Showing papers on "Medicinal plants published in 2013"

Phytochemistry of Medicinal Plants

Abstract: Medicinal plants are a rich source of bioactive phytochemicals or bionutrients. Studies carried out during the past 2–3 decades have shown that these phytochemicals have an important role in preventing chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes and coronary heart disease. The major classes of phytochemicals with disease-preventing functions are dietary fibre, antioxidants, anticancer, detoxifying agents, immunity-potentiating agents and neuropharmacological agents. Each class of these functional agents consists of a wide range of chemicals with differing potency. Some of these phytochemicals have more than one function. There is, however, much scope for further systematic research in screening Indian medicinal plants for these phytochemicals and assessing their potential in protecting against different types of diseases.

Phytochemical Analysis of Medicinal Plants Occurring in Local Area ofMardan

Abstract: Medicinal plants have bioactive compounds which are used for curing of various human diseases and also play an important role in healing. Phytochemicals have two categories i.e., primary and secondary constituents. Primary constituents have chlorophyll, proteins sugar and amino acids. Secondary constituents contain terpenoids and alkaloids. Medicinal plants have antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammation activities. The present study involves ten different medicinal plants Acacia nilotica, Psidium gujauva, Luffa cylindrical, Morus alba, Morus nigra, Momordica charantia, Fagonia cretica, Punica granatum, Ficus palmate and Prunus persica locally available in Mardan region of Pakistan. The leaves of the selected medicinal plants were washed, air dried and then powdered. The aqueous extract of leaf samples were used for the phytochemical analysis to find out the phytochemical constituents in the plants. The main objective of the research work was to check the presence or absence of the phytochemical constituents in all the selected medicinal plants. The results of the phytochemical analysis of these medicinal plants showed that the terpenoids, phlobatannins, reducing sugar, flavonoids and alkaloids were found to be present in afore mentioned medicinal plants. The phytochemical analysis of the plants is very important commercially and has great interest in pharmaceutical companies for the production of the new drugs for curing of various diseases. It is expected that the important phytochemical properties recognized by our study in the indigenous medicinal plants of Mardan will be very useful in the curing of various diseases of this region.

Rapid screening and identification of α-glucosidase inhibitors from mulberry leaves using enzyme-immobilized magnetic beads coupled with HPLC/MS and NMR

Abstract: α-Glucosidase plays important roles in the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates in the small intestine. The inhibition of α-glucosidase is regarded as a potential way to treat diabetes. We established an approach to screening α-glucosidase inhibitors from medicinal plants using enzyme-coated magnetic bead. Using 1-(3-dimethyl-aminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide and N-hydroxysuccinimide as reaction reagents, α-glucosidase was immobilized on the magnetic beads by covalent linkage. The conjugation of α-glucosidase to the magnetic beads was characterized using scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffractometer. The proposed approach was applied in fishing potential α-glucosidase inhibitors from extract of Morus alba, a Chinese medicinal plant. The structures of potential active compounds were identified via liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance. The results demonstrated that two flavonoids (isoquercitrin and astragalin) could bind to α-glucosidase, which was confirmed via conventional α-glucosidase inhibitory assay. Our findings suggested that enzyme-coated magnetic beads may be suitable for discovering active compounds from medicinal plants. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Potential anti-dengue medicinal plants: a review

Abstract: Dengue fever causes mortality and morbidity around the world, specifically in the Tropics and subtropic regions, which has been of major concern to governments and the World Health Organization (WHO). As a consequence, the search for new anti-dengue agents from medicinal plants has assumed more urgency than in the past. Medicinal plants have been used widely to treat a variety of vector ailments such as malaria. The demand for plant-based medicines is growing as they are generally considered to be safer, non-toxic and less harmful than synthetic drugs. This article reviews potential anti-dengue activities from plants distributed around the world. Sixty-nine studies from 1997 to 2012 describe 31 different species from 24 families that are known for their anti-dengue activities. About ten phytochemicals have been isolated from 11 species, among which are compounds with the potential for development of dengue treatment. Crude extracts and essential oils obtained from 31 species showed a broad activity against Flavivirus. Current studies show that natural products represent a rich potential source of new anti-dengue compounds. Further ethnobotanical surveys and laboratory investigations are needed established the potential of identified species in contributing to dengue control.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis and active ingredients of medicinal plants: current research status and prospectives.

