Medicinal plants

About: Medicinal plants is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 3816 publications have been published within this topic receiving 108681 citations. The topic is also known as: medicinal herbs & medicinal plants.

Antifungal Activity of Medicinal Plant Extracts and Phytocompounds: A Review

Abstract: The epidemiological data suggest that the incidence and prevalence of serious mycoses continues to be a public health problem. The increased use of antifungal agents has resulted in the development of resistance to these drugs. The spread of multidrug-resistant strains of fungus and the reduced number of drugs available make it necessary to discover new classes of antifungals from natural products including medicinal plants. Historically, herbs and spices have enjoyed a rich tradition of use for their medicinal properties and provide unlimited opportunities for new drug leads because of the huge chemical diversity. Assays of bioactive compounds have been reported with good antifungal properties in vitro or in vivo. It is almost impossible to discuss the various characteristics of these plants such as mode of action and extraction of active compounds in a single review. Therefore, we have focussed here mainly on the antifungal plant extracts, their use against pathogeinc and drug resistant fungi. The various classes of compounds such as phenolics, terpenoids, saponins, and alkaloids, etc., are discussed in detail. The new emerging classes of antifungal proteins and peptides are also reviewed briefly. In this chapter, we also describe the technical aspects related to the methodology for screening and identification of antifungal compounds. The technical aspects regarding the use of reliable methodology of extraction, screening, bioautography, and identification of pure compounds from crude extracts and fractions are also discussed here.

Teas and herbal infusions as sources of melatonin and other bioactive non-nutrient components

Abstract: The consumption of teas and herbal infusions has increased in Europe and the USA in recent years. The goal of this work was to provide new knowledge on the contents of melatonin and other bioactive non-nutrient compounds of nineteen highly consumed herbal infusions. Melatonin was previously assessed in some medicinal plants alcoholic extracts but not described in herbal aqueous infusions as we reported for the first time. Noticeable melatonin contents were found in most of herbal infusions, showing chamomile and green tea the highest values. These studied herbal infusions could be considered as potential dietary sources of this antioxidant compound, and they also exhibited high levels of total phenolic compounds and total flavonoids (lemon balm revealed the highest contents). From results, the total phenolic compounds and total flavonoids were associated with the inhibition of lipase and α-glucosidase, as well as to the in vitro antioxidant capacity measured through five different methods (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, ORAC, and deoxyribose assays). Thus, the studied teas and herbal infusions could be consided as suitable drinks herein validated for their bioactive compounds that may act as antioxidants and non-protein inhibitors of digestive enzymes, promoting health-promoting properties.

Curculigo orchioides: the black gold with numerous health benefits.

Abstract: Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. (family Amaryllidaceae) is an endangered rasayana herb which is popularly known as "Kali Musli". The plant is native to India, and holds a special position as a potent adaptogen and aphrodisiac in Ayurvedic system of medicine. It is an important ingredient of many Ayurvedic preparations and is considered to have aphrodisiac, immunostimulant, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, anticancer and antidiabetic activities. Various chemical constituents like mucilage, phenolic glycosides, saponins and aliphatic compounds from the plant have been reported. The plant is also considered as an important component of various herbal preparations of the Chinese and Kampo medicine. The present review is an attempt to enumerate various biologically tested activities and evaluation of different phytochemicals present in this important medicinal plant.