列当属、肉苁蓉属与草苁蓉属药用植物亲缘学初探

列当属、肉苁蓉属和草苁蓉属在植物分类学上均归类为列当科。这3个属的物种药用植物亲缘关系相近,传统疗效相似。苯乙醇苷类成分作为代表性的化合物,无论是在含量上,还是在化学结构多样性方面均占有一定优势,它们被认为是这几个属的重要药效物质基础。该文单列叙述了苯乙醇苷类化合物及其药理活性;此外,为了更好地比较属间药效物质基础的差异,也逐一综述了其他化合物。这些研究结果对有效开发、合理利用列当科药用植物资源具有重要的参考价值。     

中国鼠尾草属植物传统药物学的调查

目的对唇形科鼠尾草属药用植物野生的种类,特别是对传统道地药材以及重要民族药资源的地理分布进行调查与整理,为鼠尾草属药用植物的资源开发和利用提供客观和科学的依据。方法查阅文献记载、野外资源调查和药用植物采集以及整理标本馆植物标本原始记录的方法。结果中国地区分布的本属药用植物共有43种(不包括变种),主要集中分布在孤隔鼠尾草亚属宽球苏组、荔枝草亚属丹参组和鼠尾草亚属这几个植物类群中。结论此次调查研究为中国鼠尾草属药用植物的综合利用和深入研究提供一定的依据。     

黔产南蛇藤属药用植物资源调查研究

为对南蛇藤质量控制方法进行研究,通过野外考察、标本鉴定以及资料的收集、整理和分析研究等,对苦树藤等贵州产南蛇藤属药用植物的种类和分布进行调查研究.基本调查摸清贵州产南蛇藤属药用植物的种类和分布情况,为进一步的研究提供了依据.南蛇藤属植物有11种作为贵州习用民族药物使用,其中,卫矛科南蛇藤属植物苦皮藤作为法定品种收载,其他品种作为贵州民间传统药物拥有广泛的用药基础和经验.通过对该属药用植物资源调查,为南蛇藤进一步的质量标准研究和开发应用提供了一定的参考依据.     

菝葜属药用植物资源调查

目的调查我国菝葜属药用植物的种类、分布、生态环境和蕴藏量,为菝葜属药用植物的持续利用、合理开发及GAP种植提供科学依据。方法查阅文献资料,实地调查和标本采集相结合。结果整理出270份标本,已鉴定菝葜属16个种和2个变种,其中3个为新记录品种;获取13个省份菝葜属植物的分布特征、生长环境及其蕴藏量的信息。结论为我国菝葜属植物资源的综合利用和深入研究提供了一定的依据。     

黔产金粟兰属、羊蹄甲属药用植物资源调查研究

基于九龙藤、四块瓦等品种质量控制方法研究的需要,为调查明确贵州产羊蹄甲属、金粟兰属药用植物的种类和分布情况,通过野外考察、标本采集、分类鉴定以及资料考证研究等方法,对九龙藤等贵州产羊蹄甲属、金粟兰属药用植物的种类和分布进行研究。结果表明:金粟兰属植物有7种、羊蹄甲属属植物有6种作为贵州习用民族药物使用,其中5种为《贵州省中药、民族药质量标准》(2003年版)收载品种"四块瓦"、"九龙藤"的法定来源,其他植物则在贵州具有广泛药物应用的传统。金粟兰属、羊蹄甲属植物在贵州多有分布,民间也将其作为传统药物加以应用,而系统的现代研究资料较少,应通过资源调查,进一步结合药效学、生药学、化学成分的研究,以期获得药用植物新资源,为贵州中药现代化提供资源储备。     

广西苦苣苔科植物传统药物学调查

目的:系统整理、总结、归纳出广西苦苣苔科民族药用植物种类、分布、功效及民间使用情况,为该科民族药用植物的深入研究提供科学依据。方法:野外资源调查、整理国内各大标本馆标本原始记录、查阅文献记载。结果:(1)广西苦苣苔科民族药用植物有7种,本草书籍中记载有3种;(2)同种药用植物常常作不同民族药应用;(3)7种民族药的传统疗效主要体现在3个方面,这些传统疗效与现代药理研究结果基本吻合。结论:广西苦苣苔科民族药用植物传统疗效显著、资源丰富、民间应用广泛,但绝大部分民族药缺乏深入系统研究。     

