The Ayurvedic medicine Clitoria ternatea--from traditional use to scientific assessment

Clitoria ternatea L. (CT) (Family: Fabaceae) commonly known as 'Butterfly pea', a traditional Ayurvedic medicine, has been used for centuries as a memory enhancer, nootropic, antistress, anxiolytic, antidepressant, anticonvulsant, tranquilizing and sedative agent. A wide range of secondary metabolites including triterpenoids, flavonol glycosides, anthocyanins and steroids has been isolated from Clitoria ternatea Linn. Its extracts possess a wide range of pharmacological activities including antimicrobial, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, diuretic, local anesthetic, antidiabetic, insecticidal, blood platelet aggregation-inhibiting and for use as a vascular smooth muscle relaxing properties. This plant has a long use in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for several diseases and the scientific studies has reconfirmed those with modern relevance. This review is an effort to explore the chemical constituents, pharmacological and toxicity studies of CT, which have long been in clinical use in Ayurvedic system of medicine along with a critical appraisal of its future ethnopharmacological potential in view of many recent findings of importance on this well known plant species.     

Psidium guajava: a review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology

Psidium guajava, is an important food crop and medicinal plant in tropical and subtropical countries is widely used like food and in folk medicine around of the world. This aims a comprehensive of the chemical constituents, pharmacological, and clinical uses. Different pharmacological experiments in a number of in vitro and in vivo models have been carried out. Also have been identified the medicinally important phyto-constituents. A number of metabolites in good yield and some have been shown to possess useful biological activities belonging mainly to phenolic, flavonoid, carotenoid, terpenoid and triterpene. Extracts and metabolites of this plant, particularly those from leaves and fruits possess useful pharmacological activities. A survey of the literature shows P. guajava is mainly known for its antispasmodic and antimicrobial properties in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery. Has also been used extensively as a hypoglycaemic agent. Many pharmacological studies have demonstrated the ability of this plant to exhibit antioxidant, hepatoprotection, anti-allergy, antimicrobial, antigenotoxic, antiplasmodial, cytotoxic, antispasmodic, cardioactive, anticough, antidiabetic, antiinflamatory and antinociceptive activities, supporting its traditional uses. Suggest a wide range of clinical applications for the treatment of infantile rotaviral enteritis, diarrhoea and diabetes.     

Traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of asafoetida (Ferula assa-foetida oleo-gum-resin)-a review

The old traditional phytomedicine asafoetida, an oleo-gum-resin obtained from the roots of different Ferula assa-foetida, is used in different countries for various purposes. Asafoetida is not only used as a culinary spice but also traditionally used to treat various diseases, including asthma, gastrointestinal disorders, intestinal parasites, etc. This oleo-gum-resin has been known to possess antifungal, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic and antiviral activities. A wide range of chemical compounds including sugars, sesquiterpene coumarins and polysulfides have been isolated from this plant. Recent studies have shown new promising antiviral sesquiterpene coumarins from this old phytomedicine. The present review summarizes the information concerning the traditional uses, phytochemistry and biological activities of asafoetida.     

黄芩及其有效成分抗菌作用新进展

近年来,随着免疫功能下降人群的不断增多,细菌/真菌感染率大幅上升,伴随耐药现象的出现,临床可供选择的抗菌药物越来越有限。黄芩Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi为唇形科黄芩属多年生草本,黄芩及其有效成分具有抗炎、抗氧化、抗肿瘤和抗菌等多重药理作用,尤其显著的抗细菌抗真菌活性对于治疗日渐增多的耐药性细菌/真菌感染有重要意义。该文结合国内外对黄芩及其有效成分的研究,对近年来其抗菌作用及机制研究进展作一综述。     

Medicinal uses,phytochemistry and pharmacology of Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre: A review

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre is one of the many plants with diverse medicinal properties where all its parts have been used as traditional medicine in the treatment and prevention of several kinds of ailments in many countries such as for treatment of piles, skin diseases, and wounds.

Aim of this review

This review discusses the current knowledge of traditional uses, phytochemistry, biological activities, and toxicity of this species in order to reveal its therapeutic and gaps requiring future research opportunities.

Material and methods

This review is based on literature study on scientific journals and books from library and electronic sources such as ScienceDirect, PubMed, ACS, etc.

