Physicochemical properties and biological activities of Thai plant mucilages for artificial saliva preparation

Abstract

Context: Plant mucilages can be found in various parts of several Thai plants, which can be used as thickening, moisturizing, and lubricating agents in artificial saliva formulations.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical properties, biological activity, and cytotoxicity of Thai plant mucilages.

Materials and methods: The mucilages from Thai plants were extracted by various processes (temperature and pH variation, microwave oven, steam, and Tris-HCl buffer extraction). The viscosity and the rheology were evaluated using viscometer. Antioxidative activities including DPPH radical scavenging and metal chelating activities were investigated. The mucilages were determined for cytotoxicity on normal human gingival fibroblasts and anti-adherent activity of Streptococcus mutans.

Results: Mucilages from Ocimum citriodorum Vis. (Lamiaceae), Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. (Moraceae), Abelmoschus esculentus (Linn.) Moench. (Malvaceae), and Basella alba Linn. (Basellaceae) exhibited pseudoplastic non-Newtonian rheology. The highest DPPH radical-scavenging and metal-chelating activities were observed in the mucilages from B. alba (microwave, 3?min) and A. esculentus (microwave, 1?min) with the SC₅₀ and MC₅₀ values (50% of scavenging activity and 50% of metal chelating activity, respectively) of 0.71?±?0.32 and 1.11?±?0.52?mg/ml, respectively. Most mucilages exhibited no cytotoxicity to normal human gingival fibroblasts. The mucilage from A. esculentus (microwave, 5?min) gave the shortest wetting time of 2.75?±?0.51?min. The highest S. mutans adhesion inhibition was observed in A. esculentus (pH 11) of 5.39?±?9.70%.

Discussion and conclusion: This study has indicated the suitable physicochemical and biological properties and the potential application of mucilages from Thai plants for artificial saliva preparation.     

Ethnobotanical research of medicinal plants in Mihalgazi (Eskişehir,Turkey)

Context: Human beings have long utilized plants for medicinal purposes. Investigation of these plants has led to the discovery of several modern drugs.

Objective: This paper documents and evaluates traditional knowledge on medicinal plants used by the local people of Mihalgazi district of Eski?ehir, Turkey.

Materials and methods: Six villages of the study area were visited between February 2014 and April 2015 to collect the data. One hundred and eighty-nine informants were interviewed by the survey method and face to face semi-structured interviews. Taxonomic identification, the most commonly used plant parts, preparation and administration methods were evaluated. Ethnomedicinal data were analyzed quantitatively with relative importance (RI) and the informant consensus factor (FIC).

Results: This paper reported a total of 52 medicinal plants (37 wild, 15 cultivated) belonging to 34 families. Some uses of 22 plants were not found in the literature and are reported for the first time in this study. Furthermore, one of the plants, Calamagrostis arundinacea (L.) Roth (Poaceae), was reported for the first time as being used within the scope of traditional therapies.

Discussion and conclusion: This study recorded traditional knowledge on medicinal plants used in Mihalgazi, Turkey. This paper provides a basis for further investigations to discover efficient pharmaceuticals.     

Ethno medicinal survey of plants used by the indigenes of Rivers State of Nigeria

Context: The medicinal plants used in the traditional medicine of Rivers State of Nigeria were surveyed.

Objective: The survey aims to identify and document the plants used amongst the indigenes of Rivers State.

Materials and methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted during a field trip to gather information from traditional medical practitioners (TMPs) and community elders.

Results: Medicinal plant species (188) representing 169 genera and 82 families used in the ethno medicine of the people of Rivers State were recorded from 460 households. The most represented genera were Ipomoea and Citrus providing four species each. The most important species showed the highest Fidelity level (FL) value and these included Ageratum conyzoides L. (Asteraceae) (100%) and Tridax procumbens L. (Asteraceae) (100%). The most important categories of diseases were those that showed the highest Informant consensus factor (ICF) value of 0.99, such as dermal or digestive problems and fever/malaria. The most used plant part was leaves (42%), while decoction was the main method of drug preparation (36%).