广西蜘蛛抱蛋属的药用民族植物学研究

目的:系统整理、总结、归纳、编目广西蜘蛛抱蛋属(Aspidistra)药用植物种类、分布、功效及民间使用情况,为该属药用植物植物的深入研究提供科学依据。方法:应用药用民族植物学的研究方法,通过野外资源调查、标本收集整理、查阅文献记载。结果:广西蜘蛛抱蛋属药用植物有15种,主要用于治疗风湿骨痛、跌打损伤、咳嗽等疾病。结论:广西蜘蛛抱蛋属药用植物传统疗效显著,资源丰富,民间应用广泛,但与丰富的蜘蛛抱蛋属植物种类相比,该属植物药用民族植物学研究开展还比较薄弱,今后需要加强这方面的研究,从中寻找新的药用植物资源。     

基于DNA条形码技术鉴别5种列当属药用植物

目的:建立一种快速、准确、标准化的5种列当属药用植物的DNA条形码鉴别方法。方法:采集5种列当属药用植物,所有样品进行总DNA提取,PCR扩增,并对扩增产物进行测序得到相应的序列,测序结果使用CONTIG、Bio Edit、MEGA6.0软件进行分析,构建系统发育树。结果:测得5种列当属植物的ITS、rbc L、trnL-F和mat K全长序列共200条,4种序列长度范围在364~1240 bp,其中ITS、trnL-F和mat K可将其鉴别出来。结论:rbc L序列无法有效鉴别5种列当属药用植物,trnL-F与ITS序列能够成功鉴别,可作为列当属植物的分子鉴别方法。     

中国芍药属药用植物资源

芍药属(Paeonia)为毛莨科(Rannuculaceae)植物,约35种,广布欧亚大陆温带。中国有11种11变种,主产西南、西北各省区,少数种分布于东北、华北及长江流域。本属很早就作为药用。《本草纲目》云“自芍药益脾,能于土中泻木,赤芍药散邪,能行血中之滞”。近代更对其药理、药化及临床作了许多研究。为了更好地开发利用本属植物,我们通过调查研究并查阅有关文献,对该属药用植物种类进行整理。一、芍药属药用植物资源 1.牡丹Paeonia suffruticosa Andr.又名木芍药产四川、河北、河南、山东、山西、陕西、甘     

陕西龙胆属药用植物资源调查研究

目的研究陕西龙胆属药用植物资源,为该属植物的资源保护、品质评价、合理开发及利用提供依据。方法通过实地调查,结合有关研究文献,对陕西龙胆属药用植物种类、生境分布、资源状况、药用部位及功效等进行归纳总结,编制分种检索表。结果确定陕西龙胆属植物共14种及1变种,供药用的共4个种。结论陕西龙胆属药用植物种类不多,但资源较为丰富,分布广泛,具有良好的开发应用前景。     

肉苁蓉生境特征、寄生机制和营养传输研究现状与展望

肉苁蓉为传统名贵中药,近年其原植物野生资源急剧减少,亟需进行资源可持续利用研究,肉苁蓉为全寄生植物,生理生态及营养传输极具特殊性;经系统查阅并整理国内外对肉苁蓉的生境特征、寄生机制、营养传输等方面研究,进行综述并展望;以期进一步为肉苁蓉的营养传输、种质资源、药材质量及农业生产等基础性与应用性研究提供参考.     

蓝刺头属植物在我国传统医药中的应用与研究概况

菊科蓝刺头属Echinops植物是世界传统医药中常用的药材之一。该文结合国内外大量文献的基础上,重点对蓝刺头属植物在我国传统中医药及一些少数民族医药中心的应用及现代研究做了简要介绍及评价,并对其在我国汉族、蒙古族、维吾尔族、哈萨克族、朝鲜族等民族传统医药中应用及相关研究进行概况。为进一步综合准确的利用和研究这一丰富植物资源,从而寻找具有生物活性的天然产物,对临床应用、新药研制及扩大药源提供参考和借鉴依据。     

牛耳朵和黄花牛耳朵的显微和化学鉴别

目的:为苦苣苔科唇柱苣苔属植物牛耳朵和黄花牛耳朵的鉴定和分类提供解剖学和化学依据。方法:采用石蜡制片法和水合氯醛透化法对2种药用植物的根状茎和叶横切面和粉末特征进行研究,应用光学显微镜观察显微结构。采用HPLC-UV法进行化学鉴别。结果:牛耳朵和黄花牛耳朵显微特征无明显区别,但是化学特征有明显的差异。结论:化学诞生特征鉴别方法可以作为2种药用植物的鉴定方法。     

Medicinal plant complexes of Salvia subgenus Calosphace: An ethnobotanical study of new world sages

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The species of Salvia subgenus Calosphace are used medicinally and ritually in numerous traditions of folk healing among indigenous cultures of North and South America with more than 500 species. These species contain numerous bioactive terpenes and terpenoids, some active at human opioid and GABA receptors, which may contribute to their effectiveness as folk medicines. Medicinal plant complexes contain species which share common names, morphological and/or aromatic properties, and medicinal uses; these complexes are found in traditional systems of medicine. Our research looks for complexes within Calosphace and the secondary metabolites they contain.

