Pharmacokinetic comparisons of five ephedrine alkaloids following oral administration of four different Mahuang–Guizhi herb-pair aqueous extracts ratios in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Herba Ephedra (Mahuang in Chinese), is derived from dried Ephedra sinica Stapf stems and has been widely used to treat the common cold, coughs, asthma, and edema for thousands of years. The Mahuang–Guizhi herb-pair is a famous formula composed of Mahuang and Ramulus Cinnamomi (Guizhi in Chinese, the dried twig of Cinnamomum cassia Presl.), used to improve pharmacological effects and reduce toxicity. In order to investigate the influence of Mahuang–Guizhi herb-pair ratios on bioavailability, the plasma pharmacokinetics profiles of five ephedrine alkaloids were compared following oral administration of four different ratios to rats.

Materials and methods

Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups and orally administered Mahuang–Guizhi (ratios 3:0; 3:1; 3:2; 3:4, w/w). Assays for five ephedrine alkaloids (ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, methylephedrine, norephedrine, and norpseudoephedrine) were developed and validated using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry coupled with liquid-liquid extraction.

Results

Key pharmacokinetic parameters of the five ephedrine alkaloids (maximal plasma concentration, mean residence time, and half-life) were significantly different (p<0.05) after oral administration of Mahuang–Guizhi herb-pair ratios, as compared to those of Mahuang.

Conclusion

Ephedrine alkaloid pharmacokinetic differences in rat plasma could help explain previous findings of pharmacological and toxicity differences between Mahuang and Mahuang–Guizhi herb-pair preparations. These results could facilitate future studies to increase the efficacy and decrease the toxicity of Mahuang and Guizhi.     

Simulated gastrointestinal tract metabolism and pharmacological activities of water extract of Scutellaria baicalensis roots

Ethnopharmacological relevance

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Scutellaria baicalensis

Georgi (Labiatae) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine to treat inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, etc. The present study was to understand the metabolism of the root of Scutellaria baicalensis (a.k.a. Huangqin in Chinese) in the gastrointestinal tract and the correlation between the metabolites and their respective pharmacological activities.

Materials and methods

The water extract of the root of Scutellaria baicalensis (WESB) was incubated with simulated gastric and intestinal juices, and human fecal microflora for 24 h at 37 °C. The HPLC–DAD analysis was used to monitor the in vitro metabolic process and identify its metabolites by comparing their absorption spectrum and retention time with those of chemical references. The in vitro anticomplementary and antimicrobial activity was evaluated with hemolysis assay, agar disc-diffusion method and MIC value, respectively.

Results

Main constituents of WESB remain unchanged during the incubation with simulated gastric juice (pH=1.5) and intestinal juice (pH=6.8), whereas four flavones, baicalin, wogonoside, oroxyloside and norwogonoside were metabolized into their respective aglycons by human intestinal bacteria. All four metabolites were demonstrated to have higher anticomplementary and antimicrobial activity than those of WESB. The anticomplementary active metabolites were identified to be baicalein, oroxylin A and norwogonin, among them, norwogonin is the most active compound.

Conclusion

The presence of intestinal bacteria is demonstrated to play an important role in the gastrointestinal metabolism of WESB, and the pharmacological effects of Scutellaria baicalensis may be dependent on the intestinal bacteria metabolism.     

Terminalia arjuna in coronary artery disease: Ethnopharmacology,pre-clinical,clinical & safety evaluation

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight & Arn. is one of the most popular and beneficial medicinal plants in indigenous system of medicine for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. This comprehensive review provides latest updates on traditional use, phytochemistry, pharmacological and toxicological data, clinical efficacy and safety of Terminalia arjuna as well as outlined strategies for future research and development to scientifically validate the therapeutic potential of this plant.

Materials and methods

Information about Terminalia arjuna was collected via a systematic electronic and library search of various indexed and non-indexed journals, some local books and varied articles published on ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and traditional uses. Various pre-clinical (2000–2014) and clinical studies (1990–2014) have also been considered regarding efficacy and safety profile of Terminalia arjuna.

