开发使用或未被现代医学科学研究证明其功效。因此,目前很有必要开发传统药用植物并使其最大限度地造福人类。本篇综述总结报道了一种很有潜力的药用植物即金钮扣属植物。过去几年中,很多从这类植物中提取的新化合物及其功效已经得到证实,因此本文旨在总结最新的有关金钮扣属植物的植物化学及民族药物学应用、药理学作用及物种保护方法的科学研究报道。     

Phytopharmacological Profile of Jasminum Grandiflorum Linn. (Oleaceae)

Plants are the real basis towards animal life and are also central to people’s livelihood. The contributions of the plants in performing varied religious celebrations and in other multiple beneficiaries like medicine, human happiness as well as in treating deadly diseases can never be neglected. In treating diseases, the plants and their constituents are better choice than any other synthetic chemical. The nature has been kind enough to provide the human beings with various types of medicinal plants and in the real sense these form the storehouse of curing almost all the ailments. Consequently, most of the drugs which are being used in preparing formulations have their origin and roots in the plants which form the chief natural source of medicines. Even in modern era, the plant-derived drugs are being extensively used, either in their original or semi-synthetic form. It is because their natural phytoconstituents are highly innocuous posing relatively fewer or no side effects. Based upon their observations, analysis and experience, our ancestors used many plants for medicinal purposes and thus their efforts need to be supported by scientific evidence. Jasminum grandiflorum Linn. is one of such important plants. It has been extensively used by the tribes all over India to treat different diseases which mainly include body pains, toothache, stomach ache, ulcers, and sexual impotency. Chemistry of the plant revealed the presence of mainly secoiridoids, terpenoids, flavonoids and tannins. Not much scientific support was given to the folklore claims for this plant but some of its traditional uses were investigated like spasmolytic, wound healing, antimicrobial, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, antiulcer and antioxidant activities. This article is the review of research works done on the plant Jasminum grandiflorum Linn. to date. As a part of it the local names, morphology, traditional claims, chemistry and pharmacological activities have been discussed.     

A review on ethnobotany,phytochemistry and pharmacology of Fumaria indica (Fumitory)

Fumaria indica (Hausskn.) Pugsley (Fumariaceae), known as “Fumitory”, is an annual herb found as a common weed all over the plains of India and Pakistan. The whole plant is widely used in traditional and folkloric systems of medicine. In traditional systems of medicine, the plant is reputed for its anthelmintic, diuretic, diaphoretic, laxative, cholagogue, stomachic and sedative activities and is used to purify blood and in liver obstruction in ethnopharmacology. The whole plant is ascribed to possess medicinal virtues in Ayurvedic and Unani systems of medicine and is also used in preparation of important Ayurvedic medicinal preparations and polyherbal liver formulations. The review reveals that phytochemical constituents of wide range have been separated from the plants and it possesses important pharmacological activities like smooth muscle relaxant, spasmogenic and spasmolytic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, neuropharmacological and antibacterial activities. The separation of hepatoprotective and antifungal constituents from this plant was also reported newly. This review highlights the traditional, ethnobotanical, phytochemical, pharmacological information available on Fumaria indica, which might be helpful for scientists and researchers to find out new chemical entities responsible for its claimed traditional uses.     

Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels: A review of its phytochemical constituents and traditional uses

Syzygium cumini (S. cumini) (L.) Skeels (jambolan) is one of the widely used medicinal plants in the treatment of various diseases in particular diabetes. The present review has been primed to describe the existing data on the information on botany, phytochemical constituents, traditional uses and pharmacological actions of S. cumini (L.) Skeels (jambolan). Electronic database search was conducted with the search terms of Eugenia jambolana, S. cumini, jambolan, common plum and java plum. The plant has been viewed as an antidiabetic plant since it became commercially available several decades ago. During last four decades, numerous folk medicine and scientific reports on the antidiabetic effects of this plant have been cited in the literature. The plant is rich in compounds containing anthocyanins, glucoside, ellagic acid, isoquercetin, kaemferol and myrecetin. The seeds are claimed to contain alkaloid, jambosine, and glycoside jambolin or antimellin, which halts the diastatic conversion of starch into sugar. The vast number of literatures found in the database revealed that the extracts of different parts of jambolan showed significant pharmacological actions. We suggest that there is a need for further investigation to isolate active principles which confer the pharmacological action. Hence identification of such active compounds is useful for producing safer drugs in the treatment of various ailments including diabetes.     

