Advances in Traditional Medicine最新文献

The entire globe is reeling under the magnitude of the current corona virus pandemic. This menace has proposed severe health and economic threats for all, thereby challenging our human existence itself. Since its outbreak, it has raised the concern and imperative need of developing novel and effective agents to combat viral diseases and now its variants as well. Despite the sincere and concerted efforts of scientists and pharma giants all over the world, there seems to be no ideal recourse found till date. Natural products are rich sources of novel compounds used in the treatment of infectious and non-infectious diseases. There are reports on natural products from microbes, plants and marine organisms that are active against viral targets. Actinobacteria, the largest phylum under the bacterial kingdom, is known for its secondary metabolite production with diverse bioactive potentials. Nearly 65% of antibiotics used in medicine are contributed by Actinobacteria. Compared to antibacterial and antifungal agents, antiviral compounds from Actinobacteria are less studied. In recent years Actinobacteria from under studied/extreme ecosystems are explored for their antiviral properties. Ivermectin and teicoplanin are examples of Actinobacteria-derived antiviral drugs available for commercial use. This review highlights the importance of actinobacteria as future sources of antiviral drug discovery.

From the flowers of Gerbera jamesonii, eleven compounds have been isolated for the first time and identified as; apigenin (1), kampferol (2), quercetin (3), dihydroquercetin (Taxifolin) (4), quercetin-4`-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (5), rutin (6), 4-β-d-glycopyranosyloxy-5-methylcoumarin (Gerberinside) (7), 5,6-dihydro-4-β-d-glycopyranosyloxy-6-methyl-2 H-pyran-2-one(Gerberin) (8), 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (Protocatechuic acid) (9), stigmasterol (10) and β-sitosteryl-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (Daucosterol) (11). The structures have been established by comparison of their NMR and MS data with published ones. Free radical scavenging activity of flower extracts was further investigated, which indicated potent antioxidant activity ranged from 94.4 ± 1.16 to 99.3 ± 0.15 using 16.7 mg/ml of each extract; the IC₅₀ of all extracts was abstemiously low between 3 and 7 mg/ml. All extracts were able to degrade cholesterol with different potencies ranged from 64.96% ± 1.87 to 69.89% ± 4.02 after 96 h of incubation. Compound (6) has a potent anti-inflammatory activity even with low concentration (90.3 ± 0.57, 94.55 ± 0.78, 97.4 ± 1.13, using 0.001, 0.0015 and 0.005 mg, respectively). Concerning anti-proliferative activity, all fractions exerted 100% anti-tumor activity using 1 mg of each sample against HCT-116, MCF-7 human cancer cells and good anti-tumor activity against HepG-2 human cancer cells exceeding Doxorubicin in the case of petroleum ether extract with no cytotoxic activity against BJ-1 human skin healthy cell-line. This could promote the use of G. jamesonii flower extract for pharmacological and health purposes. For author’s knowledge, this is the first report evaluating the biological activities of G. jamesonii flowers extract.

Graphical abstract

Curcuma caesia or commonly known as black turmeric is belongs to family Zingiberaceae. The rhizome which is the most important part of this species is widely used as a folk medicine for the treatment of asthma, fever, cancer, wounds, allergies, toothache, leprosy, bronchitis, epilepsy, hemorrhoids, leukoderma and rheumatoid arthritis. C. caesia is one of the important species of Curcuma which possess various bioactive compounds that responsible for numerous pharmacological activities. The rhizome which is the most prominent feature of the plant is rich with essential oil. In addition, the leaves of this species also consist of essential oil with various bioactive compounds. This review article is aimed to discuss in-depth on botany, ethnomedicinal uses, geographical distribution, propagation, phytochemical studies, pharmacological activities and toxicity of C. caesia. The phytochemical studies revealed that a total of 17 functional groups were detected from rhizome extract of C. caesia. The pharmacological studies conducted demonstrated that C. caesia extract exhibited anti-acne, analgesic, anthelmintic, anti-asthmatic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-diabetic, antiproliferative, anticancer, antiulcer, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity and cytotoxicity effects. Furthermore, toxicity studies revealed that C. caesia extract is safe for consumption and does not cause toxicity.

