May 2011
Aegle marmelos (Linn.) Correa: A potential source of Phytomedicine
Aegle marmelos (linn) Correa commonly known as Bael (or Bel) belonging to the family rutaceae, is a moderate – sized, slender and aromatic tree. A number of chemical constituents and various therapeutic effects of A. marmelos have been reported by different workers. Extensive investigations have been carried out on different parts of A. marmelosand as a consequence, varied classes of compounds...
May 2011
The pharmacological activities of prunes: The dried plums
Prunes are dried plums and consumed as food or medicine. Prunus domestica, Prunus salicina and Prunus americana are the important sources of prunes. Prunes are highly reputed in folk medical practices for nutritive, laxative and digestive properties and used for treatment of hypertension, diabetes, jaundice and fever. The recent studies showed that it has antioxidant, anticancer,...
May 2011
Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of essential oil and methanol extract of Matricaria chamomilla L. from Djibouti
The essential oil and methanol of Matricaria Chamomilla L. were subjected to screening for their possible antioxidant activity by two complementary test systems, namely 2,2-Diphenykpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging and β-carotene-linoleic acid assays. BHT was used as positive control in both test systems. In the DPPH test system, the IC50 value of essential oil and methanol extract were...
May 2011
Reduces cholesterol induced atherosclerotic lesions in aorta artery in hypercholesterolemic rabbits
Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of death in developed countries with many proved risk factors. Vinegar has been proved to have some medical uses and some potential protective effects on atherosclerosis. In this study, effects of vinegar on various risk factors of atherosclerosis and development of atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic rabbit have investigated. Rabbits were assigned to four groups and each group...
May 2011
Assay of flavonoid aglycones with HPLC in four species of genus Hypericum
Hypericum plants are widely used in phytotherapy in many countries. A number of plants of this genus have exhibited various pharmacological activities attributed to their flavonoid content. The present paper describes a reverse-phase HPLC method developed for the assay of 7 flavonoid aglycones (quercetin, myricetin, isorhamnetin, rhamnetin, kaempferol, luteolin and apigenin) in polar extracts of...
May 2011
Phytochemical and antisickling activities of Entandrophragma utile, Chenopodium ambrosioides and Petiveria alliacea
The root, leaf and bark of Petiveria alliacea, Chenopodium ambrosioides and Entandrophragma utile respectively are used by traditional healers for the management of sickle cell disease (SCD) in some parts of South West Nigeria. In-vitro antisickling activities of these plants’ parts were evaluated using p-hydroxybenzoic acid and normal saline as positive and negative controls respectively. Methodology...
May 2011
Effect of ginseng polysaccharide on TNF-α and IFN-γ produced by enteric mucosal lymphocytes in collagen induced arthritic rats
To investigate the effects of ginseng polysaccharide on T-lymphocytes of enteric mucosal lymphocytes in rats with collagen induced arthritis (CIA). The peyer’s patche lymphocyte (PPL), intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) and lamina propria lymphocyte (LPL) of SD rats were isolated. The PPL, IEL and LPL were checked with flow cytometry and these lymphocytes were co-cultured with ginseng polysaccharide...
May 2011
Assessment of genetic diversity among fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.), using RAPD molecular markers
Plant Trigonella foenum-graecum or fenugreek belongs to family Papilionaceae. Two taxonomically Trigonella species and 61 accession were analyzed with 18 random primers to evaluate genetic diversity and species relation. TFG and TC have been used for study, among these cultivars there is almost no or very little intraspecific difference in morphological manifestations however TFG and TC elite cultivars. Total...
May 2011
Ethnic differences in use value and use patterns of the threatened multipurpose scrambling shrub (Caesalpinia bonduc L.) in Benin
African communities traditionally use medicinal plants for their primary healthcare. To ensure the sustainable use of these species one of the crucial issues is to document African communities’ indigenous medicinal knowledge. To achieve this goal, the present study evaluated the use frequency and the knowledge of local Beninese communities on the endangered scrambling shrub (Caesalpinia...
May 2011
The role of hepatoprotective effect of a flavonoid-rich extract of Salvia plebeia R.Br. on carbon tetrachloride-induced acute hepatic injury in mice
Salvia plebeia R.Br. is a widely distributed grass, which has been used as a folk medicine for the treatment of hepatitis. In this study, a simple method for preparative separation of the flavonoid-rich extract of S. plebeia was established with macroporous resins, the method can be referenced for large-scale enrichment of flavonoid-rich extract from herbal raw materials. The major constituents of FESP,...
