Advances in Traditional Medicine最新文献

The article presents an overview of Indian hazelnut (Corylus jacquemontii)- a multipurpose threatened species of the Himalayan region of high traditional importance. The species is used as a medicine, fuelwood, fodder, and timber by the resident communities of Himalaya. The edible nuts of the species are nutrient-rich and have a high market value; they are collected and sold by the local people to earn hard cash. Further, a wide range of pharmacological properties that aid in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and other oxidative stress-related disorders add to the importance of the species. The recent overexploitation for diverse purposes has threatened its survival and calls for multidisciplinary efforts for the conservation of the traditionally important Indian hazelnut.

Natural herbal constituents have been continuously utilised as a source of medicine since ancient times to cure diverse types of disorders that ail human body, like cardiovascular disease (CVDs), diabetes mellitus (DM), bacterial and viral infections. Several studies have recently been conducted on flavonoids derived from various parts of plants, and their diverse functions are being widely explored. Flavonoids are nutraceuticals that have a wide range of biological activities. Their antioxidant properties account for the majority of their protective effects including minimizing oxidative stress and inflammation besides their potential to modulate the activities of enzymes. Flavonoids are also used to manage and treat diabetes, as well as diabetes associated comorbidities. Increased risk of mortality during diabetes and diabetes associated comorbidities like hypertension, stroke, neuropathy, nephropathy etc. are directly related to the elevated glycemic index of diabetics. Here we discuss the importance of flavonoids derived from nature for their medicinal roles, factors leading to the onset of diabetes and its associated complications. Finally, this review discusses the potential role of various flavonoids as an alternative remedial approach to mitigate the condition of diabetes.

The 611 genera and over 13,100 species that make up the vast family Rubiaceae are primarily found in tropical and warm climates. These species are utilized in the Indian subcontinent as traditional medicines to treat a number of ailments in addition to their decorative properties. It is proof that species like Adina cordifolia, Anthocephalus cadamba, Cinchona officinalis, Coffea arabica, Morinda citrifolia, and Paederia foetida have received a lot of attention; yet, many phytochemicals should still be undiscovered as none of these species have been carefully examined for their phytochemical composition. This review aims to highlight the traditional, pharmacological, botanical, and phytochemistry aspects of medicinal plant species belonging to the Rubiaceae family. The most significant research findings from the last few decades found in books and online databases like SciFinder and Google Scholar are reported in the paper. So far, more than 100 structurally diverse compounds have been identified from the Rubiaceae family, mainly including alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, triterpenoids, phenols, and volatile components. The crude extracts and compounds from the Rubiaceae family have been reported to possess broad pharmacological effects including antimalarial, antibacterial, antihypertension, antidiabetic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects during biological screening using leads provided by traditional healers. However, there is a dearth of research on the discovery of active phytoconstituents that are in charge of the pharmacological actions indicated above. This provides the researcher with a fresh perspective on how to study this family.

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Phlogacanthus thyrsiformis, a valuable medicinal plant frequently employed by ethnic communities for various health concerns, has shown potential against cancer cell lines in lab tests. However, its effectiveness against Dalton’s Lymphoma (DL) cells remains unknown. In our current study, we aim to investigate the phytochemical constituents, antioxidant properties, and cytotoxic effects of P. thyrsiformis extract against the DL cell line. Additionally, we studied its apoptotic effects through fluorescent staining and Scanning Electron Micrograph (SEM) studies. The plant extract revealed the presence of various important phytochemicals such as carbohydrates, phenols, polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, triterpenoids, alkaloids, and saponins in various degrees. The analysis revealed that the total phenol content and total flavonoid content were present in substantial quantities, suggesting a strong correlation with its potent antioxidant abilities and also showing close IC₅₀ with the reference, ascorbic acid. Effective growth inhibition of DL cells was observed at different treatment concentrations without affecting normal cells. The occurrence of such cytotoxic effects could be corroborated to its apoptotic-inducing properties. Apoptotic cell death was observed in a dose-dependent manner and further morphological changes were evidenced through SEM studies. Our study thus substantiates that P. thyrsiformis is a potent plant with a reservoir of active phytochemicals and is a natural source of antitumor agents against DL cells.

