Antimicrobial properties of Honduran medicinal plants

Ninety-two plants used in the traditional pharmacopoeia of the Pech and neighboring Mestizo peoples of central Honduras are reported. The results of in vitro antimicrobial screens showed that 19 of the extracts from medicinal plants revealed signs of antifungal activity while 22 demonstrated a measurable inhibitory effect on one or more bacterial cultures. Bioassay-guided fractionation of extracts from Mikania micrantha, Neurolaena lobata and Piper aduncum produced weak to moderately active isolates. The broad spectrum of activity of the extracts helps to explain the widespread use of these plants for wound healing and other applications.     

Screening of vasorelaxant activity of some medicinal plants used in Oriental medicines

Hexane, ethylacetate (EtOAC), and n-butanol (n-BuOH) extracts of medicinal plants traditionally used in the East Asia, such as China, Korea, and Japan were screened for their vasorelaxant activity using isolated rat aorta. Among the 60 solvent-extracts from 20 medicinal plants, hexane and n-BuOH extracts of Diospyros kaki and Polygonum aviculare, hexane, EtOAC, and n-BuOH extracts of Magnolia liliflora, n-BuOH extract of Sorbus commixta, and EtOAC and n-BuOH extracts of Selaginella tamariscina were found to exhibit distinctive vasorelaxant activity. The activity disappeared by removal of functional endothelium or pre-treatment of the aortic tissues with N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), which is an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase. These findings suggest that the medicinal plants relax vascular smooth muscle via endothelium-dependent nitric oxide. These results will be useful to further analyze those medicinal plants that contain the vasorelaxant activity in order to identify the active principles.     

Antiviral activity of eight commonly used medicinal plants in Taiwan

In an effort to find new antiviral agents from natural products, hot water extracts of eight traditionally used medicinal plants in Taiwan were investigated in vitro for their activities against adenoviruses (ADV) and herpes simplex viruses (HSV). Results demonstrated that all extracts exhibited antiviral activity with different degrees of potency. Only two extracts were active in suppressing both HSV and ADV infections. Three extracts inhibited only ADV infection whereas one extract blocked only HSV infection. These results suggested that the aforementioned medicinal plants merit further investigation.     

Potential antimalarials from Nigerian plants: a review

Malaria, caused by parasites of the genus Plasmodium, is one of the leading infectious diseases in many tropical regions, including Nigeria, a West African country where transmission occurs all year round. Many of the inhabitants use plants as remedies against fever and other symptoms of acute malaria, as reported herein. Some of these plants have their antimalarial efficacies scientifically demonstrated and the active compounds isolated with their probable mechanisms of action studied. Medicinal plants are used to treat diseases also where the biodiversity of plants occur in parallel with endemic transmission of malaria. This review focuses on medicinal plants which are used to treat malaria in Nigeria, and on antimalarial testing of extracts and purified compounds from plants. Some show intense activity against malaria parasites in vitro and in experimentally infected mice. The search for new drugs based on plants is important due to the emergence and widespread of chloroquine-resistant and multiple drug-resistant malaria parasites, which require the development of new antimalarials. An acquaintance with antimalarial plants may be a springboard for new phytotherapies that could be affordable to treat malaria, especially among the less privileged native people living in endemic areas of the tropics, mostly at risk of this devastating disease.     

A review of some antimicrobial compounds isolated from medicinal plants reported in the literature 1978–1988

This paper reviews the literature on recent antimicrobial plant products (1978–1988) and medicinal plants used for the treatment of infectious diseases. The review includes accounts of extracts, essential oils and other active principles isolated from plants that have been used in folk medicine as antimicrobial agents. The name and part of the plants studied, the spectrum of activity, type of active compounds and methods used are discussed, as are their mechanisms of action.     

Pharmacological screening of the anti-ulcerogenic effects of some Jordanian medicinal plants in rats

Ethanolic extracts of 18 medicinal plants traditionally used in Jordan for the treatment of gastric ulcers were evaluated for their possible anti-ulcer activity. Among the tested plants, 12 extracts lowered the severity of ethanol-induced gastric damage in rats with curative ratios ranging from 62.9 to 99.5%. The most active extract was that of Quercus coccifera, with a curative ratio of 99.5%.     

Medicinal plants with hypoglycemic activity

This review summarises the literature on the antidiabetic activity of 343 medicinal plants reputed in the indigenous system of medicine or in which the pharmacological activity has been scientifically demonstrated. The data are presented in tabular form. The table reflects the plant parts involved, the nature of the extracts used and the names of the active principles with their structures where known. The pharmacological activities of some of the extracts or of the active principles isolated from these plants are also described.     

General pharmacologic inventory of Rwandese medicinal plants

A pharmacological screening was conducted on 101 methanolic extracts from 31 medicinal plants chosen among the more widely used plants in Rwandese traditional medicine. Twenty four extracts from 13 plants have shown spasmolytic properties, while 35 extracts from 15 plants contain spasmodic active principles. Ten extracts from 8 plants have shown considerable toxicity and 3 extracts from 2 plants have revealed curarizing properties.     

