Inclusion of courses on phytotherapy in undergraduate curriculum of health-related courses
December 2014
Since 2006, complementary therapies, including phytotherapy, have been offered to patients in Brazil through the public health system. This indicates that health-care professionals, mainly those responsible for prescribing medications, should be prepared to provide the best information to their patients. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the inclusion of courses on phytotherapy in the undergraduate curricula of...
Ethnobotanical survey of some threatened medicinal plants of Kashmir Himalaya, India
December 2014
An ethnobotanical study was conducted from March, 2011 to October, 2012 to enumerate the diversity of traditionally used threatened medicinal plants in biodiversity rich temperate Himalayan ranges of Bandipora district, Kashmir, India. Ethnomedicinal data was gathered using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and walk-in-the-woods with local knowledgeable elders, tribals (Gujjars and Bakkerwals) and...
Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of Lantana radula Swartz and its phenylethanoid glycosides
December 2014
Many species from the genus Lantana (Verbenaceae) have been used in traditional medicine, and their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities demonstrated. Lantana radula Swartz has been reported to be rich in phenylethanoid glycosides, which have various biological properties. In order to evaluate the actions of this plant, studies were performed on anti-inflammatory activity of the aqueous phase resulting from the...
Optimizing the extraction of phenolic compounds from Bixa orellana L. and effect of physicochemical conditions on its antioxidant activity
December 2014
For this work, the surface response methodology was applied in order to optimize the extraction using solvents of phenolic compounds present in Bixa orellana L. seeds through a central composite design that evaluated the effect of the factors: extraction time (36 to 60 h) and the solvent ml/g seed ratio (2/1 to 4/1), for the response variable total phenol content extracted from the seed. The levels on the factors that...
Stem anatomy of cipó-caboclo (Davilla rugosa, Dillenianecae) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
December 2014
In Brazilian folk medicine, stems of Davilla rugosa, locally known as cipó-caboclo, are known for their anti-inflammatory and antiulcer uses, as well as their use as a laxative, stimulant, aphrodisiac, and tonic. The plant is also important in religious rituals. Previous studies showed that the stem contains flavonoids and terpenes. The ethnomedicinal use of D. rugosa has been reported all over Brazil. Plants of...
Antimicrobial act ivit y of essent ial oils obt ained from Stachytarpheta cayennensis, (Rich.) Vahl. (Verbenaceae) collect ed in the South-west region of Paraná - Brazil
December 2014
Essential oils extracted from plants are currently being used in chemical syntheses or as new materials, with various medical, pharmaceutical, technological and business applications. In this context, this study was carried out to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil obtained from the verbena - Stachytarpheta cayennensis, (Rich.) Vahl. - (Verbenaceae) - collected in the Southwest region of...
Influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on growth, mineral composition and production of essential oil in Mentha × piperita L. var. citrata (Ehrh.) Briq. under two phosphorus levels
December 2014
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), Acaulospora morrowiae, Rhizophagus clarus and Scutellospora calospora on the growth and essential oil production of Mentha × piperita L. var. citrata plants. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse with a 5 × 2 factorial design with five mycorrhizal treatments (uninoculated control, Acaulospora morrowiae,...
Medicinal plants used in South Ecuador for gastrointestinal problems: An evaluation of their antibacterial potential
December 2014
The present study aimed to identify the main medicinal plants used by people in Ecuador South Andes to treat gastrointestinal problems, and to evaluate their antibacterial effect. Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp., as gram-negative and Staphylococcus aureus as gram-positive bacteria were used as in vivo models for the antibacterial screening. An ethnobotanical survey about gastrointestinal problems was applied...
Leaf powders utilization for Cola nitida protection against kola weevils (Balanogastris kolae and Sophrorhinus spp.) in storage
December 2014
The effectiveness of five plant species (Nicotiana tabacum L., Hyptis sauvolens Poit, Ocimum gratissimum L., Cymbopogon citrtus Stapf and Lantana camara L.) were investigated using their leaf powders at 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 g w/w as protectants of kolanuts against weevils. Nicotiana tabacum and C. citrtus suppressed the rate of Balanogastris kolae development at the treatment level of 15 g with mean adult emergence of...
Effect of different concentrations of plant growth regulators on micropropagation of Lantana camara
November 2014
Lantana camara is a plant with numerous medicinal properties and belongs to Verbenaceae family. Too few studies on micropropagation of this plant exist in the literature. This study was designed and conducted to investigate the effective factors on in vitro shoot proliferation of L. camara. This experiment was conducted in Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran. In this study, nodal segments of L. camara were...
