Showing papers on "Medicinal plants published in 2000"

The plant kingdom as a source of anti‐ulcer remedies

Abstract: 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.

Handbook Of Medicinal Plants

Abstract: * About the Editors * Contributors * Preface * PART I. INTRODUCTION * Chapter 1. Trends and Challenges in Phytomedicine: Research in the New Millennium (Hildebert Wagner) * Introduction * Quality Assurance of Medicinal Drugs and Phytopreparations * Search for New Bioactive Compounds and Chemical Modifications of Leading Compounds * Molecular-Biological Screening: Overall Pharmacological Profiles and Synergistic Effects * Clinical Trials, Pharmacokinetic Studies, and Bioavailability Studies * Scope and Aim of Phytomedicine in the Near Future * Conclusion * PART II. THE USE OF MEDICINAL PLANTS THROUGHOUT HISTORY * CHINESE MEDICINAL PLANTS * Chapter 2. History of Application of Medicinal Plants in China (Chang-Xiao Liu) * Introduction * Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs * Brief History of Application of Medicinal Plants * Medicinal Plants in China in the Past Century * Development of Resources * Chapter 3. Ethnopharmacology of Traditional Chinese Drugs from Medicinal Plants (Chang-Xiao Liu) * Introduction * Diaphoretics * Antitussive Expectorants and Antiasthmatics * Drugs Clearing Heat and Drying Dampness * Purgative Drugs * Drugs Expelling Wind and Dampness * Aromatic Drugs Transforming Dampness * Drugs Benefiting Urination and Draining Dampness * Drugs Warming the Interior * Drugs Regulating Qi * Drugs Relieving Food Stagnation * Drugs Expelling Parasites * Drugs Stopping Bleeding * Drugs Regulating Blood Conditions * Drugs Tranquilizing the Mind * Drugs Pacifying the Liver and Subduing Endogenous Wind * Drugs That Open Orifices * Tonics * Astringent Drugs * Chapter 4. Research and Development of New Drugs Originating from Chinese Medicinal Plants (Chang-Xiao Liu and Zohara Yaniv) * Introduction * Pathway of Research and Development from Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs * The Treatment Principles of Chinese Traditional Medicine * Valuable Clinical Results of the Application of National Minority Drugs * Active Compounds Isolated from Chinese Medicinal Plants * Types of Pharmacological Activities * The Challenges of Modern Research and the Development of Medicinal Plants * Conclusion * MEDICINAL PLANTS IN NATIVE CULTURES * Chapter 5. African Medicinal Plants (Ruth Kutalek and Armin Prinz) * Introduction * Strophantus spp., Apocynaceae * Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don, Apocynaceae * Rauwolfia vomitoria Azfel (Apocynaceae) * Physostigma venenosum Balf. (Fabaceae) * Future Prospects * Chapter 6. Dilemmas and Solutions: Native American Plant Knowledge (Daniel E. Moerman) * A Mother's Dilemma * A Plant's Dilemma * Two Dilemmas Yield a Solution * Case Example: Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) * Final Words * Chapter 7. Ethnobotany and Ethnomedicine of the Amazonian Indians (Sir Ghillean T. Prance) * Introduction * The Yanomami * Arrow Poisons * Narcotics and Stimulants * Fish Poisons * Conclusion * Chapter 8. Healers and Physicians in Ancient and Medieval Mediterranean Cultures (Alain Touwaide) * Traditional Historiography * Two Main Works * The Range of Materia Medica * Transformations of Texts over Time * Plant Representations * Conclusion * Chapter 9. Remedies from the Bush: Traditional Medicine Among the Australian Aborigines (Emanuela Appetiti) * Introduction * The Dreamtime * Plants and People * Treatment of Common Ailments * Women's Medicine * Two Remarkable Plants * Other Uses of Medicinal Plants * Nonplant Materia Medica * Conclusion * PART III. TECHNOLOGIES IN MEDICINAL PLANT RESEARCH * Chapter 10. Production and Breeding of Medicinal Plants (Eva Nemeth) * Short History of Medicinal Plant Production * The Present Situation and Characteristics of Medicinal Plant Cultivation in Europe * The Role and Significance of Harvesting from Wild Habitats * Characteristics of Breeding Medicinal Plants * Chapter 11. Biological Screening of Medicinal Plants (Ming-Wei Wang) * Introduction * Drug Discovery in Ancient Times * Random Drug Screening Using Animal Models * High-Throughput Screening Technologies * Future Prospects * Chapter 12. Biotechnology in Medicinal Crop Improvement (Efraim Lewinsohn and Ya'akov Tadmor) * Introduction * Utilization of DNA Markers in Medicinal Plants * Construction of Genetic Maps Utilizing DNA Markers * Utilization of Genetic Engineering in Medicinal Plants * Conclusion * Chapter 13. In Vitro Cultivation of Medicinal Plants (Christoph Wawrosch) * Introduction * Plant Tissue Culture Techniques * In Vitro Plant Propagation * In Vitro Production of Secondary Metabolites * Conclusion * PART IV. LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN MEDICINAL APPLICATIONS * Chapter 14. Medicinal Plants in the Prevention and Therapy of Cancer (David Mantle and Richard M. Wilkins) * Introduction * Mistletoe * Ginseng * Garlic * Chapter 15. Phytochemicals and Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease (D. Francesco Visioli, Simona Grande, and Claudio Galli) * Introduction * Plant-Derived Phenols * Soy * Cocoa * Tea * Wine * Olive Oil * Conclusion * Chapter 16. A Modern Look at Folkloric Use of Anti-Infective Agents (Lester A. Mitscher) * Introduction * Berberine * Sanguinarine * Quinine * Emetine * Individual Antimicrobial Medicinal Plants of Lesser Prominence * Conclusion * Chapter 17. Use of Medicinal Plants in CNS Disorders (Peter John Houghton) * Introduction * Disorders of the CNS * Plants and Derived Compounds Used to Treat Neurodegenerative Diseases * Plants and Derived Compounds Used As Anxiolytics, Tranquilizers, and Sedatives * Plants and Derived Compounds with Narcotic Effects * Plants and Derived Compounds Used As CNS Stimulants * Plants and Derived Compounds Used in Depression * Plants Used for Conditions That Display Excessive Aspects of Normal Function * Adaptogens * Conclusion * Chapter 18. Herbal Medicine in Endocrinology and Metabolic Disease (Graham Pinn) * Introduction * Gout * Diabetes Mellitus * Obesity * Hyperlipidemia * Thyroid Disorder * Menopause * Toxicity * Conclusion * Chapter 19. Bioactive Saponins from Plants: Recent Developments (Marie-Aleth Lacaille-Dubois) * Introduction * Anti-Inflammatory Activity * Hepatoprotective Activity * Cardiovascular Activity * Activity on the Central Nervous System * Hypoglycemic Activity * Antifungal Activity * Antiviral Activities * Anticancer and Immune System Related Activity * Conclusion * Chapter 20. Natural Products and Herbal Medicines in the Gastrointestinal Tract (Zohar Kerem) * Introduction * Antimicrobial Activities of Herbal Products * GI Immunoregulation * Chemical Considerations in the GI Tract * Herbal-Induced Drug Interactions in the GI Tract * Antioxidant and Reducing Activities of Herbal Products * Conclusion * PART V. HOPES AND DANGERS * Chapter 21. Challenges and Threats to Interdisciplinary Medicinal Plant Research (Michael Heinrich) * Introduction: Patients' Dilemmas in 2005 * Medicinal Plants and Their Modern and Historical Uses * New Methodological Developments * Medical Applications: Pharmacology and Clinical Use * Future Needs: Phytotherapy and the Concept of Ethnopharmacy * Conclusion * Index * Reference Notes Included

