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PubMed2004

Evaluation of antibacterial properties of some medicinal plants used in Iran.

Forty-five species of 29 plant families used in the traditional medicine by Iranian people, showed antibacterial activities against one or more of the bacterial species: Bacillus cereus, Bacillus pumilus, Bordetella bronchiseptica, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Micrococcus luteus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Serratia marcescens, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. No plant showed activity against Serratia marcescens; Bordetella bronchiseptica being the most susceptible species. All extracts showed the same activity 18 months later.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2004

The antinociceptive effect of some Egyptian medicinal plant extracts.

The antinociceptive effect of methanolic extracts (200 and 400 mg kg(-1)) of eight Egyptian medicinal plants was studied using acetic acid-induced writhing and tail-flick test in mice. Oral administration of 400 mg kg(-1) methanolic extracts of Convolvulus fatmensis, Alhagi maurorum, Plantago major seeds, Conyza dioscaridis significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited the nociception to acetic acid-induced writhes with a protection of 85.5-61.3%. Schouwia thebaica, Diplotaxis acris, Plantago major leaves and Mentha microphylla, in the large dose, showed a protection of 50.8-45.8%, which were significantly different as compared to control. The smaller dose of the tested plant extracts did not protect animals from painful acetic acid stimulation with the exception of Alhagi maurorum. In the tail-flick test, methanolic extracts of Mentha microphylla, Conyza dioscaridis, Alhagi maurorum, Plantago major leaves, Diplotaxis acris and Convolvulus fatmensis in a dose of 400 mg kg(-1) produced significant increase in the latency to response of tail to thermal stimulation. Mild or no effect was observed by the small dose with the exception of Diplotaxis acris that had significant antinociceptive effect at the dose of 200 mg kg(-1). The extracts of all tested plants in doses up to 2 g kg(-1) b.wt. did not cause any deaths or major signs of acute toxicity. Phytochemical screening indicated the presence of unsaturated sterols, triterpenes, tannins, flavonoids and carbohydrates and/or glycosides as major constituents.

Analgesics↗
PubMed2004

Antimycobacterial screening of some Turkish plants.

Extracts of 44 plant species distributed among 17 families from Turkey were screened against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H(37)Ra using microplate Alamar blue assay test. Six plants inhibited growth of M. tuberculosis H(37)Ra at 50 microg/ml concentrations.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2004

Traditional medicine in Sakarya province (Turkey) and antimicrobial activities of selected species.

Traditional medicine in North-West of Turkey (Sakarya province) were studied during a 2 months field study by interviewing local informants from several villages. Plant species used to treat infections were tested for antimicrobial activity. Information was collected for 46 plant species from 30 families and for 5 animal species. Twenty four of the plant species were cultivated. Most used families were Asteraceae, Cucurbitaceae, Lamiaceae and Rosaceae and the most used plants were Artemisia absinthium, Equisetum telmateia, Lavandula stoechas, Melissa officinalis, Tussilago farfara and Urtica dioica. A total of 139 medicinal uses were obtained. Plants are used mainly for infectious diseases (18%), for neurological and psychological disorders (13.7%), cardiovascular disorders (13%), skin disorders (12.2%) and respiratory disorders (10.1%). Extracts were tested in vitro for antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 65538, Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12228, Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, Klebsiella pneumonia ATCC 4352, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 1539, Salmonella typhi, Shigella flexneri, Proteus mirabilis and Candida albicans ATCC 10231, using microbroth dilution technique according to National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS). This research showed that Arum maculatum, Datura stramonium, Geranium asphodeloides and Equisetum telmateia petroleum ether extracts had MIC values of 39.1 microg/ml, 78.1 microg/ml, 78.1 microg/ml and 39.1 microg/ml, respectively against Staphylococcus epidermidis. Datura stramonium petroleum ether extract had a MIC value of 39.1 microg/ml against Escherichia coli and Trachystemon orientalis ethanol extract had a MIC value of 39.1 microg/ml against Escherichia coli. The antimicrobial activity of Arum maculatum, Equisetum telmateia, Geranium asphodeloides, Plantago intermedia, Senecio vulgaris and Trachystemon orientalis has been reported here for the first time.