Oral Ricinus communis oil exposure at different stages of pregnancy impaired hormonal, lipids profile and histopathology of reproductive organs in Wistar rats
November 2014
Ricinus communis oil (RCO) has been used and shown to possess laxative, contraceptive, labour inducing, cosmetics and estrogenic capabilities. Despite these, there is paucity of studies on the effects of maternal RCO exposure at different stages of pregnancy. This study investigated effects of RCO exposure on maternal biochemical, hormonal and histopathology of reproductive organs. RCO was prepared by cold extraction...
Ethnobotanical survey and phytochemical analysis of medicinal plants used for the treatment of hyperprolactinemia in Lagos State, Nigeria
November 2014
Ethnobotanical survey and phytochemical screening of medicinal plants used for the treatment of hyperprolactinemia among women in Lagos State, Nigeria was carried out using oral interviews (without questionnaire) and standard screening procedures. Ethnomedicinal data was gathered from herb sellers, herbal medicine practitioners and elderly people in the rural parts of the state. The collected data included the names of...
Basil leaf area by allometric relations
November 2014
The leaf area (LA) is a valuable measure to plant physiological studies; therefore, simple models are necessary to its determination, which may be used in many experimental comparisons. In view of the lack of studies about the estimative of basil leaf area, it becomes the objective of this study to propose models that use non-destructive measures of length (L) and/or width (W) of the leaves, to estimate the leaf area of...
Inventory of medicinal plants of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic: A mini review
November 2014
The Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) or Laos has a long history in the use of medicinal plants, as well as in the use of traditional medicines. The Government of Laos also supports the use of medicinal plants and traditional medicines in the prevention and treatment of diseases. As a government institution, the Institute of Traditional Medicine (ITM) has carried out surveys and inventories of medicinal...
Contribution to the knowledge of affinities of traditional medicine of Bantu of high and low lands in the territories of Beni and Lubero
November 2014
The investigations were conducted during 2012 on the Nande Bantu ethnic majority in the villages of Beni and Lubero territories which are located in North Kivu province in the eastern part of Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Thus 6 villages in the zone of high altitude and 6 others in the zone of low altitude have been chosen randomly, by taking the farthest ones among them. Two-hundred and forty (240) persons...
Anticonceptive, estrogenic and antiestrogenic potentials of methanol extract of Garcinia kola seed in rodents
November 2014
The anticonceptive, estrogenic and antiestrogenic potential of methanolic extract of Garcinia kola seed in rodents was investigated. The anti-conceptive effect of extract showed that the extract dose-dependently protected female mice and rats from conception for two to three gestational periods. Changes observed in the length and weights of pups were not statistically significant relative to control. There were no...
In vivo antimalarial activity of the crude extract and solvent fractions of the leaves of Zehenria scabra (Cucurbitaceae) against Plasmodium berghei in mice
November 2014
Zehenria scabra is among the Ethiopian folk medicine for malaria like fever and other infectious diseases. But it lacks apposite pharmacological investigation. This study aimed at evaluating the antimalarial activity and safety profile of Z. scabra. Plasmodium berghei was used for induction of malaria, kept in a refrigerator and maintained by serial passage of blood from mouse to mouse. The crude extract, chloroform and...
Effects of aqueous extract of Waltheria indica leaves on blood profile of male albino rats
November 2014
This study was to investigate the effect of oral administration of aqueous extract of Waltheria indica leaf on the blood profile of male albino rats. The extract showed significantly (p < 0.01) different increase of red blood and white blood cell counts values at 400 and 800 mg/kg doses. However, the extract showed insignificant difference in packed cell volume, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin...
Traditional Tongan treatments for infections: Bioassays and ethnobotanical leads for activity
November 2014
An ethnobotanical survey of Tongan pharmacopoeia, conducted through semi-structured interviews with healers, informed the selection of twenty-six plants for antimicrobial bioassays. The parts of the plants recommended by the healers were collected and extractions were made with methanol and hexane in various concentrations, and screened against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans using...
Acute toxicity, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity of the essential oil of fresh fruits of Piper guineense Schum & Thonn (Piperaceae) in rodents
October 2014
Piper guineense is a popular herbal medicine used to manage pains and arthritis among other indications in South-West Nigeria. Previous biological studies report anti-oxidant, anti-microbial and antidiabetic activities for the essential oil of the plant while studies on its acute toxicity profile, potential analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities were unavailable. This study investigated the antinociceptive and...
