Clinical Biochemistry of Domestic Animals

Cancer preventive properties of ginger: a brief review.

Medicinal plants of the caatinga (semi-arid) vegetation of NE Brazil: a quantitative approach.

Zingiberis rhizoma: A comprehensive review on the ginger effect and efficacy profiles

Phytogenic agents have traditionally been used by herbalists and indigenous healers for the prevention and treatment of peptic ulcer. This article reviews the anti-acid/anti-peptic, gastro-protective and/or anti-ulcer properties of the most commonly employed herbal medicines and their identified active constituents. Botanical compounds with anti-ulcer activity include flavonoids (i.e. quercetin, naringin, silymarin, anthocyanosides, sophoradin derivatives) saponins (i.e. from Panax japonicus and Kochia scoparia), tannins (i.e. from Linderae umbellatae), gums and mucilages (i.e. gum guar and myrrh). Among herbal drugs, liquorice, aloe gel and capsicum (chilli) have been used extensively and their clinical efficacy documented. Also, ethnomedical systems employ several plant extracts for the treatment of peptic ulcer. Despite progress in conventional chemistry and pharmacology in producing effective drugs, the plant kingdom might provide a useful source of new anti-ulcer compounds for development as pharmaceutical entities or, alternatively, as simple dietary adjuncts to existing therapies.

The plant kingdom as a source of anti‐ulcer remedies

Evaluation of turmeric (Curcuma longa) for gastric and duodenal antiulcer activity in rats.

Teucrium polium is widely used by the folk-medicine practitioners in Saudi Arabia for the treatment of inflammations, rheumatism, diabetes and ulcers. Scientific reports are lacking to confirm these activities. The present study reports the effect of ethanolic extract of T. polium on carrageenan-induced acute inflammation, cotton-pellet granuloma and some of the biochemical parameters. The ethanolic extract of Teucrium polium at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight produced significant inhibition of carrageenan-induced inflammation and cotton-pellet granuloma. Biochemical studies showed a significant decrease in glucose level. The presence of flavonoids and sterols might be responsible for the anti-inflammatory activity of this plant. Further studies on the fractionation of the phytoconstituents, and on their mechanism of action are in progress.

Anti-inflammatory activity of Teucrium polium

The cytoprotective and gastric anti-ulcer studies of ginger have been carried out in albino rats. Cytodestruction was produced by 80% ethanol, 0.6M HC1, 0.2M NaOH and 25% NaCl. Whereas gastric ulcers were produced by ulcerogenic agents including indomethacin, aspirin and reserpine, beside hypothermic restraint stress and by pylorus ligated Shay rat technique. The results of this study demonstrate that the extract in the dose of 500 mg/kg orally exert highly significant cytoprotection against 80% ethanol, 0.6M HC1, 0.2M NaOH and 25% NaCl induced gastric lesions. The extract also prevented the occurrence of gastric ulcers induced by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and hypothermic restraint stress. These observations suggest cytoprotective and anti-ulcerogenic effect of the ginger.

Gastroprotective Activity of Ginger Zingiber Officinale Rosc., in Albino Rats

The decoction of the aerial part of Calotropis procera is commonly used in Saudi Arabian traditional medicine for the treatment of variety of diseases including fever, joint pain, muscular spasm and constipation. The present investigation was undertaken to confirm its claimed activity in traditional medicine. The ethanol extract of the plant was tested on laboratory animals for its antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, purgative and muscle relaxant activities. The results of this study showed a significant antipyretic, analgesic and neuromuscular blocking activity. On smooth muscle of guinea pig ileum, the extract produced contractions which was blocked by atropine supporting its use in constipation. The extract failed to produce significant anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities. Our phytochemical studies on the aerial parts of C. procera showed the presence of alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, sterols and/or triterpenes. However, the chemical constituents responsible for the pharmacological activities remains to be investigated. The safety evaluation studies revealed that the use of extract in single high doses (up to 3g/kg) does not produce any visible toxic symptoms or mortality. However, prolong treatment (90 days) causes significantly higher mortality as compared to control group.

Pharmacological studies on aerial parts of Calotropis procera.

An ethanol extract of Rhus retinorrhaea Steud. ex. A. Rich-has been studied for anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic activities in experimental models. The extract produced significant inhibition of carrageenan-induced paw edema, an insignificant cotton pellet granuloma in rats, a significant dose-dependent reduction of yeast-induced hyperpyrexia, and inhibition of acetic acid-induced writhing in mice. Other pharmacological studies revealed central nervous system depressing and negative inotropic and chronotropic activities. The acute toxicity studies showed no mortality and adverse effects up to a 3g/kg dose in mice.

M. A. Al-Yahya

Papers

Evaluation of turmeric (Curcuma longa) for gastric and duodenal antiulcer activity in rats.

Anti-inflammatory activity of Teucrium polium

Gastroprotective Activity of Ginger Zingiber Officinale Rosc., in Albino Rats

Pharmacological studies on aerial parts of Calotropis procera.

Pharmacological Studies of Rhus Retinorrhaea