Materials and methods

Several studies have combined molecular phylogenetics and ethnopharmacology to successfully target active medicinal species. In this paper, we have selected a monophyletic clade, Salvia subgenus Calosphace, and performed a literature search to identify medicinal plant complexes within it. We created a database from over 200 references, found using keywords, and herbarium sheets. To identify medicinal plant complexes within the database, all species with shared vernacular names were first grouped. If the species sharing common names had similar medicinal uses and morphological similarity, they were concluded to be a complex. In order to determine the accuracy and validity of this approach, the chia complex was used as control, and we more species than reported by all of the published references combined. After identifying complexes and species within each, we searched the phytochemical literature to identify all reported secondary metabolites for each.

Results

We identify four previously unidentified complexes. Mirto (5 species) is used extensively in the treatment of the folk illness susto and other illnesses in Mexico, and is characterized by red flowers. Ñucchu (7 species) used as a symbolic element in religious processions and in the treatment of respiratory ailments in Peru and characterized by red flowers. Cantueso (2 species), with blue flowers, is used for respiratory ailments in Mexico, and Manga-paqui (3 species) is used for kidney and liver diseases in Ecuador. For the species of each complex we report all traditional preparations, other vernacular names, and known secondary metabolites. Among these complexes, Mirto and Ñucchu appear to have exceptional levels of cultural significance.

Conclusions

Our results support our hypothesis that species within Salvia subgenus Calosphace will assort into complexes of medicinal plants that share common names, appearances, and medicinal uses. We have identified four new complexes within this monophyletic lineage, mirto, ñucchu, cantueso, and manga-paqui.     

Antiadhesion as a functional concept for protection against uropathogenic Escherichia coli: In vitro studies with traditionally used plants with antiadhesive activity against uropathognic Escherichia coli

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Investigation of medicinal plant extracts traditionally used against uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTI) and identification of antiadhesive effects under in vitro conditions against binding of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) on bladder cell surface.

Materials and methods

Literature search on traditionally used medicinal plants for UTI was performed by online data bases and standard herbal monographs. For further identification shortlisting was done by intensive evaluation of results by plausibility and phytochemical aspects. Plant material with documented antibacterial effects was not considered for further investigations. Direct cytotoxicity of EtOH–water (1:1; v/v) extracts of the shortlisted plants was investigated against UPEC strain 2980 and bladder cell line T24. Inhibition of UPEC adhesion to T24 cells was monitored either after pretreatment of bacteria or eukaryotic cells by flow cytometry.

Results

Literature search on traditionally used medicinal plants for UTI resulted in 275 plant species, from which 20 were shortlisted by a validated selection process for experimental testing. While direct cytotoxicity of the extracts (1–2000 μg/mL) against UPEC and T24 cells was excluded significant antiadhesive effects were monitored for five plant extracts. Two of them, prepared from the rhizome of Agropyron repensL. and the stigmata of Zea maysL. decreased bacterial adhesion (IC₂₅ 630 μg/mL, IC₅₀ 1040 μg/mL, resp.) by interacting with bacterial outer membrane proteins, which was shown by pretreatment of UPEC. Preparations of three plant extracts from the leaves of Betula spp. (according to European pharmacopoeia 7.0), Orthosiphon stamineusBENTH. and Urtica spp. showed antiadhesive effects by interacting with T24 cells (IC₅₀ 415, 1330 μg/mL, resp. IC₂₅ 580 μg/mL). Combination of two extracts, one interacting with the bacterial surface (Zea maysL., Agropyron repensL.) and one with the eukaryotic target (Orthosiphon stamineusBENTH.) revealed synergistic effects, as shown by strongly decreased IC₅₀ values (131 μg/mL, 511 μg/mL, resp.).

Conclusions

Different plant extracts, traditionally used for UTI, exhibit antiadhesive effects against UPEC under in vitro conditions. Molecular targets can be different, either on the bacterial or on the host cell surface. Combination of these medicinal plants with different targets, as observed often in phytotherapy, results in synergistic effects.     