Abstract: Medicinal plants have been used world-wide for thousands of years and are widely recognized as having high healing but minor toxic side effects. The scarcity and increasing demand for medicinal plants and their products have promoted the development of artificial cultivation of medicinal plants. Currently, one of the prominent issues in medicinal cultivation systems is the unstable quality of the products. Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) affects secondary metabolism and the production of active ingredients of medicinal plants and thus influence the quality of herbal medicines. In this review, we have assembled, analyzed, and summarized the effects of AM symbioses on secondary metabolites of medicinal plants. We conclude that symbiosis of AM is conducive to favorable characteristics of medicinal plants, by improving the production and accumulation of important active ingredients of medicinal plants such as terpenes, phenols, and alkaloids, optimizing the composition of different active ingredients in medicinal plants and ultimately improving the quality of herbal materials. We are convinced that the AM symbiosis will benefit the cultivation of medicinal plants and improve the total yield and quality of herbal materials. Through this review, we hope to draw attention to the status and prospects of, and arouse more interest in, the research field of medicinal plants and mycorrhiza.

In vitro anticancer screening of 24 locally used Nigerian medicinal plants

Abstract: Plants that are used as traditional medicine represent a relevant pool for selecting plant candidates that may have anticancer properties. In this study, the ethnomedicinal approach was used to select several medicinal plants native to Nigeria, on the basis of their local or traditional uses. The collected plants were then evaluated for cytoxicity. The antitumor activity of methanolic extracts obtained from 24 of the selected plants, were evaluated in vitro on five human cancer cell lines. Results obtained from the plants screened indicate that 18 plant extracts of folk medicine exhibited promising cytotoxic activity against human carcinoma cell lines. Erythrophleum suaveolens (Guill. & Perr.) Brenan was found to demonstrate potent anti-cancer activity in this study exhibiting IC50 = 0.2-1.3 μg/ml. Based on the significantly potent activity of some plants extracts reported here, further studies aimed at mechanism elucidation and bio-guided isolation of active anticancer compounds is currently underway.

Mexican antidiabetic herbs: valuable sources of inhibitors of α-glucosidases.

Abstract: Type II-diabetes mellitus (TII-DM) has been regarded as one of the most important public health problems in all nations in the 21st century. Although allopathic therapies remain the most important for the initial management of TII-DM, herbal remedies have gained wide acceptance for treating this condition. These alternative therapies are particularly valued in countries such as Mexico, rich in medicinal plants strongly attached to the cultural values of the population. Medicinal plants are prized sources of α-glucosidase inhibitors, which delay the liberation of glucose from complex carbohydrates, retarding glucose absorption, and thus controlling the characteristic hyperglycemia of TII-DM. Among the plant species used for treating diabetes in Mexico only 38 have been analyzed for their inhibitory activity of α-glucosidases. Most of these studies, reviewed in the present work, have focused on the evaluation of different types of extracts on the activity of α-glucosidases from diverse sources. Four species have been thoroughly analyzed in order to discover novel α-glucosidase inhibitors, namely, Hintonia latiflora and Hintonia standleyana (Rubiaceae), Ligusticum porteri (Apiaceae), and Brickellia cavanillesii (Asteraceae). Their ethnomedical uses, pharmacological and toxicological studies, chemical composition, and antihyperglycemic principles with α-glucosidase inhibitory activity are summarized.

Antimalarial activities of medicinal plants and herbal formulations used in Thai traditional medicine.

