Clerodendrum serratum (L.) Moon. – A review on traditional uses,phytochemistry and pharmacological activities

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Clerodendrum serratum (L.) Moon. (Verbenaceae) is an important medicinal plant growing in the tropical and warm temperate regions like Africa, Southern Asia; Malaysia and distributed throughout in forests of India and Sri Lanka. It is traditionally valued and reported for treating pain, inflammation, rheumatism, respiratory disorders, fever and malarial fever in India with a long history. To provide a comprehensive overview of the traditional and ethno medicinal uses, phytochemistry and biological activities of C. serratum with clinical and toxicity data and possibly make recommendations for further research.

Materials and methods

All relevant worldwide accepted databases were searched for the terms “Clerodendrum”, “Clerodendrum serratum”, “Bharangi” and “Cheruthekku” along with the other literature from Indian classical texts and pharmacopoeias. There was no specific timeline set for the search. The accessible literatures available on C. serratum were collected via electronic search using Pubmed, Scopus, Science Direct and traditional books reports on ethnopharmacology and traditional medicines.

Results

C. serratum has played an important role in Indian system of medicine. In addition to the common local use in respiratory diseases, other ethnomedicinal uses include treatment of pain, inflammation, rheumatism and fever especially malarial fever. Scientific studies on extracts and formulations revealed anti-asthmatic, mast cell stabilization and anti-allergic effects of roots of C. serratum. Reported data on pharmacological activities also includes hepatoprotective, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer potential of the drug. Saponins (terpenoids and steroids), flavonoids and phenolics isolated from roots have been the focus of phytochemical investigations as the biological activity has been ascribed to the saponins, which are known to possess anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activity. Isolated bioactives from roots like icosahydropicenic acid and ursolic acid have been claimed to offer anti-allergic and hepatoprotective activity.

Conclusions

Therapeutic potential of roots and leaves of C. serratum has been demonstrated in the conditions like asthma, allergy, fever, inflammation and liver disorders attributed to the presence of various flavonoids, phenolics and saponins present in the drug. Many ethnobotanical claims have been confirmed through modern in-vitro and in-vivo pharmacological studies of different extracts and isolates from plant; however, additional studies on the biomarkers are needed to establish mechanism of action and to validate the traditional use of this drug in clinical practices after proper safety assessment.     

Traditional uses of medicinal plants in Elazığ (Turkey)

Ethnopharmacological relevance

This study has identified not only the wild plants collected for medical purposes by local people of Elaz?? Province in the Eastern Anatolia Region, but also the uses and local names of these plants. These resources are usually regarded as part of a culture?s traditional knowledge. Therefore, the aim of this study is to collect information from local population concerning the use of medicinal plants of the Elaz?? region; identify the most important medicinal plants used; determine the relative importance of the species surveyed and calculate the informant consensus factor (FIC) in relation to medicinal plant use.

Materials and methods

A field study had been carried out for a period of approximately 2 years (2012–2013). A questionnaire was administered to the local people, through face-to-face interviews (Appendix A). Demographic characteristics of participants, names of the local plants, their utilized parts and preparation methods were investigated and recorded. The plant species were collected within the scope of the study; herbarium materials were prepared; and the specimens were entitled. The collected data were used to calculate the FIC and the plant use values.

Results

74 Plants were found to be used for medical purposes before in the literature analysis of the plants used in our study, while 6 plants were found to have no literature records. Our results showed that the highest use values were recorded for the species Urtica dioica L. (0.46) and Rosa canina L. (0.42), while the highest FIC was cited for skin diseases (0.60).

Conclusion

Data obtained showed that in the studied area the folk use of plants is alive and still derives from daily practice. Evaluation of pharmacological activity for the promising medicinal plants is suggested.     

A comparative study on medicinal plants used in Akha's traditional medicine in China and Thailand,cultural coherence or ecological divergence?

AIM OF THE STUDY: The survey aims to study the effect of geographic separation of ethnic groups on local knowledge of medicinal plants used by Akha people in Thailand and China, who were separated 100-120 years ago, to see how different the two geographically distinct but culturally similar groups were in this respect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Interviewing 10 villagers in each of five Akha villages, three in Thailand and two in China, about which plants they used and how they used them. RESULTS: A total of 95 medicinal plants registered in the five villages only 16 were shared between China and Thailand. Otherwise the use patterns were quite similar with respect to which plant families and plant growth forms were used and also in terms of in which habitats the Akha found their medicinal plants. CONCLUSIONS: The moving to a different site has forced the Akha to find a new set of species, but that when using these new species they have maintained other traditions relating to medicinal plants.     