Anti-Infective Agents↗
PubMed2004

Environment and illness in the Calchaquí Valley (Salta, Argentina): phytotherapy for osteo-articular and cardio-circulatory diseases.

The aim of this work is to analyze and discuss the phytotherapy employed for two kinds of diseases, osteo-articular and cardio-circulatory, among the inhabitants of Molinos (Calchaquí Valley, Salta Province, Northwestern Argentina). These diseases take their origin in certain environmental conditions as well as the rural activities characteristic of the zone. The observations and interviews conducted among "medicos campesinos" (traditional healers) and the general population provided valuable information concerning the relationship between man and his environment, as it relates to health-illness processes. As a result of our research, we present a chart of the 25 recorded diseases and the 42 plant species employed in their therapy, considering the organs used, the ways of preparation and administration, as well as the geographic origin.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Folk pharmaceutical knowledge in the territory of the Dolomiti Lucane, inland southern Italy.

An ethnopharmacognostic survey on the traditional pharmaceutical knowledge (TPhK) of old and newly introduced natural remedies used for healing humans in a small mountainous area in Central Lucania, inland southern Italy, was carried out using classical ethnographical and ethnobiological methods. Approximately 110 remedies of plant origin (belonging to 103 botanical taxa), 30 of animal origin and 20 mineral or industrial (non-pharmaceutical) products were recorded. Among these remedies, the common use of the aerial parts of Hypericum hircinum and the leaves of Morus alba against cough, and the uncommon uses of Salvia argentea leaves as a haemostatic, of Erigeron acer roots to relieve tooth-aches and arthritic pains, and Elaphe quatuorlineata snake fat for rheumatism are reported for first time in Italy. Moreover, diverse medicinal plants used for uncommon medical purposes and a few biological ingredients used in food preparations with the aim to improve human health were identified. Pharmacological and toxicological considerations relating to possible applications of the recorded traditional knowledge in modern evidence-based medicine are discussed as well. The data that we present here could suggest new inputs for further phytochemical and pharmacological studies among Mediterranean folk pharmacopoeias, and also for sustaining environmentally integrated projects focused on of the maintenance of TPhK via breeding or controlled gathering activities of local medicinal species.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Screening of some medicinal plants of Ethiopia for their anti-microbial properties and chemical profiles.

In the indigenous health care delivery system of Ethiopia, numerous plant species are used to treat diseases of infectious origin. Regardless of the number of species, if any of such claims could be verified scientifically, the potential significance for the improvement of the health care services would be substantial. The objective of this study was, therefore, to determine the presence of anti-microbial activity in the crude extracts of some of the commonly used medicinal plants as well as to identify the class of compounds in the plants that were subjected to such screening. Thus, the crude methanol, petroleum ether and aqueous extracts of 67 plant species were subjected to preliminary screening against 10 strains of bacterial species and 6 fungal strains using the agar dilution method. A sample concentration of 250-2000 microg/ml and 500-4000 microg/ml were used for the bacterial and fungal pathogens, respectively. The results indicated that 44 different plant species exhibited activity against one or more of the bacteria while one species, viz., Albizzia gummifera showed activity against all the 10 bacteria at different gradient of dilution. Twenty three species inhibited or retarded growth of one or more organisms at dilution as low as 250 microg/ml. Extracts of same plants species were also tested against six different fungal pathogenic agents of which eight species showed growth inhibition against one or more of the organisms. Trichila emetica and Dovyalis abyssinica, which inhibited growth of four and five fungal strains at 100 microg/ml concentration, respectively, were the most promising plants. Chemical screening conducted on the extracts of all the plants showed the presence of several secondary metabolites, mainly, polyphenols, alkaloids, tannins sterols/terpenes, saponins and glycosides. The plants containing more of these metabolites demonstrated stronger anti-microbial properties stressing the need for further investigations using fractionated extracts and purified chemical components.

Anti-Infective Agents↗
PubMed2004

Effect of storage on the chemical composition and biological activity of several popular South African medicinal plants.