The proposed work on Leea macrophyla Roxb (family: Leeaceae) is mainly focused on two different streams, first towards the pharmacognostic profile and second on pharmacological evaluation. The pharmacognostic profile involves the study of both macroscopy and microscopy of leaf, stem, and tuberous roots. Secondly, extract of adventitious tuberous roots of the plant was used for pharmacological screening of anti-inflammatory (in-vivo), antimicrobial (in-vitro), and antioxidant (in-vitro) potential. Morphologically, it is observed that L. macrophyla is an herb with erect stem, broadly ovate leaf with greenish-white inflorescence. Microscopically, the leaf can be characterized by anisocytic stomata, calcium oxalate crystals, and the absence of trichomes. The typical characteristics of the stem include outer thick ridges, secondary phloem, medullary rays, and pith. The rhizomes contain the outer epidermis is replaced with dark crushed cells, central pith, and disintegrated parenchymatous cells.The extract exhibited excellent anti-inflammatory potency in carrageenan-induced rat paw edema. Antimicrobial activity was involved cup plate technique against gram-positive, gram-negative, and fungal organisms. The study observed good inhibitory activity against S. aureus (15 ± 0.15 mm), B. subtilis (14 ± 0.13 mm), and E.coli (15 ± 0.16 mm). 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and hydroxyl radical scavenging method was used to explore antioxidant potential against ascorbic acid as standard. The IC₅₀ values obtained from the antioxidant potency were observed to be 18 ± 0.33, 12 ± 0.66% for DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging assay respectively. As L. macrophyla with assumption on the traditional curative assurance, it shows significant anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant potency.

Lignocaine is a local anaesthetic used in castration of dogs. However, lignocaine is sometimes combined with adrenaline in order to prolong the anaesthetic effect. Either lignocaine or lignocaine-adrenaline combination is associated with toxicity effects. Hence, anaesthetic potentials of lignocaine, lignocaine-adrenaline, fruit and stem-bark aqueous extract of Annona muricata were comparatively studied during castration in Nigerian indigenous dogs. Twelve adult dogs of about 1.00 ± 0.00-year-old and weighing 8.8 ± 0.4 kg divided into four groups of three each were used. The four groups were administered 2% lignocaine, lignocaine-adrenaline, fruit and stem-bark aqueous extracts each, at a dose of, 7.5 mg/kg each, by infiltration on the scrotal sac. After loss of sensation, ochidectomy was carried out. Time of onset and duration of anaesthesia were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in stem bark and fruit extract groups as compared to lignocaine and lignocaine-adrenaline groups. More so duration of anaesthesia was higher in lignocaine-adrenaline as compared to adrenaline. The findings have shown that lignocaine and lignocaine-adrenaline could increase whereas stem bark and fruit extract could decrease respiratory rate, respectively. Highest duration of anaesthesia was observed in stem- bark extract anaesthetized dogs followed by fruit extract treated group in comparison with lignocaine-adrenaline and lignocaine treated groups. Time of onset of anaesthesia was longest in fruit extract treated group and shortest in lignocaine and lignocaine-adrenaline treated groups respectively. Lignocaine and lignocaine/adrenaline increased and decreased haematological parameters, respectively. Lignocaine, lignocaine-adrenaline and the extracts altered biochemical parameters. Hence, Annona muricata could serve as potent local anaesthetic agent.

Vascular dementia (VaD) is associated with the loss of cognitive function. The pharmacotherapy for dementia is cholinesterase inhibitor (ChEI). However, currently available ChEIs produce side effects. Therefore, new anticholinesterase agents are required for treating dementia. In vitro assays showed that Syzygium polyanthum leaf extract (SPLE) inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activities. Here, we evaluated the nootropic effect of SPLE, mediated via a cholinergic system with long-term hippocampal plasticity (LTP) in chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) rats. Male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were subjected to permanent bilateral occlusion of common carotid arteries (POBCCA) or sham groups. An automated open field test (AOFT) was conducted to examine motor and exploratory functions. Cognitive functions were evaluated using Novel object recognition (NOR) and Morris water maze (MWM) tests. At the end of the behavioral task, the brain was harvested to determine cholinesterase, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), acetylcholine (ACh), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) activities. Hippocampal synaptic plasticity was measured under urethane anesthetized rats. The study revealed SPLE (100, 200, and 300 mg/kg) (i) improved both non-spatial and spatial memories in NOR and MWM tests, respectively; (ii) promoted long-lasting LTP enhancement in CA3-CA1 synapses; (iii) increased the ACh, ChAT and BDNF activities in the frontal cortex, hippocampus and cerebral cortex. Interestingly, the elevated AChE activity in the hippocampus was significantly inhibited by SPLE extract. SPLE executes its cognitive functions by restoration of the cholinergic system. The findings support the therapeutic potential of SPLE in the treatment of VaD.