Ethno botanical and Phytophrmacological potential of Abrus precatorius L.: A review

Medicinal plants are being widely used, either as a single drug or in combination in health care delivery system. Medicinal plants can be important source of previously unknown chemical substances with potential therapeutic effects. Abrus precatorius L. is commonly known as Gunja or Jequirity and abundantly found all throughout the plains of India, from Himalaya down to Southern India and Ceylon. This plant is having medicinal potential to cure various diseases. The roots, leaves and seeds of this plant are used for different medicinal purpose. It principally contains flavonoids, triterpene glycosides, abrin and alkaloids. The plant have been reported for neuromuscular effects, neuro-protective, abortifacient, antiepileptic, anti-viral, anti-malarial, antifertility, nephroprotective, immunomodulator, immunostimulatory properties, anti-inflammatory activity, antidiabetic effect, etc. As this is a potential medicinal plant, present review reveals chemical constituents of leaf, root and seeds of Abrus precatorius. The plant is considered as a valuable source of unique natural products for development of medicines against various diseases and also for the development of industrial products.     

黄芩在中风中的作用：传统东方医学中来自自然的恩赐

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi is the most widely used medicinal plant in traditional Eastem medicine, especially in Chinese medicine. The major phytochemicals isolated from S. baicalensis are flavonoids, glycosides and their glucoronides such as baicalin, baicalein, wogonin etc. More than 30 different kinds of flavonoids are isolated from this plant. S. baicalensis and its flavonoids are reported to have several pharmacological activities, which includes anti-allergic, antioxidant, anti apoptic, anti-inflammatory effects and many more. Recently, S. baicalensis and its isolated flavonoids have been studied for their neuroprotective effects, through a variety of in vitro and in vivo models of neurodegenerative diseases, plausibly suggesting that S. baicalensis has salutary effect as a nature＇s blessing for neuroprotection. In this review, we are focousing on the neuroprotective effects of S. baicalensis and its flavonoids in ischemia or stroke-induced neuronal cell death. We aimed at compiling all the information regarding the neuroprotective effect of S. baicalensis in various experimental models of cerebral ischemia or stroke.     

A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa:A miracle herb

Nigella sativa(N.sativa)(Family Ranunculaceae)is a widely used medicinal plant throughout the world.It is very popular in various traditional systems of medicine like Unani and Tibb,Ayurveda and Siddha.Seeds and oil have a long history of folklore usage in various systems of medicines and food.The seeds of N.saliva have been widely used in the treatment of different diseases and ailments.In Islamic literature,it is considered as one of the greatest forms of healing medicine.It has been recommended for using on regular basis in Tibb-e-Nabwi(Prophetic Medicine).It has been widely used as antihypertensive,liver tonics,diuretics,digestive,anti-diarrheal,appetite stimulant,analgesics,anti-bacterial and in skin disorders.Extensive studies on N.sativa have been carried out by various researchers and a wide spectrum of its pharmacological actions have been explored which may include antidiabetic,anticancer,immunomodulator,analgesic,antimicrobial,anti-inflammatory,spasmolytic,bronchodilator,hepato-protective,renal protective,gaslro-prolective,antioxidant properties,etc.Due to its miraculous power of healing,N.sativa has got the place among the top ranked evidence based herbal medicines.This is also revealed that most of the therapeutic,properties of this plant are due to the presence of thymoquinone which is major bioactive component of the essential oil.The present review is an effort to provide a detailed survey of the literature on scientific researches of pharmacognostical characteristics,chemical composition and pharmacological activities of the seeds of this plant.     