Effect on blood pressure of a dietary supplement containing traditional medicinal plants of Côte d'Ivoire

Ethnopharmacological relevance

A medicinal composition containing salt (sodium chloride) is given as a traditional dietary supplement to hypertensive patients (TDSHP) in Côte d’Ivoire. It consists of whole plant of Bidens pilosa (Asteraceae) and fresh leaves of Moringa oleifera (Moringaceae).

Aim of the study

The aim of this study was to establish the scientific basis for the use of this traditional recipe rich in sodium chloride in hypertension settings.

Materials and methods

We used a total aqueous extract of this traditional dietary supplement containing medicinal plants (Bidens pilosa, Moringa oleifera) and salt (sodium chloride). Experiment was carried out to evaluate its effect on arterial blood pressure of rabbits. The experimental device used for recording blood pressure in rabbits is based on the principle of Ludwig mercury manometer.

Results

TDSHP between 5 × 10⁻⁸ and 5 × 10⁻² mg/kg caused a dose-dependent hypotension. TDSHP elicited drops in blood pressure ranging between 7.14 ± 4 and 100 ± 7.5%, compared to normal blood pressure of rabbits. Fifty percent effective dose of TDSHP was 3.95 × 10⁻⁴ mg/kg. Similarly as the hypotension induced by acetylcholine, the one caused by TDSHP at dose of 3.95 × 10⁻⁴ mg/kg in rabbit was progressively inhibited by atropine, dosed between 5 × 10⁻⁴ to 5 × 10⁻² mg/kg. The percentage drop of recorded blood pressure ranged from 50.3 ± 1.87 to 3.71 ± 1.09% compared to the normal value of blood pressure. In the presence of atropine, TDSHP effect was partially inhibited. The same increasing doses of TDSHP reduced significantly the increase of blood pressure induced by adrenaline dosed at 4.76 × 10⁻⁴ mg/kg from 89.3 ± 2.19 to 1.19 ± 0.59%.

Conclusion

The consumption of this traditional dietary supplement is justified in hypertensive patients according to its composition and its ability to reduce blood pressure has been demonstrated experimentally. TDSHP should not be considered as an antihypertensive drug, it remains to us a salt substitute to be taken with moderation with strict adherence to the traditional dose.     

The role of herbometallic preparations in traditional medicine – A review on mica drug processing and pharmaceutical applications

Ethnopharmocological relevance

Biotite mica enriched with Fe²⁺ ions are widely used as a major mineral ingredient in traditional pharmaceutical science of alchemy (Rasashastra). Abhrak bhasma (mica ash), a pharmaceutical product containing treated mica, is utilized, for example, in Ayurvedic treatments for ailments such as gastritis, renal disease, skin disease and mainly in rejuvenation formulations. However, the untreated mica minerals may be harmful when used directly, as they carry considerably high amounts of trace-elements that can cause undesirable effects in the human body. In order to remove toxic factors and produce readily absorbable materials having high nutrient capacity, specific thermal and chemical treatments (purification, detoxification, particle size reduction and incineration) are performed during the preparation of Rasashastra. This review evaluates the chemical and pharmacological aspects of mica ash as well as the technological aspects of mica ash production.

Materials and methods

The detailed literature review on the chemistry and scientific basis of mica ash, its preparation techniques, mica alterations and pharmaceutical applications was carried out by using published Ayurvedic text books and research articles, available from Science Direct, on mica minerals, mica ash and their physico-chemical alteration processes and pharmacological applications.

Results

During the purification and detoxification procedures, heating followed by quenching (in ionic medium) influences the structural distortion and the development of stress-induced cracks and spallations of the micaceous plates. Thus, the efficient diffusion of the external medium takes place at successive heating and quenching steps. Acidic organic liquids and animal byproducts can enhance the cation exchange capacity and solubility of mica. Further, these natural compounds facilitate the removal of toxic-elements in the structure. When treated-mica and paddy husks are tied up in a cloth and squeezed, particle size reduction and further detoxification takes place. Leaching out of oxidized iron coatings is accelerated when the mixtures are immersed in acidic media, by which the filtrate is enriched with oxidized iron-silicate particles. These nano-oxide particles are converted into a more favorable oxidation form for human consumption when the herbometallic mixture is incinerated in closed vessels. Recent analytical data reveals that major and minor elements in mica ash are within the limits of pharmacopoeial standards for Ayurvedic formulations. Further, recent studies show that mica ash has hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective, anthelminthic and antimicrobial properties.