The current study aims to identify the phytochemical constituents of Guilandina bonduc L. aqueous seed extract to evaluate their antioxidant potential through in vitro and in vivo toxicity models in female wistar albino rats. Phytochemical screening and in vitro antioxidant activities of G. bonduc aqueous seed extract (GBASE), were evaluated using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and hydroxyl radical along with the estimation of total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Three different doses (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg) were used for the proposed study to evaluate the efficacy against Letrozole induced PCOS in rats. Renal toxicity and hepatotoxicity were evaluated by quantifying the serum levels of Kidney Function Test (KFT) and Liver Function Test (LFT). Histopathologic changes of kidney and liver were also evaluated. In vitro studies revealed that G. bonduc seed extracts strongly scavenging the DPPH with an IC₅₀ value of 276.95 μg/ml and hydroxyl scavenging radical with an IC₅₀ value of 296.34 μg/ml. Our phytochemical evaluation reveals the presence of phenolic compounds (2.834 ± 0.09 mg of gallic acid equivalent/g dried extract) and flavonoids (0.905 ± 0.01 mg of catechol equivalents/g dried extract) content. In vivo activity was evaluated in rats as an PCOS model, when compared to control and vehicle group, a normal arrangement of the hepatocyte sheath and central vein was observed. The letrozole induced by PCOS groups also exhibited no remarkable changes in hepatic histology but a minor irregularity in hepatocyte arrangement was observed. In the treatment group, the histopathological evaluation of the kidneys showed a prevalent control-like morphology with a sufficient mobile structure and a standard atrophy free glomerulus. Moreover, the treated animals showed significant changes in their liver and kidney weights. The biochemical evaluation shows elevated levels of serum AST and it indicates harm to the liver due to necrosis, inflammation, or bruising, indicating ill health. The aqueous seed extracts of 200 mg/kg exhibited a significant response compare favorably to that of the standard drug treated group (PCOS + Pioglitazone) which also had substantially reduced KFT and LFT levels in their serum when compared to the PCOS induced group. Herbal medications strengthen the immune system and help regulate the menstrual cycle. The results suggest that G. bonduc L. could be considered as an important candidate for its possible role in the treatment of PCOS and for the future drug discoveries.

This study was conducted to confirm the potential of normal sweating as an important prognostic factor for the onset and treatment of psoriasis. A total of 97 patients who visited the Haeng-Pa Korean Medicine Clinic, a traditional Korean medical clinic for psoriasis, from January 2018 to October 2018 were enrolled in this prospective pre-post intervention study. Participants’ baseline characteristics, psoriasis state, seasonal and sweating factors, and treatment effects were analyzed with frequency analysis (%). All of 97 (100%) patients had problems with sweating in the psoriasis site and 50 (51.55%) patients had problems with sweating even in normal skin. 71 patients (73.20%) saw improvements from medicinal plants such as Ephedra sinica and Cinnamomi cassia Presl that promote perspiration. Psoriasis patients have problems with their sweating, and Korean medical sweat therapy was highly effective for treating psoriasis. Therefore, a sweating problem may be an important component in the onset and treatment of psoriasis.

Mesua ferrea Linn. flowers have been used in Ayurveda as a brain tonic and as an ingredient in memory-enhancing formulations such as Brahma Rasayan and Chyawanprash. However, this ethnomedicinal use has not been investigated scientifically. This study evaluated the effect of the ethanolic extract of Mesua ferrea flowers (MFE) on memory in scopolamine-induced models of cognitive dysfunction. MFE was administered to rats (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o) for a period of 14 days, after which amnesia was induced by giving scopolamine (1 mg/kg, s.c) on the 14^th day. Piracetam (200 mg/kg, p.o) was given as a positive control. The models employed to assess memory in the rats were the T-maze continuous alternation task (T-CAT) and novel object recognition test (NORT). Pretreatment with MFE ameliorated the memory deficit caused by scopolamine; which was evidenced by a significantly greater relative proportion of spontaneous alternation percentage in the T-CAT, and a significant increase of discrimination index in the NORT. Further, MFE significantly inhibited anticholinesterase activity in the brain, elevated the levels of reduced glutathione and catalase, and decreased malondialdehyde and nitrite levels in the brain. The results of this study show that MFE exhibited significant anticholinesterase and antioxidant activities in scopolamine treated rats, which could be the possible underlying mechanism of its memory-enhancing activity and of its ethnomedicinal use as a brain tonic.