Results

Several different classes of flavonoid derivatives, such as flavones, flavans, and chalcones, and several types of compounds including terpenes, steroid, and fatty acids have been isolated from all parts of this plant. The pharmacological studies revealed that various types of preparations, extracts, and single compounds of this species exhibited a broad spectrum of biological activities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic activities.

Conclusion

The results of several toxicity studies indicated that extracts and single compounds isolated from this species did not show any significant toxicity and did not cause abnormality on some rats' organs. Thus, this plant has a potential to be used as an effective therapeutic remedy due to its low toxicity towards mammalian cells. However, further study on chemical constituents and their mechanisms in exhibiting certain biological activities are needed to understand the full phytochemical profile and the complex pharmacological effects of this plant. In addition, further study on the toxicity of the other compounds isolated from this plant required to be assessed to ensure their eligibility to be used as sources of drugs.     

Biological and analytical characterization of two extracts from Valeriana officinalis

The anticoronaryspastic and antibronchospastic activities of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Valeriana officinalis L. roots were investigated in anaesthetized guinea-pigs and the results were correlated with the qualitative/quantitative chemical composition of the extracts in order to account for some of the common uses of this plant. The protective effects of orally administered ethanolic and aqueous extracts (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) were evaluated against pitressin-induced coronary spasm and pressor response in guinea-pigs and were compared with those of nifedipine. Furthermore, the protective effects against histamine-induced and Oleaceae antigen challenge-induced bronchospasm were evaluated. Finally, the two valerian extracts were analytically characterized by qualitative and quantitative chromatographic analysis. The results showed that the two valeriana extracts possessed significant anticoronaryspastic, antihypertensive and antibronchospastic properties. These were similar to those exhibited by nifedipine and are due to the structural features of the active principles they contain. This study justifies the traditional use of this plant in the treatment of some respiratory and cardiovascular disorders.     

散沫花化学成分和生物活性研究进展

散沫花Lawsonia inermis,千屈菜科Lythtaceae散沫花属植物,其叶、花、果实、种子都可以作为传统中药使用.现代研究发现散沫花含有醌、苯丙素、黄酮、三萜、酚酸和脂肪酸等多种类型的化合物,并具有抗菌、抗肿瘤、抗氧化、抗寄生虫等广泛的药理活性,有很大的开发利用价值,因此受到各国学者的广泛关注.该文对散沫花的化学成分、生物活性及其应用的研究进展进行了综述,为其深入的开发研究提供参考.     

Plants traditionally used in age related brain disorders--a survey of ethnobotanical literature

In traditional herbal medicine, numerous plants have been used to treat age related cognitive disorders. In this review we compiled available literature from four Swiss university libraries, scientific journals and online database query's on plants and remedies used in traditional medicinal systems for such diseases. Over 150 plant species in various preparations and mixtures were found. European herbals from the 16th and 17th century alongside traditional Chinese and Indian medicinal works were the most prolific sources. The information is organised into geographic regions and when available the findings are discussed in the light of more recent scientific findings concerning their secondary metabolites and in vitro and in vivo activities relevant to dementia and Alzheimer's disease.     

附子的化学和生物活性研究进展

通过系统查阅附子近40年化学成分和药理作用研究研究文献,对其现代研究进行了综述。分析结果显示附子主要含有生物碱类成分,其中以乌头碱（aconitine）骨架的C-19型二萜生物碱为主,其次为具有海替生碱（hetisan）、维替碱（veatchine）、纳哌啉（napelline）、光翠雀碱（denudatine）等骨架的C-20型二萜生物碱;除生物碱外,附子还含有黄酮、皂苷、多糖、脂肪酸等其他成分。附子的生物活性主要表现为强心、降压、镇痛、抗炎、增强免疫、杀虫、降血糖及毒性等作用。附子现代研究尽管取得了巨大进展,但在阐明其传统药效作用及机制方面,仍存在诸多问题,仍需要进行深入研究。     

药用石斛规模化种植中的病害问题及防治策略

近年来药用石斛种植产业在浙江、云南、安徽、贵州等省发展迅速,逐渐进入规模化生产.随着种植年限的增加和种植面积的扩大,人工栽培过程中的病害问题日益凸现,并有逐渐加重的趋势.该文结合文献报道及实地调研,对我国目前石斛种植中病害的种类、发病规律、地区差异、防治措施等进行综述,根据病害发生特点及影响流行的因素,指出当前生产中石斛病害防治中存在的问题,阐明病害在石斛种植产业发展中的制约作用.提出加强基础研究,建立石斛种质抗病评价方法,以调节设施栽培环境等农业措施为重点,配合农药的合理使用的病害综合防治策略.     