Conclusions

Chemical and structural modifications in mica occur during mica-based drug preparation in traditional medicine. Purification steps particularly influence the structural distortion while heating and quenching can form nano-size particles. Carboxylic acids and other organic molecules present in quenching media serve as chemical modifiers of mica. At the same time the toxic elements are leached out from mica to the quenching media through an ion exchange process. Mica ash has been successfully used for treating liver, kidney and skin related ailments in traditional medicine, and mica ash alone or its herbo-metallic formulations have different applications. Further, the recent toxicological and analytical studies validate the traditional uses of mica ash and mica ash bearing products. Further scientific studies are needed to fully establish that mica-based pharmaceuticals are safe and devoid of toxic and long term side effects.     

A survey of traditional medicinal plants from the Callejón de Huaylas,Department of Ancash,Perú

The medicinal uses of local flora from the Callejón de Huaylas, Department of Ancash, northeastern Perú, are reported. This geographical area has an old tradition of herbal healing. A total of 33 species have been documented through interactions with village elders, traditional doctors and herbalists. Of the 33 medicinal plant species surveyed in the Callejón de Huaylas, six have not been previously reported, seven have received only minor phytochemical coverage in the literature, and the medicinal uses of seven other plants have not been corroborated with traditional medicinal reports from around the world. The traditional medicinal uses of six medicinal plants have been corroborated with previously published reports but their biological activities have yet to be confirmed in the laboratory. The medicinal uses of four other plants have been corroborated with previously published reports and their biological activities have been confirmed in the laboratory. The purported medicinal use of three plant species could not be confirmed in the laboratory.     

A phytochemical study on Dichocarpum auriculatum???an endangered medicinal plant peculiar to China

Objective: Dichocarpum auriculatum, an endangered perennial herb, is endemic to China and has been used as folk medicines for the treatment of cough, hepatitis, scrofula, and epilepsy. However, there is no phytochemical report on this herbal so far. For the resource development and protective importance of this endangered medicinal plant, a phytochemical study was undertaken.Methods: The chemical constituents were purified by silica gel column, Sephadex LH-20 column, and semi-preparative reversed phase HPLC. NMR and MS spectra were used for structural identification.Results: Thirteen compounds were isolated from D. auriculatum. Their structures were characterized as jatrorrhizine(1), berberine(2), steponine(3), magnoflorine(4), coclauril(5), menisdaurin(6), menisdaurilide(7), aquilegiolide(8),(6 R, 9 S)-3-oxo-α-ionol-β-D-glucopyranoside(9), blumenol C glucoside(10),palmitic acid(11), dibutylphthalate(12), and auriculatum A(13).Conclusion: Compound 13 is a new diester terephthalate derivative. All the compounds are obtained from the genus Dichocarpum for the first time, and compounds 9 and 10 have potential chemotaxonomic significance to the genus Dichocarpum.     

Towards a scientific rationale for traditional properties of Chinese medicinal plants: “natures” and “flavors”

Objective: According to theory of Chinese medicine property, the ecological environment shapes properties(natures and flavors) of Chinese materia medica(CMM) and there are close relationships between certain natures and flavors. However, to date these observations have not been validated scientifically in the context of the whole flora of a region. The present study aims to address this gap.Methods: We collected geographical distributions of 3637 vascular plant species native to the Xinjiang region of northwest China, of which around 812 are medicinal plants. The CMM property characters of these medicinal plants were also collected. All medicinal plants were then analyzed in the occurrence of their natures(cold, cool, neutral, warm, and hot) and flavors(sweet, bitter, sour, salty, and pungent). Possible correlations between these properties and environmental factors, notably climate, as well as correlations with plant species richness of the wider native flora of Xinjiang were then investigated using permutation test and regression.Results: Cold species(38.5%) were more numerous than warm(21.0%) and neutral(22.3%), while bitter species(43.3%) were more numerous than pungent(25.6%), sweet(22.4%) and sour(6.7%) ones. Species with bitter flavor were most commonly also cold(48.6%) in nature, sour flavor usually coincided with cold(44.2%) or cool nature(26.0%), whereas pungent or sweet species tended to be warm(34.4%, 28.4%) or neutral(27.8%, 28.4%). The percentages of species of cold/cool nature, bitter flavor were higher in mountainous regions, and the percentages of warm/neutral and pungent/sweet/sour were higher in basins. The percentages of species of cold/cool, bitter were positively correlated with actual evapotranspiration(AET),and also plant species richness but had a bell-shaped relationship with potential evapotranspiration(PET),whereas the inverse situation was shown for warm/neutral and pungent/sweet/sour species.Conclusion: Analysis of the data in Xinjiang region of China supports the qualitative observations concerning natures and flavors in traditional theory of Chinese medicine property. Specifically,(i) certain natures and flavors co-occur more frequently than if randomly distributed;(ii) correlations between proportions of natures and flavors and climatic variables suggest a role for the environment in shaping the properties of CMM.     