Results

Evidence from various in vitro, in vivo and clinical trials reveal the pleiotropic effects of Terminalia arjuna such as anti-atherogenic, hypotensive, inotropic, anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic and antioxidant actions for treatment of various cardiovascular disorders. It is clearly documented that this plant has a good safety profile when used in conjunction with other conventional drugs. However, there is a paucity of data regarding the exact molecular mechanism of its action, appropriate form of drug administration, whether whole crude drug or aqueous or alcoholic extract should be used, toxicological studies and its interaction with other drugs.

Conclusions

In conclusion, this review highlights the importance as well as pleiotropic actions and functional aspects of Terminalia arjuna especially in cardiovascular diseases. Though, various pharmacological studies and clinical trials support its benefit in the CVD as per traditional use, new clinical trials using more rigorous state of the art technology and in a larger population setup are warranted to assess the traditional putative efficacy of Terminalia arjuna.     

New antiplasmodial alkaloids from Stephania rotunda

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Stephania rotunda Lour. (Menispermaceae) is a creeper growing in many countries of Asia and commonly found in the mountainous areas of Cambodia. As a folk medicine, it has been mainly used for the treatment of fever and malaria. The pharmacological activity is mostly due to alkaloids. Thus the aim of this study is to isolate new bioactive alkaloids from Stephania rotunda and to evaluate their in vitro antiplasmodial activity.

Materials and methods

Alkaloids were isolated and identified from dichloromethane and aqueous extracts using a combination of flash chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance. The purified compounds were tested for in vitro antiplasmodial activity on chloroquine-resistant W2 strain of Plasmodium falciparum.

Results

A new aporphine alkaloid named vireakine (2) along with two known alkaloids stephanine (1) and pseudopalmatine (8), described for the first time in Stephania rotunda, and together five known alkaloids tetrahydropalmatine (3), xylopinine (4), roemerine (5), cepharanthine (6) and palmatine (7) were isolated and identified. The structure of the new alkaloid was established on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR experiments and mass spectrometry. The compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antiplasmodial and cytotoxic activities. All tested compounds showed significant antiplasmodial activities with IC₅₀ ranged from 1.2 μM to 52.3 μM with a good selectivity index for pseudopalmatine with IC₅₀ of 2.8 μM against W2 strain of Plasmodium falciparum and IC₅₀>25 μM on K562S cells.

Conclusions

This study provides evidence to support the use of Stephania rotunda for the treatment of malaria and/or fever by the healers. Alkaloids of the tuber exhibited antiplasmodial activity and particularly cepharanthine and pseudopalmatine.     

Protective effects of bajijiasu in a rat model of Aβ25-35-induced neurotoxicity

Ethnopharmacological relevence

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) caused by neurons and/or myelin loss lead to devastating effects on patients? lives. Although the causes of such complex diseases have not yet been fully elucidated, oxidative stress, mitochondrial and energy metabolism dysfunction, excitotoxicity, inflammation, and apoptosis have been recognized as influential factors. Current therapies that were designed to address only a single target are unable to mitigate or prevent disease progression, and disease-modifying drugs are desperately needed, and Chinese herbs will be a good choice for screening the potential drugs. Previous studies have shown that bajijiasu, a dimeric fructose isolated from Morinda officinalis radix which was used frequently as a tonifying and replenishing natural herb medicine in traditional Chinese medicine clinic practice, can prevent ischemia-induced neuronal damage or death.

Materials and methods

In order to investigate whether bajijiasu protects against beta-amyloid (Aβ_25-35)-induced neurotoxicity in rats and explore the underlying mechanisms of bajijiasu in vivo, we prepared an Alzheimer?s disease (AD) model by injecting Aβ_25-35 into the bilateral CA1 region of rat hippocampus and treated a subset with oral bajijiasu. We observed the effects on learning and memory, antioxidant levels, energy metabolism, neurotransmitter levels, and neuronal apoptosis.

Results

Bajijiasu ameliorated Aβ-induced learning and memory dysfunction, enhanced antioxidative activity and energy metabolism, and attenuated cholinergic system damage. Our findings suggest that bajijiasu can enhance antioxidant capacity and prevent free radical damage. It can also enhance energy metabolism and monoamine neurotransmitter levels and inhibit neuronal apoptosis.

