April 2011
Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus), a medicinal salt-resistant plant has high adaptability and multiple-use values
Jerusalem aritichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) is an Angiosperm plant species of the Compositae family, and a C-3 warm-season species of sunflower. This herbaceous plantshows significant ecological and commercial importance for its strong stress tolerance, very high yield potential and more application areas such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals and industrial applications. The morphologic, bio-ecological characteristics, the...
April 2011
Effect of aqueous ethanolic extract of Hymenocardia acida stem bark on oestrous cycle of albino rats
It is well known that some plant preparations play important role in fertility regulation. Oestrous cycles of albino rats showing regular cycles were monitored daily by vaginal lavage. The length of oestrus cycles and duration of each phase of the cycle were recorded. We observed that the aqueous ethanolic extract of Hymenocardia acida stem bark caused an irregular oestrous cycle characterised by prolonged...
April 2011
Gender dimension of herbal medicine’s knowledge and practice in Ekiti and Ondo States, Nigeria
In Nigeria several occupations and practices are gender biased right from their names and references. The womenfolk are not heard of but it was discovered that in almost all local markets in Nigeria, women engage in the sales of herbal products for the treatment of numerous ailments however, there are no available data of their contributions to herbal medicine. It is on this note that this study was carried out to...
April 2011
Flavone C-glycosides from Montanoa bipinnatifida stems and evaluation of hepatoprotective activity of extract
The methanolic extract of the stems of Montanoa bipinnatifida was investigated for its phenolic compounds and hepactoprotective activity. A new flavon C-glycosides named as luteolin 6-C- apioside 8-C- glucoside (1) as well as apigenin 6-C-glucoside(2), apigenin 8-C-glucoside(3), apigenin 6,8- di-C-glucoside(4), luteolin 8-C-glucoside(5) luteolin 6,8- di-C-glucoside(6), luteolin 6-C- glucoside(7), apigenin(8)...
April 2011
Medicinal plants used in Northern Peru for the treatment of bacterial and fungal infections and inflammation symptoms
A total of 96 plant species belonging to 84 genera and 46 families were documented and identified as anti-infective herbal remedies in Northern Peru. Most species used were Asteraceae (18 species, 18.95%), followed by Fabaceae and Euphorbiaceae (7.37% and 5.26%). The most important anti-infectious families are somewhat over-represented in comparison to the overall medicinal flora, while some other medicinally important...
April 2011
Inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing effects of Lophophora williamsii extracts on HeLa cells
The in vitro inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing effects of three different Lophophora williamsiiextracts were observed in HeLa cells. Methanol, hydrochloric acid, and sodium hydroxide were used to extract active compounds from the caudices of L. williamsii. The inhibitory effects of the extracts on HeLa cells were detected by Methyl Thiazolyl Tetrazolium (MTT) assay and the apoptosis-inducing effects...
April 2011
Rapid determination of cinnamic acid and harpagoside in a traditional Chinese medicine of Scrophularia ningpoensis by microwave-assisted extraction followed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
Cinnamic acid and harpagoside are important active components present in Scrophularia ningpoensis, which has been used in the treatment of several diseases such as pharyngalgia. In the present study, a novel method based on high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) following microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) was developed for the determination of cinnamic acid and harpagoside in a traditional Chinese medicine...
April 2011
Biological activities and phytoconstituents of the lower plant Platycerium angolense, Welwex Hook
Lower plants are regarded as unstudied portion of plant kingdom that are not traditionally employed for healing, treatment and management of ailments in folklore medicine. The ethanolic extract of Platycerium angolense, Welwex Hook was phytochemically screenedand analyzed for flavonoid content with a view to investigating its biological activities. The flavonoid fractions were assayed for anti-oxidant, 1,...
