Plants and traditional medicine in southeast Madagascar

This paper makes a first inventory of plants used by the medicine-men of the South-East of Madagascar (Tanala and Antemoro regions). The heirs - directly or indirectly - to an esoteric "moslem" knowledge which has been transmitted since the XVth century by the aristocratic islamized groups, the medicine-men are also the possessors of a knowledge which has been acquired by the autochthonous groups, that are said "masters of the earth" (commoners). Some divergences in the respective practices of the Tanala and Antemoro medicine-men seem to be connected with differences in the social structure and in the links between society and the environment.     

Plants in the traditional medicine of the Ubaye Valley

The study of the traditional pharmacopoeia in the Ubaye Valley (in the Alpes de Haute Provence department) enabled us to draw up a table showing 136 medicinal plants, their vernacular names, their suitable parts, the instructions for use, the medical purposes and the principal pharmacological and therapeutical properties. This study points out the close connection between plants, pathology and the living conditions of an agro-sylvo-pastoral civilization.     

Antileishmanial and antifungal activity of plants used in traditional medicine in Brazil

The antileishmanial and antifungal activity of 24 methanol extracts from 20 plants, all of them used in the Brazilian traditional medicine for the treatment of several infectious and inflammatory disorders, were evaluated against promastigotes forms of two species of Leishmania (L. amazonensis and L. chagasi) and two yeasts (Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans). Among the 20 tested methanolic extracts, those of Vernonia polyanthes was the most active against L. amazonensis (IC(50) of 4 microg/ml), those of Ocimum gratissimum exhibited the best activity against L. chagasi (IC(50) of 71 microg/ml). Concerning antifungical activity, Schinus terebintifolius, O. gratissimum, Cajanus cajan, and Piper aduncum extracts were the most active against C. albicans (MIC of 1.25 mg/ml) whereas Bixa orellana, O. gratissimum and Syzygium cumini exhibited the best activity against C. neoformans (MIC of 0.078 mg/ml).     

Plants used as remedies antirheumatic and antineuralgic in the traditional medicine of Lebanon

Aim of the study

In the present investigation, ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological research of the traditional use of plants to cure antirheumatic and antineuralgic diseases was carried out in Lebanon.

Materials and methods

The information was collected from different cities and villages of the twenty-six districts “aqdya or qadaa” of the six governorates “mohaafazah” of Lebanon. The knowledge on the medicinal use of plants has been recorded directly on the basis of a detailed survey on herbalists “Attarin or dabbous”, folk healers, on older experienced people and midwives “daye”. This research was carried out for 5 years (2002–2007).

Results and conclusions

In this survey, 231 species of which 5 are endemic, distributed in 79 botanical families, currently used as antirheumatic herbal remedies, were collected and identified. Among them 53.3% are indigenous, 19.2% are cultivated and 17.5% are imported. Their latin names, local names, local medicinal uses, the used parts of the plant and the preparations and the ways of administration are described. The anti-inflammatory properties due to the plant compounds have been demonstrated and discussed.     

Plants used as antidiabetics in popular medicine in Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Plants are widely as antidiabetics. The study of these plants is essential because many of them may have undesirable effects, such as acute or chronic toxicity; or their use may even delay or discourage the adoption of the proper and effective treatment.

Materials and methods

The present study surveyed the plant species that are popularly used to treat diabetes mellitus in the state of Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil. Sixteen ethnobotanical surveys performed in the state were consulted, and the species used to treat diabetes were listed. For species cited in at least two of the studies, scientific data related to antidiabetic activity were searched in the ISI Knowledge database. The scientific binomial of each species was used as keywords, and data found in review papers were also included.

Results

A total of 81 species in 42 families were mentioned; the most important families were Asteraceae and Myrtaceae. Twenty eight species were cited at least twice as being used to treat diabetes in the state. For 11 of these, no scientific data regarding antidiabetic activity could be located. The species most frequently mentioned for use with diabetes were Syzygium cumini (Myrtaceae) and Bauhinia forficata (Fabaceae), in 12 studies each, followed by Sphagneticola trilobata (Asteraceae), in six studies; and Baccharis trimera (Asteraceae), Bidens pilosa (Asteraceae), Cynara scolymus (Asteraceae), and Leandra australis (Melastomataceae) in four studies each. Bauhinia forficata and Syzygium cumini have been studied in more detail for antidiabetic activity.

Conclusions

A considerable number of plant species are traditionally used for the treatment of diabetes melitus in the Rio Grande do Sul State. The majority of those plants that have been studied for antidiabetic activity showed promising results, mainly for Bauhinia forficata and Syzygium cumini. However, for most of the plants mentioned, the studies are not sufficient to guarantee the efficacy and safety in the use of these plants in the treatment against diabetes.     