Discussion and conclusion: The survey shows that more than half of the medicinal plants gathered in Rivers State are also used in other countries of the world for various ailments. The high values of ICF recorded indicate high degree of agreement among the informants, while the high FL values suggest the popular use of the plants. The survey provides a useful source of information for TMPs and medicinal plant researchers. These medicinal plants gathered may bring about drug discovery and may also be incorporated into the healthcare delivery system of the country.     

Antibacterial effects of 18 medicinal plants used by the Khyang tribe in Bangladesh

Context: The resistance of bacteria to antibiotics is raising serious concern globally. Asian medicinal plants could improve the current treatment strategies for bacterial infections. The antibacterial properties of medicinal plants used by the Khyang tribe in Bangladesh have not been investigated.

Objective: The present study examines the antibacterial properties of 18 medicinal plants used by the Khyang tribe in day-to-day practice against human pathogenic bacteria.

Materials and methods: Leaves, bark, fruits, seeds, roots and rhizomes from collected plants were successively extracted with hexane, ethyl acetate and ethanol. The corresponding 54 extracts were tested against six human pathogenic bacteria by broth microdilution assay. The antibacterial mode of actions of phytoconstituents and their synergistic effect with vancomycin and cefotaxime towards MRSA was determined by time-killing assay and synergistic interaction assay, respectively.

Results and discussion: Hexane extract of bark of Cinnamomum cassia (L.) J. Presl. (Lauraceae) inhibited the growth of MRSA, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii with MIC values below 100 µg/mL. From this plant, cinnamaldehyde evoked at 4?×?MIC in 1?h an irreversible decrease of MRSA count Log10 (CFU/mL) from 6 to 0, and was synergistic with vancomycin for MRSA with fractional inhibitory concentration index of 0.3.

Conclusions: Our study provides evidence that the medicinal plants in Bangladesh have high potential to improve the current treatment strategies for bacterial infection.     

Physicochemical characterization and toxicological evaluation of plant-based anionic polymers and their nanoparticulated system for ocular delivery

The water-soluble fractions of mucilages and gum from the seeds of fenugreek, isphagula and mango bark exudate were isolated, purified and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), maldi/GC-MS, elemental analysis, 1D (¹H and ¹³C) and 2D (HMQC, COSY) nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). The fenugreek mucilage was identified to be a galactomannan chain consisting of 4 units of galactose attached to the backbone of 6 mannose units in 1:1.5 ratio. The isphagula mucilage was identified to be an arabinoxylan polysaccharide chain consisting of 4 units of arabinofuranose attached to the backbone of 9 xylopyrannose units in 1:3 ratio. The mango gum showed the presence of amylose, α-arabinofuranosyl and β-galactopyranosyl, respectively. The characterized mucilages and gum were individually formulated into nanoparticulate system using their complementarily charged polymer chitosan. The particles were observed to be spherical in shape in the range of 61.5–90 nm having zetapotential between 31 and 34 mV and PDI of 0.097–0.241. The prepared nanoparticles were observed to be nonirritant and nontoxic in vitro and in vivo upto 2000 μg/ml. Therefore, these mucilages and gum can be the alternatives of anionic polymers for the ocular drug delivery system.     

Chemical composition and antioxidant properties of γ-irradiated Iranian Zataria multiflora extracts

Context: Irradiation is the process of exposing food such as herbal plant to ionizing radiation to destroy microorganisms. Zataria multiflora Boiss (Lamiaceae), known as Avishan-e-Shirazi in Persian, is a thyme-like plant that grows naturally in central and southern parts of Iran and is used in traditional folk medicine.

Objective: In this study, the effects of γ-radiation on chemical composition and antioxidant properties of Z. multiflora were investigated.