Abstract: Malaria is one of the world's leading killer infectious diseases with high incidence and morbidity. The problem of multidrug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum has been aggravating particularly in Southeast Asia. Therefore, development of new potential antimalarial drugs is urgently required. The present study aimed to investigate antimalarial activities of a total of 27 medicinal plants and 5 herbal formulations used in Thai traditional medicine against chloroquine-resistant (K1) and chloroquine-sensitive (3D7) P. falciparum clones. Antimalarial activity of the ethanolic extracts of all plants/herbal formulations against K1 and 3D7 P. falciparum clones was assessed using SYBR Green I-based assay. All plants were initially screened at the concentration of 50 μg/ml to select the candidate plants that inhibited malaria growth by ≥50 %. Each candidate plant was further assessed for the IC50 value (concentration that inhibits malaria growth by 50 %) to select the potential plants. Selectivity index (SI) of each extract was determined from the IC50 ratio obtained from human renal epithelial cell and K1 or 3D7 P. falciparum clone. The ethanolic extracts from 19 medicinal plants/herbal formulation exhibited promising activity against both K1 and 3D7 clones of P. falciparum with survival of less than 50 % at the concentration of 50 μg/ml. Among these, the extracts from the eight medicinal plants (Plumbago indica Linn., Garcinia mangostana Linn., Dracaena loureiri Gagnep., Dioscorea membranacea Pierre., Artemisia annua Linn., Piper chaba Hunt., Myristica fragrans Houtt., Kaempferia galanga Linn.) and two herbal formulations (Benjakul Formulation 1 and Pra-Sa-Prao-Yhai Formulation) showed potent antimalarial activity with median range IC50 values of less than 10 μg/ml against K1 or 3D7 P. falciparum clone or both. All except G. mangostana Linn. and A. annua Linn. showed high selective antimalarial activity against both clones with SI > 10. Further studies on antimalarial activities in an animal model including molecular mechanisms of action of the isolated active moieties are required.

Phytochemical screening and assessment of antibacterial activity for the bioactive compounds in Annona muricata

Abstract: In India, many forms of alternative medicines are available for those who do not want conventional medicine (or) who cannot be helped by conventional medicine. Ayurvedha and Kabiraji (Herbal medicine) are two important forms of alternative medicine that is widely available in India. Many herbs and species are used in Indian cooking such as onion, Garlic, Ginger, Turmeric, Cardamom, Coriander etc. Ayurvedic medicine uses all of these either in diet or as a medicine. Some of these medicinal plants like Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Haridra (Curcuma longa), sarpagandha (Rauvolfia serpentia) and Ghritkumari (Aleo barbadensis) have been featured on Indian postage stamps. Among this one of the important medicinal plants which show many medicinal properties is Annona muricata(In Tamil, Mullu seetha). It is a small upright evergreen tree 5-6 meter height with large, glossy, dark green leaves. It produce a large heart shaped, edible fruit is 5-20 cm in diameter, yellow green in colour and has white flesh inside. Annonaceous acetogeneins are powerful phytochemicals found in the Graviola ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 2 Number 1 (2013) pp. 1 8

In-vitro evaluation of selected Egyptian traditional herbal medicines for treatment of alzheimer disease

Abstract: Background: Egyptians recognized the healing power of herbs and used them in their medicinal formulations. Nowadays, “Attarin” drug shops and the public use mainly the Unani medicinal system for treatment of their health problems including improvement of memory and old age related diseases. Numerous medicinal plants have been described in old literature of Arabic traditional medicine for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) (or to strengthen memory). Methods: In this study, some of these plants were evaluated against three different preliminary bioassays related to AD to explore the possible way of their bio-interaction. Twenty three selected plants were extracted with methanol and screened in vitro against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and cycloxygenase-1 (COX-1) enzymes. In addition, anti-oxidant activity using DPPH was determined. Results: Of the tested plant extracts; Adhatoda vasica and Peganum harmala showed inhibitory effect on AChE at IC50 294 μg/ml and 68 μg/ml respectively. Moreover, A. vasica interacted reversibly with the enzyme while P. harmala showed irreversible inhibition. Ferula assafoetida (IC50 3.2 μg/ml), Syzygium aromaticum (34.9 μg/ml) and Zingiber officinalis (33.6 μg/ml) showed activity against COX-1 enzyme. Potent radical scavenging activity was demonstrated by three plant extracts Terminalia chebula (EC50 2.2 μg/ml), T. arjuna (3.1 μg/ml) and Emblica officinalis (6.3 μg/ml). Conclusion: Interestingly, differential results have been obtained which indicate the variability of the mode of actions for the selected plants. Additionally, the reversible interaction of A. vasica against AChE and the potent activity of F. assafoetida against COX-1 make them effective, new and promising agents for treatment of AD in the future, either as total extracts or their single bioactive constituents.