Antispasmodic activity of essential oil from Lippia dulcis Trev

AIM OF THIS STUDY: To investigate the essential oil of Lippia dulcis Trev. (Verbenaceae) that is traditionally used in the treatment of cough, colds, bronchitis, asthma, and colic in Middle America for antispasmodic activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used a porcine bronchial bioassay to study contractile responses to carbachol and histamine in the absence or presence of the essential oil. RESULTS: The essential oil showed anti-histaminergic and anti-cholinergic activities at 100 microg/ml. CONCLUSIONS: The anti-histaminergic and anti-cholinergic activities of the essential oil of Lippia dulcis support the rational use of the plant or plant extracts to treat bronchospasm.     

两头毛的的化学成分和药理作用研究进展

两头毛Incarvillea arguta（Royle）Rovle为紫威科角蒿属植物,丰产于西南地区,为各民族常用中草药。两头毛含有多种化学成分,目前从其根茎或者地上部分分离得到单萜、环烯醚萜、倍半萜、三萜、甾体、生物碱、黄酮、酰胺、苯丙素等。两头毛提取物或所含化学成分具有促细胞分化、抗炎、抗菌、抗氧化、防治胆石症等作用,临床用于治疗肝炎、结石病等,疗效显著。综述了2008-2013年两头毛的化学成分和药理作用,为其开发利用提供参考。     

In vitro anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of extracts of selected medicinal plants from North West Cameroon

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Helicobacter pylori, a gram negative microaerophilic bacterium is a major etiological agent in duodenal, peptic and gastric ulcers. The growing problem of antibiotic resistance by the organism demands the search for novel compounds from plant based sources. AIM OF STUDY: The present study is aimed at evaluating the antimicrobial activity of some selected medicinal plants on clinical isolates of H. pylori circulating in Cameroon in a bid to identify potential sources of cheap starting materials for the synthesis of new drugs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Gastric biopsy samples were obtained from patients presenting with gastroduodenal complications. H. pylori was isolated from the specimens following standard microbiology procedures. The disk diffusion method was used to determine the susceptibility of 15 isolates to ten methanol plant extracts (Ageratum conyzoides, Scleria striatinux, Lycopodium cernua, Acanthus montanus, Eryngium foetidium, Aulutandria kamerunensis, Tapeinachilus ananassae, Euphorbia hirta, Emilia coccinea and Scleria verrucosa). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) for the most active plant extracts were also determined by the agar dilution method. Results were analyzed statistically by the Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: All the plants tested demonstrated antimicrobial activity with zone diameters of inhibition ranging from 0-30mm. Of these, A. conyzoides, S. striatinux and L. cernua showed very potent antibacterial activity on the isolates. The lowest MIC and MBC recorded were 0.032mg/mL and 0.098mg/mL respectively. However, the MIC of the extracts ranged from 0.032-1.0mg/mL for S. striatinux; 0.063-0.5mg/mL for L. cernua and 0.063-1.0mg/mL for A. conyzoides. The MBC of the extracts ranged from 0.098-15.0mg/mL for S. striatinux; 0.098-12.5mg/mL for A. conyzoides, and 0.195-12.5mg/mL for L. cernua. The extracts had a wide spectrum of activity. The three most potent extracts possessed significant (P<0.05) inhibitory activities. CONCLUSION: The plant extracts may contain compounds with therapeutic activity.     