Essential oil, fatty acids and anti bacterial activity of Sesbania punicea from north of Iran
October 2014
Essential oil composition of the leaves and fatty acids from the seeds of Sesbania punicea (rattlebox) were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Forty components (91.35%) of the essential oil were identified with the major compounds: 1,8-cineole (47.58%) and α-pinene (7.30%). The main compounds from thirty seven identified components comprising 89.28% of the seeds...
Phenolic contents and antioxidant activities in vitro of some selected Algerian plants
October 2014
In order to find new sources of natural antioxidants, the methanolic extracts of eleven Algerian medicinal plants from eight botanical families were investigated for their in vitro antioxidant activity using total antioxidant capacity (TAC), reducing power, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl radical scavenging and β-carotene–linoleate bleaching. The total phenolic, flavonoid and proanthocyanidin...
Antioxidant activity of leaf and fruit extracts of Jordanian Rubus sanguineus Friv. (Rosaceae)
October 2014
The in vitro antioxidant activity of crude ethanolic, methanolic and aqueous extracts of the leaf and fruit of Rubus sanguineus were investigated. The antioxidant activities were performed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging, nitrogen oxide (NO) scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging and lipid peroxidation. The methanolic, ethanolic and aqueous extracts of R. sanguineus fruit demonstrated higher...
Phytochemical screening and hypoglycemic effect of methanolic fruit pulp extract of Cucumis sativus in alloxan induced diabetic rats
October 2014
Phytochemical screening and hypoglycemic effect of methanolic fruit pulp extract of Cucumis sativus on alloxan induced diabetic rats was investigated. The phytochemical analysis of the methanolic fruit pulp extract of C. sativus indicated the presence of saponins, glycosides, terpenes, phenolics, alkaloids, flavonoids, and tannins. The methanolic fruit pulp extract of C. sativus was administered orally to the alloxan...
Protective effects of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) against cadmium chloride-induced oxidative stress in the blood of rats
October 2014
Cadmium is a heavy metal of wide occupational and environmental contamination. In recent years, however, cadmium has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several clinical disorders. Generation of oxidative stress is one of the plausible mechanisms for cadmium-induced diseases. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of ginger on oxidative stress in rats exposed to cadmium (Cd) of a dose (10 mg/kg b.w.)....
An investigation of the hepatoprotective potential of Garcinia kola seed extract in an anti-tubercular treatment model
October 2014
Hepatoprotective effect of Garcinia kola seed extract on oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity biomarkers of rats exposed to antitubercular drugs was investigated to evaluate its potential to ameliorate drug-induced hepatotoxicity. Six groups of five animals each were used. Combination of Isoniazid (7.5 mg/kg bodyweight) and Rifampicin (10 mg/kg bodyweight) was administered intraperitoneally to a group. Drug combination...
Taxonomic and phytomedicinal properties of Oroxylum indicum (L.) Vent: A wonderful gift of nature
October 2014
This paper is a review on pharmacological studies, phytochemical analysis and problems associated with natural seed germination of Oroxylum indicum (L.) Vent. The different parts of this plant like leaves, fruits, stem bark, seeds and roots are used in indigenous medicine preparation against various diseases. Chemical investigation of various parts of this plant resulted in characterization of various bioactive...
Structural organization and phytochemical analysis of Pimenta dioica (L.) Merrill (Myrtaceae) leaves collected from Goiás State, Brazil
October 2014
Several biological properties are attributed to the Pimenta dioica plants that are native to Central America. Given the possible variabilities in both the morpho-anatomical and chemical aspects of the species that grow in different locations, this study aimed to contribute to the pharmacognostic study of P. dioica leaves from Brazil. Therefore, we morpho-anatomically described the plants, performed a phytochemical...
Phytochemical screening and study of antioxidant and analgesic potentials of ethanolic extract of Stephania japonica Linn.
October 2014
The present study was conducted to evaluate the possible phytochemicals present, antioxidant activity and analgesic potential of ethanolic extract of leaves of Stephania japonica (Linn.). For investigating the antioxidant activity, four complementary test systems, namely 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging, reducing power assay, Fe++ ion chelating ability and total phenolic content were used....
Influence of plant age on the content and composition of essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf.
October 2014
An experiment was carried out in Viçosa, Brazil to evaluate the influence of plant age (3, 6, 9 and 12 months) on the content and chemical composition of essential oils from lemon grass, using a completely randomized design with three replications. The plants were harvested between 7:00 and 8:30 a.m, and harvesting cut made at 20 cm height from the base of the leaf. The collected material was immediately taken to...