Cameroonian medicinal plants: a bioactivity versus ethnobotanical survey and chemotaxonomic classification

Abstract: In Cameroon herbs are traditionally used to meet health care needs and plans are on the way to integrate traditional medicine in the health care system, even though the plans have not been put into action yet. The country however has a rich biodiversity, with ~8,620 plant species, some of which are commonly used in the treatment of several microbial infections and a range of diseases (malaria, trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, diabetes and tuberculosis). Our survey consisted in collecting published data from the literature sources, mainly from PhD theses in Cameroonian university libraries and also using the author queries in major natural product and medicinal chemistry journals. The collected data includes plant sources, uses of plant material in traditional medicine, plant families, region of collection of plant material, isolated metabolites and type (e.g. flavonoid, terpenoid, etc.), measured biological activities of isolated compounds, and any comments on significance of isolated metabolites on the chemotaxonomic classification of the plant species. This data was compiled on a excel sheet and analysed. In this study, a literature survey led to the collection of data on 2,700 secondary metabolites, which have been previously isolated or derived from Cameroonian medicinal plants. This represents distinct phytochemicals derived from 312 plant species belonging to 67 plant families. The plant species are investigated in terms of chemical composition with respect to the various plant families. A correlation between the known biological activities of isolated compounds and the ethnobotanical uses of the plants is also attempted. Insight into future direction for natural product search within the Cameroonian forest and Savanna is provided. It can be verified that a phytochemical search of active secondary metabolites, which is inspired by knowledge from the ethnobotanical uses of medicinal plants could be very vital in a drug discovery program from plant-derived bioactive compounds.

Medicinal Plants with Potential Antifertility Activity

Abstract: PharmacognosyDioscorides on Pharmacy and Medicine[Indian materia medica ] ; Dr. K. M. Nadkarni's Indian materia medica : with Ayurvedic, Unani-Tibbi, Siddha, allopathic, homeopathic, naturopathic & home remedies, appendices & indexes. 2Edible Medicinal and Non-Medicinal PlantsEve's HerbsPopular Medicinal Plants in Portland and Kingston, JamaicaThe Traditional Medical Practitioner in ZimbabweTraditional Herbal Remedies for Primary Health CareEvidence Based Validation of Traditional MedicinesHerbal Medicine in IndiaDuke's Handbook of Medicinal Plants of the BiblePlants with Possible Antifertility ActivityGossypolHerbal Medicine in AndrologyPhytochemicalsHandbook of 200 Medicinal PlantsMedicinal Plants of South AsiaGenetics and Genomics of PapayaMedicinal Plants of the BiblePractical PharmacognosyMedicinal PlantsMedicinal Plants in Tropical West AfricaAnti-Fertility Plants of the PacificPhytochemicals in Human HealthPlants and Indigenous Medicine and DietHandbook of African Medicinal Plants, Second EditionHandbook of Medicinal PlantsHandbook of 200 Medicinal PlantsSpecial Report SeriesEthnomedicinal Plants with Therapeutic PropertiesHandbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second EditionEthnobotany of India, Volume 1Encyclopedia of Indian Medicinal PlantsPotentials Of Living ResourcesSynthesis of Medicinal Agents from PlantsAn Electrophysiological Exploration Into the Sertoli Cell, Utilizing Plant Extracts with a View to ContraceptionHandbook of Nutraceuticals Volume IAnti-diabetes and Anti-obesity Medicinal Plants and PhytochemicalsHerbal Medicines in Pregnancy and LactationPhytochemistry of Plants of Genus Cassia

In Vitro Nitric Oxide Scavenging Activity Of Methanol Extracts Of Three Bangladeshi Medicinal Plants

