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Showing papers on "Medicinal plants published in 2003"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Present studies besides confirming hypoglycaemic activities of the experimental herbal samples, help identify more potent indigenous hyp glucosecaemic herbs (in crude ethanolic extract) from the comparative study of the reported experimental results.

583 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: There are innumerable potentially useful medicinal plants and herbs waiting to be evaluated and exploited for therapeutic applications against genetically and functionally diverse viruses families such as Retroviridae, Hepadnaviridae and Herpesviridae.
Abstract: Several hundred plant and herb species that have potential as novel antiviral agents have been studied, with surprisingly little overlap. A wide variety of active phytochemicals, including the flavonoids, terpenoids, lignans, sulphides, polyphenolics, coumarins, saponins, furyl compounds, alkaloids, polyines, thiophenes, proteins and peptides have been identified. Some volatile essential oils of commonly used culinary herbs, spices and herbal teas have also exhibited a high level of antiviral activity. However, given the few classes of compounds investigated, most of the pharmacopoeia of compounds in medicinal plants with antiviral activity is still not known. Several of these phytochemicals have complementary and overlapping mechanisms of action, including antiviral effects by either inhibiting the formation of viral DNA or RNA or inhibiting the activity of viral reproduction. Assay methods to determine antiviral activity include multiple-arm trials, randomized crossover studies, and more compromised designs such as nonrandomized crossovers and pre- and post-treatment analyses. Methods are needed to link antiviral efficacy/potency- and laboratory-based research. Nevertheless, the relative success achieved recently using medicinal plant/herb extracts of various species that are capable of acting therapeutically in various viral infections has raised optimism about the future of phyto-antiviral agents. As this review illustrates, there are innumerable potentially useful medicinal plants and herbs waiting to be evaluated and exploited for therapeutic applications against genetically and functionally diverse viruses families such as Retroviridae, Hepadnaviridae and Herpesviridae

579 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: An inventory of the medicinal plants of Bulamogi county in Uganda, including their medicinal use, preparation and administration modes is presented, to promote confidence among users of traditional medicine, and also to create opportunities for the marketing of herbal medicines and generate incomes for the community.

407 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A limited review of plants used in Ayurvedic medicine found to be effective in experimental models and in a few cases, active chemical constituents were identified.
Abstract: Research on wound healing drugs is a developing area in modern biomedical sciences. Scientists who are trying to develop newer drugs from natural resources are looking toward the Ayurveda, the Indian traditional system of medicine. Several drugs of plant, mineral, and animal origin are described in the Ayurveda for their wound healing properties under the term Vranaropaka. Most of these drugs are derived from plant origin. Some of these plants have been screened scientifically for the evaluation of their wound healing activity in different pharmacological models and patients, but the potential of most remains unexplored. In a few cases, active chemical constituents were identified. Some Ayurvedic medicinal plants, namely, Ficus bengalensis, Cynodon dactylon, Symplocos racemosa, Rubia cordifolia, Pterocarpus santalinus, Ficus racemosa, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Berberis aristata, Curcuma longa, Centella asiatica, Euphorbia nerifolia, and Aloe vera, were found to be effective in experimental models. This paper presents a limited review of plants used in Ayurvedic medicine.

297 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results suggest that the Korean medicinal plants and the polyphenols isolated from them that exhibited effective radical-scavenging activity may be promising agents for scavenging free radicals and treating diseases associated with excess free radicals.

247 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this study, in vitro inhibitory effects of 33 ethanol extracts obtained from 24 plant species (representing 11 different families) on cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) showed inhibitory activity against COx-1, which supports their traditional uses.

195 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results of a preliminary antimicrobial screening of the methanol extracts of Aframomum melegueta, Piper guineense, Xylopia aethiopica, Zingiber officinale, medicinal plants of Ghana, are reported.