Antimicrobial properties of Sacrocephalus latifolius (Sm.) Bruce
September 2014
Sacrocephalus latifolius (Sm.) Bruce (Rubiaceae) formerly known as Nauclea latifolia (Sm.), is a highly valued medicinal plant used in ethnomedicine in the treatment of various infectious diseases due to its insecticidal and antiparasitic properties. The proximate, mineral composition and antimicrobial properties of the leaves were analyzed with a view to evaluate its nutritional and medicinal potentials....
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi increase gallic acid production in leaves of field grown Libidibia ferrea (Mart. ex Tul.) L. P. Queiroz
September 2014
Because arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) has been shown to induce concentration increases of pharmaceutically useful phytochemicals in some Brazilian semi-arid native plants, the current study examined whether mycorrhizal inoculation increased the production of bioactive compounds, especially gallic acid, in field grown Libidibia ferrea (Mart. ex Tul.) L. P. Queiroz plants. Seedlings were inoculated with...
Effect of extracts from field and in vitro plants of Petiveria alliacea L. on plasmidial DNA
September 2014
Petiveria alliacea L. is a native herbaceous species from the Amazon region traditionally used in folk medicine for its various pharmacological activities. This study aimed to perform a comparative assessment of genotoxic and antigenotoxic potential of field- and in vitro-grown plants. Specimens from different populations from Rio de Janeiro State were used as donor plants for in vitro culture on...
Antibacterial activity of tannins from Psidium guineense Sw. (Myrtaceae)
September 2014
The aim of this study was to quantify and evaluate the antibacterial activity of tannins extracted from leaves of Psidium guineense, obtained using two different isolation methods, against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The first extraction method was used to isolate condensed tannins (Method A) and the second to isolate mixtures rich in esters of gallic acid and glucose (Method B). Both extraction...
Anatomy, histochemistry and chemical characterization of the essential oil of the gum tree Vochysia pyramidalis Mart
September 2014
The Gomeira (Vochysia pyramidalis Mart.), belonging to the family Vochysiaceae, is a plant species from the Brazilian cerrado used in folk medicine because of its reputedly anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-bacterial properties. However, scientific data concerning this species are scarce. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to conduct an anatomical and histochemical assessment of this plant...
Fatty chemical composition and antioxidant activities of coconut oils (Cocos nucifera L)
September 2014
Fixed oils from two cultivars (green and yellow) of solid albumen in the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera), were obtained by a solvent extraction using hexane in three different maturation stages, such as: unripe; ripe and dried. The aforesaid oils were saponified and methylated. Fatty acids and methyl esters were analyzed by the gas chromatography, mass spectrometry (CG-MS). The oils from unripe (green and yellow)...
Development of a topical gel containing dried extract of Ipomoea pes-caprae brasiliensis (L.) R. Br. (Convolvulaceae)
September 2014
Gel formulations containing I. pes-caprae spray dried extract (SDE) at 0.11 and 0.18%, were developed with three types of polymers Ce = Cellosize® QP 100, Ca = Carbopol® ultrez, and Ar = Aristoflex® AVC. The pH, sensory characteristics, weight loss and the viscosity profile of gels were analyzed at times (t) t0, t90 and t180 (24 h, 90 and 180 days after their production, respectively), in ambient temperature...
Medicinal plants from Saudi Arabia and Indonesia: In vitro cytotoxicity evaluation on Vero and HEp-2 cells
September 2014
Many types of naturally growing plants are used traditionally for the treatment of different types of cancers and infectious diseases. In this report, the cytotoxic activity of 30 medicinal plants, commonly used in folk medicine in Saudi Arabia and Indonesia, was evaluated in vitro using Vero and HEp-2 cell lines. Plants were randomly chosen and harvested from different districts of both countries based on...
Activities of Guatemalan medicinal plants against cancer cell lines and selected microbes: Evidence for their conservation
September 2014
Medicinal plants are important components in the primary health care of villagers in Guatemala. However, an area often overlooked is the effect of medicinal plants on oral hygiene. Acetone and methanol extracts from 63 medicinal plant species from 31 families were bioassayed against breast, cervical, skin and tongue cancers, and the following microorganisms: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli,...
Allelopathic effect of popular medicinal plants on Fagopyrum esculentum (Moench), Papaver somniferum (L.) and Brassica napus var. oleifera (L.)