April 2011
Pharmacognostic evaluations of Lagerstroemia speciosa leaves
The current study was conducted to develop the pharmacognostic standards forLagerstroemia speciosa leaves. These evaluations were performed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and the Thai Herbal Pharmacopoeia (THP) for herbal standardisation. No other reports are available on the pharmacognostic evaluation of the leaves of L. speciosa (L.) Pers. Organoleptic, and we thus reported...
April 2011
In vitro Antimicrobial activities of chloroformic, hexane and ethanolic extracts of Citrullus lanatus var. citroides (Wild melon)
To test the antimicrobial activities of crude chloroform, hexane and ethanol extracts of leaves, stem, fruits and seeds from Citrullus lanatus var. citroides (CL) against bacteria (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis andProteus vulgaris) and fungi (Aspergillus nigar and Candida albican). Antimicrobial properties of CL were...
April 2011
Mutagenic and antimutagenic activities of Mitragyna speciosa Korth extract using Ames test
Mitragyna speciosa Korth (Ketum) is a medicinal plant that has been used traditionally to enhance energy, cure illnesses, fever and diarrhea. Aqueous extract of M. speciosa was screened for the potential of mutagenic and antimutagenic activity using Ames test (Salmonella/microsome mutagenicity assay). Ames test involved the pre-incubation assay against Salmonella typhimurium TA 98...
April 2011
Relationships among six medicinal species of Curcuma assessed by RAPD markers
The random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were applied to detect the genetic relationships and diversity among 33 accessions of Curcuma species in China, which involved six medicinal species. A total of 115 products were amplified by 21 primers, among which 106 products (92.17%) were found to be polymorphic. 3 to 8 polymorphic bands were amplified by each polymorphic primer, with an average of 5.48...
April 2011
Synergism of artemisinin with abyssinone –V from Erythrina abyssinica (Lam. ex) against Plasmodium falciparum parasites: A potential anti-malarial combination therapy
A Plasmodium falciparum in vitro drug sensitive study was conducted in order to evaluate artemisinin in combination with potential anti-malarial drug from the stem bark of Erythrina abyssinica. Abyssinone-v was isolated and thus identified as a potential partner for a fixed combination therapy. Bioassay guided chromatographic separation of Ethyl acetate extract of Erythrina...
April 2011
Antioxidant and antifungal activity of some aromatic plant extracts
In this study, the antioxidant and antifungal activities of extracts of sage, rosemary, basil, laurel, pickling herb and summer savory were established. Total yields, radical scavenging activity and the antioxidant capacities of the extracts were determined. The free radical scavenging activities of extract was established as 42.3±3.1 to 78.9±7.1%, respectively. The antioxidant capacities of...
April 2011
Medicinal uses of Berberis holstii Engl. (Berberidaceae) in Malawi, the only African endemic barberry
Berberis species are medicinally important due to the presence of alkaloids with different pharmacological activities. There are about 500 species of Berberis worldwide and only two are present in Africa namely: Berberis vulgaris (also present in Europe) and Berberis holstii(the only African endemic). The present study investigated utilization practices of B. holstii,a plant...
April 2011
Genetic diversity of wild Auricularia polytricha in Yunnan Province of South-western China revealed by sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) analysis
As an economically and medically important fungus, Auricaularia polytricha has been collected and cultivated widely in China, however, its diversity has not yet investigated previously. The genetic diversity of 20 wild A. polytricha strains from Yunnan Province and four cultivated strains from Henan and Sichuan Province were profiled by using 10 pairs of sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP)...
April 2011
Cytotoxicity activity of extracts and compounds from Commiphora myrrha resin against human gynecologic cancer cells
The purpose of this report is to explore the cytotoxicity effects of extracts and compounds from Commiphora myrrha resin on human gynecologic cancer cells. The results showed that AE (85% EtOH extract), and petroleum ether extract (PE) from C. myrrha significantly inhibited cell proliferation of A2780, SK-OV-3, and Shikawa with dose-dependent relation in vitro. The inhibitory effects of AE...