Conclusion

The results provide a scientific foundation for the use of Morinda officinalis and its constituents in the treatment of various AD. Future studies will assess the multi-target activity of the drug for the treatment of AD.     

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.     

Confocal mirco-Raman spectroscopic analysis of the antioxidant protection mechanism of the oligosaccharides extracted from Morinda officinalis on human sperm DNA

Ethnopharmacological relevence

Male infertility is a stressful and frustrating problem for the society, but a number of male infertility treatments are available as traditional Chinese medicine strategies which have been tried with variable success, while evidence is still limited on whether-or how much-herbs or supplements might help increase fertility, so the aim of this study was to investigate if the oligosaccharides extracted from Morinda officialis, a Chinese herb, is the active constituents to the fertility.

Materials and methods

In this study, we prepared the H₂O₂-demaged human sperm, cocultured with the oligosaccharides in vitro, then observed the changes of the DNA using confocal micro-Raman spectroscopy, and comparative analysis the differences of the spectra of different treated groups.

Results

The results showed that the oligosaccharides extracted from Morinda officialis can keep the “Raman fingerprints” of the human sperm DNA almost the same as those of the control groups, but very different from the H₂O₂-induced groups, especially the intensity of bands at 787, 993, 1094, 1254, 1340, 1376, 1421, 1443, 1487, 1577 and 1662 cm⁻¹ which could be as potential targets for the drugs finding, and further principal component analysis was successfully used to classify the Raman spectra of normal control and model groups.

Conclusion

This results suggested that the oligosaccharides can protect the DNA of human sperm from being damaged by H₂O₂, and which was one of the active constituents of Morinda officialis on treating infertility. It was also demonstrated that Morinda officialis as a tonifying and replenishing natural herb medicine can be used to enhance reproductive functions, and the Raman spectroscopy could be an applicable technology for screening active components in vitro from herbs.     

Chromatographic isolation of nanoparticles from Ma-Xing-Shi-Gan-Tang decoction and their characterization

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The herbal decoction is a complex dispersion system containing solutes, colloid, aggregates, emulsions and precipitates. In which phase bioactive phytochemicals are dispersed determines their delivery, action and metabolism. This study took ephedrine, a well-studied and widely used phytochemical, as an example to elucidate its exact distribution in the phases of Ma-Xing-Shi-Gan-Tang decoction (MXSGT), which is an Ephedra sinica Stapf. containing traditional Chinese medicinal formula, and the biological meaning of this distribution correspondingly. It may provide an important update to the safety and efficacy assessment of the herbal decoction and its active phytochemicals.

Materials and methods

In this study, the decoction was fractionated with size-exclusion chromatography coupled with multi-angle laser light scattering detector. The morphology of fractionated nanoparticles was observed with AFM and SEM. The bioactivities of the decoction, the ephedrine alkaloids loaded NPs (prepared by chromatography isolation) and the synthetic ephedrine were assessed by cell proliferation tests using five cell lines, namely Caco-2, L-02, Hep-G2, NR-8383, and Hela-229.

Results

Nanoparticles with radii of gyration ranged from 50 to 150 nm were isolated, in spherical shape. Further analysis of nanoparticles on the subsequent reversed phase chromatography revealed that the majority of ephedrine (99.7%) and pseudoephedrine (95.5%) were associated with these nanoparticles, rather than dispersed freely in the real solution. The addition of both the herbal decoction and the separated ephedrine-loaded nanoparticles reserved higher cell viability/proliferation than that of the sole synthetic ephedrine among the Caco-2, L-02, Hep-G2, and NR-8383 cells. In contrast, the nanoparticles reduced the proliferating power of ephedrine on Hela-229 cells. In general, the ephedrine-loaded NPs conducted the intermediate influences on the cell viability, in either way.

Conclusions

The colloidal nanoparticles were separated from the decoction. The association of ephedrine alkaloids with nanoparticles was demonstrated and may have changed the bioactivity of the alkaloids. The naturally occurred colloidal nanoparticles may play an important role in the pharmacological properties of both the decoction and its active phytochemicals, therefore warrant further studies.     