Insulin-like biological activity of culinary and medicinal plant aqueous extracts in vitro.

Abstract: To evaluate the possible effects on insulin function, 49 herb, spice, and medicinal plant extracts were tested in the insulin-dependent utilization of glucose using a rat epididymal adipocyte assay. Cinnamon was the most bioactive product followed by witch hazel, green and black teas, allspice, bay leaves, nutmeg, cloves, mushrooms, and brewer's yeast. The glucose oxidation enhancing bioactivity was lost from cinnamon, tea, witch hazel, cloves, bay leaf and allspice by poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) treatment, indicating that the active phytochemicals are likely to be phenolic in nature. The activity of sage, mushrooms, and brewers's yeast was not removed by PVP. Some products such as Korean ginseng, flaxseed meal, and basil have been reported to be effective antidiabetic agents; however, they were only marginally active in our assay. Our technique measures direct stimulation of cellular glucose metabolism, so it may be that the active phytochemicals in these plants improve glucose metabolism via other mech...

Medicinal plants in China containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids.

Abstract: Medicinal plants and remedies are widely used for various ailments throughout the world. Many of these plants contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) which are hepatotoxic, pneumotoxic, genotoxic, neurotoxic, and cytotoxic. As a result of their use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), medicinal plants are becoming increasingly important not only in China but also in many other countries. This paper will therefore give, a critical overview of PA-containing plants belonging mainly to the families Boraginaceae, Leguminosae (Tribus Crotalarieae), and Asteraceae (Tribus Senecioneae and Eupatorieae). The PAs contained in the 38 plants described here differ widely in their structure and toxicity. Their metabolism and the resulting toxicity will be discussed, the dehydroalkaloids (DHAlk) produced in the liver playing a key role in cases of intoxications.

Research and future trends in the pharmaceutical development of medicinal herbs from Chinese medicine

Abstract: Issues concerning the past and future development of medicinal herbs from Chinese medicine (CM) are addressed in this paper. In the Western world, medicinal herbs are becoming increasingly popular and important in the public and scientific communities. In contrast to their regulated status in China and other countries, herbal medicines are regarded as dietary supplements in the US. Accordingly, research must continue worldwide to identify and improve the efficacy of the active principals of herbs both singly and in combination -- from active ingredients, active fractions, and active herbal formulations. While Western medicine currently employs pure, single compounds, either natural or synthetic, CM has long used multiple combinations of compounds in the form of processed natural products, primarily medicinal herbs, to treat and relieve the symptoms of many different human diseases. CM may have fewer and less severe side effects than single pure drugs, making CM especially attractive to the consumer. In effect, CM's focus on combination therapy does serve both ancient and modern theories. However, research using modern analytical and chemical techniques is needed to ensure efficacy and safety, to provide qualitative and quantitative analyses for dietary supplements, and to develop new, effective and safe world-class drugs. Drug design is an iterative process. Bioactivity-directed fractionation and isolation identify active natural compounds from single herbs or formulations. These lead structures can be chemically modified and improved through knowledge of structure--activity relationship, mechanism of action, drug metabolism, molecular modelling and combinatorial chemistry studies. Finally, efficacy and toxicity determination as well as clinical trials can contribute to the generation of new drugs from CM. To continue the legacy of CM, as well as the worldwide uses of other medicinal herbs, continued investigation of active formulations, bioactive fractions, and isolated compounds is critical to drug development in the 21st century.

Cancer Chemoprevention by Phytochemicals and their Related Compounds.

Abstract: Cancer chemoprevention by phytochemicals may be one of the most feasible approaches for cancer control. For example, phytochemicals obtained from vegetables, fruits, spices, teas, herbs and medicinal plants, such as carotenoids, phenolic compounds and terpenoids, have been proven to suppress experimental carcinogenesis in various organs. These candidates should be evaluated by intervention studies, before acceptance as cancer preventive agents for human application. Phytochemicals may also be useful to develop "designer foods" or "functional foods" for cancer prevention. We are now planning animal foods, such as meats, eggs and milk, which contain anti-carcinogenic phytochemicals. In prototype experiments, expression of genes for synthesis of phytochemicals, such as phytoene and limonene, has been successful in cultured animal cells.

Bioactive steroids from the whole herb of Euphorbia chamaesyce.

Abstract: Three new ergostane-type steroids, 3β-hydroxy-4α,14α-dimethyl-5α-ergosta-8,24(28)-dien-11-one (1); 3β,11α-dihydroxy-4α,14α-dimethyl-5α-ergosta-8,24(28)-dien-7-one (2); and 3β,7α-dihydroxy-4α,14α-dimethyl-5α-ergosta-8,24(28)-dien-11-one (3), were isolated, together with two known triterpenoids, wrightial and lup-20(30)-ene-3β,29-diol from the whole herb of Euphorbia chamaesyce. Compound 3 showed a potent inhibitory effect on Epstein−Barr virus early antigen activation induced by the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA).