128 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Results indicate that an acetone extract of bark and fruit of the medicinal plants under study harbors constituents with promising antimutagenic/anticarcinogenic potential that could be investigated further.
Abstract: India is one of the 12 mega diversity countries in the world so it has a vital stake in conservation and sustainable utilization of its biodiversity resources. Plant secondary metabolites have been of interest to man for a long time due to their pharmacological relevance. With this in view, the bark powder of Acacia auriculiformis, A. nilotica, Juglans regia, and the fruit powder of Terminalia bellerica, T. chebula, Emblica officinalis, and a combination drug "Triphala," which are known to be rich in polyphenols, were tested for their antimutagenic activities. Antimutagenic activities of the extracts were estimated by employing the plate incorporation Ames Salmonella histidine reversion assay by using the frame shift mutagen tester strain TA98 and base pair substitution strain TA100 against direct acting mutagens (NPD, sodium azide), and the S9-dependent mutagen 2-aminofluorene(2AF). Acetone extracts of all the plants exhibited significant antimutagenic activities among the other extracts tested, but an acetone extract of Acacia nilotica showed a marked anti-mutagent effect. Furthermore, it was more effective against indirect acting mutagen, 2AF, in both TA98 and TA100 tester strains of Salmonella typhimurium than against the direct acting mutagens. The results indicate that an acetone extract of bark and fruit of the medicinal plants under study harbors constituents with promising antimutagenic/anticarcinogenic potential that could be investigated further.

108 citations


01 Jan 2003
TL;DR: Among 42 extracts, prepared from 14 medicinal plants used in Vietnamese traditional medicine to treat malaria, 24 extracts had antiplasmodial activity by inhibiting the growth of the chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparumstrain FCR-3 with EC50 values less than 10g/ml.
Abstract: Among 42 extracts, prepared from 14 medicinal plants used in Vietnamese traditional medicine to treat malaria, 24 were found to have antiplasmodial activity by inhibiting the growth of the chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparumstrain FCR-3 with EC50 values less than 10g/ml. Each medicinal plant possessed at least one active extract. The methanol extract of Coscinium fenestratumhad the strongest antiplasmodial activity with EC50 value of 0.5g/ml. Activity-guided fractionation led to identification of berberine as the major active constituent.

93 citations



Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the elemental composition of different parts (root, bark, leaf, seed) of some medicinal plants of North Eastern India has been determined by using proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE).
Abstract: Several parts of plants are used in herbal and Ayurvedic medicines of India. The different elemental constituents at trace levels of these plant parts play an effective role in the medicines prepared. Elemental composition of different parts (root, bark, leaf, seed) of some medicinal plants of North Eastern India has been determined by using proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE). A total of 14 elements, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Br, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr and Pb have been measured. Their concentrations were found to vary in different samples. Medicinal properties of these plant samples and their elemental distribution have been correlated.

Journal Article
TL;DR: In this article, the results of an ethnobotanical project carried out in the area comprising Utror-Gabral Valleys of upper Swat were analyzed and it was shown that almost 90% of these medicinal plants are sold in the local market in fresh form as the collectors are poor and needy.
Abstract: This paper is based on the results of an ethnobotanical project carried out in the area comprising Utror-Gabral Valleys of upper Swat. The residents of the area use indigenous medicinal plants for curing diseases and also sell some of them in the local market for earning their live hood. About 44 medicinal plants are collected in the area during the months of May, June, July and August. Out of these 44 species collected and marketed, 8 species of medicinal plants are endangered, 8 species are vulnerable and 8 species are rare. Bulk of these medicinal plants are used locally and only Berberis lycium, Bergenia ciliata, Podophyllum hexandrum, Colchicum luteum, Dioscoria deltoides, Viola spp., Pistacia integrimma, Morchella esculenta, Paeonia emodi, Rheum australe, Aconitum hetrophyllum, Valeriana jatamansi, Acorus calamus, Juglans regia, Diospyrus lotus and Bistorta amplexicaulis makes their way to national and international markets. A survey conducted shows that medicinal plants collectors include womenfolk (48.26%), men folk (27.0%) and children (24.74%). Almost 90% of these medicinal plants are sold in the local market in fresh form as the collectors are poor and needy. Some species are cleaned, dried in the sun and stored in plastic bags. The percentage of losses is much higher in the storage because the collectors are unaware about the proper storage methods of these plants. The availability of medicinal plants decreased during the past 20 years. According to aged villagers, medicinal plants were abundant in the vicinities of human settlements some 20 years back. However, the population of medicinal plants drastically decreased due to increased marketing pressure on medicinal plants, lack of job opportunities in the area, non sustainable harvesting methods like digging of whole plant and increased population of the area. The medicinal plants are now collected in large volumes from remote areas of Desan, Ghos, Ladhu, Pala-Shair, Sind, Molat, Gozba, Deej, Tosi and Kagishdin.