Use of a modified microplate bioassay method to investigate antibacterial activity in the Peruvian medicinal plant Peperomia galioides

A versatile microplate bioassay for quick and sensitive determination of antibacterial activity was developed for use in screening medicinal plants and identification of their active principles. This assay can be used to determine minimum inhibitory concentrations for small quantities of organic or water-soluble plant extracts. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the stem and leaves of Peperomia galioides using this method found fractions containing grifolin and grifolic acid, which inhibited growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis.     

Anticandidal activity of certain South Indian medicinal plants

The anticandidal activity of 20 household South Indian medicinal plants and/or plant products was studied using 30 Candida albicans isolates obtained from vaginal candidiasis patients of Rajah Muthiah Medical College and Hospital and compared with the anticandidal activity of garlic. Water and ethanol extracts were prepared and their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFC) were determined. Water extracts of three plants did not show any anticandidal activity, while Murrya koenigii did not exhibit any anticandidal activity in either extract. Other plants exhibited more activity in ethanol extracts showing that their active principle is more soluble in a non-polar solvent.     

Antimicrobial activity of South African medicinal plants

This paper reviews the antimicrobial research undertaken on South African medicinal plants during the period 1997-2008. Antimicrobial methods (disc diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), bio-autography) are briefly discussed and an analysis of the publications reviewed indicates that the majority of papers use MIC assays for antimicrobial determination. Antimicrobial investigations on extracts are presented where the most active plants are identified from screening publications. A summary of some bioactive compounds are given with data restricted to papers reporting quantitative antimicrobial activity equivalent to or below 200 microg/ml. Antimicrobial activities on the essential oils of indigenous medicinal aromatic plants are also reviewed. An overview is given on what activities (extracts, compounds and oils) should be considered noteworthy for publication. Studies focusing on geographical ethnobotany, specific pathogenesis, formulation aspects and in vivo investigations are examined. Future recommendations to consider include pathogen selection, interactive studies and dosage administrations.     

中药新药处方配伍及组方用药的若干思路

中药新药的研究与开发是复杂的系统工程,处方配伍及组方用药是新药研究的起始,是决定主治功效及相关实验研究的前提。本文分别从依据中医药理论与临床辨治用药经验:结合现代病因病理认识及中药药效学研究成果;应用的民间药材、少数民族药材、及其新的药物资源;以中药材、天然药物中提取的有效成分、有效部位、有效提取物等方面,组成中药新药制剂。依据中西医药理论与实验研究成果,组成中西药结合新制剂;运用天然药物化学研究的生物活性先导物,进行结构改造或修饰以及类似物合成,研制新制剂;通过中药各种成分与金属离子的络合作用,形成新的络合物,研制中药新制剂等方面,阐述了中药新药研究中的处方来源、组方用药及相关问题的思路。     

中药新药处方配伍及组方用药的若干思路

中药新药的研究与开发是复杂的系统工程，处方配伍及组方用药是新药研究的起始。是决定主治功效及相关实验研究的前提。本文分别从依据中医药理论与临床辨治用药经验；结合现代病因病理认识及中药药效学研究成果；应用的民间药材、少数民族药材、及其新的药物资源；以中药材、天然药物中提取的有效成分、有效部位、有效提取物等方面，组成中药新药制剂。依据中西医药理论与实验研究成果，组成中西药结合新制剂；运用天然药物化学研究的生物活性先导物，进行结构改造或修饰以及类似物合成，研制新制剂；通过中药各种成分与金属离子的络合作用，形成新的络合物，研制中药新制剂等方面，阐述了中药新药研究中的处方来源、组方用药及相关问题的思路。     

中药标准化提取物应用建议及产业化思考

“现代中药”是我国实施中药现代化而催生的具体产业方向。中药标准化提取物是现代中药的一种产品形式,中药提取过程是中药现代化的重要技术环节,提取物在国际市场上的应用是中药国际化的先行者和铺路石。中药提取物应是中药的一种产品方式。建议国家主管部门的产业发展规划与工作部署中应提高对涉及中药生产过程控制(中药材种植、提取工艺、装备及辅料应用)产业化项目的关注度,积极促进以中药标准化提取物投料的现代中药和保健品的开发研究和生产销售。     

Studies on the cytotoxicity,antimicrobial and DNA-binding activities of plants used by the Ese'ejas

Thirty-nine extracts of 13 plants used traditionally as medicinal by the Ese'ejas were studied in order to determine their cytotoxic effect in the brine shrimp. Infusions showed no toxicity. Those plants that tested positive for methanolic and dichloromethane extracts were assayed for DNA-binding activity. Cytotoxicity was not due to the presence of compounds that interact with DNA. Antimicrobial activity of plants used to treat infectious diseases was also performed for the decoctions. These proved to be active against some of the test microrganisms used in the assay.     