Materials and methods: The plants were first irradiated with Co⁶⁰ source (0, 10, and 25 kGy) and then subjected to Clevenger extraction to obtain essential oils. The composition of the oil was analyzed by a gas chromatography and compared with samples pretreated under different conditions. In parallel, the hydroalcoholic extract was prepared and used for measuring flavonoid content. Thereafter, the free-radical scavenging and antioxidant properties of essential oils and hydroalcoholic extract were examined.

Results: Despite the minor change in the individual oil constituents, the total percentage of the main components remained unaffected before and after irradiation (~95%). In addition, the total flavonoid content of hydroalcoholic extract was also unchanged due to irradiation (~32?mg QE/g extract). The high radical scavenging activity of the oil (~67%) and hydroalcoholic extract (~71%), in addition, the antioxidant properties of the oil (~91%) and hydroalcoholic extract (~95%), were unaffected after irradiation.

Discussion and conclusions: These findings may suggest the sustainability of Z. multiflora extract properties pretreated with γ-radiation. With a view to its antioxidant applications, resistance of Z. multiflora and its properties against radiation effects are promising findings.     

Ethnopharmacological use of plants by Sisala traditional healers in northwest Ghana

Context and objective: The Sisala traditional healers of northwest Ghana have a rich ethnomedical tradition. The purpose of this study was to collect and analyse data on medicinal plants commonly used by Sisala traditional healers.

Methods: A total of 30 traditional healers were interviewed using a mixture of open- and closed-ended questionnaires after obtaining prior-informed consent. Plant materials of each species of medicinal plant mentioned being used were collected and processed as voucher specimens following standard ethnobotanical methods.

Results: The majority (65%) of traditional healers were males, age ≥ 38, and their knowledge about medicinal plants was acquired orally largely from their parents (81.3%). A total of 35 species of plants were reported used to treat 24 diseases. Most (55%) of the plant materials were harvested from the bush and about half (54.8%) of the healers collected plant materials in the morning. Leaf (20%) and root (17.5%) plant materials were most commonly used in the preparation of 27 herbal remedies for treatments. The modes of administration of the herbal remedies were both through internal and external routes.

Conclusion: The results of this study show that Sisala traditional healers possess rich traditional knowledge about medicinal plants and new therapeutic use claims for 34 medicinal plants used in Ghana and widely within Africa are documented for the first time.     

Antibacterial activity in spices and local medicinal plants against clinical isolates of Karachi,Pakistan

Context: Development of resistance in human pathogens against conventional antibiotic necessitates searching indigenous medicinal plants having antibacterial property. Twenty-seven medicinal plants used actively in folklore, ayurvedic and traditional system of medicine were selected for the evaluation of their antimicrobial activity for this study. Eleven plants chosen from these 27 are used as spices in local cuisine.

Objective: Evaluation of the effectiveness of some medicinal plant extracts against clinical isolates.

Material and methods: Nonedible plant parts were extracted with methanol and evaporated in vacuo to obtain residue. Powdered edible parts were boiled three times and cooled in sterile distilled water for 2?min each and filtrate collected. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of plant extracts and filtrates/antibiotics was evaluated against clinical isolates by microbroth dilution method.

Results: Water extract of Syzygium aromaticum L. (Myrtaceae) buds, methanol extracts of Ficus carica L. (Moraceae) and Olea europaea L. (Oleaceae) leaves and Peganum harmala L. (Nitrariaceae) seeds had MIC ranges of 31.25–250 µg/ml. S. aromaticum inhibited growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. F. carica and O. europaea inhibited growth of S. aureus, S. epidermidis, and S. pyogenes whereas P. harmala was effective against S. aureus, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Candida albicans. Ampicillin, velosef, sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline and ceftazidime, cefotaxime, cefepime, which are used as control, had MIC ≥50 and 1.5 µg/ml, respectively, for organisms sensitive to extracts.