毛酸浆的研究进展

毛酸浆Physalis pubescens作为药食两用植物,已有1 200多年的悠久历史。目前研究发现,毛酸浆主要含黄酮类、甾体类、苯丙素类、生物碱类、脂肪酸类等多种化学成分,具有抗肿瘤、抗菌、抗氧化、利尿、免疫抑制等多种药理活性。查阅近30年国内外文献,针对毛酸浆的化学成分、药理作用等方面进行综述,并对毛酸浆的开发利用前景进行展望,为进一步合理开发和综合利用毛酸浆的药用资源提供参考。     

Anti-trypanosomal activity of African medicinal plants: A review update

Ethnopharmacological relevance

African trypanosomiasis is one of the neglected tropical diseases caused by different species of trypanosomes that affect both human and livestock with devastating consequences in the continent. Most of the affected populations commonly use traditional medicinal plants for the treatment of the disease. Consequently, this prompted ethnopharmacological research activities on the anti-trypanosomal activity of a number of these African medicinal plants in order to validate their ethnomedicinal use. Furthermore, such studies could lead to the identification of chemical leads for the development of newer anti-trypanosomal agents from those plants. This review aims to provide updated information on the ethnopharmacological evidence of African medicinal plants with anti-trypanosomal activity.

Methods

Literature was collected via electronic search (PubMed, Sciencedirect, Medline and Google Scholar) from published articles that report on the in vitro or in vivo anti-trypanosomal activity of plants that were collected from different parts of Africa.

Results

African medicinal plants investigated for in vitro and in vivo anti-trypanosomal activity from January 1993 to October 2013 are systematically compiled and all the in vivo studies are critically discussed. A total of 264 plant species belonging to 79 families were investigated for anti-trypanosomal activity. However, only 48 bioactive anti-trypanosomal compounds were successfully isolated in pure forms. Furthermore, some of the plants were investigated for possible ameliorative effects on the trypanosome-induced pathological changes out of which 18 plants were reported to be effective while a few others were not. In spite of interesting preclinical ethnopharmacological evidence for anti-trypanosomal activity, not a single African medicinal plant was investigated in a clinical study.

Conclusion

Several African medicinal plants have demonstrated promising anti-trypanosomal effects but the studies on the anti-trypanosomal potentials of these plants are not taken beyond proof of concept stage. It is hoped that the article would stimulate future clinical studies because of the paucity of knowledge in this area.     

Anti-diarrhoea and analgesic activities of the methanol extract and its fractions of Jasminum amplexicaule Buch.-Ham. (Oleaceae)

Jasminum amplexicaule Buch.-Ham. (Oleaceae) has been commonly used in the traditional medicine in dysentery, diarrhoea and bellyache in China. In the present work, the methanol extract of Jasminum amplexicaule and different fractions of this extract were studied for anti-diarrhoea and analgesic activities. The anti-diarrhoea activities were investigated using castor oil-induced, magnesium sulphate-induced diarrhoea models, antienteropooling assay and gastrointestinal motility models in mice. The analgesic activities were studied using hot-plate, writhing and formalin models in mice. At the doses of 100, 200 and 400mg/kg, the methanol extract (ME) showed significant and dose-dependent anti-diarrhoea and analgesic activity in these models. The chloroform fraction (CHF), ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) and the residual methanol fraction (RMF) exhibited similar activity using a dose of 200mg/kg in these models. The pharmacological activities of the n-butanol fraction (BUF) were lesser than the ME extract and other fractions. These results may support the fact that this plant is traditionally used to cure diarrhoea and pain.     

中药单体化合物免疫抑制活性的研究进展

临床或实验研究表明,中药雷公藤、苏木、青风藤、天花粉及青蒿均具有良好的免疫抑制活性,对其免疫抑制活性成分的深入研究已经成为近年研究的主要方向.作者就近几年来从中药中获取的雷公藤红素、雷公藤内酯醇、巴西苏木红素、原苏木素A、青藤碱、天花粉蛋白及青蒿素等免疫抑制活性单体化合物的相关研究进展做简要综述.     

Bioassay-guided isolation of kaempferol-3-O-beta-D-galactoside with anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity from the aerial part of Calluna vulgaris L

Calluna vulgaris L. (Ericaceae) is used for the treatment of various inflammatory ailments in traditional medicines. In order to evaluate this ethnobotanical information, its anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities were studied using in vivo experimental models in mice. The ethanolic extract of the plant was first fractionated into five extracts; namely, n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), n-butanol, and water fractions. Among them, the EtOAc Fr. was found to be the most effective and was further subjected to bioassay-guided fractionation and isolation procedures. After successive column chromatography applications, on Sephadex LH-20 and silica gel, a component, which is responsible for the above-mentioned activities of this species of Turkish origin, was isolated and its structure was elucidated as kaempferol-3-O-beta-D-galactoside, a common flavonol derivative by means of spectral techniques.     