Antioxidant activity of methanol extracts of different parts of Lantana camara

ObjectiveTo investigate the antioxidant activity of methanolic extracts of Lantana camara (L. camara) various parts and the determination of their total phenolics content.MethodsThe extract was screened for possible antioxidant activities by free radical scavenging activity(DPPH), xanthine oxidase inhibition activity and Griess-Ilosvay method.ResultsThe results showed that all the plant parts possessed antioxidant properties including radical scavenging, xanthine oxidase inhibition and nitrites scavenging activities. The antioxidative activities were correlated with the total phenol. The leaves extract of L. camara was more effective than that of other parts.ConclusionsThis study suggests that L. camara extracts exhibit great potential for antioxidant activity and may be useful for their nutritional and medicinal functions.     

Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Medicinal Properties of Carthamus tinctorius L.

Carthamus tinctorius L.is commonly known as Safflower.C.tinctorius extracts and oil are important in drug development with numerous pharmacological activities in the world.This plant is cultivated mainly for its seed,which is used as edible oil.For a long time C.tinctorius has been used in traditional medicines as a purgative,analgesic,antipyretic and an antidote to poisoning.It is a useful plant in painful menstrual problems,post-partum hemorrhage and osteoporosis.C.tinctorius has recently been shown to have antioxidant,analgesic,anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic activities.Carthamin,safflower yellow are the main constituents in the flower of C.tinctorius.Carthamidin,isocarthamidin,hydroxysafflor yellow A,safflor yellow A,safflamin C and luteolin are the main constituents which are reported from this plant.Caryophyllene, p-allyltoluene,1-acetoxytetralin and heneicosane were identified as the major components for C.tinctorius flowers essential oil.Due to the easy collection of the plant and being widespread and also remarkable biological activities,this plant has become both food and medicine in many parts of the world.This review presents comprehensive analyzed information on the botanical,chemical and pharmacological aspects of C.tinctorius.     

Clove (Syzygium aromaticum): a precious spice

Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) is one of the most valuable spices that has been used for centuries as food preservative and for many medicinal purposes. Clove is native of Indonesia but nowadays is cultured in several parts of the world including Brazil in the state of Bahia. This plant represents one of the richest source of phenolic compounds such as eugenol, eugenol acetate and gallic acid and posses great potential for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food and agricultural applications. This review includes the main studies reporting the biological activities of clove and eugenol. The antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of clove is higher than many fruits, vegetables and other spices and should deserve special attention. A new application of clove as larvicidal agent is an interesting strategy to combat dengue which is a serious health problem in Brazil and other tropical countries. Pharmacokinetics and toxicological studies were also mentioned. The different studies reviewed in this work confirm the traditional use of clove as food preservative and medicinal plant standing out the importance of this plant for different applications.     

Antifungal Effect of Plant Extract and Essential Oil

The advancement of phytochemical and phytopharmacological sciences has enabled elucidation of the composition and biological activities of several medicinal plant products including plant extract and essential oils. These products have been widely used around the world since ancient times for the treatment of various disorders such as diabetes, hypertension, peptic ulcer disease, microbial infection, sexual disorder and many more. Its popularity in the modern system of medicine is mainly due to their availability and fewer adverse reactions compared to synthetic drugs. Various scientifific investigations have been conducted to look for the potential of the extract from the plant or isolated compounds for the continued use of these products in the treatment and prevention of various kinds of human diseases. It is evident from the available literature and scientifific investigations that many plant species possess potential for use as a benefificial therapeutic remedy with multiple pharmacological actions such as analgesic, anti-inflflammatory, antipyretic, hypoglycemic, hypotensive, antimicrobial, antiulcer and anticonvulsant activities. The present review aims to provide relevant updated information about certain plant products, its composition, preparation and its fungicidal or fungistatic effects on different species of fungus as evaluated by studies done in the past. It introduces six medicinal plants that have been studied for their antifungal property and are found to be effective. The overall objective is to provide comprehensive information about the use of plant extract and essential oil for treating fungal infections and to explore the evidence supporting its effectiveness in treating fungal diseases without causing any serious adverse reactions.     

