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Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants
01 Jan 1956-
About: The article was published on 1956-01-01 and is currently open access. It has received 5524 citations till now. The article focuses on the topics: Glossary.
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TL;DR: In vitro studies reveals that the bitter gourd proteins (α-and β-monorcharin) have inhibitory effect against HIV virus, and leaf extracts have broad-spectrum anti-microbial activity as well.
Abstract: Momordica charantia L. (Bitter gourd) is a flowering vine in the family of Cucurbitaceae. It contains an array of novel and biologically active phytochemicals including triterpenes, proteins and steroids. Medicinally, the plant has a long history of use by the indigenous people as a folk medicine. Bitter gourd is often used in Chinese cooking for its bitter flavor, typically in stir-fries, soups, and also as tea. Pakistan, Philippines, Panama and Nepal also use this bitter vegetable for culinary purposes in addition to India. Several medicinal properties of the bitter gourd have been studied by various researchers, such as anti-diabetic, anti-ulcerogenic, anti-mutagenic, antioxidant, anti-tumour, anti-lipolytic, analgesic, abortifacient, anti-viral, hypoglycemic and immunomodulatory. In vitro studies reveals that the bitter gourd proteins (α-and β-monorcharin) have inhibitory effect against HIV virus, and leaf extracts have broad-spectrum anti-microbial activity as well. Many in vivo studies have demonstrated the relatively low toxicity of all parts of the bitter gourd plant when ingested orally. This review also addresses taxonomy, phytochemical, culinary practices and pharmacological properties in detail. Over the years scientists have verified many of the traditional uses of this bitter plant that continues to be an important natural remedy in herbal medicine systems. Bitter gourd products such as concentrated fruit and seed extracts can be found in capsules and tablets, as well as in whole herb/vine powder forms and these supplements are becoming more widely available in many countries nowadays as prophylactic or therapeutic agents.
51 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The physiochemical properties and fatty acid composition of oil from seeds of 4 cowpea cultivars viz., Elite, CP1, White Star and SA dandy, commonly grown in Pakistan, were investigated and showed that campesterol (sterol) has only negative correlation with α-tocopherol, while have positive correlations with β-tociperol, γ-ocopherol and δ-tocaperol.
Abstract: The physiochemical properties and fatty acid (FA) composition of oil from seeds of 4 cowpea cultivars viz., Elite, CP1, White Star and SA dandy, commonly grown in Pakistan, were investigated. Oil contents ranged from 2.71-2.96% with triacylglycerols being present in highest amount. Iodine values were found highest in CP1 while SA dandy and CP1 excelled in saponification values and acid values, respectively. Despite variations unsaturated fatty acids were observed as being present in higher concentration in all cultivars. Among sterols, stigmasterol was present in highest amount followed by β-sitosterol and campesterol. Among tocopherols, α-, and βtocopherols were observed as being present in highest and lowest concentrations, respectively. Results from most of the parameters revealed not significant (p≤0.05) differences among the cultivars. The results showed that campestrol positively correlated with stigmasterol, Δ 5 avenasterol, Δ 7 -avenasterol, and have high negative (-0.9) correlation with β-sitosterol. However, campesterol (sterol) has only negative correlation with α-tocopherol, while have positive correlations with β-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol and δ-tocopherol. But stigmasterol has negative correlations with α-tocopherol (-0.7; high), β-tocopherol (-0.3, low) and δ-tocopherol (-0.2, low) while have low positive (+0.4) with γ-tocopherol. β-sitosterol also depicted similar correlations with different tocopherols. All cowpea cultivars appeared to be suitable as nutritional oil source of comparable quality.
51 citations
Cites background from "Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants..."
...When boiled and eaten as a food it is considered to destroy worms in the stomach (Chopra et al., 1986)....
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TL;DR: B. diffusa extract inhibited the growth of several cell lines of mouse and human origin, such as mouse macrophage cells, human monocytic cells, mouse fibroblast cells, and human T cells.
51 citations
TL;DR: It is conceivable therefore, that Fumaria parviflora extract exhibits a selective protective effect against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity, probably mediated through MDME inhibition.
Abstract: 1. The hepatoprotective activity of an aqueous-methanolic extract of Fumaria parviflora was investigated against paracetamol- and CCI4-induced hepatic damage. 2. Paracetamol (1 g/kg; orally) produced 100% mortality in mice; pretreatment of animals with the plant extract (500 mg/kg; orally) reduced the death rate to 50%. 3. Pretreatment of rats with plant extract (500 mg/kg, orally twice daily for 2 days) prevented (P 0.05) the CCI4-induced rise in serum enzyme levels. 4. Posttreatment with 3 successive doses of the extract (500 mg/kg, 6 hourly) also restricted the paracetamol-induced hepatic damage. 5. The plant extract (500 mg/kg; orally) caused significant prolongation in pentobarbital (75 mg/ kg)-induced sleep as well as increased strychnine-induced lethality in mice (P < 0.05), suggestive of an inhibitory effect on microsomal drug metabolizing enzymes (MDME). 6. It is conceivable therefore, that Fumaria parviflora extract exhibits a selective protective effect against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity, probably mediated through MDME inhibition.
51 citations
TL;DR: The present review gives a brief account on this important fiber yielding and medicinal plant with special emphasis on the secondary metabolite and in vitro propagation.
Abstract: Agave sisalana Perr. Syn (Agavaceae) is cultivated for its fiber, ornamental and medicinal value. The plant contains saponin useful for soap making and pharmacological importance. It yields a stiff fiber traditionally used in making twine, rope and also dartboards. Despite their economic importance, the Agave spp. has not been genetically improved. In vitro propagation offers an alternative to this problem through the efficient cloning of selected high-yielding “elite” plants. The present review gives a brief account on this important fiber yielding and medicinal plant with special emphasis on the secondary metabolite and in vitro propagation.
Key words: Agave sisalana, saponin, in vitro propagation, fiber.
51 citations
Cites methods from "Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants..."
...It is used in the treatment of syphilis (Bown, 1995; Chopra et al., 1986)....
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...The root is diaphoretic and diuretic (Chopra et al., 1986)....
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...The root is diaphoretic and diuretic (Chopra et al., 1986)....
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