February 2011
Potential health benefits of sulforaphane: A review of the experimental, clinical and epidemiological evidences and underlying mechanisms
Extensive epidemiological evidence and animal experimental studies suggest that cruciferous vegetables may prevent or delay various inflammatory disorders, including cancers. Much of this chemopreventive effect has been attributed to the physiological effect of the isothiocyanates, especially sulforaphane (SF). Sulforaphane has been proven as a potent protector against oxidative damage and carcinogens. A plethora of...
February 2011
Research progress on the health function of tea oil
Tea oil comes from unique woody oil trees in South China and is one of the four woody edible oils in the world. Tea oil is the edible oil obtained by squeezing mature seeds of oil tea. The unsaturated fatty acid content in tea oil can reach as much as 90%, which is the highest amount so far for unsaturated fatty acid in edible oil. The content of catechin in oil tea is about 80%, which have good whitening and...
February 2011
Effect of Peristrophe bicalyculata on lipid profile of P- 407-induced hyperlipidemic Wistar rats
The effect of the ethanolic extract of the leaves of Peristrophe bicalyculata on the lipid profile of hyperlipidemic rats was determined. Male Wistar rats were divided into two major groups; Group A, to determine the phytopreventive effect of the plant extract and group B, to determine its curative effect. Group A animals were administered the extract ad libitumfor 26 days prior to induction of...
February 2011
Extraction of bioactive chemical compounds from the medicinal Asian plants by microwave irradiation
The microwave- assisted extraction (MAE) system is an efficient technique under the optimal condition in the extraction of bioactive chemical compounds E- and Z- guggolsterone, cinnamaldehyde and tannin from the plants has been investigated. The results show that, this method provides a fast and easy procedure for the extraction compared to the conventional extraction techniques. Key words: Microwave-...
February 2011
Shatavarin production from in vitro cultures of Asparagus racemosus Wild
Asparagus racemosus is one of the important medicinal plants found in India, China and other parts of the world. This plant is known to produce steroidal saponins called Shatavarins. Callus cultures of A. racemosus were initiated in a modified MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/L NAA and 2, 4-D and 0.5 mg/L BAP and compared for growth and production of saponin over a period of 60 days. Saponin production...
February 2011
Anti-ulcer activity of the 9alpha-bromo analogue of Beclomethasone dipropionate against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats
The present study was performed to evaluate the anti-ulcer activity of the 9alpha-bromo analogue of Beclomethasone dipropionate against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer. Experimental groups were orally pre-treated with different doses of the 9alpha-bromo analogue of B. dipropionate in 10% Tween 20 solution. Ulcer control groups were pre-treated with vehicle solution and reference group was orally...
February 2011
Evaluation of molluscicidal activities of benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloids from Macleaya cordata (Willd) R. Br. on snail hosts of Schistosoma japonicum
Three botanical products, including bisulfates of sanguinarine (BSA), bisulfates of chelerythrine (BCHE) and bisulfates of total alkaloids (BTA), were obtained from the fruits of Macleaya cordata (Willd) R. Br. They were evaluated for the molluscicidal activities against snail of Oncomlania hupensis, intermediate host of schistosomiasis. It was shown that the...
February 2011
Anti-Staphylococcus aureus activity of Pisolithus albus from Pune, India
In vitro studies were conducted to investigate the anti-staphylococcal activity of crude extracts of two strains of Pisolithus albus collected from different hosts in the vicinity of Pune University Campus, Pune, India. Organic solvents of increasing polarities were used for extraction of secondary metabolites. In addition, bioactive components of known antimicrobial activity were isolated and tested...
February 2011
Antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of chloroform and ethanol extracts of Gmelina asiatica aerial parts
In present study, the hepatoprotective activity of chloroform and ethanol extracts ofGmelina asiatica Linn. (Verbenaceae) aerial parts were evaluated against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatic damage in rats. The extracts at dose of 400 mg/kg were administered orally once daily. The substantially elevated serum enzyme levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), serum...
February 2011
Efficiency of some disinfectants and extracts of medicinal plants on bacterial pathogens isolated from post-operative wounds
The most likely organisms to infect clean operation wounds in hospital are Staphylococcusaureus, Pseudomonas. aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli, as with accidental wounds local treatment often sufficient. Evaluating the effects of plant extracts of Myrtus communis, Eucalyptus, and Nerium oleander on the types of bacteria, in comparison with the standard antibiotics. A total of 40 specimens were...
February 2011
Growth and production potential of three exotic herbs in highlands of Balochistan, Pakistan
Three exotic herb species (Hyssopus officinalis L., Salvia officinalis L. and Thymus vulgaris L.) of Lamiaceae family were evaluated for growth and production at two sites during 2005-2006 in highlands of Balochistan. Two months old seedlings were transplanted in the fields at Quetta and Kalat in Balochistan. Fresh and dry production was recorded after the one growing season. Survival...
February 2011
Determination of Arctiin in rat plasma by HPLC method and its application to pharmacokinetic studies
The present study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics of arctiin in male and female rats after oral administration of Fructus arctii. Arctiin (30-70 mg/kg) was orally administered to rats. Blood samples were collected by orbital vein at time intervals after drug administration and the plasma concentrations of the studied components were determined by HPLC after the plasma protein was precipitated directly with...
February 2011
The trade of medicinal plants by muthi shops and street vendors in the Limpopo Province, South Africa
The role played by muthi shops and street vendors in the trade of medicinal plants of the Limpopo Province was investigated, in order to develop strategies that will prevent further loss of wild populations. Approximately 231 medicinal plants were traded at the investigated muthi shops and street vendors, with roots being the most preferred item. Open access communal lands are the main supply source for muthi markets....