Electrical conductivity measurements of urine as a new simplified method to evaluate the diuretic activity of medicinal plants

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Diuretic plants are widely used in traditional medicine in many countries. However, many of these species have not been subjected to experimental studies to confirm that property. In this paper, a simple new method is proposed to evaluate the diuretic activity of plants. We define a new index that takes into account only the volume of urinary excretion and total ion concentration excreted obtained by specific electrical conductivity measurements.

Materials and methods

Urine was collected in a graduate cylinder during the 8 h after Artemisia thuscula (AT), Withania aristata (WA), Smilax canariensis (SC) and HCTZ oral administration to laboratory mice. To obtain the new index Diuretic Power (DP), we measured the specific electrical conductivity (κ) of the fresh urine samples. We calculated the concentration of a NaCl (or KCl) aqueous solution that has the same specific electrical conductivity as the urine sample. We multiplied this concentration by the corresponding urinary excretion volume, thus obtaining the total mEq. of electrolyte excreted “as if all were NaCl (or KCl)”. Finally, we divided these mEq. by those corresponding to the control to obtain the DP value.

Results

HCTZ showed a 40% increase in DP, with respect to the control group, independently of the doses used, and the studied plants produced an increase between 7 and 28%. DP values were compared with other common indexes, DI and SIi, showing that the variation sequence of the three indexes was the same for HCTZ, WA and SC.

Conclusions

A new and easy index, that we called diuretic power (DP), for estimating the diuretic activity of drugs or plants is proposed. It allows us to highlight diuretic effect with respect to a control value of a large amount of drugs or plants that had not been previously experimentally studied.     

Cyto-/genotoxic effects of the ethanol extract of Chan Su,a traditional Chinese medicine,in human cancer cell lines

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Chan Su, an ethanolic extract from skin and parotid venom glands of the Bufo bufo gargarizans Cantor, is widely used as a traditional Chinese medicine for cancer therapy. Although the anti-cancer properties of Chan Su have been investigated, no information exists regarding whether Chan Su has genotoxic effects in cancer cells. The aim of the present study was to examine the cyto-/genotoxic effect of Chan Su in human breast carcinoma (MCF-7 cells), human lung carcinoma (A-549 cells), human T cell leukemia (Jurkat T cells), and normal human lymphocytes.

Materials and methods

Effects on the viability of MCF-7, A-549, Jurkat T cells, and normal lymphocytes were evaluated by Trypan blue exclusion assays. The DNA content in the sub-G1 region was detected by propidium iodide (PI) staining and flow cytometry. The genotoxicity of Chan Su was assessed by single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay) and the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay (CBMN assay).

Results

Chan Su significantly inhibited the viability of MCF-7, A-549, and Jurkat T cells dose dependently, but had no effect on normal human lymphocytes. Apoptotic death of the cancer cells was evident after treatment. Chan Su also induced genotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner, as indicated by the comet and cytokinesis-block micronucleus assays.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that Chan Su can induce apoptotic death of, and exert genotoxic effects on, MCF-7, A-549, and Jurkat T cells.     

Bioactive compounds from Cornus officinalis fruits and their effects on diabetic nephropathy

Ethnoparmacological relevance

The fruit of Cornus officinalis, called “Shanzhuyu”, a traditional medicine in China, is used for the treatment of kidney diseases, including diabetic nephropathy. The aim of this study is to investigate the anti-diabetic nephropathy activity of Shanzhuyu and the active compounds in the fruit.

Materials and methods

The air dried fruit of Cornus officinalis was extracted in 80% EtOH, the obtained residue was fractioned on D101 resin column eluted with H₂O/EtOH solution to get five crude fractions (fr. A–E). The anti-diabetic nephropathy activity of fractions (fr. A–E) was evaluated in vitro by inhibiting the expression of collagen IV (Col V), fibronectin (FN) and IL-6 in high-glucose-induced mesangial cells. By preliminary bio-assay screenings, repeated column chromatography on fraction B–D led the isolation of 22 compounds, whose structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis, and the anti-diabetic nephropathy activity of the isolated compounds was also evaluated.