以"中医药强省"建设为契机加快中医院现代化发展

近日,北京康斯咨询公司对河南省58家中医院院长作了“中医医院现状调查”,调查结果表明中医院整体生存状况不容乐观。康斯公司在报告中指出,在全国范围内,中医院机构数仅是综合性医院的 20%,中医院阵地不断缩小。与全国中医发展状况相比,广东民间百姓对中医药的信任度较高,广东省中医药有着悠久的历史和广泛的社会基础,在全国中医药发展领域占有重     

Inventory of plants used in traditional medicine in Tanzania. II. Plants of the families Dilleniaceae--Opiliaceae

Forty five plants are listed, which are used by traditional healers in the northeastern part of Tanzania. For each species are given: the botanical name with synonyms, vernacular name, collection number, locality, habitus, approximate distribution and medical use. Results of a literature survey are also reported, including medical use, isolated constituents and pharmacological effects.     

Inventory of plants used in traditional medicine in Tanzania. I. Plants of the families acanthaceae-cucurbitaceae

Sixty-two plants are listed, which are used by traditional healers in the northeastern part of Tanzania. For each species are given: the botanical name with synonyms, vernacular name, collection number, locality, habitus, approximate distribution, and medical use. Results of a literature survey are also reported, including medical use, isolated constituents and pharmacological effects.     

Plants used in traditional medicine in eastern Tanzania. IV. Angiosperms (Mimosaceae to Papilionaceae)

Sixty-nine Angiosperms (Mimosaceae to Papilionaceae) are listed, which are used by traditional healers in five regions of Eastern Tanzania; namely, Coast, Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, Morogoro and Tanga. For each species listed, the botanical name, vernacular name, collection number, locality, habit, distribution and medicinal uses are given. Additionally, information from the literature on medicinal uses, chemical constituents, and pharmacological effects are also provided.     

转化医学与中医药学

目的 阐述转化医学与中医药学的关系、及在中医药研究领域中的发展概况。方法 将转化医学在中西医领域里的研究性、报道性文献进行归纳整理,介绍该学科的发展及应用等。结果 转化医学已经被成功地引入到中医药学科的研究领域之中。结论 转化医学的兴起将会给中医药事业的发展提供更好的发展创新机遇。     

Plants used in traditional medicine in eastern Tanzania. II. Angiosperms (Capparidaceae to Ebenaceae)

Sixty-nine plants are listed, which are used by traditional healers in five regions of Eastern Tanzania, Coast, Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, Morogoro and Tanga. For each species the botanical name, vernacular name, collection number, locality, habit, distribution and medicinal uses are given. Results of a literature survey on medicinal uses, isolated constituents, and pharmacological effects are also provided.     

Plants used in traditional medicine in eastern Tanzania. III. Angiosperms (Euphorbiaceae to Menispermaceae)

Seventy-seven Angiosperms (Euphorbiaceae to Menispermaceae) are listed, which are used by traditional healers in five regions of Eastern Tanzania; namely, Coast, Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, Morogoro and Tanga. For each species listed, the botanical name, vernacular name, collection number, locality, habit, distribution and medicinal uses are given. Additionally, information from the literature on medicinal uses, chemical constituents and pharmacological effects is also provided.     

Chronotherapy in traditional Chinese medicine

The circadian rhythm of illness has been emphasized for thousands of years in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), using this knowledge to schedule therapies such as acupuncture during appropriate hours of the day. This paper reviews the time periods (two hour segments) that apply to each organ system according to TCM (lungs, large intestine, stomach, heart, kidneys and liver), and elaborates on how recent medical research has found similar relevant biorhythms in these very same organ systems.     

泰医经络与中医经络的比较

经络理论在不同医学中有各自的特点,根据文献资料分析,经络现象的发现、理论形成、循行走向等多方面的比较,泰医与中医经络很相似,而实际上它们却存在着很大的不同。     

运用中医理论使用中药注射剂

中药注射剂在心脑血管、呼吸系统危急重症治疗领域具有化学药不可替代的优势,尤其是在病毒性感染引起的流感危急重症等方面,有着良好的临床疗效,但近几年中药注射剂频繁出现严重的不良反应,甚至死亡的事件,使得中药注射剂的安全性受到严重质疑,究其原因,不外乎药品本身的质量问题和临床使用过程中的合理用药问题。因此,该文从中药注射剂的发展历史开始,综合文献资料,阐明中药注射剂要在中医理论的指导下合理使用才能减少不良反应的发生。     

论中医基础理论教学中的中医思维

中医学的特色主要体现在独特的思维方式上,学习中医首先是对中医思维方法的学习,而教授中医学知识的首要任务是为学生培养中医思维模式.本文从注重整体研究、强调功能联系、擅长取象比类、重在辨证论治、善用中和思维等方面阐述了如何培养和建立学生的中医思维.