April 2011
Study of antihyperlipidemic effect on rabbits of 8-alkylberberine derivatives
To study the antihyperlipidemic effect of 8-alkyl-berberine derivatives (8-BBR-Cn). The experimental hyperlipidemia rabbits were prepared by feeding with high cholesterol and high fat (HCHF) diet. Then the effects of 8-alkyl-BBR on the serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol...
April 2011
In vitro cytotoxic potential of Swietenia macrophylla King seeds against human carcinoma cell lines
Fruits of Swietenia macrophylla King (sky fruit) have been widely used in traditional medicine to treat various diseases including hypertension and diarrhea. The cytotoxic activity of the crude ethanol extract of the seeds of S. macrophylla and its fractions was assessed against selected human cancer cell lines, namely, HCT 116 (colon carcinoma), KB (nasopharyngeal epidermoid carcinoma), Ca Ski...
April 2011
Chemotaxis movement assay of Eurycoma longifolia using wild and disarmed strains of Agrobacterium rhizogenes
Bacterial chemotaxis is considered the first step in the interaction between motile bacteria and plant cells. Chemotaxis initiates the process of bacterial infection towards the plant cells and thus conferring beneficial attributes to the host. In this study, 5 wild strains and 2 disarmed strains of Agrobacterium rhizogenes were tested for chemotaxis assay using the swarm agar plate method. As expected, strong...
April 2011
Cadmium-induced changes in growth and antioxidative mechanisms of a medicine plant (Lonicera japonica Thunb.)
The responses of a medicine plant (Lonicera japonica Thunb.) to different cadmium (Cd) levels in the nutrient medium were studied. The results showed that the high Cd concentrations accumulated in roots and shoots of L. japonica, which increased ediblesecurity risk of the plant. The chlorophyll content showed slightly increase in plants exposed to 5 mg L-1 Cd, but...
April 2011
The inhibitory effect of Opuntia humifusa Raf. ethyl acetate extract on platelet aggregation
This study was designed to investigate the activity of ethyl acetate extract from Opuntia humifusa Raf. (OH-EAE) in ligand-activated platelet aggregation. Platelet aggregation was induced either by ADP, a potent agonist to platelet G protein-coupled P2Y receptor, by collagen, a potent ligand that activates platelet integrin α2β1 and glycoprotein VI, or thrombin, a platelet protease-activated...
April 2011
Aqueous extract of Panax notoginseng affecting blood TC, TG and ET-1 levels in postoperative rabbits
This study was designed to test the postoperative protective effects of Panax notoginsengextract in rabbits. Carotic artery injury was induced by surgery in rabbits and then fed withP. notoginseng extract for 8 weeks. The serum TC, TG and ET-1 levels were examined. Results showed that administration of aqueous extracts of P. notoginseng significantly lowered the serum levels of TC, TG and ET-1. These...
April 2011
Inhibition of HSP90 by triptolide (TPL) augments Bortezomib-induced U266 cells apoptosis
HSP90 has high expression in myeloma cells and very important for prognosis, and that triptolide (TPL), the main active component of the traditional Chinese herbal medicineTripterygium wilfordii Hook F (Celastraceae) has the inhibition effects in the growth of myeloma cells. In this study, we test the ability of TPL to induce apoptosis in U266 human myeloma cells by reducing HSP90 expression, as well as the effect...
April 2011
In vitro and in vivo inhibitory action of a novel antibiotic on mouse hepatoma H22
IC50 for a novel antibiotic against mouse hepatoma H22 was determined to be 0.019 μg/mL by MTT assays. In KM mice bearing this kind of tumor that was treated by s.c. injection of antibiotic BS, marked cures were obtained. In terms of tumor weight, the treated/control=0.35. The conclusion is that BS merit further investigation as a potential anti-cancer candidate drug. Key words: Bacillus...
