February 2012
The effects of thyme (Thymus vulgaris) extract supplementation in drinking water on iron metabolism in broiler chickens
The effects of 0 (ZT), 0.2 (LT), 0.4 (MT) and 0.6% (HT) thyme extract in drinking water on the amounts of blood iron, hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC), hematocrit (Hct) and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) on days 21 and 42 broilers were investigated. No significant differences were observed between the treatments for the amounts of blood Hb, RBC and Hct, but blood iron concentration of birds that received the...
February 2012
Effects of borage extract in rat skin wound healing model, histopathological study
Nowadays, borage flowers and leaves are used medicinally for wound healing because of plant constituents, gamma-linolenic acid, alpha linolenic acid and delta-6-fatty acid. The aim of of the present study was to evaluate the ability of borage extract ointment wound healing process. Under surgical anaesthesia, excisional wounds were made on back of 30 rats by punching. Rats were divided into 3 groups of borage 1.5%...
February 2012
Evaluation of antioxidant activities of Withania somnifera leaves growing in natural habitats of North-west Himalaya, India
Evaluation of antioxidant properties of medicinal plants from Indian Himalayan region has been very rarely carried out. Withania somnifera L. is one of the commercially available and most preferred medicinal plants in the Himalayan region due to its aphrodisiac property and potential to cure various diseases. The review of literature has indicated that the antioxidant activities ofW. somnifera have not...
February 2012
Phytochemical screening, antioxidant and antimutagenic activities of selected Thai edible plant extracts
Antioxidant and antimutagenic activities of plant extracts possess great potential as functional foods for cancer prevention. The aims of the current study were to evaluate antioxidant and antimutagenic activities and to study the chemical constituents of five Thai edible plant extracts. Antioxidant activity was expressed as the ability of each extract to scavenge the free radicals 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)....
February 2012
Ethnobotany and antimicrobial activity of medicinal plants of Bakhtiari Zagross mountains, Iran
The major aims of this study was to determine ethnobotany and antimicrobial activity of sixteen medicinal, aromatic and nutraceutical plants from high altitude of Bakhtiari Zagross mountains, which are Iranian medicinal plants. Antimicrobial activities of extract of sixteen Iranian folklore plants including, Heracleum lasiopetalum Boiss. (Apiaceae), Satureja bachtiarica Bunge....
February 2012
Proposing a methodology in preparation of olive orchards map as an important medicinal plant in Iran by remote sensing (RS) and geographical information system (GIS)
Present study focuses on identification and mapping of olive in the part of Roodbar region, Guilan, Iran by IRS images and GIS. Two methods were evaluated to separate olive orchards spectrum reflex from the other surface covers. At the first method, upper and lower limit of digital number of olive orchards were determined by the addition and subtraction of standard deviation from the mean in each band and initial...
February 2012
Traditional medicinal plants research in Egypt: Studies of antioxidant and anticancer activities
Plants have played a significant role in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases for the last four decades. Natural products have been rediscovered as important tools for drug development despite advances in combinatorial chemistry. Egyptian flora, the most diverse in the world, has become an interesting spot to prospect for new chemical leads or hits due to its species diversity. Screening programs have been...
February 2012
Preliminary phytochemical screening and ethnomedicinal uses of Teucrium stocksianum from Malakand Division
The extracts of Teucrium stocksianum were screened for secondary metabolites by using methanol, chloroform and n-hexane solvents. The methanolic extracts gave positive results for alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, steroid, reducing sugar, terpenoid, anthraquinone, phlobatannin and glycoside. In the case of chloroform, alkaloids, tannins, reducing sugar, saponins, flavonoids, terpenoid were present and...
February 2012
Antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties of chlorogenic acid on human umbilical vein endothelial cells
Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is one of the phenols isolated from Lonicera japonica Thumb. This study was designed to investigate whether CGA prevents human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) from hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)–induced damage. The cell viability was examined by methylthiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Malondialdehyde (MDA) level was measured using the thiobarbituric acid method....
February 2012
Elastase, tyrosinase and lipoxygenase inhibition and antioxidant activity of an aqueous extract from Epilobium angustifolium L. leaves
Herbs have been utilized to treat acute and chronic disorders since thousand years. Epilobium angustifolium L. (Onagraceae) is used as herbal and digestive plant all over the world. TheEpilobium extracts are reported to have analgesic, anti-microbial, antimotility, antiproliferative, antiinflammatory, antitumor and antiandrogenic activities. In the present study, the antioxidant activity and...