Medicinal Properties of Foeniculum Vulgare Mill. in Traditional Iranian Medicine and Modern Phytotherapy

Foeniculum vulgare Mill.(F.vulgare),commonly known as Fennel,is a popular medicinal plant with various pharmacological activities mentioned in traditional Iranian medicine(TIM) and modern phytotherapy such as antioxidant,cytotoxic,anti-inflammatory,antimicrobial,bronchodilatory,estrogenic,diuretic,lithontripic, galactogogue,emmenagogue,antithrombotic,hypotensive,gastroprotective,hepatoprotective,memory enhancing,and antimutagenic activities.No serious adverse events were recorded after ingestion of F.vulgare except some cases of allergic reactions.The estrogenic activity of F.vulgare brings some side effects such as decrease in protein concentration and acid and alkaline phosphatase in male genital organs,increase in weight of mammary glands and reproductive organs in women and premature thelarche in girls.However,no evidence of teratogenicity was recorded,it is better not to use F.vulgare during pregnancy due to its estrogenic activity.Because of inhibition of cytochrome P450 3A4(CYP3A4),the pharmacokinetic parameters of drugs mainly metabolized by this isozyme may be affected by F.vulgare.In addition,a significant interaction between cyprofloxacin and F.vulgare was demonstrated.The aim of current paper is to review pharmacological properties,toxicity and adverse events,and drug interactions of F.vulgare and brings conclusive results about the use of this plant in men,women and during pregnancy.     

Ethnomedicinal plants used for the treatment of cuts and wounds by Kuruma tribes,Wayanadu districts of Kerala,India

ObjectiveTo study the ethnomedicinal uses by the Kuruma tribals for discovering new drugs to cure cuts and wounds so as to provid the data scientifically evaluated.MethodsA survey was conducted during May 2008–September 2009 to collect information on medicinal plants used by the Kuruma tribes and queries were made on the various species of plants used regularly and occasionally to cure cuts and wounds.ResultsThe present study includes information on 34 plant species belonging to 32 genera and 25 families used by Kuruma tribe of Wayanad district of Kerala for the treatment of cuts and wounds.ConclusionsThe present study of the knowledge on the folklore uses of the medicinal plants used by Kuruma tribes leads to effective utilization of herbal medicines in the future.     

Barbaloin: A concise report of its pharmacological and analytical aspects

Barbaloin is C-glucoside of aloe emodin anthrone which is found in the plant name as Aloe vera is a perennial succulent (Liliaceal), also called the healing plant. Barbaloin have variety of pharmacological activity such as strong inhibitory effect on histamine release, anti-inflammatory, cathartic, antiviral, antimicrobial, anticancer, antioxidant activity and alternative for pharmaceutical or cosmetic applications. The peak amount of barbaloin was reached about 3 h after oral administration. Concentration of barbaloin in Aloe vera leaves was shown to depend on the leaf part, age, and position of the leaf. Young leaves contain more barbaloin compared to old one. Various researches have been done on barbaloin but still the relationship between the barbaloin and its overall effect has not been clarified. A more specific perceptive of the pharmacological activities of barbaloin is required to develop for pharmaceutical purpose. Many attempts have been made regarding its isolation, biological activity to examine their effects, and clarify their functional mechanism. This review gives a brief idea about its uses, ethnomedicinally and commercially important analytical techniques and their pharmacological activities.     