Book ChapterDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the biological activities of the isoprenylated-flavonoids from the root barks and/or barks of moraceous plants and from Glycyrrhiza species were reviewed.
Abstract: Among a large number of phenolic compounds isolated from natural source, various isoprenoid-substituted phenolic compounds have often been found in plants. Moraceous plants and licorice ( Glycyrrhiza species) are rich sources of the isoprenoid-substituted phenolic compounds, including flavonoids. Some of the Morus flavonoids, such as kuwanons G and H, have been regarded as optically active Diels-Alder type adducts. Furthermore, some of the isoprenylated-flavonoids from the moraceous plants and licorice showed the interesting biological activities. This article reviews the biological activities of the isoprenylated-flavonoids from the root barks and/or barks of moraceous plants and from Glycyrrhiza species by our group. The chemical studies concerning the biological activities of these compounds are also described briefly.

Journal Article
TL;DR: Korean peninsula have many potential in antioxidant source which includes various medicinal herbs which must be more studied as antioxidant and then developed as many industrial materials.
Abstract: One hundred sixty species among Korean medicinal plants were tested on their antioxidative potentials. Antioxidants are useful materials which could be expected into development as food preservatives, health foods, cosmetics and drugs. Korean peninsula have many potential in antioxidant source which includes various medicinal herbs. It grounded on the fact that Korean medicinal plants have been used as folk therapy for long time and still do in oriental medicine. From the study, effective free radical scavengers compared with were Geranium sibiricum, Geum japonicum, Geranium nepalense subsp. thunbergii and Paulownia coreana which showed , respectively, Acer mono and 38 plants showed strong potential in inhibition rate on linoleic acid oxidation (above 90%). In conclusion, we expect that the selected medicinal plants must be more studied as antioxidant and then developed as many industrial materials.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A total of ten extracts from different parts of eight medicinal plants that are used in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, were evaluated to determine their spasmolytic action on in vitro isolated rat ileum.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Herbs, plants that represent a broad group of aromatic and medicinal species, are relatively minor horticultural crops in the U.S. compared with other garden and field species, but human societies have developed an intimate relationship with herbs, making these plants more important than mere acreage or crop production reports would indicate.
Abstract: Herbs, plants that represent a broad group of aromatic and medicinal species, are relatively minor horticultural crops in the U.S. compared with other garden and field species. Yet, human societies have developed an intimate relationship with herbs, making these plants more important than mere acreage or crop production reports would indicate. Anyone doubting the significance of these plants need only to think of an apple pie without cinnamon, a pizza without oregano, a headache without aspirin, or a childhood leukemia patient without vincristine to appreciate the ways in which herbs influence the quality of life, providing flavorings, medicines, fragrances, and a host of other substances that delight the senses and cure aliments. Herbs are ornamentals for gardens and landscapes and reservoirs of chemicals to calm and enhance the human spirit. Herbs and herb extracts are a collection of flavorings for our foods and beverages and pharmaceuticals for treatment of our afflictions. Estimates suggest that 75% of the world∑ s population relies on plant-based medicines for primary healthcare and that populations using pharmaceutical drugs obtain about 120 prescription drugs from higher plants (Abelson, 1990). Without herbs and medicinal plants humans would likely exist in a much-reduced state. Over the past 100 years, herb production in the U.S. has varied considerably, following medical and culinary trends within American society. Generally, commercial production of herbs was strong from 1903 to 1939, declined from 1940 to 1969, and increased from 1970 to today. These changes were influenced by several factors, including the need for plants as medicines, the development of organic chemistry, shifts in population demographics, searches for alternative farm crops, changes in food preferences, activities of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), concern for plant diversity, and passage of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994. The total crop land currently devoted to commercial production of herbs and medicinal plants in the U.S. is about 187,000 acres, relatively small compared with crops such as popcorn (337,000 acres), tomatoes (414,000 acres), or peanuts (1,352,000 acres) (USDA, 1999). Because herbs are a minor horticultural crop in the U.S., relatively little research has been done on the production and protection of herbs during the past 100 years and only a minimal amount of production and trade data have been recorded. A WELL-ROOTED BEGINNING: 1903–1939