Anti-Helicobacter pylori, gastroprotective,anti-inflammatory,and cytotoxic activities of methanolic extracts of five different populations of Hippocratea celastroides collected in Mexico

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The root barks of Hippocratea celastroides have been used for decades in Mexican traditional medicine to treat gastritis and ulcers. To investigate the anti-Helicobacter pylori, gastroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic activities of methanolic extracts obtained from the leaves, stems, and root bark of Hippocratea celastroides collected in five different localities in Mexico, during the winter of 2009, in order to establish differences in biological activities in terms of plant organs, as well as places of collection.

Materials and methods

Whole individuals were collected in five separate localities in Mexico: La Mancha, Veracruz (VL), Yautepec, Morelos (MY), Jojutla, Morelos (MJ), Temalac, Guerrero (GT), and Landa de Matamoros, Querétaro (QL). Methanolic crude extracts from wild plant specimens were tested using in vivo ethanol-induced mice gastric ulcer model, and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) induced ear edema in mice assay, and in vitro anti-Helicobacter pylori model, and carcinoma cell line cytotoxic assays.

Results and conclusions

The leaves, stems, and root bark from MY specimens, as well as the leaves and root bark of materials from VL, presented the highest activity against Helicobacter pylori (MIC values ranging from 7.81 to 31.25 μg/ml). Most gastroprotective effects were displayed by the leaves of plants collected in MY, with 89.85±1.91% of protection (300 mg/kg) and an ED₅₀=27 mg/kg, which was corroborated by histological analysis. The root bark extracts from MY achieved the highest edema inhibition values (ED₅₀=0.18 mg/ear), which were comparable to indomethacin (ED₅₀=0.16 mg/ear). Finally, all extracts from MY (three plant parts) were cytotoxic against nasopharyngeal (KB), breast (MCF-7), and colon (HCT-116) carcinoma cell lines with IC₅₀ values between 1.18 and 9.77 μg/ml, except that no activity was detected for root bark extracts against HCT-116 normal fibroblasts. The activities of methanolic extracts from leaves, stems and root bark of plants collected in five different locations varied considerably, representing a notable problem facing the quality control of the plant material from Hippocratea celastroides used for medicinal purposes. The ethnomedical information of this plant in regards to treating gastritis and ulcers was strongly evidenced by the findings of the experimental models employed in this study.     

Medicinal properties of Peganum harmala L. in traditional Iranian medicine and modern phytotherapy: a review

OBJECTIVE: To review the pharmacological activities of Peganum harmala L.(P. harmala, Nitrariaceae) in traditional Iranian medicine(TIM) and modern phytotherapy.METHODS: Opinions of TIM and modern phytotherapy about safety and acceptable dosage of this plant are discussed. Various medical properties of P.harmala were collected from important TIM references and added to scientific reports derived from modern medical databases like Pub Med, Scirus, Science Direct and Scopus.RESULTS: The main medicinal part of the plant is the seed. In TIM resources, this plant possesses various Pharmacological activities such as carminative,galactagogue, diuretic, emmenagogue, antithrom-botic and analgesic. In modern phytotherapy, P. harmala demonstrated numerous medicinal effects including cardiovascular, neurologic, antimicrobial,insecticidal, antineoplasmic, antiproliferative, gastrointestinal and antidiabetic effects. Adverse events such as neuro-sensorial symptoms, visual hallucination, bradycardia, hypotension, agitation,tremors, ataxia, abortion and vomiting cause people to use this plant cautiously. P. harmala is contraindicated during pregnancy, due to its abortive and mutagenic activities. Because of increasing the expression of CYP1A2, 2C19, and 3A4 and inhibition of monoamine oxidase, the pharmacokinetic parameters of drugs which are mainly metabolized by these enzymes may be affected by P. harmala.CONCLUSION: The medicinal properties declared for this plant in TIM are compared with those showed in modern phytotherapy. Some of the TIM properties were confirmed in modern phytotherapy like emetic and analgesic activities and some have not been evaluated in modern phytotherapy such as its therapeutic effects on paralysis, epilepsy and numbness. Finally, the current review provides the evidence for other researchers to use TIM properties of P. harmala as an efficacious natural drug.Further preclinical and clinical studies for adequate evaluating safety and therapeutic efficacy are recommended.