Discussion and conclusion: Mono/multiextract from identified plants will provide an array of safe antimicrobial agents to control infections by drug-resistant bacteria.     

Effective antidiabetic and antioxidant fractions of Otostegia persica extract and their constituents

Context: Otostegia persica (Burm.) Boiss. (Lamiaceae), “Goldar” in Persian, is widely used in the folk medicine of south Iran for control of diabetes mellitus.

Objective: In the present study, hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects of different fractions of the O. persica extract were investigated and constituents of effective fractions were elucidated.

Materials and method: Different concentrations (100–400?mg/kg) of aqueous infusion (AI) of flowering aerial parts of the plant (traditional preparation) and all fractions of the O. persica extract (i.p. injection) were tested for antidiabetic activity in streptozocin-induced diabetic NMRI mice. Blood glucose level was measured at time 0 and intervals of 1, 2, 4, and 6?h later. Antioxidant activities of different fractions of the plant extract and pure compounds (0.1, 0.5, and 1?mg/ml) were determined with the DPPH method. Four compounds were isolated and identified from potent fractions.

Results and discussion: Antidiabetic activity demonstrated that the effect of the methanol fraction at a dose of 300?mg/kg was equivalent with glibenclamide, and at a dose of 400?mg/kg was comparable with glibenclamide and insulin (p?>?0.05). The EC₅₀ of the methanol fraction was 307.12?mg. Methanol and ethyl acetate fractions showed antioxidant activities (both IC₅₀ equal to 0.49?mg/ml), so these fractions were selected for the purification of compounds. Chrysoeriol from ethyl acetate and three apigenin derivatives (6-methylapigenin, apigenin-7-O-glucoside, and echinaticin) from the methanol fraction were isolated and identified (new for the species). Chrysoeriol exhibited potent antioxidant activity comparable with vitamin E and BHT (p?>?0.05).

Conclusion: The present study confirmed the folklore usage of O. persica for antidiabetic properties.     

Phytochemical and biological activities of some Iranian medicinal plants

ContextDue to adverse effects of synthetic compounds, there is a growing interest in utilization of plant-derived natural products in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Iranian endemic medicinal plants widely used in traditional practice have attracted much attention as antibacterial and antioxidant agents.ObjectiveThis review attempts to compile the accessible scientific research pertained to phytochemical compounds, antibacterial and antioxidant effects of essential oils obtained from some of the most widely used and distributed medicinal plants in Iran.MethodsThis review has been compiled using references via reliable databases (Google Scholar, SID and Science Direct) from 2010 to 2020. This literature review was limited to references published in English and Persian languages.ResultsBased on studies heretofore carried out, essential oils isolated from mentioned medicinal plants exhibited strong antioxidant activity which is attributed to their main phytochemical compounds; thymol, carvacrol, p-cymene and γ-terpinene. In addition, the antibacterial activities of essential oils of most plant species from Apiaceae and Asteraceae families were more susceptible against Gram-positive bacteria; Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus than Gram-negative bacteria; however, essential oils of other studied plant species manifested similar behaviours against both Gram-positive and -negative bacteria.ConclusionsAs there is rich ethnobotanical knowledge behind Iranian endemic medicinal plants, further scientific research is required to prove their safety and efficacy. This review revealed that there are numerous valuable medicinal plants adoptable in food and pharmaceutical industries in the near future.     

Insights into the search for new drugs from traditional knowledge: An ethnobotanical and chemical–ecological perspective

Context: The variety of pathways for the introduction of a species into the medical collection of traditional communities has led many researchers to question the processes of selection and the use of these resources. A better comprehension of these processes will allow us to understand the cultural dynamics that are related to traditional medical practices, as well as to provide us with new ways in which to facilitate the exploration of natural products.

Objective: This study aims to test the predictive power of the plant apparency hypothesis as it relates to medicinal plant selection by the rural communities of the Caatinga and the Atlantic Forest in northeast Brazil.