Results

Two new iridoid glucosides, logmalicids A and B (1 and 2), together with 20 known compounds (3–22) were isolated from the extract of Shanzhuyu under the bioassay-guided screenings. The anti-diabetic nephropathy activity assay displayed that fractions A, D and E could significantly inhibit the production of Col IV; fractions A and C could significantly inhibit the expression of FN and IL-6 in the high-glucose-stimulated mesangial cells at concentration of 50 μg/mL; and loganin (3) and its derivatives (1 and 2) could significantly inhibit the expression of FN and IL-6 at concentration of 10 μM, respectively.

Conclusions

The results suggested that loganin and its derivatives were the active compounds in Cornus officinalis fruit (Shanzhuyu) on diabetic nephropathy. This study further supported the traditional use of Shanzhuyu to treat diabetic nephropathy and related kidney diseases.     

Prescription pattern of Chinese herbal products for hypertension in Taiwan: A population-based study

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been commonly used in Asia country. The aim of this study is to analyze the utilization of TCM among hypertensive patients in Taiwan.

Materials and methods

The use of TCM for primary hypertensive patients was evaluated using a randomly sampled cohort of 1,000,0s recruited from the National Health Insurance Research Database in 5-year period from 2006 to 2010.

Results

Overall, 49.7% (n=42,586) of primary hypertension utilized TCM and 12.1% (n=5132) of them used TCM for the treatment of hypertension. Among the top 10 most frequently prescribed herbal formulae, Tian-Ma-Gou-Teng-Yin, Gout-Teng-San, Liu-Wei-Di-Huang-Wang and its derivatives were found to be the most common herbal formulae prescribed by TCM doctors for the treatment of hypertension in Taiwan.

Conclusion

This study showed the utilization pattern of Chinese herbal product in patients with hypertension. Further researches and clinical trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy of these Chinese formulae or its ingredients in treating hypertension.     

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants of Sirjan in Kerman Province,Iran

Ethnopharmacological relevance

From ancient time human beings have used different plants, animals and minerals to prevent and treat various diseases. In this respect, plants have been of particular importance. Ethnobotany is the science of reviewing how indigenous people and local tribes have used their regional plants for particular purposes such as treating diseases in the past. The information gathered from such studies can help to improve national health systems and even lead to the discovery of new medicines. Keeping this in mind, in this study a survey of Sirjan area ethnobotany was conducted during 2011–2012.

Materials and methods

At the beginning, thirteen local people were interviewed about their region?s medicinal plants and their consumptions. These plants were collected and identified using identification keys. The data collected was analyzed using quantitative value indices F_IC, RFC and CI.

Result

Many plants collected have medicinal properties and have been used by local people to treat various ailments. Of these plants, nineteen families, 37 genera and 43 species belonged to medicinal plants. Among them, Lamiaceae with 8 species and Malva L. with 3 species were the largest medicinal plant families and genera, respectively. These plants are often used as decoction (28%) and as powder (21%). Also, the fruit of these plants are used most often. Besides being used as medicinal plants, they have other uses such as food, fuel, etc. Malva sylvestris has the largest value of relative frequency of citation and cultural importance indices. The most ailment categories have the highest level of informant agreement (mean F_IC=0.92).

Conclusion

Despite the semi-desert climate and lack of rich vegetation, many medicinal and economic plants are found in Sirjan region. Uncontrolled harvesting of the medicinal plants such as Bunium persicum, Cuminum cyminum, Zataria multiflora and Satureja bachtiarica in this region by local people has increased the risk of their extinction and calls for a restrict control over their protection by the authorities.     

Lepidium meyenii (Maca) enhances the serum levels of luteinising hormone in female rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Lepidium meyenii (Maca) is traditionally employed in the Andean region for its supposed fertility benefits. This study investigated the effect of Maca on the serum pituitary hormone levels during the pro-oestrus phase.