An ethnobotanical survey of Bauchi State herbal plants and their antimicrobial activity

A survey of medicinal plants used locally in the treatment of various diseases was carried out in Bauchi State-Nigeria. A total of 84 medicinal plants were listed. Preliminary antimicrobial activity of the aqueous extracts of the plants was investigated. The results indicated that out of 84 plants, 75 exhibited antimicrobial activity against one or more of the test organisms at a concentration of 200 mg/ml. The extracts were found to show potentially interesting activity against Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.     

The effect of extracts of Searsia species on epileptiform activity in slices of the mouse cerebral cortex

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Searsia dentata and Searsia pyroides are used in traditional South African medicine to treat convulsions and epilepsy. Previous studies have demonstrated that extracts of these plants comprise compounds that bind to the flumazenil-sensitive site on the GABA(A) receptor. However, their use as anticonvulsant medicinal plants cannot be adequately explained by these findings. AIMS: The aim of this study was to examine the possible involvement of the glutamatergic system of extracts from the plants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The mouse cortical wedge preparation was used for functional characterization of the extracts. The affinity towards the NMDA and the AMPA receptor was investigated using classical [(3)H]-GP39653 and [(3)H]-AMPA binding assays, respectively. RESULTS: The extracts of Searsia dentata and Searsia pyroides inhibited the spontaneous epileptiform discharges in mouse cerebral cortical slices with ED(50) of 0.62 and 1.67mg dry extract/mL, respectively. Both extracts displaced [(3)H]-GP39653 binding and significantly inhibited the NMDA-induced response during co-administration in cortical slices. CONCLUSION: In this study, the NMDA receptor antagonistic effect of the crude ethanolic extracts of these two South African medicinal plants was demonstrated.     

中草药在光合细菌开发中的应用

在培养基中添加一定浓度的木瓜,栝楼,女贞子,郁金等中草药的浸提液,可明显促进光合细菌的生长,其中以栝楼的效果最明显。某些中草药除本身有一定的抑菌作用外,不对光合细菌的抑菌作用有一定程度的提高。指出在水产养殖等实际应用中,添加某些中草药既能促进光合细菌的生长,又可增强其抑制其它细菌生长的能力。     

In vitro anticancer screening of South African plants

Aim of the study

The purpose of the present study is to evaluate South African plants for their anticancer activity.

Materials and methods

Plant species were collected throughout South Africa and voucher specimens were deposited and identified at the South African National Biodiversity Institute. Plant extracts were prepared and screened for in vitro anticancer activity against a panel of three human cell lines (breast MCF7, renal TK10 and melanoma UACC62) at the CSIR. Plant extracts that exhibited anticancer activity against these three human cell lines were screened by the NCI against sixty human cancer cell lines organized into sub-panels representing leukaemia, melanoma, cancer of the lung, colon, kidney, ovary, central nervous system, breast and prostate.

Results

A total of 7500 plant extracts were screened for in vitro anticancer activity against breast MCF7, renal TK10 and melanoma UACC62 human cell lines between the period 1999 and 2006. Hits were classified into four categories based on their total growth inhibition of the cell lines. A hit rate of 5.9% was obtained for extracts which showed moderate activity and these were screened by the NCI against a panel of sixty human cancer cell lines. The extracts of plant species with limited published information for their anticancer properties were subjected to bioassay-guided fractionation and the active constituents isolated and identified. The largest number of plant specimens in this study was from the family Asteraceae, which is rich in sesquiterpene lactones.

Conclusions

Although the extracts of the plants were randomly selected, 68% of these plant species which were hits in the screening programme are reported to be used medicinally. Based on our data, it appears that unrelated medicinal use of the source plants may serve as an initial guide to selection of plants for anticancer screening.     

Informant consensus factor and antibacterial activity of the medicinal plants used by the people of San Rafael Coxcatlán, Puebla, México

Using ethnobotanical techniques, the medicinal flora used by the inhabitants of San Rafael Coxcatlán, Puebla was determined. During the field work, two types of interviews were applied (free listing and semi-structured) to 60 informants, who supplied consistent information concerning the use of 46 species of medicinal plants. Further analysis showed 13 categories of different medicinal use. An informant consensus factor was calculated and 16 species were selected due to their utilization in the treatment of diseases of possible bacterial origin. Of these 16 plants, sequential extractions were made with hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol. The obtained extracts were used to assess their antibacterial activity against 14 bacterial strains; 75% of the plants presented antibacterial activity. The medicinal species Jatropha neopauciflora Pax (Euphorbiaceae) and Juliania adstringens (Schldl.) Schldl. (Julianiaceae) were those that showed the biggest activity. Moreover, these species also had the highest informant consensus factor values.