Material and methods: Initially, a survey of the medicinal plants used by these communities was conducted using semistructured interviews. Subsequently, data on the life strategies and the habits of each species were collected. More detailed data on the specific plant parts indicated in interviews were also collected. A phytochemical screening for seven classes of chemical compounds was carried out to test the predictions of the plant apparency hypothesis.

Results: The medicinal plants from the Caatinga (especially those that are considered to be trees in habit) have a strong ability to accumulate quantitative compounds, and these species are most likely to be plants with significant biological activity related to these compounds; the medicinal plants from the Atlantic Forest, on the other hand, tend to have a high occurrence of qualitative compounds, especially in herbaceous life forms.

Discussion and conclusion: It was concluded that the plant apparency hypothesis does not adequately explain the selection of medicinal plants in the two environments studied. Our findings highlight some important implications for bioprospecting that need to be further tested experimentally, and through systematic studies, in different regions.     

An ethnopharmacological study of aromatic Uyghur medicinal plants in Xinjiang,China

Context: An ethnobotanical survey was completed in a remote village and surrounding country of Xinjiang, where most Uyghur medicinal plants could be collected. This work clarifies and increases ethnobotanical data.

Objectives: We surveyed and organized aromatic medicinal plants that are commonly used in clinical settings to provide a significant reference for studying new medical activities.

Materials and methods: In the survey, informants who have traditional knowledge on aromatic Uyghur medicinal plants were interviewed between March 2014 and September 2014. Aromatic medicinal plant species and pertinent information were collected. Some therapeutic methods and modes of preparation of traditional aromatic medicinal plants were found.

Results: A total of 86 aromatic medicinal plant species belonging to 36 families were included in our study. We identified 34 plant species introduced from different regions such as Europe, India and Mediterranean areas. Fruits and whole plants were the most commonly used parts of plant, and most aromatic medicinal plants could be applied as medicine and food. We assigned the medicinal plants a use value (UV). Knowing the UV of species is useful in determining the use reliability and pharmacological features of related plants.

Conclusions: Xinjiang is an area in which indigenous aromatic medicinal plants are diversely used and has therefore established a sound dimensional medical healthcare treatment system. Some aromatic Uyghur medicinal plants are on the verge of extinction. Hence, further strategies for the conservation of these aromatic medicinal plants should be prioritized.     

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used in the management of diabetes mellitus and hypertension in the Central Region of Togo

Context: The Tem tribe in the Central Region of Togo is a population with an extensive knowledge of medicinal plants. However, little is known about their medical practices, principally the use of plants in the management of diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HTN).

Objective: The present study documented the indigenous medicinal plant utilization for the management of DM and HTN in the Togo Central Region.

Methodology: From March to October 2010, 55 traditional healers were interviewed about their knowledge on the use of plants for DM and HTN treatment.

Results: The results revealed that 35/55 (63.64%) healers had treated at least one case of DM and/or HTN. They highlighted the use of 64 species belonging to 31 families in the treatment of DM and/or HTN. The most used plants against diabetes were Psidium guajava L. (Myrtaceae), Khaya senegalensis A. Juss. (Meliaceae), Sarcocephalus latifolius (Sm.) E.A. Bruce (Rubiaceae), Annona muricata L. (Annonaceae), Bridelia ferruginea Benth. (Phyllanthaceae), and Securidaca longepedunculata Fresen. (Polygalacae), while Allium sativum L. (Liliaceae) and Parkia biglobosa Benth. (Fabaceae), followed by Khaya senegalensis A. Juss. (Meliaceae), Gardenia ternifolia Schumach. (Rubiaceae), and Persea americana Mill. (Lauraceae) were the most commonly cited as antihypertensive.

Conclusion: The issue revealed that traditional healers of the above mentioned region have basic knowledge regarding herbal medicine for DM and HTN in comparison with previous published reports. Further pharmacological screening of the identified plants should be conducted to ascertain the effectiveness of these plants.     