The in vitro biological activity of nine frequently used medicinal plants in South Africa was assessed and re-assessed after various lengths of storage. The plants investigated were Alepidea amatymbica, Leonotis leonurus, Drimia robusta, Vernonia colorata, Merwilla natalensis, Eucomis autumnalis, Bowiea volubilis, Helichrysum cymosum and Siphonochilus aethiopicus. Water, ethanol and hexane extracts of fresh, 90-day-old and 1-year-old material were assayed for antibacterial activity against four strains of bacteria and for COX-1 inhibition activity. TLC-fingerprints of the fresh and stored extracts were produce to document chemical changes. Alepidea amatymbica, Eucomis autumnalis, Helichrysum cymosum, Leonotis leonurus, Siphonochilus aethiopicus and Vernonia colorata were investigated further as to the effect of 1 year's storage. Elevated temperature and humidity (55 degrees C and 100% relative humidity) were used to accelerate the ageing process of Alepidea amatymbica, Leonotis leonurus and Vernonia colorata plant material for further investigation. The TLC-fingerprints indicated that there was chemical breakdown during storage in certain species. The degree of changes in biological activity and chemistry due to storage were species-specific. In general, antibacterial activity was retained in most species while COX-1 inhibition activity was lost rapidly.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2005

Medicinal efficacy of plants utilized as temple food in traditional Korean Buddhism.

We investigated the medicinal efficacies of plants used as food in 27 Korean Buddhist temples from 1997 to 2002. We studied 161 species of plants belonging to 135 genera in 65 families. Twenty-one plant parts were utilized as food in 42 different preparations. Approximately 82% of the plants studied had medicinal effects, with a wide range of efficacies (126 types). Of the medicinal plants, 52% were used for digestive problems, circulatory illnesses, and respiratory diseases. These results demonstrate that a high proportion of the food consumed in Korean temples is medicinal, and is used for a wide variety of diseases.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

A survey of potential huperzine A natural resources in China: the Huperziaceae.

The Huperziaceae is comprised of two genera, Huperzia and Phlegmariurus. Because of the content of Lycopodium alkaloids like huperzine A, which are used to treat a number of human ailments, plants of the Huperziaceae are experiencing a rapid decline in China, mostly due to over-harvesting. Because of this trend, we engaged from 1995 to 2001 in an investigation of the natural resources of the Huperziaceae in China. The main objectives of this study were: to catalog Huperziaceae plant resources including the occurrence, general distribution, and abundance of the various Huperziaceae species in China; and to determine traditional use and pharmaceutical values of each species. Twenty-nine species, 2 varieties, and 2 forma of Huperzia and 19 species of Phlegmariurus were identified through field investigation, collection, visits with local traditional doctors, and review of specimens in herbaria and of the literature. Ethnobotanical studies of these plants revealed that 33 of these species are used by the local communities for medicinal purposes. One species, Huperzia serrata, is one of the most popular. As a result, it is observing the greatest decline, mandating a change in collection practice and general attitude towards these plants. Introduction of conservation plans and training of the local communities regarding appropriate collection practices of these plants and their marketing in China are required to reverse the trend of decline among these species. In addition, development of cultivation or other propagation practices, such as in vitro propagation, would have the added benefits of socio-economic uplift of the local communities and sustainability of this important source of huperzine A.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed2005

Use of medicinal plants for the treatment of oral diseases in Burkina Faso.

This paper presents the findings of an investigation into the treatment of oral diseases with medicinal plants in the Kadiogo province, Burkina Faso. Although the region is mainly urban, it appears that traditional healers who live there, and the general population, continue to rely on plant products when dealing with a broad range of oral health concerns. Sixty-two relevant species belonging to 29 families were identified, and each was documented with regard to its local name, part used, indication, mode of administration, and the collection and storage procedure used (when those data were available). A number of ideas for research topics emerged from this work, some of which promise to help selection and prescription of improved traditional remedies for oral diseases at the primary health care level in Burkina Faso.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Comparative anti-hyperglycemic potentials of medicinal plants.