Antimalarial activity of medicinal plants used in traditional medicine in S. Tomé and Príncipe islands

The present study investigates the antimalarial activity of 13 medicinal plants used in traditional medicine in S. Tomé and Príncipe (STP) islands in the Gulf of Guinea, aiming at identifying the most effective plants for further research. Fieldwork was carried out with the collaboration of 37 traditional healers from both islands, during an ethnobotanical study, which was conducted from 1993 to 1999. Our results indicate that the traditional healers in STP use several medicinal plants against fever and/or 'malaria' which reveal strong antiparasitic activity in vitro: four of the plant extracts have evident antiplasmodial activity against chloroquine resistant Plasmodium falciparum, with IC(50) values <10 microg/ml, and also revealed hepatic schizontocidal activity (<5-35 microg/ml). In vivo, the extracts caused partial reduction of Plasmodium berghei parasitaemia in mice.     

A “4D” systemic view on meridian essence: Substantial,functional, chronological and cultural attributes

The term Jingluo, translated as meridian or channel, is a core component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and has played a fundamental role in guiding the clinical practice of acupuncture for thousands of years. However, the essence of the meridian remains elusive and is a source of both confusion and debate for researchers. In this study, a “4D” systemic view on the essence of the meridian, namely substantial, functional, chronological, and cultural dimensions, was proposed based on a review of the ancient medical classics, recent research developments, and results from clinical practice. Previous studies have primarily focused on the substantial dimension of the meridian system, with scant interpretation about its functional domain. Neither systemic data nor evaluations have been adequately documented. Additionally, a limited but increasing number of studies have focused on the chronological and cultural dimensions. More investigations that embody the holistic concept of TCM and integrate the systemic modes and advanced techniques with dominant diseases of TCM need to be performed to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the essence of meridians. The goal of this study is to yield useful information in understanding the essence of meridians and provide a reference and perspective for further research.     

A scoping review on traditional medicine for bruxismOA

Objective: To investigate the current evidence on traditional medicine in managing bruxism and its clinical efficacy.Methods: A search was conducted in nine databases to identify potential eligible articles published from the date of inception until August 3, 2022. All clinical studies that used traditional medicine of any type in treating bruxism were eligible for inclusion. Two authors performed data extraction and quality assessments independently. Retrieved data were tabulated and discussed ...     

The metabolism of constituents of Huangqin- Tang decoction,a traditional Chinese medicinal preparation,in conventional, germ-free and gnotobiote mice

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Towards a scientific rationale for traditional properties of Chinese medicinal plants: a€?naturesa€? and a€?flavorsa€?

ObjectiveAccording to theory of Chinese medicine property, the ecological environment shapes properties (natures and flavors) of Chinese materia medica (CMM) and there are close relationships between certain natures and flavors. However, to date these observations have not been validated scientifically in the context of the whole flora of a region. The present study aims to address this gap.MethodsWe collected geographical distributions of 3637 vascular plant species native to the Xinjiang region of northwest China, of which around 812 are medicinal plants. The CMM property characters of these medicinal plants were also collected. All medicinal plants were then analyzed in the occurrence of their natures (cold, cool, neutral, warm, and hot) and flavors (sweet, bitter, sour, salty, and pungent). Possible correlations between these properties and environmental factors, notably climate, as well as correlations with plant species richness of the wider native flora of Xinjiang were then investigated using permutation test and regression.ResultsCold species (38.5%) were more numerous than warm (21.0%) and neutral (22.3%), while bitter species (43.3%) were more numerous than pungent (25.6%), sweet (22.4%) and sour (6.7%) ones. Species with bitter flavor were most commonly also cold (48.6%) in nature, sour flavor usually coincided with cold (44.2%) or cool nature (26.0%), whereas pungent or sweet species tended to be warm (34.4%, 28.4%) or neutral (27.8%, 28.4%). The percentages of species of cold/cool nature, bitter flavor were higher in mountainous regions, and the percentages of warm/neutral and pungent/sweet/sour were higher in basins. The percentages of species of bitter, cold/cool, bitter were positively correlated with actual evapotranspiration (AET), plant species richness andbut had a bell-shaped relationship with potential evapotranspiration (PET), whereas the inverse situation was shown for warm/neutral and pungent/sweet/sour species.ConclusionAnalysis of the data in Xinjiang region of China supports the qualitative observations concerning natures and flavors in traditional theory of Chinese medicine property. Specifically, (i) certain natures and flavors co-occur more frequently than if randomly distributed; (ii) correlations between proportions of natures and flavors and climatic variables suggest a role for the environment in shaping the properties of CMM.     