Materials and methods

Maca powder was made from the tubers of Lepidium meyenii Walp collected, dried, and reduced to powder at the plantation in Junín Plateau and was purchased from Yamano del Perú SAC. The Maca powder was identified by chemical profiling and taxonomic methods. Two groups of female Sprague-Dawley rats were provided feed with normal feed containing 5%, 25%, or 50% Maca powder ad libitum for 7 weeks. At 1800 h of the proestrus stage, the rats were euthanised, and blood samples were collected for serum isolation. The serum pituitary hormone levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs).

Results

No significant differences in feed intake or growth rate were observed among the rats. During the pro-oestrus stage, a 4.5-fold increase (P<0.01) in luteinising hormone (LH) and a 19-fold increase (P<0.01) in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were observed in the sera of rats fed with 50% Maca powder compared with the control rats. No significant differences were observed in the levels of the other pituitary hormones, including growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). A dose-dependent increase of LH serum levels was observed within the range of 3–30 g Maca/kg. Furthermore, the enhancement of the LH serum levels was specific to the pro-oestrus LH surge.

Conclusions

The present study demonstrates that Maca uniquely enhances the LH serum levels of pituitary hormones in female rats during the pro-oestrus LH surge and acts in a pharmacological, dose-dependent manner. These findings support the traditional use of Maca to enhance fertility and suggest a potential molecular mechanism responsible for its effects.     

An ethnobotanical study of indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants used by the village peoples of Thoppampatti,Dindigul district,Tamilnadu, India

Ethnopharmacological relevance

This study provides significant ethnopharmacological information, both qualitative and quantitative on medicinal plants in the Thoppampatti village, Dindigul district, Tamilnadu, India. There is urgency in recording such data to conserve the traditional medicinal plants. This is the first ethnobotanical study which records the traditional important medicinal plants of Thoppampatti village. To collect, analyze and evaluate the ethnopharmacologic knowledge in Thoppampatti village in order to protect it. This study reports the results of an ethnopharmacological survey on the uses of medicinal plants by inhabitants of the Thoppampatti.

Materials and methods

The field study was carried out in a period of about one year (April 2012–May 2013) in Thoppampatti village. The information was obtained through open and semi-structured interviews with 48 (27 males, 21 females) knowledgeable local people and traditional healers (THs). The collected data were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. In addition, use value (UV), relative importance (RI) and Jaccard index (JI) was determined.

Results

A total of 139 species of plants, mostly trees and herbs, belonging to 54 families were identified in this study. This is used to treat 142 diseases and ailments. These ailments were categorized into 18 major categories. Leaves were the most frequently used parts, while decoction and juice are the most common method of preparation to treat various diseases. Based on IUCN Red data the identified medicinal plants include 11 least concerned species, 3 vulnerable species and one endangered species. The most important species according to their use value were Cynodon dactylon (0.79), Azadirachta indica (0.73), Ocimum tenuiflorum (0.71), Moringa oleifera (0.68), Coriandrum sativum (0.62), Abelmoschus esculentus (0.61), Acalypha indica (0.59) and Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (0.59).

Conclusion

As a result of the present study, medicinal plants play an important role in the health care of Thoppampatti village inhabitants; they rely on medicinal plants to treat various ailments. In addition, the medicinal plants with high RI values might give some useful leads for further pharmacological investigations. Deforestation and overexploitation of a particular plant species leads to extinction so sustainable utilization of medicinal plants is recommended in the study area.     

Huangqi−Honghua combination and its main components ameliorate cerebral infarction with Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome by antioxidant action in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Combination of Radix Astragali (Huangqi) and Carthamus tinctorius L. (Honghua) has been extensively used as traditional herb medicine in China for the treatment of stroke and myocardial ischemia diseases with Qi deficiency and blood stasis (QDBS) syndrome.

Aim

To investigate the effect of Huangqi−Honghua combination (HH) and its main components astragaloside IV (AS-IV) and Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (IR) with QDBS in rat model.

Materials and methods

Male rats were randomly divided into the following six groups: sham group, QDBS+I/R model group and treatment group including AS-IV, HSYA, AS-IV+HSYA and HH. The whole blood viscosity (WBV), plasma viscosity (PV), neurological examination, infarct volume, histopathology changes and some oxidative stress markers were assessed after 24 h of reperfusion.