May 2011
Flavonoids production in Hydrocotyle bonariensis callus tissues
Callus tissue of Hydrocotyle bonariensis was initiated from the leaf of H. bonariensistreated with 2 mg/L 2,4-D and 1 mg/L kinetin. The culture was kept at 25°C, under light (cool white fluorescent tubes, 1200 lux). The data obtained showed that the best medium for the highest flavonoids production was in DKW basal medium. Fructose as a carbon source increased the flavonoids content by 3%. Callus...
May 2011
Biochemical and molecular analysis of soybean seed from Turkey
We aimed molecular analysis of soybean by lecithin specific primer pairs LE5/LE6. Genomic DNA was extracted from soybean by CTAB method and EZ1 nucleic acid isolation system. A sensitive qualitative detection method for soybean, using the polymerase chain reaction was developed with E5/LE6 primers, produced a 195 bp product. However, the antioxidant activity of methanolic extract of soybean from Turkey by using DPPH and...
May 2011
Evaluation of antioxidant potential of Ficus religiosa (Linn.) roots against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury
Antioxidant activity of the aqueous (FRWE) and alcoholic extract (FRAE) of Ficus religiosaroots was evaluated in rats by inducing liver injury with carbon tetrachloride:olive oil (1:1). The extract possessed remarkable antioxidant activity showing increased levels of glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GRD), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and...
May 2011
Antioxidant effect of purslane (Portulaca oleracea) and its mechanism of action
Aqueous juice from purslane (Portulaca oleracea) was screened for its antioxidant activity in adult male Waster albino rats. The antioxidant activity was determined by measuring reduced glutathione, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, glutathione-S-transferase and glutathione peroxidase, as well as the inhibition in lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide in liver, kidney and testis of rats. Liver and kidney...
May 2011
Anti-dermatophytic activity of eucalyptol rich turmeric somaclone oil against human pathogenic isolates
Eucalyptol, a compound well known to possess antimicrobial property, reported to be found as a major constituent of essential oil of plants like Eucalyptus sps, Lippia multiflora and Myrtus communis L. but never before in turmeric. De novo occurrence of eucalyptol as major constituent (37.26%) of essential oil in turmeric somaclones in lieu of alpha-phellandrin in its source plant (57.8%),...
May 2011
Estimation of phytoconstituents from Cryptostegia grandiflora (Roxb.) R. Br. in vivo and in vitro. II. Antimicrobial screening
The hexane and ethyl acetate extracts of Cryptostegia grandiflora yielded a mixture of phytosterols and triterpenoids namely lanosterol, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol, friedelin, lupeol, ursolic acid and β-amyrin. The quantification of these phytosterols and triterpenoids was carried out and found that β-sitosterol (0.43±0.000241) was major phytosterol in 6 weeks old callus. In...
May 2011
Curtisia dentata: Ethnopharmacological application
Ethnopharmacology is now being integrated into the mainstream medicine all over the world including South Africa due to the increasing popularity of medicinal plants in the treatment of various infections. Several plants have been used in various communities for the treatment of various diseases. Curtisia dentata a medicinal plant is among the most commonly used medicinal plants in South Africa; the plant is...
May 2011
Effect of canopy height and surface leaf on arthropods in medicinal plants
The objective of this work was to study the distribution of arthropods in the canopy height and leaf surface of different medicinal plants. We observed a higher number of herbivorous insects in the apical leaves of medicinal plants such as Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Taraxacum officinale, Foeniculum vulgare, Artemisia absinthium, and Mentha...
May 2011
Effect of administration of aqueous extract of Bambusa vulgaris leaves on some biochemical variables of rat liver and serum
The effect of aqueous extract of Bambusa vulgaris leaves on some biochemical variables of rat liver and serum was studied. Twenty-four female albino rats (Rattus novergicus) were used and they were divided into four groups of 6 rats each. Group A (control) was administered 1 ml of distilled water. The experimental groups namely B, C and D were administered 80, 100 and 120 mg/kg body weight of the extract...
May 2011
Foliar epidermal anatomy of some ethnobotanically important species of genus Ficus Linn.
The main objective of this paper is the detailed morphological study of leaf epidermis of Genus Ficus (Moraceae). The study based on the micro characters of leaf epidermis of some species of Ficus collected from Pakistan. The study revealed the many interesting epidermal features of leaves that have not previously been reported before and has been conducted first time. No published details are...
