Ethnopharmacological study of natural products used for traditional cancer therapy in Algeria

Traditional and complementary medicine constitutes an important, and often underestimated, source of healthcare for multiple diseases including cancer. However, little is known about the ethnomedical knowledge and practices in Northern Africa. The main objective of this study is to identify and analyze the variety of natural products used in Algerian ethnopharmacology for cancer therapy. For this purpose, semi-structured interviews with 225 traditional healers, herbalists and practitioners were realized in twelve locations in Algeria throughout field studies performed from June 2015 to July 2019. Interviews covered popular and vernacular names of the natural product, mode of use and administration, dose, period of treatment, toxicity and side effects among other data. The obtained results reveal the use of 113 medicinal plants (belonging to 53 families and 104 genera), 10 animal species and various products and by-products from different origins such as honey, olive oil, thorns, urine, milk, animal fat and the alkaline water of Zamzam. Basing on the frequency of citation (FC), use reports (UR) and use value (UV), the most used natural products for cancer treatment are honey (FC = 181, UR = 194, UV = 0.65), Nigella sativa L. (FC = 131, UR = 152, UV = 0.54), Aristolochia longa L. (FC = 118, UR = 144, UV = 0.51), Berberis vulgaris L. (FC = 111, UR = 142, UV = 0.51), Curcuma longa L. (FC = 107, UR = 121, UV = 0.43), Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (FC = 102; UR = 119, UV = 0.43), Citrus limon (L.) Obseck (FC = 97, UR = 120, UV = 0.43), Artemisia herba-alba Asso (FC = 92, UR = 115, UV = 0.41) and the holy water ‘Zamzam’ (FC = 110, UR = 110, UV = 0.43) respectively. Mixtures of two or more ingredients were frequently used. The use of Pelophylax saharicus skin’ was reported for the first time for the treatment of visible tumors and skin cancer. This is the first study documenting the traditional uses of various natural products for cancer treatment in Algeria. Our findings are relevant to document the traditional uses of numerous natural products and to provide background basis to search for novel compounds for cancer therapy.     

Ethnopharmacological investigations on Thalictrum plants in China

Thalictrum (Ranunculaceae) is an extremely abundant medicinal plant source. Due to their marked ethnopharmacological usages in folk medicine of China and the large number of potentially active chemical constituents, they may be a rich source for new chemicals for drug R&D. Here, an investigation on traditional functions and folk therapeutic uses of Thalictrum plants from China, as well as their main chemical constituents, was undertaken. It showed that 43 Thalictrum plants have long been used as folk medicine to treat many diseases in different races of China. In addition, the correlation between folk therapeutic effects and chemical constituents, and the modern pharmacological activities, are discussed as well as the prospect of isolation and development of new drugs from this genus of plants.     

英国人用传统草药药品政策分析

英国是欧盟中第一个启动对传统医药进行立法管理的国家.根据《欧盟传统草药指令》,英国制订了《英国人用传统草药产品法规2005》、《英国传统草药登记方案》等一系列有关传统草药管理的法规、指南等,从传统草药药品的申报、零售、批发、进口及生产各个环节进行管理,以保证安全、有效和质量可控.以英国传统草药登记程序、豁免条件等内容为...     

近红外光谱技术在中药分析领域中的应用

介绍近红外光谱技术的基本原理和特点,以及近红外光谱技术在中药材鉴别、产地分析、有效成分测定和在线质量控制方面的应用。     

A survey on traditional plants used in Al Khobah village

The use of traditional medicine for treatment of various diseases is a common practise in most of the developing countries including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia especially in rural areas. In this survey, Al Khobah village was selected to study the status of Traditional Medicine. Al Khobah village is located on the Southern boarders of the kingdom and characterized by diverse topography and moderate weather. The plants with medicinal uses were collected, identified and their methods of preparation and uses were recorded. After gathering all these information from the local people, literature survey was conducted on each plant to get information about pharmacological activities and weather they support the traditional use or not. The survey revealed that the uses of some plants are consistent with the experimental data in the literature. Some other plants were studied; however, they still need pharmacological investigation to prove the claimed uses. Other plant did not subject to any scientific investigation.     