Examination and Isolation of Natural Antioxidants from Korean Medicinal Plants

Abstract: On the purpose of development of antioxidative compounds from natural sources, 38 plants known to have antioxidant activity have been examined concerning DPPH radical scavenging activity. Among 13 plants exhibiting the activity, the seed of Carthamus tinctorius L, was selected as resources to search for active compounds due to rareness of study. The seed of the plant has been used as edible oil or preventive and remedial drugs for osteoporosis, arthritis. To reveal the principal component manifesting the antioxidant activity, the MeOH extracts was successively solvent-fractionated with EtOAc, n-BuOH and water. In order to isolate active component from the EtOAc fractions, application of silica gel column chromatographies and activity tests were repeated for a active component to be isolated. Its chmical structure was determined to be N-feruloylserotonin, a conjugated serotonin compound, by the interpretation of spectral data, NMR. MS and the adaptation of chemical reactions.

Dietary Saponins and Human Health

Abstract: In recent years the beneficial role of saponins in human health has generated considerable research interest Most of this work, however, has examined saponins in medicinal plants and traditional herbal remedies such as ginseng and licorice root and has focused on the potential role of saponins as pharmaceutical agents [1,2]

Food comprising lactobacillus symbiotic culture product and medicinal plant and method for producing the same

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a health food exerting synergistic effect and health maintenance effect each afforded by lactobacillus symbiotic culture products and root stocks, leaves or flowers of medicinal plants such as turmeric, Orthosiphon stamineus, hibiscus, guava, ginkgo and loquat. SOLUTION: This health food comprises at least one kind of medicinal plants such as turmeric, Orthosiphon stamineus, hibiscus, guava, ginkgo, Peucedanum japonicum Thumb, Houttuynia cordata and loquat leaves.

Hypericum perforatum: nature's mood stabilizer.

Abstract: Hypericum perforatum (HP), better known as St. John's Wort, has been used clinically for centuries. Modern usage is still quite diverse and includes kidney and lung ailments, insomnia and depression. Standardised extracts of HP are widely used in the treatment of psychovegetative disorders and especially for mild forms of depression. Several bioactive constituents of this plant may play important role in its well-known antidepressant activity, which are discussed in the present article. Furthermore, emphasis is also given on its botany, chemistry, pharmacology and clinical efficacy.

Production of Medicinal Plant Species in Sterile, Controlled Environments

Abstract: The quality and efficacy of commercial medicinal plant preparations has been compromised by many factors including a lack of understanding of a) the physiology of medicinal plants b) the identity of medicinally active constituents, and c) the optimal conditions for growth and d) the adulteration of products with misidentified species, environmental pollutants, insects, bacteria and fungi. Micropropagation systems provide consistent sterile plant material under controlled conditions for high-quality plant-based medicines. We have recently developed in vitro culture protocols for the high-frequency multiplication of St. John’s wort, (Hypericum perforatum), Huang-qin (Scutellaria baicalensis), Echinacea sp. and feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) using the plant growth regulator thidiazuron [N-phenyl-N′-(l,2,3-thidiazol-yl)urea]. For St. John’s wort, the optimal level of thidiazuron was 5 μmol L-1 for a 6 or 9 day induction period. A bioreactor system was developed for the large-scale production of regenerated St. John’s wort. The mammalian neurohormones serotonin and melatonin have been identified in in vitro grown St. John’s wort plantlets. These data demonstrate the potential for the improvement of plant-based medicines via micropropagation technologies.

Genetic Engineering of Enzymes Diverting Amino Acids into Secondary Metabolism

Abstract: At the end of the 70ties, plant tissue cultures were expected to become an alternative source to field grown plants for commercially important compounds (secondary metabolites). The idea was to grow suspension cultures of medicinal plants in huge bioreactors and to isolate from their biomass the desired compounds, for example morphinanes, quinine or cardiac glycosides. It was assumed that one would produce the compounds under better controlled conditions, independent of the climate and could react more flexible to changing demands of the market. For several reasons this ambitious goal has not yet been acchieved. The most serious problem is the fact that nearly all commercially attractive candidates for this technology are produced only in low amounts or are even lacking in biotechnologically relevant tissue cultures. Biotechnologically relevant means that product formation occurs or is stably inducable in rapidly growing cultures. Though all available conventional techniques (screening, selection, production media, biotic and abiotic elicitors) have been applied to these cultures, their productivity could not be improved distinctly. Presently, we have to accept that only some compounds of minor or no commercial impact can be produced by tissue cultures in high levels so that a commercial production could be envisaged (see for review1). It is more and more believed that the application of new, especially genetic techniques is required to express the really interesting pathways in cultured cells.