African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM最新文献

Background: Bursera morelensis, known as "Aceitillo", is an endemic tree of Mexico. Infusions made from the bark of this species have been used for the treatment of skin infections and for their wound healing properties. In this work, we present the results of a phytochemical and antimicrobial investigation of the essential oil of B. morelensis.

Materials and methods: The essential oil was obtained by a steam distillation method and analyzed using GC-MS. The antibacterial and antifungal activities were evaluated.

Results: GC-MS of the essential oil demonstrated the presence of 28 compounds. The principal compound of the essential oil was a-Phellandrene (32.69%). The essential oil had antibacterial activity against Gram positive and negative strains. The most sensitive strains were S. pneumoniae, V. cholerae (cc) and E. coli (MIC 0.125 mg/mL, MBC 0.25 mg/mL). The essential oil was bactericidal for V. cholera (cc). The essential oil inhibited all the filamentous fungi. F. monilifome (IC₅₀ = 2.27 mg/mL) was the most sensitive fungal strain.

Conclusions: This work provides evidence that confirms the antimicrobial activity of the B. morelensis essential oil and this is a scientific support about of traditional uses of this species.

Background: Pestiviruses in general, and Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) in particular, present several potential targets for directed antiviral therapy.

Material and methods: The antiviral effect of Cynanchum paniculatum (Bge.) Kitag (Dog strangling vine: DS) extract on the bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) virus was tested. First, a cytotoxicity test in MDBK (Madin-Darby bovine kidney) cells was done with all organic extract concentrations.

Results: The cytotoxic concentration CC₅₀ for the ethyl acetate (EA) extracts was 18.2 ug/ml. In the tissue culture, infectious dose (TCID₅₀) assay, the BVD virus decreased when treated with 18.2 ug/ml of the ethyl acetate extracts.

Conclusion: Ethyl acetate extracts and fractions of the DS extract could be used as a potential antiviral for BVD.

Background: Tragia belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae which contains about 152 species. Interestingly, most of the earlier investigations have been done using only five Tragia species, namely, Tragia involucrata, Tragia cannabina, Tragia spathulata, Tragia plukenetii, and Tragia benthamii. The objective of the present review is to compile the phytochemical, pharmacological and biological studies of the selected five Tragia species reported in the literature.

Methods: The reported data/information was retrieved mainly from the online databases of PubMed (MEDLINE), EMBASE and Botanical Survey of India.

Results: The present review elaborated the phytochemical, pharmacological and biological properties of the selected five Tragia species obtained from recent literature.

Conclusion: This review provides a basis for future investigation of Tragia species and, especially for those species that have not been explored for biological and pharmacological activities.

Background: Arthroscopy was used to observe the clinical effect of liver-softening medicine for treating knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Materials and methods: Forty knee OA patients with cartilage classifications of Outerbridge grade II, III, or II plus III determined via arthroscopy were randomly assigned to a treatment of liver-softening medicine plus glucosamine or a control treatment of glucosamine alone. Clinical observation and determination of the comprehensive effect score were performed at 60, 120, and 180 days. A second arthroscopy was performed at 180 days.

Results: Signs and symptoms significantly improved at different time points in the treatment group. The effects in the treatment group were better than those in the control group. When analyzing the cartilage during the second arthroscopy, no further degeneration was observed.

Conclusions: After arthroscopic debridement, the treatment of knee OA with liver-softening medicine in conjunction with glucosamine is a feasible and effective solution.

Background: Melaleuca alternifolia (Myrtaceae) is a well-known, commonly used, tall shrub plant in Ayurvedic medicine. Traditionally, it is used for its antimicrobial potential to treat cutaneous infections. No attempts have been made regarding pharmacognostic investigation of the plant till date. So, the present study was aimed to establish standards with the help of different pharmacognostic parameters.

Methods: Various pharmacognostic parameters (morphological, microscopic, physicochemical evaluations and preliminary phytochemical screening) were studied along with fluorescent and thin layer chromatographic analysis of the extract.

Result: Morphologically Melaleuca alternifolia is a shrub having height of 7 m with layered and papery bark. Leaves have an arranged pattern, petiole is 1 mm in length; linear-acute with dimensions of 10-35 mm x 1 mm. Organoleptic features shows that leaves have characteristic odour and astringent taste. The transverse section of the leaf reveals the existence of epidermal layers, mesophyll tissues, vascular bundles and secretory cavities. The stomata are anomocytic and leaf constants such as stomatal number is 180-200-225, stomatal index is 3.8-4.4-5.9, vein islet number is 18.68 (average), veinlet termination number 20.3 (average) and palisade ratio is 5.5-6.4-6.9. The results of phytochemical screening showed the occurrence of different phytoconstituents (flavonoids, phenolic tannins, phytosterol and terpenoids).

Conclusion: The present study evaluated various pharmacognostic parameters which will help in quality control (standardization) of Melaleuca alternifolia leaves in crude form, in herbal formulation and also aid in the preparation of an herbal monograph for the species.

Background: Zhuoduqing formula (ZDQ) is a Chinese herbal decoction and used to treat type 2 diabetes in clinical practice, but the potential evidence needs to be provided.

Materials and methods: Type 2 diabetic model rats were induced by feeding high fat diet (HFD) and intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). The model rats were given ZDQ for 4 weeks. Insulin sensitivity was evaluated by homeostasis model assessment of basal insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT). Blood insulin and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels as well as SOCS-3 levels in skeletal muscles were analyzed by ELISA.

Results: ZDQ significantly decreased fasting blood glucose, ameliorated HOMA-IR and IPGTT, and reduced triglyceride and total cholesterol in type 2 diabetic rats. Moreover, ZDQ remarkably lowered blood TNF-α levels and inhibited SOCS-3 levels in skeletal muscles.