Abstract: The methanol extracts of three medicinal plants named Phyllunthus freternus,Triumfetta rhomboidae and Casuarina littorea were examined for their possible regulatory effect on nitric oxide (NO) levels using sodium nitroprusside as a NO donor in vitro. Most of the extracts tested demonstrated direct scavenging of NO and exihibited significant activity and the potency of scavenging activity was in the following order: Phyllunthus freternus > Leaves of Triumfetta rhomboidae > Casuarina littorea > barks of Triumfetta rhomboidae > roots of Triumfetta rhomboidae. All the evaluated extracts exhibited a dose dependent NO scavenging activity. The methanolic extracts of Phyllunthus freternus showed the greatest NO scavenging effect of 60.80% at 200 µg/ml with IC50 values 48.27 µg/ml as compared to the positive control ascorbic acid where 96.27% scavenging was observed at similar concentration with IC50 value of 5.47 µg/ml. The maximum NO scavenging of Leaves ofTriumfetta rhomboidae, barks of Triumfetta rhomboidae, roots of Triumfetta rhomboidae andCasuarina littorea were 53.94%, 50.43%, 33.23% and 54.02% with IC50 values 97.81 µg/ml, 196.89 µg/ml, > 200 µg/ml and 168.17 µg/ml respectively. The present results suggest that these plants might be potent and novel therapeutic agents for scavenging of NO and the regulation of pathological conditions caused by excessive generation of NO and its oxidation product.

Antagonistic effect of alkaloids and saponins on bioactivity in the quinine tree (Rauvolfia caffra sond.): further evidence to support biotechnology in traditional medicinal plants.

Abstract: The Quinine tree (Rauvolfia caffra) is used as a medicinal plant among traditional communities in many countries to manage tumors and other diseases associated with oxidative stress. To validate indigenous knowledge and possibly position this herb for technology uptake and utilization, we established the level of antioxidant activity in R. caffra, and probed for the presence of associated phytochemicals. Antioxidant activity was determined on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) while major phytochemicals were identified by multiple tests on methanol fractions. R. caffra showed promise as a cure, with antioxidant activity comparable to the commercially used drug quercetin (R. caffra = 79.7% ±1.9; quercetin = 82.6% ± 2.0). However, we found two phytochemicals with possible antagonistic effect: co-occurrence of alkaloids and saponins significantly reduced antioxidant activity (alkaloids only = 63%; alkaloids plus saponins = 15%; steroids, terpenoids and cardiac glycosides = 82%), thus alkaloids and saponins should be exclusive to each other in drug formulations. Antagonistic relationship among phytochemicals would affect the efficacy of crude extracts as used in traditional medicine. Unlike in herbal medicine, use of modern biotechnology in extraction, purification and design of optimal combinations will ensure efficient drug formulations with optimum bioactivity and minimum toxicity. Metabolic pathway engineering under a controlled environment may optimize availability of desired compounds.

The Globalization of Traditional Medicine in Northern Peru: From Shamanism to Molecules

Abstract: Northern Peru represents the center of the Andean “health axis,” with roots going back to traditional practices of Cupisnique culture (1000 BC). For more than a decade of research, semistructured interviews were conducted with healers, collectors, and sellers of medicinal plants. In addition, bioassays were carried out to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of plants found. Most of the 510 species encountered were native to Peru (83%). Fifty percent of the plants used in colonial times have disappeared from the pharmacopoeia. Market vendors specialized either on common and exotic plants, plants for common ailments, and plants only used by healers or on plants with magical purposes. Over 974 preparations with up to 29 different ingredients were used to treat 164 health conditions. Almost 65% of the medicinal plants were applied in these mixtures. Antibacterial activity was confirmed in most plants used for infections. Twenty-four percent of the aqueous extracts and 76% of the ethanolic extracts showed toxicity. Traditional preparation methods take this into account when choosing the appropriate solvent for the preparation of a remedy. The increasing demand for medicinal species did not increase the cultivation of medicinal plants. Most species are wild collected, causing doubts about the sustainability of trade.