September 2014
Glasshouse experiments were carried out to assess the effect of popular medicinal herbs dry matter on germination and early growth of common buckwheat (Fagpopyrum esculentum), opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) and two cultivars of oilseed rape (Brassica napus var. oleifera). Depending on species of the herb, leaves, inflorescences, fruits and whole plants were used. The greatest stimulatory effect on seedling emergence...
Nobiletin, a polymethoxylated flavone from citrus peels, induces differentiation of normal human epidermal keratinocytes
September 2014
Nobiletin, a polymethoxylated flavone from citrus peels, is known to have a wide range of pharmacological activities. In this study, we examined the effects of nobiletin on differentiation of normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs). Treatment of NHEKs with nobiletin was found to cause marked increases in the expression level of keratin 10 (K10) and involucrin, differentiation makers of...
Cytotoxic effect of Typhonium flagelliforme extract
August 2014
Traditionally,Typhonium flagelliforme is used to treat cancer in Malaysia, People take it as powder or in combination with milk or different types of other herbal extracts as treatment of different type of cancers (Teo and Chang, 1996). The study was conducted to determine anticancer activity of crude extract of 1 to 6 months old ex-vitro plantlets and one sample of in vitro plants of T. flagelliforme against...
Study of bioactivities of lipid content of fresh Lagenaria siceraria seeds pulp and identification of its chemical constituents
August 2014
The aim of the present work was to analyse antimicrobial activities of the lipid content of seeds pulp of the fresh fruit of Lagenaria siceraria and identification of its chemical constituents by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Methanolic extract of the seeds pulp exhibited moderate to good efficacy against Achromobacter xylosoxidans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus megaterium and Escherichia...
Analgesic effects of Arum maculatum plant extract in rats compared to other routine analgesics
August 2014
Due to low side effects and costs as well as proper adaptation to body’s physiology, there is a global trend in using herbal medications. To investigate the analgesic effects of Arum maculatum plant extract in rats via an experimental study, 60 healthy male Wistar rats were divided into 6 equal groups including 3 plant extract groups, a negative control with normal saline and 2 positive control groups...
Effects of supplementing Aloe vera gel and garlic powder on blood biochemical parameters and immune response of broiler
August 2014
The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of supplementing different levels of Aloe vera gel and garlic powder on blood biochemical parameters and immune response of broiler. For this purpose, one hundred and sixty, one-day-old, Ross chicks were used, in completely randomized design, in four treatments and each with four replicates. The treatment groups consisted of: control group fed only with...
Ethno-medicinal survey of plants of Soon Valley, Khushab District, Punjab, Pakistan
August 2014
The present investigation aimed to document medicinal uses of plants utilized by local communities of Soon Valley, Khushab District, Punjab, Pakistan. The purpose of this study was to collect information about the interaction of various communities of the area with plant wealth. The study presents data on 15 species belonging to 10 families. It was found out that local communities of the area have a rich...
Traditional medicinal uses of plants in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
August 2014
Ghizer district of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan is gifted with tremendous natural resources. Plant resources have long been used to cure different human as well as livestock ailments in this part like others in the world. This study was conducted to document the indigenous and traditional uses of medicinal plants, the status of traditional knowledge with the advancement of technology and modern healthcare facilities to...
Medicinal plants used in child care in southern Brazil
August 2014
In many cultures throughout the world, mostly in developing countries, medicinal plants play an important role in the maintenance of people’s health. Despite this, some plants can be inherently toxic. People are not generally well-informed about this risk, and the concept that natural means safe prevails. Considering the associated risk of the misuse of medicinal plants, children represent an even more vulnerable...
Comparative antimicrobial activity of Acacia nilotica L. leaves extracts against pathogenic bacteria and fungi
August 2014
The comparative in vitro antimicrobial activity of ethanol and chloroform leaves extracts from Acacia nilotica L. was studied. Leaves extracts exhibited considerable bacteriostatic activity against two Gram-positive and three Gram-negative strains. The antimicrobial action was compared with the effect of doxycycline antibiotic. The maximum zone of inhibition of 29 mm diameter was observed in Escherichia coli with...
Biosynthesis, regulation and properties of plant monoterpenoids
August 2014
Monoterpenes are a big family of natural products which are well-known as the constituents of the essential oils and defensive oleoresins of the aromatic plants. In addition to ecological roles in pollinator attraction, allelopathy and the plant defense, monoterpenes are used extensively in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Monoterpenes are widely spread in plants, from algae and fungi to monocots and...
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