The aim of this study is to develop a new topical cream for psoriasis and to test its results. Experimental clinical trial. Phase I: hypersensitivity test in 100 healthy volunteers. Phase II: 120 patients, prospective, analytical differential study in hospital. In phase I, 99% health persons did not show any reaction. In phase II, the 120 patients selected in two groups, group A-new cream and group B-corticosteroid, the paired samples calculated T-value in group A was: 19.144 for erythema, 6.725 in infiltrate, 12.475 in desquamation and in pruritus 10.863, PASI 14.662 and BSA 19.083 which are higher than 1.96 the result was 0.000 less than P 0.05 highly significant after treatment group B control group, showed the T values, erythema 7.590, infiltrate 10.573, desquamation 7.311, pruritus 3.615, PASI 2.631, BSA 4.411. The T-values which are higher than 1.96 were 0.000 less than P 0.05 highly significant after treatment. In the Pearson correlation for cases and controls, association values were observed for SBA 0.042 before treatment and 0.008, after treatment, in PASI 0.021, before treatment and 0.008 after treatment. The results examined by hypotheses and cross-tabulations are highly significant in groups A and B separately, and when group A is tested against group B by means of cross-tabulations, they show differences after treatment. In the logarithmic regression for the associated risk factors, the odds ratio values of BMI 1.113>OR 1 and urea 1.439>OR 1. The elevation of these two parameters may affect the exposed group. When comparing the group, A and group B, the symptoms of erythema, infiltrate, desquamation, pruritus, PASI index and SBA were found to decrease with the group A/new cream after treatment. Further studies in larger populations are suggested, the new cream has been shown to reduce the clinical symptoms of psoriasis.

Influenza viruses are major concern worldwide due to their fast ability to spread, and causing the respiratory illness of varying severity. The rate of travel, urbanization and socializing among the people are the major factors for the spread. The coronaviruses causing the contagious respiratory illness are similar to influenza viruses. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic serves as an example on how a single influenza virus can greatly disrupt the economy and social activity worldwide on unprecedented scale. The emergence of the new variants also presents threat for the development of drugs and/or vaccines for the treatment of viral infection. Hence, researchers worldwide have been focusing into plant compounds to identify effective bioactive compound which could be developed into therapeutic antiviral drugs against influenza viruses and coronaviruses. The aim of this paper is to summarize the bioactive compounds isolated from plants that exhibit potential against influenza viruses and coronaviruses. This paper also investigates the techniques used in isolation, characterisation and elucidation of antiviral activity of plant compounds in the evaluation and application of such compounds for therapeutic purpose.

Cyclophosphamide is an alkylating agent that is widely used in cancer therapy. An important complication of this drug is hepatotoxicity. The hepatic prophylactic effects of ginger and pumpkin seeds were observed due to antioxidant effect. In the current study, the effects of ginger, pumpkin seed extracts, and their combination on cyclophosphamide-induced hepatotoxicity in rats were investigated. In this intervention study, a total of 70 male rats were randomly divided into 10 groups. The blood was taken after 2 weeks of treatment. Liver enzyme levels including ALT, AST and MDA were measured. Sections of the livers of all groups were provided and then histologically evaluated. The data obtained were analyzed using SPSS software version 16. A significant increase in liver enzymes was observed in rats treated with cyclophosphamide compared to other groups. Liver enzyme levels were decreased in rats treated with ginger, pumpkin seed and combined extracts (P < 0.05). Histological examination of liver samples treated with ginger, pumpkin seeds and combined extracts showed a significant reduction in liver damage compared to the cyclophosphamide-treated group (P < 0.05). Ginger, pumpkin seeds and combined extracts could improve biochemical parameters such as AST and ALT and pathological damage in the liver of cyclophosphamide-treated rats.