Preliminary Phytochemical Screening of Eight Selected Medicinal Herbs Used for the Treatment of Diabetes, Malaria and Pneumonia in Kisii Region, Southwest Kenya

Abstract: 2 Abstract: Medicinal plants are an important source of phytochemicals that offer traditional medicinal treatment of various ailments. In Kisii region, southwest Kenya, amongst the indigenous herbs used as phytomedicines for the treatment of diabetes, malaria and pneumonia are Carissa spinarum, Urtica dioica, Warburgia ugandensis, Senna didymobotrya, Physalis Peruvian, Bidens pilosa, Leonotis nepetifolia and Toddalia asiatica. A study was carried out on these plants in the year 2011 to 2012. The objective was to test for the presence of phytochemical compounds in the eight selected traditional medicinal herbs. Leaf samples of the selected herbs growing in the ecological conditions of the Kisii region were collected, washed, air-dried and milled. The samples were extracted with one solvent namely water. The aqueous portion of the extract was used for phytochemical analysis to determine the presence of bioactive compounds. Results showed that saponins, tannins, steroids, terpenoids and flavonoids are present in all the eight herbs investigated. Herbs with cardiac glycoside in their leaves are Carissa spinarum, Senna didymobotrya, Physalis peruviana, Bidens pilosa and Leonotis nepetifolia while those without are Urtica dioica, Warburgia ugandensis and Toddalia asiatica. Plants with alkaloids are Warburgia ugandensis and Physalis peruviana. The anthraquinones are present in Carissa spinarum and Bidens pilosa. The presence of pytochemicals in the herbs confirms their potential as medicinal plants. The herbs vary in their phytochemical constituents hence potential as medicinal plants.

Screening of natural antioxidants from selected medicinal plants

Abstract: Medicinal plants contain high levels of natural antioxidants and exhibited strong antioxidant activity. In order to find new sources of natural antioxidants, a screening of natural antioxidants from some Tunisian medicinal plants commonly associated with treatment of some diseases were conducted. The total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and hydrolysables tannins were measured, and the antioxidant capacities were evaluated using DPPH and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assays. Results prove that there are important quantities of these compounds in Tunisian medicinal plants. A positive linear correlation between Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity and the phenolic compound contents suggested that these compounds were a major contributor of antioxidant activity of these plants. The results from this study will help us understand the antioxidant capacity profiles of these medicinal plants, and also investigate new sources of natural antioxidants.

A review on antimicrobial efficacy of some traditional medicinal plants in Tamilnadu

Abstract: Infectious diseases are one of the major problems in developing as well as developed countries. Traditional medicinal plants are widely used to treat the microbial diseases due to their rich source of antimicrobial activity and less cost. The different plant parts such as seed, fruit, root, bark, stem, leaf and even the whole plant were extracted using different solvents like ethanol, methanol, chloroform, acetone, petroleum ether, alcohol, and ethyl acetate. These extracts were tested by diffusion method against gram positive, gram negative bacteria and fungi to assess their antimicrobial activity. This review provides a lucid data of nearly 70 traditional medicinal plants with antimicrobial activity and this would open up the scope for further analysis of medicinal plant extracts to develop effective antimicrobial drugs.

Chinese medicinal herbs as source of antioxidant compounds--where tradition meets the future.

Abstract: Medicinal plants are an essential part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), an ancient complex therapy considered today as one of the most complete complementary medicine system. Chinese Herbal Medicines (CHM) listings included in Chinese Materia Medica cover more than 1500 plants and a great number of composite preparations. Recently, several TCM herbs have been included into European Pharmacopoeia and many more are on the waiting list. The efficiency of TCM is based on the reinforcing of an organism’s natural healing power and the ability to restore the energy homoeostasis. A likely mechanism of at least some of the activities is interacting with redox balance and prevention of oxidative stress. During the past two decades, hundreds of crude herbs, extracts, and isolated compounds have been screened for their antioxidant properties in vitro and in vivo. Consequently, some of traditional Chinese herbs can be regarded as source of very efficient antioxidant compounds, and this activity could explain some of their therapeutic and preventive usefulness. In this review, we outline the recent achievements in the worldwide quest for more efficient antioxidants, with Chinese medicinal and food plants in the central point. Various classes of antioxidant compounds will be mentioned, such as polyphenols or terpenoids that can act either as direct reactive oxygen species scavengers, transition metal reducers and chelators, or as chain breaking antioxidants. Some methodological considerations will be also discussed, with emphasis on the potential importance of the results obtained with antioxidant assays for human health and disease prevention. In this context, several examples of selected, most promising Chinese medicinal plants will be also presented in more detail.