February 2012
Identification of superior varieties of tea (Camellia sinensis (l.) o. kuntze) in the selected UPASI germplasm using biomarkers
Biomarkers are used as a vital tool in cultivar improvement programme for woody perennial tree crops such as (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze). Commercially important fifteen accessions were selected and investigated for total polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity (U/mg of protein), based on the PPO activity range, the accessions were further separated into three groups, namely high (P/11/10, UPASI-16,...
February 2012
Development of a sebum control cream from a local desert plant Capparis decidua
The aim of this study was to develop a stable cream from a local desert plant capable of producing Antisebum effects. Two creams (emulsions) were prepared, both of which were of w/o type. One was the formulation in which 5% extract obtained from the plant Capparis decidua was added during the preparation of the cream and the other was the base or control in which the extract was not added while other...
February 2012
An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used by indigenous people in Zangelanlo district, Northeast Iran
A survey was conducted to document the ethnobotanical potential of Zangelanlo district during 2009 to 2010. The study was mainly focused on gathering information on traditional uses of plants from local peoples. Local inhabitants are extremely knowledgeable about the utilization of indigenous flora of the study area. The main uses of the herbal drugs were as febrifuge, anthelmintic and in digestive problems, jaundice,...
February 2012
Reproductive behaviour and breeding system of wild and cultivated types of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal
The Indian germplasm of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal shows remarkable genetic variability both in the cultivated and the wild populations. The utilization of this variability through conventional breeding requires a clear understanding of its reproductive biology and breeding system. It is an amphimictic species practicing open pollination. However, a proximal placement of the stigma and the anther and a...
February 2012
Effect of sodium tanshinon IIA silate on heart function of children with myocarditis
This study intends to evaluate the effects of sodium tanshinon IIA silate on cardiac function of children with myocarditis. 69 children were randomly divided into myocarditis untreatment and sodium tanshinon IIA silate treatment groups. Another 24 healthy children served as normal control. Our experimental results demonstrated that the sodium tanshinon IIA silate treatment can significantly improve heart function in...
February 2012
Nutritional, phytochemical potential and pharmacological evaluation of Nigella Sativa (Kalonji) and Trachyspermum Ammi (Ajwain)
Nigella sativa and Trachyspermum ammi were screened for phytochemical constituents and nutritional analysis. Tests for flavonoids, tannins, steroids were positive in both spices except saponins. The nutrition analysis indicated higher energy value (459.29 and 314.55%), carbohydrates (39.04 and 47.54%), protein content (24.05 and 20.23%), fat content (21.67 and 4.83%), moisture content (5.4 and 11.6%),...
February 2012
Systematic anatomy and elemental dispersive spectrophotometer analysis of genus Pennisetum from Pakistan
Microscopic examination of five species of genus Pennisetum was carried out from Pakistan. The investigation of the species was based on the evidence from the epidermal leaf anatomy (LM and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and elemental dispersive spectrophotometer analysis. Leaf epidermal anatomy of the selected species showed variation in size and shape of stomatal cells, micro and macro hairs,...
February 2012
Nutritional assessment of a traditional local vegetable (Brassica oleracea var. acephala)
The leaf cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. acephala), is a traditional local vegetable widely grown in rural and urban areas and consumed mostly by the poor in southern and eastern Africa. It is easy to propagate and is highly productive throughout the year. Three lines of leaf cabbage were evaluated for their nutritional value against a commonly grown exotic vegetable, Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris var. cicla)....
February 2012
Effect of salicylic acid application on biochemical changes in ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe)
Salicylic acid (SA) belonging to plant phenolics group is found in some plant species and is capable of enhancing plant growth and yield. Effects of SA application (10−3 and 10−5 M) on synthesis of total soluble carbohydrate (TSC), total flavonoids (TF) and total phenolics (TP) were studied out in two ginger varieties (Halia Bentong and Halia Bara) under greenhouse conditions. In treated plants as...
February 2012
Antidiabetic effect of Gynura procumbens leaves extracts involve modulation of hepatic carbohydrate metabolism in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
Gynura procumbens is an annual evergreen shrub found in Southeast Asia, especially Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, which is of considerable medicinal value. The present study aims to investigate the antidiabetic properties of G. procumbens leaves aqueous and ethanolic extracts and its possible underlying antihyperglycemic mechanisms of action involving liver carbohydrate metabolism in...