Comparative “in vitro” evaluation of the antiresorptive activity residing in four Ayurvedic medicinal plants. Hemidesmus indicus emerges for its potential in the treatment of bone loss diseases

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Four Indian plants, traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine: Asparagus racemosus Willd., Emblica officinalis Gaertn., Hemidesmus indicus R. Br., and Rubia cordifolia L. were selected on the basis of their ethnobotanical use and of scientific evidence that suggests a potential efficacy in the treatment of bone-loss diseases. The antiresorptive properties of the four plants have been investigated. The aim was to provide adequate evidence for the exploitation of natural compounds as alternative therapeutics for the treatment of diseases caused by increased osteoclast activity.

Materials and methods

Decoctions were prepared from dried plant material according to the traditional procedure and standardization by HPLC was performed using marker compounds for each species. Total polyphenols, flavonoids and radical scavenging activity of the decoctions were also determined. The bioactivity of the plant decoctions was evaluated in subsequent phases. (1) A cytotoxicity screening was performed on the mouse monocytic RAW 264.7 cell line to define the concentrations that could be utilized in the following step. (2) The antiresorptive properties of plant decoctions were compared with that of a “gold standard” drug (alendronate) by measuring osteoclastogenesis inhibition and osteoclast apoptosis. (3) The toxic effect on bone forming cells was excluded by evaluating the impact on the proliferation of osteogenic precursors (mesenchymal stem cells, MSC).

Results

All the decoctions inhibited osteoclastogenesis similarly to alendronate at the highest doses, but Hemidesmus indicus and Rubia cordifolia were also effective at lower concentrations. Apoptosis increased significantly when cells were exposed to the highest concentration of Emblica officinalis, Hemidesmus indicus, and Rubia cordifolia. All concentrations of Emblica officinalis tested inhibited the proliferation of osteogenic precursors, while only the highest doses of Asparagus racemosus and Rubia cordifolia were toxic. On the contrary, Hemidesmus indicus did not affect osteogenic precursor growth at any concentration tested.

Conclusion

Among the medicinal plants included in the study, Hemidesmus indicus showed the greatest antiosteoclastic activity without toxic effect on osteogenic precursors. Therefore, Hemidesmus indicus exhibits the properties of an antiresorptive drug and represents the ideal candidate for further clinical investigations.     

火麻仁品种与药用部位本草考证

目的:通过对火麻仁的本草考证,明确火麻仁药材品种及入药部位,为临床用药提供文献依据。方法:考证历代本草著作,结合现代研究资料进行分析。结果:火麻仁的基原植物古今一致,均为桑科大麻属植物大麻Cannabis sativa。而入药部位,早期文献中对本品的药用部位并未作严格区分,麻賁(雌花序或未成熟的果实)、麻子(果实)、麻子仁(种仁)三者相互混用;自陶弘景开始,逐渐认识到其果皮的毒性,其后历代本草、方书大都特别指出大麻入药须去除果皮,使用种仁。现代药学文献对火麻仁药用部位的记载,或果实,或种仁,较混乱。结论:火麻仁品种古今一致;种仁比果实更安全,其药用部位应为种仁。     

In vitro and in vivo antimalarial and cytotoxic activity of five plants used in congolese traditional medicine

Aim of the study

The in vitro antiplasmodial activity and cytotoxicity of methanolic and dichloromethane extracts from five Congolese plants were evaluated. The plants were selected following an ethnobotanical survey conducted in D.R. Congo and focusing on plants used traditionally to treat malaria. The in vivo antimalarial activity of aqueous and methanolic extracts active in vitro was also determined in mice infected by Plasmodium berghei berghei.

Materials and methods

The growth inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum strains was evaluated using the measurement of lactate dehydrogenase activity. The extracts (aqueous, CH₃OH, EtOH and CH₂Cl₂) were prepared by maceration and tested in vitro against the 3D7 (chloroquine sensitive) and W2 (chloroquine resistant) strains of Plasmodium falciparum and against the human normal fetal lung fibroblasts WI-38 to determine the selectivity index. Some extracts were also used at the dose of 300 mg/kg to evaluate their activity in mice infected since 4 days by Plasmodium berghei.

Results

Two plants presented a very high activity (IC₅₀ < 3 μg/ml). These plants were Strychnos icaja roots bark (MeOH and CH₂Cl₂) and Physalis angulata leaves (MeOH and CH₂Cl₂). One plant (Anisopappus chinensis whole plant, MeOH and CH₂Cl₂) presented a high activity (IC50 < 15 μg/ml). The extracts of Anisopappus chinensis and Physalis angulata showed also a good inhibition of parasitemia in vivo. Flavonoids, phenolic acids and terpenes were identified in these plants by a general phytochemical screening method.