May 2011
An ethnobotanical and phytochemical study of the African medicinal plant Guiera senegalensis J. F. Gmel
The Sudano-Sahelian species Guiera senegalensis J. F. Gmel. is a small shrub found mainly in West Africa. It is well known in the Sahel, where it grows gregariously, forming abundant single-species colonies on fallow clay or sandy soils. Its widespread use in traditional medicine prompted us to conduct an ethnobotanical survey and phytochemical screening of this plant. The chemical analysis tests we carried...
May 2011
Persimmon leaf (Diospyros kaki), a potent α-glucosidase inhibitor and antioxidant: Alleviation of postprandial hyperglycemia in normal and diabetic rats
This research aims to investigate the α-glucosidase (baker’s yeast and rat intestinal acetone powder) inhibitory potential of Diospyros kaki Thunb. (Ebenaceae) leaf extract (DKLE) along with its antioxidant activity against metal-catalysed protein oxidation by pro-oxidant model (Fe2+/ascorbate) in rat liver homogenates, in vitro. DKLE evidenced the outstanding...
May 2011
Effects of Plantago major L. seeds extract on endurance exercise capacity in mice
The present study was designed to investigate the effects of Plantago major L. seeds extract (PE) on endurance exercise capacity in mice. Forty eight male mice were randomly divided into four groups, such as control, low-dose PE treated, middle-dose PE treated and high-dose PE treated. The mice in the treated group were received PE (30, 60 and 120 mg/kg, i.g), and the mice in the control group received...
May 2011
A liquid chromatographic–tandem mass spectrometric method for the quantitation of eight components involved in lithospermic acid B biosynthesis pathway in Salvia miltiorrhiza hairy root cultures
Elucidation of regulatory mechanisms of plant secondary metabolism requires quantitation of metabolic fluxes. A method of high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has been developed for the trace analysis of eight components (rosmarinic acid, lithospermic acid B, L-phenylalanine, t-cinnamic acid,4-coumaric acid, L-tyrosine, 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid and homogentisic acid)...
May 2011
The effect of bio-extract from cabbage waste on growth, yield and quality of volatile oil extracted from Mentha spicata and Mentha arvensis var. piperascens
The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of bio-extract produced from cabbage waste on the leaf biomass, yield and chemical compositions of volatile oils from spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) and Japanese mint (Mentha arvensis L. var. piperascens Malinv.). The spearmint and Japanese mint were grown in an open field and supplemented with three different fertilizers: bio-extract...
May 2011
Development of species and region specific random amplification of polymorphic DNA- sequence characterized amplified region (RAPD-SCAR) markers for identification of the genuineness of Spica prunellae (Lamiaceae)
The present study was carried out to develop appropriate molecular markers to distinguish genuine herbal medicine Prunella asiatica growing in Jiangsu province at both species and population level. Two putative markers, which are specific for P. asiatica species and its habitat respectively, were identified by random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Respectively, two sequence...
May 2011
Isolation, identification and determination of methyl caffeate, ethyl caffeate and other phenolic compounds from Polygonum amplexicaule var. sinense
Polygonum amplexicaule D. Don (Polygonaceae) (Chinese name: Xuesanqi) is a widely distributed medicinal plant in China. It has been used in folk medicine to treat many common and frequently-occurring diseases, such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, fractures, pain, etc. Thus, this plant has been of interest to researchers. However, the chemical constituents of Xuesanqi have not...
May 2011
Effect of plant growth regulator combinations on the biosynthesis of terpenoid indole alkaloids in Catharanthus roseus
The effects of plant growth regulator combinations on the contents of vindoline, catharanthine and vinblastine were investigated by short-term spray on an ornamental and medicinal plant Catharanthus roseus (L.) during the blooming period for commercial use. The combination groups such as ethylene (0.1 mM) + chlormequat chloride (0.1 mM), salicylic acid (0.1 mM) + chlormequat chloride (0.1 mM) and salicylic...
May 2011
Zerumbone significantly improved immunoreactivity in the synovium compared to Channa striatus extract in monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced knee osteoarthritis in rat
The main aim of this study was to compare the immunoreactivity of some osteoarthritis related neuropeptides following oral administration of two natural remedies that is Channa striatus extract and zerumbone against monosodium iodoacetate induced knee osteoarthritis changes in the rat’s synovial membrane. Assay of PGE2 and PGF2α in the serum were performed to evaluate their role during...