Siparuna guianensis, a traditionally utilized aromatic plant known as negramina, is recognized for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic properties. The present study explores the toxicity, neutrophil migration, tail fin regeneration, and antioxidant effects of various S. guianensis leaf extracts on zebrafish embryos and larvae. Methanol (ME), 70% ethyl alcohol (HE), and distilled water (AE) were used to prepare extracts from the leaves, and the presence of phenolic compounds was confirmed. Additionally, the antioxidant activity index (AAI) was evaluated. Using a zebrafish model, toxicity and teratogenicity were assessed over a 120-h period with concentrations varying from 0.08 to 10 mg/ml. Non-lethal concentrations were used to study neutrophil migration, tail fin regeneration, cell apoptosis, and antioxidant enzyme activity, which included enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST). The extracts, which exhibited high AAI values, were found to contain phenolic compounds. AE proved toxic at concentrations from 2.5 to 10 mg/ml, whereas HE and ME showed toxicity at concentrations between 0.62 and 10 mg/ml. Interestingly, AE-treated larvae did not show any malformations. Despite a reduction in neutrophil migration observed with all tested extracts, they did not promote fin regeneration. The activity of SOD and CAT enzymes remained unaffected by the extracts. Unlike HE and ME, AE did not induce apoptosis in cells. In summary, the leaf extracts of S. guianensis (AE, HE, ME) are rich in phenolic compounds, demonstrate a reduction in neutrophil migration, and possess high AAI values.

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The therapeutical benefits of methotrexate (MTX) antifolate agents are non-negligible. However, their ability to cause severe intestinal and nephrotoxicity initiates burden on the patient’s life quality. Andrographis paniculata, “kings of bitter” with anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, detoxicant and anti-viral properties, is a preferred Asian medicinal plant for treating various disease ailments. Our study aims to determine the potential of aqueous leaf extract of A. paniculata (ALEAP) against MTX-induced intestinal and nephrotoxicity. Rats (n = 6) in 5 groups were allocated. Group 1 (normal control), group 2 (MTX − 20 mg/kg; i.p. single administration, 9th day), group 3 (MTX + ALEAP (500 mg/kg; p.o. for 10 days)), group 4 (MTX + Silymarin (100 mg/kg; p.o. for 10 days)) and group 5 (ALEAP alone for 10 days). The rats were assessed for significant alterations in renal markers, intestine and renal antioxidant levels, histopathology, cytokine levels (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10), and apoptosis marker expression range (caspase 3, 8, BCL-2). ALEAP attenuates elevated renal markers; intestine and renal MDA, TNF-α, IL-6, caspase 3 & 8, and histopathological modifications. ALEAP restored intestine and renal antioxidant enzymes, IL-10, and BCL-2. The aqueous leaf extract of A. paniculata produced a significant outcome by maintaining intestine and kidney function and preventing cellular damage.

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Plants are nature’s reserve for vitality and health-boosting agents. Despite ever-rising interest and research on plant medicinal chemistry, many stones are still being left unturned. Moreover, many traditional medicinal plants are yet to be discovered or functionally characterized. This study presented an up-to-date review of a poorly explored member of the Salvia genus indigenous to Africa—Salvia africana-lutea L. (synonymous with Salvia aurea L.) with details on its geographical distribution, ethnobotany, and pharmacological applications. We reviewed all literature published on Salvia africana-lutea up to January 2023, retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect as primary databases and google scholar as the secondary source. From our literature search, we found 38 documents published on S. africana-lutea, despite the popularity of the Salvia genus as a medicinal plant (having over 15,000 articles published to date). From the retrieved literature, only a few studies focused on exploiting the ethnobotanical features of the plants, such as the morphology, flowering and existence, and nature of its trichomes. Some studies have reported S. africana-lutea as an excellent source of essential oils trapped within their leaf trichomes with numerous phytochemicals and bioactivities. Other studies have reported some interesting pharmacological activities of plant extracts and isolated phytochemicals, such as their antimicrobial, anti-oxidative, analgesic, antipyretic, anticancer, cytotoxic, and other bioactivities. We identified some limitations of the few published studies, highlighting future research needs that should draw more scientific interest to foster more study on this under-explored and valuable plant species of Salvia, to harness its medicinal and industrial potential fully.