February 2012
Hypaconitine protects H9c2 cells from oxidative stress-induced apoptosis
The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of hypaconitine on apoptosis induced by H2O2 and the underlying molecular mechanism in cardiac myocytes. First, cardiac myocytes were pretreated with different concentrations (0, 62.5, 125, and 250 ng/ml) of hypaconitine before exposure to 100 µM H2O2. Cell viability, apoptosis, and activation of caspase-3 and -9, p38 mitogen-activated...
February 2012
Antimicrobial activity and chemical composition of essential oils of chamomile from Neyshabur, Iran
Matricaria chamomilla L. or German chamomile is an annual plant of the composite family Asteraceae. In this study, M. chamomilla L. were collected from Neyshabur, Iran. Chemical constituent of essential oils of M. chamomilla L. were determined. Aerial parts (200 gr) were subjected to hydrodistillation in a Clevenger – type apparatus until there was no significant increase in the...
February 2012
Determination of saikosaponin, phenolic and podophyllotoxin contents of five endemic Bupleurum root extracts and their effects on MCF-7 cells
Bupleurum species are among the plants used in Chinese medicine for phytotherapy. Various compounds obtained from plants have been found to exhibit anticancer activity. In this study, phenolic compounds, saikosaponins and podohyllotoxin contents of total root extracts from endemic Bupleurum species (Bupleurum sulphureum, Bupleurum lycaonicum, Bupleurum turcicum, Bupleurum heldreichii, Bupleurum...
February 2012
Effects of astragaloside IV on L-type calcium channel currents in adult rat ventricular myocytes
Astragaloside IV (AGS-IV), a traditional Chinese herb, has been found to have potent cardioprotective effects. However, the relevant mechanisms still remain unclear. In the present study, using standard whole-cell patch clamp recording technique, we identified a novel functional role of AGS-IV in regulating L-type calcium channel currents (L-currents) in adult rat ventricular myocytes. Our results showed that AGS-IV...
February 2012
Internal transcribed spacer-based identification of Bupleurum species used as sources of medicinal herbs
Bupleuri Radix is a medicinal herb that is widely used in Asia, and several Bupleurum species are used as a source of active ingredients for traditional Chinese medicines. Among these species, Bupleurum longiradiatum Turcz., is toxic and is not used as a medicinal herb. Because B. longiradiatum is morphologically similar to other Bupleurum species, it is important to...
February 2012
Effect of catalpol on doxorubicin-induced cytotoxicity in H9c2 cells
The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of catalpol, an effective component of Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch, against doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cytotoxicity in H9c2 cells and to find out its potential mechanisms. The cell viability was assayed by MTT assay. Apoptotic cells were evaluated by Hoechst 33258 staining. The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage, the malondialdehyde (MDA)...
February 2012
Ethnobotany survey and uses of plants in the Lewoh- Lebang communities in the Lebialem highlands, South West Region, Cameroon
Ethnobotanical investigations were conducted in four Lewoh-Lebang villages (Attuleh, Leleng, Mbindia and Nyitebong) in Lebialem Division, Southwest Region of Cameroon to identify the different plants used in traditional pharmacopoeia for the treatment of human diseases and also to find out other uses of plants in this community. Ethnobotanical information was collected randomly using semi- structured questionnaires and...
February 2012
Discrimination of Zhishi from different species using rapid-resolution liquid chromatography-diode array detection/ultraviolet (RRLC-DAD/UV) coupled with multivariate statistical analysis
Zhishi is one of the most commonly used traditional Chinese medicinal plants. Many species ofCitrus plants, such as Citrus aurantium L. and its cultivars, Citrus sinensis Osbeck and its cultivars, and Citrus junos Sieb. ex Tanaka, can be used as Zhishi. However, Zhishi from different species exhibited differences in their therapeutic effects. In addition, it was very...
February 2012
Isolation, chemical characterization and in vitro antioxidant activities of polysaccharides from Aconitum coreanum
The water-soluble crude polysaccharide Aconitum coreanum polysaccharides (ACPS) was extracted from A. coreanum and purified by Diethylaminoethyl cellulose and Sepharose CL-6B chromatography, giving three polysaccharide fractions coded as ACPSA-1, ACPSB-2 and ACPSB-3. Their chemical and physical characteristics of polysaccharide fractions, and antioxidant capacity, including scavenging...