April 2011
Antioxidative and hypolipidemic effects of lactic acid bacteria from pickled Chinese cabbage
Pickled cabbage is a popular Chinese traditional food. The present study was explored to characterize effects of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from the pickled cabbages on activities of antioxidant enzymes and hypolipidemia in normal and hyperlipidemic mice. 28 LAB strains were isolated from pickled cabbage, and two strains with high acid tolerance and bile salt resistance were screened. The strains were...
April 2011
An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used in the Kalamaloué National Park, Cameroon
An ethnobotanical survey was conducted from 1st April to 30th September 2005 among populations living inside and around the National Park of Kalamaloué in the far north of Cameroon. The survey aimed at identifying the plants used in the general pharmacopoeia among local ethnic groups using interviews with households who have a rich knowledge on the plants. A total of 36 medicinal plants were recorded from 37...
April 2011
Isolation and structural elucidation of chemical constituents of Mussaenda hainanensis Merr.
To study the chemical constituents of Mussaenda hainanensis Merr. and also researched the EtOAc, n-BuOH and H2O extract of 70% EtOH extract on DPPH radicals scavenging effect. The compounds were isolated by Diaion HP-20, Sephadex LH-20, Toyopearl HW-40 and Si gel column chromatography methods. Their structures were identified by physicochemical properties and spectroscopic analysis. Twelve compounds were...
April 2011
Chemical composition and in vitro antioxidant properties of essential oil of Ricinus communis L.
The essential oil from the aerial parts of Ricinus communis, an aromatic member of the Euphorbiaceae family, from Tunisia, obtained by hydrodistillation, was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Seven constituents were found representing 100% of the oil. The main constituents of the essential oil were α-thujone (31.71%), 1,8-cineole (30.98%), followed by...
April 2011
Medico-botanical and chemical standardization of pharmaceutically important plant of Tricholepis chaetolepis (Boiss) Rech. f.
Medico-botanical and chemical standardization of Barham Dandi (Tricholepis chaetolepis(Boiss) Rech. f.), a pharmaceutical herbal drug and its adulterants has been carried out. The study includes parameters such as macro-micromorphology of species, pollen (SEM), organoleptography, fluorescence analysis (UV and IR) and certain physico-chemical aspects that is flavonoids finger printing by 2 D thin layer chromatography....
April 2011
Preventive effect of Nigella sativa on metabolic syndrome in menopause induced rats
In women facing menopause, end of menstrual activity is accompanied by lower levels of estrogen and gradual weight gain. Postmenopausal weight gain sounds an alarm for women’s health and may lead to hyperlipidemia, a lipid increase and glucose intolerance. These phenomena are connected to lifestyle-related diseases such as hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, arteriosclerosis and metabolic syndrome, making it...
April 2011
The physicochemical properties and oil (Silybum marianum Gaertn. cv. Budakalászi) constituents of milk thistle under drought stress
Milk thistle, Silybum marianum, is an annual or biennial plant. It has been reported that the extracted oil from milk thistle seed contains essential edible fatty acids. The aim of the present study was to determine the irrigation interval effects on different fatty acids content of milk thistle. Irrigation intervals consisted of D1= 5, D2= 10, D3= 15 days and D4= without irrigation. To show the water status...
April 2011
Phytodiversity and endemic richness in high altitude Rama Valley, Western Himalayas, Northern Pakistan
Vegetation diversity, distribution and species endemism were studied in high altitude (>3300 m) Himalayan plateau in Northern Pakistan. A heterogeneous vegetation structure and distribution was observed due to complex environmental variables. A total of 83 species belonging to 31 families were recorded from the area. The recorded range of species diversity (1.02 to 2.17) and species richness (1.19 to 1.97) was very...
April 2011
Monograph of Apium graveolens Linn.
Apium graveolens has been used in Unani system of medicine as anti-inflammatory, uricosuric, diuretic and to treat rheumatism besides other ailments. The description, active constituents, medical uses A. graveolens are described herewith. Key words: Apium graveolens, active constituents, medicinal activity.
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