Validation of the ethnobotanical use of the leaves of Artemisia vulgaris Linn. (Compositae), Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm. (Myrtaceae), Solanum nigrum Linn. (Solanaceae), and Vitex negundo Linn. (Verbenaceae); stems of Nopalea cochinellifera (Linn.) Salm-Dyck (Cactaceae); roots of Imperata cylindrica Beauv. (Gramineae); dried bark of Syzygium cumini (Linn.) Skeels (Myrtaceae) as anti-diabetic agents using the oral glucose tolerance test showed that only the bark of Syzygium cumini and the leaves of Vitex negundo and Eucalyptus tereticornis exhibited anti-hyperglycemic activities when fed simultaneously with glucose. At the same dosages of 5 mg/20 g mouse, Syzygium cumini-treated mice showed a significant decrease in blood glucose levels (BGLs) at 30 min (alpha=0.10) and from 45 min onwards at alpha=0.05. Vitex negundo exhibited greater anti-hyperglycemic activity than Eucalyptus tereticornis. Both showed a significant decrease in BGLs at 60 min but at alpha=0.05 for Vitex negundo and at alpha=0.07 for Eucalyptus tereticornis. There was no significant lowering in BGLs for Imperata cylindrica and Solanum nigrum while there was even an increase in BGLs for Nopalea cochinellifera and Artemisia vulgaris.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

In vitro antiplasmodial activity of 18 plants used in Congo Brazzaville traditional medicine.

Sixty-six extracts of 18 plants commonly used by traditional healers in Congo Brazzaville for the treatment of malaria have been investigated for in vitro antiplasmodial activity. Ethanolic and dichloromethane extracts of 7 among the 18 studied plants were moderately active (10 microg/ml<IC(50)<50 microg/ml). These extracts concerned Cassia siamea (bark), Cogniauxia podolaena (root), Landolphia lanceolata (root and leaves), Millettia versicolor (leaves), Pseudospondias microcarpa (leaves), Uapaca paludosa (leaves) and Vernonia brazzavillensis (leaves). These results support their traditional use as antimalarial plants. The bark extract of Uapaca paludosa showed a good activity (<10 microg/ml) and the extracts from Quassia africana (root and leaves) even exhibited IC(50) values less than 1 microg/ml. Except for Quassia africana, for which the three solvents (water, ethanol and dichloromethane) present an effective extraction, no aqueous extract was highly active. The cytotoxicity of aqueous, DCM and ethanol extracts of Quassia africana was tested on KB cell lines.

Antimalarials↗
PubMed2005

Antiviral activities of some Ethiopian medicinal plants used for the treatment of dermatological disorders.

Acokanthera schimperi (Apocynaceae), Euclea schimperi (Ebenaceae), Inula confertiflora (Asteraceae), Melilotus elegans (Leguminosae), and Plumbago zeylanica (Plumbaginaceae), are some of the medicinal plants used in Ethiopia for treatment of various skin disorders. In this study, the antiviral activities of the 80% methanolic extracts of these plants have been examined against coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3), influenza A virus and herpes simplex virus type1 Kupka (HSV-1) using cytopathic effect (CPE) inhibitory assays in HeLa, MDCK, and GMK cells, respectively. In parallel, the cytotoxicity was quantified using a crystal violet uptake assay. The antiviral activity of the most active compound was confirmed with plaque reduction assays. The results revealed that the extracts of Acokanthera schimperi and Euclea schimperi showed antiviral activity against all three tested viruses albeit with unequal efficacy. Whereas the Acokanthera schimperi extract exhibited the strongest activity against CVB3, the extract of Euclea schimperi inhibited influenzavirus A replication most effectively. A weak anti-influenzavirus A activity was also exhibited by the other plant extracts tested. In addition, CVB3 was inhibited by the extracts of Plumbago zeylanica and HSV-1 by Inula confertiflora. Thus, the extracts of these plants, particularly those of Acokanthera schimperi, Euclea schimperi and Inula confertiflora which showed activity against CVB3 and HSV-1 support their traditional use in the treatment of skin diseases of viral origin.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Ethnopharmacological evaluation of the informant consensus model on anti-tuberculosis claims among the Manus.