February 2012
Preparative separation of hyperoside of seeds extract of Saposhnikovia divaricata by high performance counter-current chromatography
Hyperoside was isolated and purified from the seeds of Saposhnikovia divaricata for the first time by high performance counter-current chromatography (HPCCC) using a solvent system of ethyl acetate-n-butanol-ethanol -water (1:1:0.1:2, v/v/v/v). By injecting ca. 500 mg of n-butanol extract of S. divaricata seeds for five times, a total of 232.7 mg of hyperoside was purified from 2.5 g of...
February 2012
Research update: Lectin enriched fractions of herb and dry extract of Urtica dioica L.
Urtica dioica L is a plant rich in flavonoids, carotenoids, caffeoylmalic acid and has an established medical value. Although content of mineral and organic substances of U. dioica L. herb is well characterized, presence of bioactive polypeptides is much less appreciated. Seeds and roots of nettle, have been established as a common source for isolation of lectins. Therefore data on the presence of...
February 2012
A clinical study on the effects and mechanism of Xuebijing injection in the treatment of traumatic intracranial hematoma
Xuebijing injection (XBJ) is one of Chinese materia medica standardized products which was extracted from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge, Carthamus tinctorius L, Paeonia lactiflora Pall,Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. and Angelica sinensis, has the actions of activating blood circulation and clear the meridians to melt away toxin factor. Our aim was to observe whether or not XBJ have...
February 2012
Cardiospermum grandiflorum leaf extract potentiates amoxicillin activity on Staphylococcus aureus
Concurrent administration of orthodox and herbal antibacterial agents could help overcome the tendency with which the former is inactivated by bacterially-produced endogenous enzymes. This study was designed to evaluate the antimicrobial interaction between the ethanol extract ofCardiospermum grandiflorum leaf (CGL) which is used in a remote village in Nsukka, Nigeria as a bathing sponge for treatment of...
February 2012
The first Stolbur Phytoplasma occurrence on two St. John's Worth species (Hypericum perforatum L. and Hypericum barbatum L.) in Serbia
The symptoms indicating phytoplasma like leaf yellowing, reddening and early drying were observed on two St. John’s worth species (Hypericum perforatum L. and Hypericum barbatum L.) on infected fields (Pancevo, Indjija and Stara Pazova) in Serbia in 2008. Electron microscopy examination of the ultra-thin sections revealed the presence of numerous polymorphic phytoplasma-like bodies in the...
February 2012
Insecticidal activity of the essential oil of Lonicera japonica flower buds and its main constituent compounds against two grain storage insects
The aim of this research was to determine acute toxicity of the essential oil of Lonicera japonica Thunb. (Caprifoliaceae) flower buds against the booklouse (Liposcelis bostrychophila Badonnel) and the maize weevils (Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky). Essential oil of L. japonica flower buds was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A...
February 2012
Research on herbal combinations of traditional Chinese medicine for chronic gastritis based on network biology
Herbal combinations are important for traditional Chinese medicine physicians to treat diseases. Based on Professor GAO Zhongying’s medical records, combination laws are explored in order to study and inherit Professor GAO’s academic thoughts and improve the level of clinical treatment from multiple perspectives in treating chronic gastritis. Based on an entropy clustering method of complex systems,...
February 2012
GC-MS analysis of volatile oils from Bupleurum chinense DC. f. vanheurckii (Muell.-Arg.) Shan et Y.Li
The aim of this study was to analyze the volatile oil from Bupleurum chinense DC. f. vanheurckii (Muell.-Arg.) Shan et Y.Li. The volatile oil was extracted from B. chinense DC. f. vanheurckii (Muell.-Arg.) Shan et Y.Li by steam distillation, its components was analyzed and identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method. 27 compounds, which represent 93.3% of total oil,...
February 2012
Isolation of cinnamic acid derivatives from the root of Rheum tanguticum Maxim.ex Balf. and its significance
Eight compounds (1-8) including two naphthalene glycosides, three tannins and three cinnamic acid derivatives were isolated from Rheum tanguticum Maxim.ex Balf. for the first time, except compounds 1, 6, 7 and 8. Their structures were determined mainly by NMR and MS techniques. The result is of significance for comparison and analysis between different rhubarbs by various chromatographic...
February 2012
Monograph of Tribulus terrestris
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