临床药师参与中药注射剂合理应用的实践

目的分析我院中药注射液的使用方法及注意事项,促进临床合理用药。方法抽取我院中药注射剂,对其主要成分、性状、单次最大剂量、滴注时间等进行分析,并对结果进行回访调查。结果通过临床药师的分析及干预,中药注射剂不良反应发生率降低(χ2=3.826,P=0.031)。结论通过临床药师的不断干预,能够加快中药注射剂的合理用药进程。     

Medicinal plants commonly used against cancer in traditional medicine formulae in Sri Lanka

Cancer is a global burden. In low- and middle-income countries around 70% of deaths are due to cancer. For a number of years natural products have been a good source of agents for combatting cancer and plants have played a huge role in anti-cancer product development. For many centuries, indigenous cultures around the world have used traditional herbal medicine to treat a myriad of diseases including cancer. In Sri Lanka, a number of plants have been reported to have anti-cancer properties and some of the commonly used plants are described in this review with an account of their compounds and modes of action. Only a small number of the plants in Sri Lanka have been tested for their bioactivity and more research is required to determine their medicinal activity with the aim of developing novel drugs to fight this disease.     

中草药通识教育中的教学相长

中草药概论是复旦大学面向各年级不同专业本科生开设的一门通识教育选修课程,互动式教学中充分调动不同学科背景学生的主动参与度,师生从我国传统医药学文化、道地药材资源、中草药质量控制与合理利用多方面积极交流讨论,教学相长。     

The use of medicinal herbs in gynecological and pregnancy-related disorders by Jordanian women: a review of folkloric practice vs. evidence-based pharmacology

Context National statistical reports in Jordan indicate a decrease in the total fertility rate along with a parallel increase in contraceptive use. The folkloric use of medicinal herbs in gynecological disorders has been growing in Jordan, despite of deficient reports on the evidence-based safety and efficacy of these practices.

Objective The aim of this comprehensive article is to review medicinal plants with claimed ethnonpharmacological usage in various gynecological and pregnancy-related issues in Jordan, and to assess their evidence-based pharmacological studies as well as their phytochemistry.

Methods The published literature was surveyed using Google Scholar entering the terms “ethnopharmacology AND Jordan AND infertility AND gynecology OR gestation”. We included ethnopharmacological surveys in Jordan with available full-text.

Results Twelve articles were reviewed. Plant species which are commonly used for female gynecological issues such as Artemisia monosperma Del. and A. herba-alba Asso. (Asteraceae) have been found to exert an antifertility effect. Ricinus communis L. (Euphorbiaceae) and Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad. (Cucurbitaceae) had antifertility effects in male rats, but Nigella sativa oil L. (Ranunculaceae) and Cinnamon zeylanicum J. Presl (Lauraceae) were found to enhance it.

Conclusion Using plants for gynecological disorders is a common practice in Jordan. Many of them, whether utilised for gynecological or non-gynecological conditions equally, were found to have detrimental effects on female or male fertility. Thus, couples planning pregnancy should be discouraged from the consumption of these herbs. Further local studies are warranted to confirm the appreciable beneficial pharmacological effects and safety of these plants.     

中药中玉米赤霉烯酮的残留测定

目的建立薏苡仁、麦芽、绿豆中玉米赤霉烯酮的测定方法.方法样品经90%乙腈提取、免疫亲和柱净化后,用高效液相色谱-荧光检测器法进行分析测定,阳性样品采用LC-MS-MS进一步确证.结果玉米赤霉烯酮在125～3 750 pg范围内进样量与峰面积呈良好的线性关系,相关系数为0.999 9,加样回收率在96.6%～114.7%之间.结论本法重复性好、灵敏度高、定量快速准确,可作为薏苡仁、麦芽、绿豆中玉米赤霉烯酮残留的测定方法.     

Ethnopharmacological study of herbal remedies used for the management of thyroid disorders in Algeria

Traditional medicine is gaining an increasing importance in diseases management. Besides, thyroid disease is one of the common endocrine disorders spreading at high frequency worldwide. The present work is an ethnopharmacological study aiming to identify, document and analyze aromatic and medicinal plants used in Algerian traditional medicines for thyroid disorders management. Semi-structured interviews with 120 herbalists and traditional practitioners and rural dwellers were realized in eleven locations in Algeria throughout field studies achieved from June 2017 to July 2019. Results reveal the use of 63 medicinal plants belonging to 59 genera and 34 families. The most represented botanical families were Lamiaceae, Fabaceae, Apiaceae, Amaranthaceae and Asteraceae. However, the most cited plant species were Atriplex halimus L., Bunium incrassatum (Boiss.) Amo, Nigella sativa L., Aquilaria malaccensis Lam. and Saussurea costus (Falc.) Lipsch. These species are taken alone or in mixtures of two or more ingredients from different origins such as honey, olive oil, and goat milk. Our findings revealed new therapeutic uses of 60 medicinal plants that have not been previously reported for the treatment of thyroid in Algeria. This is the first study documenting the traditional uses based on herbal medicine for thyroid management in Algeria. Our findings are relevant in the search for novel drug discovery. Obviously, it is the time to increase effective scientific studies on mechanisms of action of these medicinal plants in order to validate their popular usages.     