Ethnobotanists often utilize predictive models to analyze the potential of indigenously used medicinal plants. The most common of these prognostic models is the informant consensus model. This study evaluates use of this model through the analytical ethnopharmacology of Manus Province, Papua New Guinea (PNG). The informant consensus model enables researchers to prioritize plants for pharmacognostic evaluation, based on the relative frequency of plants cited in anthropological interviews. Fieldwork on Manus Island, PNG, led to the identification of 43 species of plants used in traditional medicine for persistent respiratory symptoms. Plants were collected, dried, micro-extracted using a new technique generated in our laboratory, and evaluated in vitro against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The results, in the form of IC(50) values and modified selectivity indices (SI), were compared to the results of the anthropological models of informant consensus, and statistically compared through linear regression and t-tests. Results were not statistically significant (alpha=0.1), leading to the conclusions that the informant consensus assumptions were inaccurate in predicting anti-mycobacterial activity among the Manus for anti-TB claims.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2006

Evaluation of some plants used in Turkish folk medicine against parasitic infections for their in vivo anthelmintic activity.

Ethanolic and aqueous extracts obtained from nine plant species from seven families selected depending on their use in Turkish folk medicine, including Citrillus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. (seed), Jasminum fruticans L. (branches), Juniperus drupacea Labill. (fruits), Juniperus nana L. (fruit and leaves), Juniperus oxcycedrus L (fruit and leaves), Mentha longifolia L. (herba), Pinus nigra ssp. pallasiana (Lamb.) Richt. (fruits), Plantago lanceolata L. (leaves), and Zea mays L. (seed) were evaluated for their in vivo anthelmintic activity. Among the plant extracts studied, both ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Jasminum fruticans, Mentha longifolia and Pinus nigra ssp. pallasiana, the aqueous extracts of Zea mays, the ethanolic extracts of Citrillus lanatus, Juniperus drupacea (fruit), Juniperus oxcycedrus and Plantago lanceolata displayed significant anthelmintic activity against pinworms, Syphacia obvelata and Aspiculuris tetraptera, in mice. Rest of the extracts from plants did not show any remarkable anthelmintic activity. The results were considered significant at p<0.05.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Medicinal plants of the Shinasha, Agew-awi and Amhara peoples in northwest Ethiopia.

Study was conducted in two sub-districts in northwestern Ethiopia to compile and analyse knowledge on the use of medicinal plants for treatment or prevention of human ailments by three socio-cultural groups, namely the Amharas, Shinashas and Agew-Awis. Data were mainly collected through individual interviews conducted with selected knowledgeable farmers and professional healers of the three socio-cultural groups. A total of 76 medicinal plants belonging to 48 families were documented, of which 50 species were reported by the Amharas, 25 by the Shinashas and 20 by the Agew-Awis. Large proportions of medicinal plants were found to have been used for the treatments of gastro-intestinal complaints (26%), skin diseases (24%) and malaria (22%). Relatively, higher numbers of informants agreed on the use of Croton macrostachyus against malaria (21%), Cynoglossum coeruleum against 'mich', illness mainly characterized by fever, headache and sweating (18%) and Zehneria scabra against malaria (13%). The species Croton Macrostachyus, Calpurnia aurea, Clematis hirsuta and Plumbago zeylanica were found to have the highest diversity of medicinal applications. We recommend that priority for further investigation should be given to medicinal plants with higher informant consensuses, as this could indicate their better efficacy. Measures are needed to conserve plants that are reported as scarce in the study area but still are only harvested from the wild.

Data Collection↗
PubMed2006

Acoustic emission analysis and experiments with physical model systems reveal a peculiar nature of the xylem tension.

Advanced acoustic emission analysis, special microscopic examinations and experiments with physical model systems give reasons for the assumption that the tension in the water conducting system of vascular plants is caused by countless minute gas bubbles strongly adhering to the hydrophobic lignin domains of the xylem vessel walls. We ascertained these bubbles for several species of temperate deciduous trees and conifers. It is our hypothesis that the coherent bubble system of the xylem conduits operates as a force-transmitting medium that is capable of transporting water in traveling peristaltic waves. By virtue of the high elasticity of the gas bubbles, the hydro-pneumatic bubble system is capable of cyclic storing and releasing of energy. We consider the abrupt regrouping of the wall adherent bubble system to be the origin of acoustic emissions from plants. For Ulmus glabra, we recorded violent acoustic activity during both transpiration and re-hydration. The frequency spectrum and the waveforms of the detected acoustic emissions contradict traditional assumptions according to which acoustic emissions are caused by cavitation disruption of the stressed water column. We consider negative pressure in terms of the cohesion theory to be mimicked by the tension of the wall adherent bubble system.

Acoustics↗