Medicinal plants in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infections

Abstract

Context: Helicobacter pylori is a small, spiral, Gram-negative bacillus that plays a role in the pathogenesis of a number of diseases ranging from asymptomatic gastritis to gastric cancer. Schedule compliance, antibiotic drug resistance, and side-effects of triple or quadruple therapy have led to research for novel candidates from plants.

Objective: The purpose of this paper is to review the most potent medicinal plants of recently published literature with anti-H. pylori activity. For centuries, herbals have been used by traditional healers around the world to treat various gastrointestinal tract disorders such as dyspepsia, gastritis, and peptic ulcer disease. The mechanism of action by which these botanicals exert their therapeutic properties has not been completely and clearly elucidated. Anti-H. pylori properties may be one of the possible mechanisms by which gastroprotective herbs treat gastrointestinal tract disorders.

Materials and methods: Electronic databases such as PubMed, Google scholar, EBSCO, and local databases were explored for medicinal plants with anti-H. pylori properties between 1984 and 2013 using key words “medicinal plants” and “Helicobacter pylori” or “anti-Helicobacter pylori”.

Results: A total of 43 medicinal plant species belonging to 27 families including Amaryllidaceae, Anacardiaceae, Apiaceae, Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae, Asteraceae, Bignoniaceae, Clusiaceae, Chancapiedra, Combretaceae, Cyperaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Geraniaceae, Lamiaceae, Lauraceae, Lythraceae, Menispermaceae, Myristicaceae, Myrtaceae, Oleaceae, Papaveraceae, Plumbaginaceae, Poaceae, Ranunculaceae, Rosaceae, and Theaceae were studied as herbs with potent anti-H. pylori effects.

Conclusion: Traditional folk medicinal use of some of these plants to treat gastric infections is substantiated by the antibacterial activity of their extracts against H. pylori.     

Brazilian medicinal plants with corroborated anti-inflammatory activities: a review

Context: Inflammatory disorders are common in modern life, and medicinal plants provide an interesting source for new compounds bearing anti-inflammatory properties. In this regard, Brazilian medicinal plants are considered to be a promising supply of such compounds due to their great biodiversity.

Objectives: To undertake a review on Brazilian medicinal plants with corroborated anti-inflammatory activities by selecting data from the literature reporting the efficacy of plants used in folk medicine as anti-inflammatory, including the mechanisms of action of their extracts and isolated compounds.

Methods: A search in the literature was undertaken by using the following Web tools: Web of Science, SciFinder, Pub-Med and Science Direct. The terms ‘anti-inflammatory’ and ‘Brazilian medicinal plants’ were used as keywords in search engine. Tropicos and Reflora websites were used to verify the origin of the plants, and only the native plants of Brazil were included in this review. The publications reporting the use of well-accepted scientific protocols to corroborate the anti-inflammatory activities of Brazilian medicinal plants with anti-inflammatory potential were considered.

Results: We selected 70 Brazilian medicinal plants with anti-inflammatory activity. The plants were grouped according to their anti-inflammatory mechanisms of action. The main mechanisms involved inflammatory mediators, such as interleukins (ILs), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), cyclooxygenase (COX) and reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Conclusions: The collected data on Brazilian medicinal plants, in the form of crude extract and/or isolated compounds, showed significant anti-inflammatory activities involving different mechanisms of action, indicating Brazilian plants as an important source of anti-inflammatory compounds.     

Efficient protocol for rapid Aloe vera micropropagation

Context: Aloe vera Linn. (Liliaceae) is a medicinal plant and has a number of curative properties. Vegetative propagation has not enough potential for supplying market demand. However, via in vitro propagation makes possible the mass production of Aloe plants.

Objective: The current study was conducted to investigate growth regulators’ effects on proliferation of A. vera.