May 2011
Influence of aqueous extract of Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna) on growth and antioxidant defense system of human hepatoma cell line (HepG2)
Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna) is a common medicinal plant used in the ayurvedic system of medicine to treat various ailments and is one of the active ingredients in many polyherbal hepatoprotective formulations currently used in India. Despite its extensive usage, data on its ability to modulate basal oxidative markers in cell models are limited. Hence in the present study we have addressed whether aqueous extract of...
May 2011
Discovery and partial purification of an antibiotic from lodgepole pine dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium americanum) active against gram-positive organisms including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
The dioecious parasitic flowering plant, Arceuthobium americanum (lodgepole pine dwarf mistletoe), was investigated for antimicrobial activity. In a step beyond typical “plant bioprospecting” studies, seasonal variation and plant gender were considered. Methanolic extracts from male and female A. americanum shoots collected at two times in the growing season, May and August...
May 2011
Analysis of the distribution of β-asarone in rat hippocampus, brainstem, cortex and cerebellum with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
The β-asarone was a major component of Acorus tatarinowii Schott which had significant pharmacological effects on the central nervous system (CNS). We have reported that β-asarone can pass through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and then go into the brain tissues in the 2002. However, the β-asarone in the brain blood was not excluded, which might lead to a false positive result. In this study, we...
May 2011
Oleanolic and ursolic acid in the fruit of Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.
High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was applied to determine the content of oleanolic acid (OA) and ursolic acid (UA) in different tissues of ‘Ruantiaobaisha’ and ‘Dayeyangdun’ loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) fruits in this research. The results demonstrated that peel contained higher OA and UA contents, while flesh and kernel contained very lower amounts of OA and UA....
May 2011
Preparative enrichment and separation of isoliquiritigenin from licorice extracts with macroporous resins
In the present study, a green and efficient method for the enrichment and separation ofisoliquiritigenin (ISL) from licorice, a well known medicinal and food herb, was critically investigated. Firstly, the performances of adsorption properties for eight ADS macroporous resins were carried out, in order to choose the best resin. And ADS-F8 resin offered the best separation power for ISL, its...
May 2011
Influence of fertilization and drought stress on the growth and production of secondary metabolites in Prunella vulgaris L.
The combined effects of fertilization and drought stress on the growth of Prunella vulgarisand the production of rosmarinic acid (RA), ursolic acid (UA) and oleanolic acid (OA) were investigated. The factors studied included two water conditions and three fertilizer regimes. The results showed that moderate drought stress dramatically decreases spica biomass production but increases the content of RA, UA and OA in...
May 2011
Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis and phytochemical screening of ethanolic root extract of Plumbago zeylanica, Linn.
Plumbago zeylanica is a medicinal plant widely used in forklore medicine in Africa and Asia for the management of ailments such as parasitic diseases, scabies, ulcers, piles, diarrhoea, skin diseases, leprosy, fever or malaria, rheumatism and intestinal parasites. The present study was carried out to identify the phytochemical components present in the ethanolic root extract of the plant by phytochemical screening...
May 2011
Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants and their utilization in Shaanxi Province, China
The investigation focuses on medicinal plants knowledge among ethnic populations in Shaanxi Province, China. Shaanxi Province is well known for its rich plant diversity and ethnic groups, but no ethnobotanical study has been conducted up to now. Field work was conducted from 2008 to 2009, using the methods of informant depiction, semi-structured interviews and informal discussions to obtain traditional medicinal...
May 2011
Effects of Momordica charantia aqueous extract on renal histopathological changes associated with streptozotocin- induced diabetes mellitus type II in neonatal rats
This study investigated the effects of Momordica charantia (MC) extract on the renal functional and morphological changes in neonatal diabetic rats, a model of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus was induced in 21 one day old Sprague-Dawley neonatal rats using a single intrapretoneal injection of STZ (85 mg/kg) and monitored for 12 weeks thereafter. The diabetic rats were...
May 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 silica gel column chromatography methods. Their structures were identified by physicochemical properties and spectroscopic analysis. Twelve compounds...
May 2011
Chemotaxonomy of six Salvia species using essential oil composition markers
Chemotaxonomy of six Salvia L. species in Iran has been controversial. The group includes the taxa Salvia atropatana Bunge., Salvia oligophylla Auch. ex Benth., Salvia aethiopis L., Salvia sclarea L., Salvia reuterana Boiss., Salvia macrosiphon Boiss., of which Salviareuterana and Salvia oligophylla are endemic to Iran....
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