蝙蝠蛾拟青霉及蛹虫草与野生冬虫夏草活性比较

目的 冬虫夏草是我国珍稀药用资源,具有多种药理活性.但是天然虫草产量少需求大,使其成为濒危资源.通过研究与其具有相似的化学成分和药理作用的蝙蝠蛾拟青霉和蛹虫草,可以对其进行保护.方法 利用野生冬虫夏草、蝙蝠蛾拟青霉和蛹虫草的有效成分含量测定,抗疲劳活性,免疫增强活性及体外降血糖活性研究进行比较.结果 3种虫草均含有多糖,腺苷和虫草酸;此外,蝙蝠蛾拟青霉和蛹虫草中的多糖及虫草酸含量均与冬虫夏草相当;冬虫夏草具有显著的降血糖活性、抗疲劳活性和免疫增强活性;蝙蝠蛾拟青霉具有很好的降血糖活性和抗疲劳活性;蛹虫草具有显著的免疫增强活性和抗疲劳活性;且三者对小鼠的自主活动次数均无显著影响,表明三者均对小鼠无刺激性.结论 蝙蝠蛾拟青霉和蛹虫草与野生冬虫夏草的药理作用相似,具有很大的发展空间.     

曼陀罗和毛曼陀罗花的最佳采收期评价

目的 探索评价曼陀罗和毛曼陀罗花的最佳采收期的方法。方法 将两种曼陀罗花的生长发育过程进行量化,与Logistic生长曲线方程拟合,建立数学模型,运用有序聚类分析法将其生长过程划分不同采收期,以活性成分为指标,对两者最佳采收期进行界定。结果 两种曼陀罗花的生长过程与Logisitic生长曲线方程拟合良好,有序聚类分析后将其花的生长发育过程划分为5个阶段,依此确定的最佳采收期与以往研究中药材最佳采收期方法不同。结论 该研究中药材最佳采收期的方法值得进一步研究并推广。     

An update on Ayurvedic herb Convolvulus pluricaulis Choisy

Convolvulus pluricaulis Choisy (C. pluricaulis) is a perennial herb that seems like morning glory. All parts of the herb are known to possess therapeutic benefits. The plant is used locally in Indian and Chinese medicine to cure various diseases. It is used in Ayurvedic formulation for chronic cough, sleeplessness, epilepsy, hallucinations, anxiety etc. Based on the comprehensive review of plant profile, pharmacognosy, phytochemistry, pharmacological and toxicological data on the C. pluricaulis, there will be more opportunities for the future research and development on the herb C. pluricaulis. Information on the C. pluricaulis was collected via electronic search (using Pub Med, SciFinder, Google Scholar and Web of Science) and library search for articles published in peer-reviewed journals. Furthermore, information also was obtained from some local books on ethnopharmacology. This paper covers the literature, primarily pharmacological, from 1985 to the end of 2012. The C. pluricaulis is an important indigenous medicine, which has a long medicinal application for liver disease, epileptic disease, microbial disease, cytotoxic and viral diseases, central nervous system (CNS) disease in Ayurvedic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine and other indigenous medical systems. The isolated metabolites and crude extract have exhibited a wide of in vitro and in vivo pharmacological effect, including CNS depression, anxiolytic, tranquillizing, antidepressant, antistress, neurodegenerative, antiamnesic, antioxidant, hypolipidemic, immunomodulatory, analgesic, antifungal, antibacterial, antidiabetic, antiulcer, anticatatonic, and cardiovascular activity. A chemical study of this plant was then initiated, which led to the isolation of carbohydrats, proteins, alkaloids, fatty acids, steroids, coumarins, flavanoids, and glycosides as active chemicals that bring about its biological effects. A series of pharmacognostical studies of this plant show that it is a herb, its stem and leaves are hairy, more over it has two types of stomata, anisocytic and paracytic. A herb, C. pluricaulis has emerged as a good source of the traditional medicine for the treatment of liver disease, epileptic disease, microbial disease, cytotoxic and viral diseases, and CNS disease. Pharmacological results have validated the use of this species in traditional medicine. All the parts of the herb are known to possess therapeutic benefits. Expansion of research materials would provide more opportunities for the discovery of new bioactive principles from C. pluricaulis.