Conclusion

Three plants showed a very interesting antiplasmodial activity (Anisopappus chinensis, Physalis angulata and Strychnos icaja) and one of them showed a good selectivity index (>10, Anisopappus chinensis). Anisopappus chinensis and Physalis angulata were also active in vivo.     

Medicinal plants of genus Curculigo: Traditional uses and a phytochemical and ethnopharmacological review

Ethnopharmacological relevance

In the genus Curculigo, Curculigo orchioides Gaertn, Curculigo capitulata (Lour) O. Ktze and Curculigo pilosa (Schumach. & Thonn.) Engl are often used in traditional medicine. Curculigo orchioides is used for the treatment of impotence, limb limpness, arthritis of the lumbar and knee joints, and watery diarrhea in traditional Chinese medicine, and also used as a potent immunomodulator and aphrodisiac in the Ayurvedic medical system. Curculigo capitulata is used for the treatment of consumptive cough, kidney asthenia, impotence and spermatorrhea, hemorrhoids, asthma, jaundice, diarrhea, colic and gonorrhea in traditional Chinese and India medicine, and to treat urinary tract infection, acute renal pelvis and nephritis, nephritis-edema, cystitis, nephrolithiasis, hypertension and rheumatic arthritis in traditional Dai medicine. Curculigo pilosa are applied to treat gastrointestinal and heart diseases in Africa.

Aim of the review

This review aims to exhibit up-to-date and comprehensive information about traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of medicinal plants in the genus Curculigo, and has an insight into the opportunities for the future research and development of Curculigo plant.

Methods

A bibliographic investigation was performed by analyzing the information available on Curculigo plant from worldwide accepted scientific databases (Pubmed, Scopus and Web of Science, SciFinder, Google Scholar, Yahoo). Furthermore, information also was obtained from some local and foreign books on ethnobotany and ethnomedicines.

Results

Curculigo orchioides, Curculigo capitulata and Curculigo pilosa have been used as traditional medicine to treat kinds of diseases such as impotence, limb limpness, gastrointestinal and heart diseases, etc. Phytochemical investigation of eight species of the genus Curculigo has resulted in identification of more than 110 compounds. The content of curculigoside is used as an indicator to evaluate the quality of rhizome of Curculigo orchioides. The medicinal plants have showed a wide spectrum pharmacological activities, including adaptive, immunostimulatory, taste-modifying and sweet-tasting, antioxidant, mast cell stabilization, antihistaminic and antiasthmatic, hepatoprotective and neuroprotective activity. Toxicological test indicated that Curculigo orchioides at the dose of 120 g/kg after administrating rats for 180 days may cause injury of liver and kidney.

Conclusion

The medicinal plants of genus Curculigo have emerged as a good source of the traditional medicines. Some uses of these plants in the traditional medicines have been validated by pharmacological investigation. However, the mechanism of their actions should be further elucidated; the particular constituent responsible for toxicity should be isolated and identified, and the target tissue and mechanism of toxic ingredients also deserve to be further investigated; more reference substances should be prepared, and sophisticated analytical technologies should be developed to comprehensively assess the quality of Curculigo herbs. These investigations will be helpful for further utilization of the plants of genus Curculigo.     

Prophylactic and curative activities of extracts from Warburgia ugandensis Sprague (Canellaceae) and Zanthoxylum usambarense (Engl.) Kokwaro (Rutaceae) against Plasmodium knowlesi and Plasmodium berghei

Ethnopharmacological relevance

This work reports the anti-plasmodial activities of Warburgia ugandensis and Zanthoxylum usambarense commonly used as phytomedicines against malaria by some Kenyan communities.

Aim of study

To determine the anti-plasmodial activities of extracts from Warburgia ugandensis and Zanthoxylum usambarense against Plasmodium knowlesi and Plasmodium berghei.

Materials and methods

Eight plant extracts were screened for in vitro anti-plasmodial activity against Plasmodium knowlesi, in a 96-well plate incubated at 37 °C on a RPMI culture medium supplemented with baboon serum. Of the eight, three were investigated for prophylactic and curative activities in BALB/c mice against drug-sensitive Plasmodium berghei in a 4-day test at a dose rate of 200 mg/kg/day.

Results

Inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) values of between 3.14 and 75 μg/ml, up to 69% chemosuppression of parasites growth and over 80% survivorship of treated mice were observed.

Conclusion

The two medicinal plants, Warburgia ugandensis and Zanthoxylum usambarense possess bioactive compounds against malaria parasites and could be exploited for further development into malaria therapy.