Research progress on modern mechanism of “moxibustion can be used for heat syndrome”

The authors have retrieved the experimental literature on moxibustion in treatment of heat syndrome in recent years, and summarized the mechanism of moxibustion in treatment of heat syndrome from such aspects as antipyretic and anti-infective effect of moxibustion, the effect on peripheral metabolism of humoral factors and the level of central neurotransmitter, and the regulation of immune function through sorting and analysis, thus providing experimental evidences for the feasibility and effectiveness of “moxibustion can be used for heat syndrome”, and providing ideas and direction for future researches.     

A comparison of medicinal plant use in Sardinia and Sicily—De Materia Medica revisited?

Aim of the Study

Written records of oral medical traditions have had significant impact on the development of medicine and the pharmacopoeias. Modern ethnobotanical studies in Europe and the Mediterranean region, however, have so far largely overlooked the richness and accuracy of historic sources and ignored their probable influence on the development of today's local traditional medicines. Here, we explore the common fundament of traditional knowledge for the medicinal plant uses in Sardinia and Sicily by comparing the selection of medicinal species and specific uses with those of Dioscorides’ De Materia Medica.

Materials and methods

We use (i) a quantification of citations for medicinal species mentioned in ethnobotanical studies conducted in Sardinia and Sicily (ii) a comparison of the flora and medicinal flora with a χ²-test (iii) a binomial approach recently introduced into ethnobotany (iv) a comparison of the most frequently used species with the indications cited in Dioscorides’ De Materia Medica (v) and a crosscheck of all mentioned species with their appearance in Berendes’ translation of De Materia Medica.

Results

We identified a core group of 170 medicinal species used on either islands, which accumulate 74% of all citations and are best represented in De Materia Medica. The 15 most frequently used species of both islands demonstrate intriguing parallels for indications with Dioscorides’ work.

Conclusion

The ethnopharmacopoeia of Sicily and Sardinia are shallow stereotypes of the different editions of De Materia Medica and talking of oral tradition in this respect is a contradiction. The medicinal species of Sardinia and Sicily are largely widespread and common species, including many weeds, which are not facing threat of extinction. Therefore, using traditional medicinal practices as an argument for conservation biology or vice versa is not scientifically sound.     

Evaluation of the Effect of Metoclopramide on Acupuncture and Electro-acupuncture Analgesia – A Blind and Controlled Study in Rats

Background

Metoclopramide is an antagonist that is selective of dopamine DA₂-receptors. In high doses it appears to have antagonist properties also towards DA₁ receptors. It has been demonstrated that the dopaminergic system is closely correlated to opioid actions; in particular it has been observed that the destruction of DA₂ receptors in rats increases analgesia by μ and k₁ agonists. The role of dopamine on acupuncture-induced analgesia is not fully defined; the data available is scarce and contrasting.

Aim

The aim of the present study was to verify whether the administration of metoclopramide potentiates the analgesic efficacy of manual and electro-acupuncture in the rats.

Methods

In this study we used 140 Sprangue-Dawley rats weighing between 180–220 g, divided into 7 groups of 20 on the basis of type of treatment. Control group 1: no manipulation; control group 2: subjected to all the manipulations without treatment (acupuncture and/or metoclopramide); group 3: treated with metoclopramide; group 4: treated with acupuncture; group 5: treated with metoclopramide and acupuncture; group 6: treated with metoclopramide and electro-acupuncture; group 7: treated with electro-acupuncture. The pain threshold was measured using the plantar test.

Results

Throughout the experiment there were no significant variations in the pain thresholds of either of the two control groups. Rats treated with metoclopramide showed an increased pain threshold. Both groups treated with acupuncture and electro-acupuncture showed an increased pain thresholds in the plantar test. Pre-treatment with metoclopramide increased the analgesic effect of the stimulation.

Conclusion

It can be demonstrated that metoclopramide possesses analgesic properties and can potentiate the effect of acupuncture and electro-acupuncture.     

Effects and mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicines on functional dyspepsia: A reviewOA

Functional dyspepsia(FD) is a common and frequently occurring disease in clinic. With the infuence of environmental factors, social factors and dietary factors, the incidence rate of FD in the general population is yearly increasing. Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history and far-reaching infuence in the treatment of FD. It can prevent and treat FD in the form of multiple-components, targets and channels,with obvious effect and prominent advantages. This article starts with the common s...