February 2011
Bio-activities of extracts from some axenically farmed and naturally grown bryophytes
The antifungal activity of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) extracts of three bryophyte species, two mosses (Atrichum undulatum (Hedw.) P. Beauv., Physcomitrella patens (Hedw.) Bruch and Schimp) and a liverwort (Marchantia polymorpha L. ssp. ruderalis Bischl. and Boisselier), grown in nature and in axenic culture was evaluated by microdilution method against five fungal species (Aspergillus...
February 2011
Antioxidative properties of hydrated ethanol extracts from tartary buckwheat grains as affected by the changes of rutin and quercetin during preparations
Rutin and its hydrolyzing enzymes naturally occur in tartary buckwheat grains. However, it is not known whether these enzymes affect the preparations of tartary buckwheat flavonoids. In this study, water followed by ethanol (3:7), or premixed 70% ethanol, was used to extract flavonoids from flours or hulls of tartary buckwheat grains. The flavonoid compositions of hydrated ethanol extracts were analyzed by HPLC, and...
February 2011
Protective effect of Citrus sinensis and Citrus aurantifolia against osteoporosis and their phytochemical constituents
The efficacy of Citrus aurantifolia L. cv. Swingle and Citrus sinensis L. cv. Liucheng against osteoporosis was evaluated in an ovariectomized rat model. Administration ofCitrus extracts increased trabecular bone mineral content and bone mineral density of tibia, improved the levels of phosphorus and calcium. The results demonstrated that Citrusextracts reduced bone loss in...
February 2011
Antioxidant potential, cytotoxic activity and phenolic content of Clematis flammula leaf extracts
Five fractions of Clematis flammula, a plant widely used in the Mediterranean traditional medicine, were isolated from the leaves using a selective extraction procedure and their total antioxidant capacity was measured by both the ABTS and ORAC tests. Furthermore, their capacities to inhibit microsomal lipid peroxidation and to scavenge the hydroxyl radical were assessed. The cytotoxic potential of the crude...
February 2011
Vegetation types of Sheosar lake and surrounding landscape in Deosai plains of North Pakistan, Western Himalayas
Sheosar Lake is located in Deosai plains of great Himalayas, Northern Pakistan at an altitude of 4142 m. Due to its exiting and isolated geographic location and diverse climatic conditions, area harbors very peculiar, highly endemic and unique vegetation. Phytosociological expeditions were carried out to study the vegetation dynamics of the area. A total of 114 plant species belonging to 28 families were reported from...
February 2011
Ethnobotanically important trees and their uses by Kattunaikka tribe in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, situated in the Wayanad revenue district of Kerala, India falls under Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve on the Western Ghats. Floristic and ethnobotanical studies in the sanctuary resulted in the documentation of a total of 75 taxa of trees of ethnobotanical importance, and their uses by Kattunaikka tribe residing within the sanctuary are recorded. The potentialities of the medicinal properties of...
February 2011
Isolation and characterization of (6S,9R) 6-hydroxy-4,4,7a-trimethyl-5,6,7,7a-tetrahydro-1-benzofuran-2(4H)-one from Scutellaria barbata
The ethanol extract of the aerial parts of Scutellaria barbata used variously in ethno medicinal treatments in Korea and southern China was studied. A silica gel column chromatography of the ethanol extract (using petroleum ether-acetone) eluted a white slice crystal which was identified purely by spectral analyses as (6S, 9R)6-hydroxy-4,4,7a-trimethyl-5,6,7,7a-tetrahydro-1-benzofuran-2(4H)-one. The...
February 2011
Control of Penicillium expansum and Botrytis cinerea on pear with Thymus kotschyanus, Ocimum basilicum and Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils
The aim of this study was to test the possibility of the use of Thymus kotschyanus,Ocimum basilicum and Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils to reduce postharvest losses induced by Botrytis cinerea and Penicillium expansum in pear fruits. In this study, the antifungal activity of essential oils under in vitro condition were assayed by poison food...
February 2011
Sinomenine enhanced aclarubicin-induced apoptosis by blocking NF-κB pathway in HL- 60 cells
Sinomenine (SN) a component from Sinomenium acutum, widely used as an anti-inflammatory agent in Chinese traditional medicine, was reported to have anti-tumor activities. This study aims to examine the anti-leukemic activity of SN with or without aclarubicin (Acla) on leukemia cells and its molecular mechanism. HL-60 cells were treated with SN (5 to 20 ng/ml) with or without Acla (0.05 to 0.25 µg/ml). To study...
February 2011
Antimicrobial evaluation of the interaction between methanol extract of the lichen, Ramalina Farinacea (Ramalinacea) and Ampicilin against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus Aureus
Ampicillin is a member of the group of antibiotics called penicillin otherwise known as B-lactam drugs; it is a selective inhibitor of bacterial cell wall synthesis and therefore is active against growing bacteria. Ampicillin is one of the most widely prescribed antibiotics. It is considered as penicillin and is a close relative of amoxicillin. Unlike penicillin, ampicillin and amoxicillin can penetrate and prevent the...
February 2011
Role of plant extracts and cow urine distillate as immunomodulators: A review
Immunomodulator is a substance which stimulates or suppresses the components of immune system including both innate and adaptive immune responses (Agarwal and Singh, 1969). The modulation of immune system by various medicinal plant products has become a subject for scientific investigations currently worldwide. Keeping this in view, the present article has been constructed to highlight the importance of herbal extracts...
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