In traditional Chinese medicine, Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino is a herbal drug of extreme versatility and has been extensively researched in China. The dammarane saponins isolated from Gynostemma pentaphyllum, namely gypenosides or gynosaponins, are believed to be the active components responsible for its various biological activities and reported clinical effects. This review attempts to encompass the available literature on Gynostemma pentaphyllum, from its cultivation to the isolation of its chemical entities and a summary of its diverse pharmacological properties attributed to its gypenoside content. Other aspects such as toxicology and pharmacokinetics are also discussed. In vitro and in vivo evidence suggests that Gynostemma pentaphyllum may complement the popular herbal medicine, Panax ginseng, as it also contains a high ginsenoside content and exhibits similar biological activities.

Chemistry and Pharmacology of Gynostemma pentaphyllum

Protective role of extracts of neem seeds in diabetes caused by streptozotocin in rats

Anthropological methods in ethnopharmacology

Tapping an Amazônian plethora: four medicinal plants of Marajó Island, Pará (Brazil).

Eryngium foetidum L.: a review.

Two hundred and ninety three fully identified species representing 203 genera and 77 families were collected from Mt Merapi, Mt Sago, Baso, Simarasap Forest, Ngalau Forest, Padang, Air Sirah Forest, and Ulu Gadat Forest in West Sumatra and tested for the presence of alkaloids Positive results were obtained for 58 species representing 50 genera and 26 families

Rosmawaty

Papers

Survey of some West Sumatran plants for alkaloids