Book
30 Aug 2003


Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 2003
TL;DR: There is a need to make an intensive study on medicinal and aromatic plants for their genetic improvement, conservation and cultivation methods.
Abstract: Plants are the resources of foods, pharmaceuticals and pesticides. Plant based medicines have served the human race over the ages for various ailments and number of medicinal plants have become important raw material for pharmaceutical industries. The great popularity of herbal drugs has to do with their effectiveness, minimal side effects in clinical experience and moderate prices. The use of medicinal plants in the health care management programme has been recognized internationally. World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that the global market for medicinal herbs and herbal products is about 62 billion dollars and by the year 2050 will reach 5 trillion dollars. Therefore, there is a need to make an intensive study on medicinal and aromatic plants for their genetic improvement, conservation and cultivation methods.

01 Jan 2003
TL;DR: The Indigenous Bioresources Research Group (IBRG) aims to help Australian Aboriginal communities to preserve their customary medicinal knowledge, and to provide information that can be used for their cultural or educational purposes, as well as for scientific advancement as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The Australian Aboriginal people have used plants as medicine and food for thousands of years, however, this traditional knowledge is documented only to a limited extent, and is in danger of being lost. The Indigenous Bioresources Research Group (IBRG) aims to help Australian Aboriginal communities to preserve their customary medicinal knowledge, and to provide information that can be used for their cultural or educational purposes, as well as for scientific advancement. This work is undertaken in close collaboration with Australian Aboriginal communities in New South Wales. The project is multidisciplinary, combining an ethnobotanical and an ethnopharmacological approach, which includes biological and chemical investigations, as well as developing best practices for protecting traditional knowledge. This paper describes the general strategy of the project as well as methods used in the ethnopharmacological study. Ethnobotanical databases are set up for each participating community. Plant material is collected, extracted, and active compounds are isolated using a bioassay-guided fractionation approach. All extracts and compounds are tested for biological activity in antimicrobial assays (disc diffusion, resazurin, fluorescein diacetate), neurological assays or anti-inflammatory assays, depending on their traditional use.



Journal Article
TL;DR: Ethanol extracts of 20 different medicinal plants of Nepal were screened for their antimicrobial activities against seven bacteria and Berberis aristata, Bergenia ligulata, Psidium guajava and Tenninalia chebula showed relatively broad-spectrum antibacterial activity.
Abstract: Ethanol extracts of 20 different medicinal plants of Nepal were screened for their antimicrobial activities against seven bacteria. Extracts, which were found to be sensitive during screening process, were evaluated quantitatively. Zones of inhibition and minimum inhibitory concentration of the extracts were determined by agar well diffusion and broth dilution methods respectively. Gram positive bacteria were relatively more susceptible to the ethanol extract of medicinal plants. Of 20 medicinal plants. Bauhinia variegata. Berberis aristata, Bergenia ligulata, Psidium guajava and Tenninalia chebula showed relatively broad-spectrum antibacterial activity.



Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It's time to get used to the idea of co-operating with giants.
Abstract: 我々は1999年と2000年の夏にモンゴルを訪れ, この国の伝統医学と天然薬物について調査した。モンゴルの伝統的な治療方法は, オイルマッサージ, 鍼灸, 薬草処方, 食事療法, アロマセラピー, 瀉血療法, 読経のおおよそ7種類に分類され, なかでも薬草処方は鍼灸, マッサージと並んでその根幹をなしていることがわかった。これらの治療法はインドの伝統医学の流れを汲むチベット医学を基礎としている。モンゴルでは急性あるいは慢性疾患に対して多くの薬草や薬草処方をもちいる習慣にあり, Ephedra 属や Glycyrrhiza 属といった重要植物の資源も豊富である。このように, モンゴルでは社会主義体制の放棄後, 急速に伝統医学が復活してきており, 普遍的で重要な治療法になりつつある。