Effects of PAR and UV-B Radiation on Herbal Yield, Bioactive Compounds and Their Antioxidant Capacity of Some Medicinal Plants Under Controlled Environmental Conditions

Abstract: Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and Ultraviolet B (UV-B) radiation are among the main environmental factors acting on herbal yield and biosynthesis of bioactive compounds in medicinal plants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of biologically effective UV-B light (280-315 nm) and PAR (400-700 nm) on herbal yield, content and composition, as well as antioxidant capacity of essential oils and polyphenols of lemon catmint (Nepeta cataria L. f. citriodora), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) and sage (Salvia officinalis L.) under controlled greenhouse cultivation. Intensive UV-B radiation (2.5 kJ m(-2) d(-1) ) influenced positively the herbal yield. The essential oil content and composition of studied herbs were mainly affected by PAR and UV-B radiation. In general, additional low-dose UV-B radiation (1 kJ m(-2) d(-1) ) was most effective for biosynthesis of polyphenols in herbs. Analysis of major polyphenolic compounds provided differences in sensitivity of main polyphenols to PAR and UV-B radiation. Essential oils and polyphenol-rich extracts of radiated herbs showed essential differences in antioxidant capacity by the ABTS system. Information from this study can be useful for herbal biomass and secondary metabolite production with superior quality under controlled environment conditions.

A review on medicinal plants having antioxidant potential

Abstract: Natural compounds from plants and other life forms (bacteria, fungi, marine organisms) represent a major source of molecules with medicinal properties. Among them, antioxidant substances are of particular interest. The understanding of the central role that oxidative stress holds in the progression of disorders as varied as: cardiovascular diseases, degenerative conditions, rheumatic disorders, metabolic syndrome, and in aging, makes antioxidant capacity to a key-feature of modern, multipotent remedies. A lot of medicinal plants, traditionally used for thousands of years, are present in a group of herbal preparations of the Indian traditional health care system (Ayurveda) named Rasayana proposed for their interesting antioxidant activities.

Potential medicinal plants of lamiaceae

Abstract: The objective of the present study was to review on few medicinally potential plants of Lamiaceae of Karnataka. Plants in this family, are herbs or shrubs often with an aromatic smell. They are common in the Mediterranean countries for the fact that some of them produce a high amount of essential oil that enables them to survive the hot summer season. Some examples from this family include Anisomeles, Colebrookea, Coleus, Hyptis, Leonotis, Leucas, Mentha, Ocimum, Oreganum and Salvia. These are important for medicinal, perfumery, culinary and ornamental purposes. Medicinal constituents include the strong aromatic essential oil, tannins, saponins and organic acids. The oil is obtained by steam distillation. In aromatherapy, the oil is used for its soothing effects. These plants have sedative, diuretic, tonic, antispasmodic, antifungal, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.

Antidiabetic Herbal Drugs and Polyherbal Formulation Used For Diabetes: A Review

Abstract: This dreadful disease is found in all parts of the world and is becoming a serious threat to mankind health. It is caused by the deficiency or ineffective production of insulin by pancreas which results in increase or decrease in concentrations of glucose in the blood. There are lots of chemical agents available to control and to treat diabetic patients, but total recovery from diabetes has not been reported up to this date. Alternative to these synthetic agents, many herbal plants with hypoglycaemic properties are known from across the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed 21,000 plants, which are used for medicinal purposes around the world. A list of medicinal plants with proven antidiabetic and related beneficial effects and of herbal drugs used in treatment of diabetes is compiled.