Conclusion: The results display that ZDQ performs anti-diabetic functions in type 2 diabetic rats induced by feeding HFD and intraperitoneal injection of STZ. Abbreviations: ZDQ, zhuoduqing formula; ROS, rosiglitazone; HOMA-IR, homeostasis model assessment of basal insulin resistance; IPGTT, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test; HFD, high fat diet; SOCS-3, suppressor of cytokine signaling-3; TNF-α, tumour necrosis factor-α.

Background: The aqueous extract of Cucurbita ficifolia (C. ficifolia) fruit has demonstrated hypoglycemic effect, which may be attributed to some components in the extract. However, the major secondary metabolites in this fruit have not yet been identified and little is known about its extra-pancreatic action, in particular, on liver carbohydrate metabolism. Therefore, in addition to the isolation and structural elucidation of the principal components in the aqueous extract of C. ficifolia, the aim of this study was to determine whether or not the hypoglycemic effect of the aqueous extract of Cucurbita ficifolia (C. ficifolia) fruit is due to accumulation of liver glycogen in diabetic mice.

Materials and methods: The aqueous extract from fruit of C. ficifolia was fractionated and its main secondary metabolites were purified and chemically characterized (NMR and GC-MS). Alloxan-induced diabetic mice received daily by gavage the aqueous extract (30 days). The liver glycogen content was quantified by spectroscopic method and by PAS stain; ALT and AST by spectrometric method; glycogen synthase, glycogen phosphorylase and GLUT2 by Western blot; the mRNA expression of GLUT2 and glucagon-receptor by RT-PCR; while serum insulin was quantified by ELISA method. A liver histological analysis was also performed by H&E stain.

Results: Chemical fingerprint showed five majoritarian compounds in the aqueous extract of C. ficifolia: p-coumaric acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, salicin, stigmast-7,2,2-dien-3-ol and stigmast-7-en-3-ol. The histological analysis showed accumulation of liver glycogen. Also, increased glycogen synthase and decreased glycogen phosphorylase were observed. Interestingly, the histological architecture evidenced a liver-protective effect due the extract.

Conclusion: Five compounds were identified in C. ficifolia aqueous extract. The hypoglycemic effect of this extract may be partially explained by liver glycogen accumulation. The bioactive compound responsible for the hypoglycemic effect of this extract will be elucidated in subsequent studies.

Background: Cognitive disorders associated with aging have been successfully managed by African traditional medical practitioners using various plants. This study evaluated the cognitive enhancing potentials of Morinda lucida (L) Rubiaceae and Peltophorum pterocarpum (DC) ex. K Heyne in scopolamine induced amnesic animals.

Materials and methods: The anti-amnesic activity of the ethyl acetate extracts of Morinda lucida and Peltophorum pterocarpum at doses of 4 mg/kg, 6 mg/kg and 8 mg/kg were assessed in scopolamine induced amnesic mice using Morris water maze test model. Effect of the extracts on the histology of the hippocampus was also evaluated.

Results: The ethyl acetate extract of Morinda lucida and Peltophorum pterocarpum ameliorated scopolamine induced memory deficit in the animals under study. There was no effect of the extract on the histology of the hippocampus. However, there was an increase in the density of cells in the hippocampus of treated group as compared to the untreated.

Conclusion: Morinda lucida and Peltophorum pterocarpum showed considerable enhancement of cognition in scopolamine induced amnesic mice.

Background: Burns are among the most prevalent injuries in humans with high cost in health care and heavy prolonged or permanent physical, psychological and social consequences. Commercial antimicrobial creams and dressing agents are unsuccessful in healing deep burn wounds.

Materials and methods: A study was conducted to assess the impact of crude linseed oil (LSO) topical application on burn wounds healing in rabbits in comparison with untreated wounds (NAT) and those treated with Vaseline gel (VAG) and Cicatryl-Bio ointment (CBO). By the 28^th day post burning, skin biopsies were analyzed for histological and cytological lesions. The presence of various bioactive phytochemical groups in linseed was also screened.

Results: Phytochemical screening has resulted in high concentrations of flavonoids and terpenoids, low amounts of catechic tannins and total absence of alkaloids and saponosides. All along the trial, the rate of wounds contraction was found to be significantly higher in burns treated with LSO which had also a significant shorter healing period (26±5.89 days) as compared to the other treatments. LSO healed wounds included less inflammatory cells, complete epithelium regeneration with a reduced thickness of the new formed dermis, discreet fibrosis, enhanced neo-vascularization, increased number of collagen fibers, fibroblasts and many myofibroblasts. Additionally, no adverse effects of LSO on cicatrization process were recorded.

Conclusion: These findings prove the safety and efficaciousness of linseed oil topical application in the therapy of burn wounds.

Background: G. divaricata (L.) DC belongs to genus the Gynura Cass which is a kind of perennial herb that has good health protection efficacy and is especially used widely in medicine and functional food. It is one of the most famous traditional Chinese medicinal herbs and is usually used to cure bronchitis, pulmonary tuberculosis, kink cough, rheumatism, diabetes, and so on. It has a long history for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in the folk medicine. This review is aimed at gathering all information relating to G. divaricata and obtaining new insights for further studies on G. divaricata.

Materials and methods: PubMed, Springer Link, Web of Science, Science Direct and Research Gate were used for the literature search. The key search terms included G. divaricata isolation and identification, flavonoids and their combinations without language restriction. The period for the search is from year 1979 to 2016.

Results: The main chemical components were listed, and the folk application, the extraction and separation methods of main chemical components, pharmacological effects of G. divaricata were discussed, which further demonstrated the plant's value as health food and medicine.

Conclusion: The present review is of great significance to the development of new medicinal resources and health food of G. divaricata.