Materials and methods: In this study, for comparison of plant growth regulators’ effects on proliferation, the shoot tips and auxiliary buds of A. vera were cultured in the Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. Rooted plantlets were transferred to garden soil, compost, and sand in the proportion of 1:1:1, respectively, after hardening.

Results: The maximum number of shoots was obtained on the medium supplemented with 1?mg/L IAA?+?4?mg/L BAP and 0.2?mg/L IAA?+?0.8?BAP mg/L. Rooting was also achieved in the same media composition proliferation of shoot. The acclimatized plants showed 100% of survival. The regenerated plants looked healthy, and they were morphologically similar to that of stock plants.

Conclusion: These results suggest that in vitro culture may be used as a technique for rapid propagation of A. vera.     

《神农本草经》等古代本草中木香基原考证

目的：木香、青木香、蜜香的本草记载混淆。本文通过对《神农本草经》,以及一些早期历史文献中木香的记载进行考证,探究古本草记载木香的基原、产地,为古代药方的研究与应用提供指导。方法：使用便利的互联网查阅了各种古代本草专著,以及香料贸易与历史等文献,全面考证了木香、青木香、土木香等中药的基原。结果：《神农本草经》木香基原的考证结果多样,有考证为药典品木香Aucklandia lappa Dec.、土木香Inula helenium L.、沉香Aquilaria agallocha（Lout.）Roxb.或大理木香Vladimiria edulis（Franch.）Ling等。香料青木香已泯灭在历史的长河中,最早的药用青木香成了现在的药典木香,而《神农本草经》木香成了现在使用的大多不沉水的沉香。结论：通过对中药木香、青木香进行考证,理清了木香的用药历史,对开发使用古代中医处方中的中药,避免错误用药奠定了基础。     

Potent antihypertensive activity of Thai-Lanna medicinal plants and recipes from “MANOSROI III” database

Abstract

Context: Traditional medicines have long been used by Thai practitioners for the treatment of many diseases including hypertension. The antihypertensive recipes and plants were searched and selected by a computer program from Thai/Lanna medicinal plant recipe database “MANOSROI III” using hypertensive symptoms as keywords.

Objectives: To evaluate the antihypertensive potential of 30 recipes and 10 Thai-Lanna medicinal plants selected from “MANOSROI III” database using l-NAME induced hypertensive rat model.

Materials and methods: Extracts from the selected recipes and plants were prepared according to the traditional indications. Antihypertensive activities including the decrease of the mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) and heart rate (HR) of the extracts as well as duration of action were investigated by intra-arterial assessment technique. All extracts were screened for phytochemicals including anthraquinone, glycoside, xanthone, tannin, carotenoid, flavones and alkaloids using standard methods.

Results and conclusions: All 12 of the 30 selected recipes (40%) demonstrated antihypertensive activity with the maximum decrease of MABP at 27.17?±?3.17% that was 2.41-fold of prazosin hydrochloride. Most recipes exhibiting antihypertensive activity contained plants in the families of Zingiberaceae and Piperaceae. The top five antihypertensive recipes showed the presence of glycosides, xanthones and alkaloids. Ten single plants from these recipes were extracted and evaluated for antihypertensive activity. The cassumunar ginger extract exhibited the maximum decrease of MABP at 39.83?±?3.92%, which was 3.54-times that of prazosin hydrochloride. This study demonstrated the potent antihypertensive activity of Thai medicinal plants and recipes that can be further developed as antihypertensive agents.     

Analgesic Studies on some Iraqi Medicinal Plants

Abstract

A screening program of some Iraqi medicinal plants for analgesic activity has been started. This evaluation was based on the use of some plants in the traditional medicine. The extracts of Tribulus terrestris and Pimpinella anisum exhibited significant analgesic activity versus benzoquinone-induced writing and in thermal tests. The extracts of Achillea santolina, Jasminum officinale and Anthemis cotula did not elicit a significant effect in either test.