Results

HH and its main components AS-IV+HSYA could significantly decrease WBV, PV, and also significantly ameliorate neurological examination and infarct volume after 24 h of reperfusion. They also significantly increased expression of Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), activities of antioxidants, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), led to decrease levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Conclusion

AS-IV and HSYA are responsible for the main curative effects of HH. The study may provide scientific information to further understanding the mechanism(s) of HH and its main components in removing blood stasis and ameliorating cerebral infarction. Additionally, AS-IV and HSYA appear to have synergistic effects on neuroprotection.     

Hempseed oil induces reactive oxygen species- and C/EBP homologous protein-mediated apoptosis in MH7A human rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synovial cells

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The medicinal efficacy of hempseed (Cannabis sativa L.), which is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, in atopic dermatitis, inflammation, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been suggested for centuries. Hempseed has been used as a treatment for these diseases in Korean and Chinese folk medicine. The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of hempseed oil (HO) on MH7A human RA fibroblast-like synovial cells.

Materials and methods

MH7A cells were used to study the anti-rheumatoid effects of hempseed (Cannabis sativa L., cv. Cheungsam/Cannabaceae) oil by investigating cell viability, apoptosis, lipid accumulation, oxidative stress, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced apoptosis.

Results

HO treatment reduced the survival rate of MH7A cells and promoted apoptotic cell death in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Both lipid accumulation and the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) increased in HO-treated MH7A cells. Co-treatment with the antioxidant Tiron effectively abrogated the cytotoxic effects of HO; the ROS level was reduced, cell viability was recovered, and apoptotic cell death was significantly diminished. Moreover, HO-treated cells exhibited increased expression of the major ER stress markers, glucose-regulated protein 78 and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP). The siRNA-mediated knockdown of CHOP prevented HO-induced apoptosis.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that HO treatment induced lipid accumulation, ROS production, CHOP expression, and apoptosis in MH7A cells, and that CHOP functions as an anti-rheumatoid factor downstream of HO in MH7A cells.     

Acute and sub-chronic toxicity profile of methanol leaf extract of Gouania longipetala in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Gouania longipetala leaves are commonly used in folkloric medicine in Africa and other parts of the world for treatment of edema, febrifuges, veneral diseases, lumbago, heart diseases, diabetes mellitus malaria, etc. This study therefore evaluated safety profile of the methanol leaf extract of the plant using acute and sub-chronic studies in rat model.

Materials and methods

Acute toxicity test of the plant lasted for 48 h with oral administration of graded doses (100–4000 mg/kg) of Gouania longipetala extract (GLE) in rats. The rats were observed for signs of toxicity and death. The sub-chronic toxicity was evaluated by administration of different doses (2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg) of GLE daily in feed for 90 days. On days, 30, 60 and 90, blood samples collected from the retro-orbital plexus of the eye of the rats were used for evaluation of serum biochemistry, hematology, lipid peroxidation and in vivo antioxidant activities. Histopathological evaluations of the kidney, liver, lungs and heart were also done.

Results

The acute toxicity test revealed no observable signs of toxicity or morbidity. Sub-chronic study showed that GLE significantly (p<0.05) increased relative liver weight on day 90 at 10 mg/kg. There were no significant variations in the hematological parameters of both GLE treated and untreated rats. The extract significantly (p<0.05) reduced total cholesterol, triglycerides, very low density lipoproteins and increased high density lipoproteins which was more prominent on day 90 at the dose of 10 mg/kg. The extract significantly (p<0.05) increased liver enzyme markers at the doses used. GLE also significantly (p<0.05) increased serum urea at the dose of 10 mg/kg on day 90. The extract caused dose-dependent and significant (p<0.05) increase in superoxide dismutase and decrease in malondiadehyde. Histopathological studies revealed degenerative changes in the kidney and liver.

Conclusion

The results of the study suggest that Gouania longipetala is well tolerated in short term therapies, but may have long term toxic effects on the kidney and liver.