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.     

开展专项处方点评及问责对我院中药注射剂使用合理性的影响

目的回顾分析我院开展专项处方点评及问责对中药注射剂使用合理性的影响。方法随机抽取2012年3月至2014年2月我院消耗金额、用药频度排名靠前的中药注射剂当月出院病历各10份,进行专项处方点评和干预,对比干预前后中药注射剂使用合理性的变化。结果干预后,适应证不适宜及病历中无用药分析记录情况明显减少(P<0.01),用法用量错误、溶媒种类及用量错误、疗程偏长的情况改变不大(P>0.05)。结论对中药注射剂的专项处方进行点评和干预,使本院中药注射剂的合理使用水平有了一定的提高,但仍然存在一些不合理的问题,需行进一步的干预。     

我院164例住院患者中药制剂与地高辛合并用药分析

目的促进中药制剂与地高辛的临床合理配伍使用。方法从我院2011年1-12月期间的住院病历中随机抽查164例给予地高辛(0.125 mg/d)治疗的病历。根据中药制剂的药理作用以及相关文献报道中所提到的不宜与地高辛合用的相关中药制剂,进行记录、分析。结果有39例合用了不宜予地高辛合用的中药制剂。结论临床医生对给予地高辛治疗的患者在合并应用中药制剂时需多加注意。     

抗辐射中药的研究现状及进展

本文主要概括了国内外报道的中药抗辐射作用和抗辐射类中药及制剂的研究情况,目的在于为特殊工种人群的辐射伤害预防、放射损伤治疗及预防急性放射病损伤提供理论依据,也可为抗辐射膳食药剂的开发、相关人群的日常饮食提供建议和思路。     

中药灌肠结合中药熏洗治疗糖尿病肾病的临床护理

目的 探讨中药灌肠结合中药熏洗治疗糖尿病肾病的临床护理.方法 选择本院2015年收治的糖尿病肾病患者62例为研究对象,随机分为观察组和对照组,每组31例,对照组患者给予常规护理,观察组在常规护理基础上给予综合性护理干预,比较两组患者血糖控制情况.结果 两组患者空腹血糖和餐后2h血糖治疗前比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),治疗后均显著降低(P＜0.05).与对照组比较,观察组血糖降低幅度更大,血糖值均显著小于对照组(P＜0.05).结论 积极的临床护理有利于糖尿病肾病患者更好的控制血糖.     

紧张型头痛患者中医心理紊乱状态与中医证候的相关性研究

目的探讨中医心理紊乱状态与紧张型头痛（TTH）中医证侯的相关性。方法临床观察236例紧张型头痛伴中医心理紊乱状态患者,采用结构式问卷收集资料,建立数据库,探讨TTH中医心理紊乱状态与中医证候的相关性。结果存在思虑过度状态的患者,中医证候以风痰候和风瘀候为主;存在郁闷不舒状态的患者,中医证候以风痰候和风瘀候为主;存在烦躁焦虑状态的患者,中医证候以风火候为主;存在郁闷不舒＋思虑过度的患者,中医证候以风痰候和风瘀候为主;存在郁闷不舒＋烦躁焦虑的患者,中医证候以风痰候、风火候、风瘀候为主;存在精神萎靡状态的患者,中医证候以气血两虚候和阳虚寒凝候为主;存在惊悸不安状态的患者,中医证候以气血两虚候为主。结论紧张型头痛患者伴中医心理紊乱状态与中医证候之间存在相关性。     

Toxicology of some important medicinal plants in southern Africa

Africa is home to two major floral kingdoms: the Paleotropical kingdom of central Africa and the Capensis kingdom of the Western Cape province of South Africa, the latter of which consists of approximately 10,000 species, representing about 20% of Africa’s floral ‘gold mine’, better known as the Cape herbal medicine. Needless to say, such rich flora comes with numerous plants with a potential to cause poisoning to humans. This review document reports important toxic medicinal plants and their toxic ingredients for plant species resident in the southern African region. These include important medicinal uses and pharmacological properties ranging from antimicrobial, antiviral, anticancer, anti-inflammatory as well as those that are used as aphrodisiacs and for maternal health care.