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.

Bidens pilosa L.: agricultural and pharmaceutical importance.

Abstract: Bidens pilosa is a cosmopolitan, annual herb which originates from tropical and Central America. Its hardiness, explosive reproductive potential, and ability to thrive in almost any environment have enabled it to establish throughout the world. Generally introduced unintentionally through agriculture or sometimes intentionally for ornamental purposes, B. pilosa is a major crop weed, threat to native fauna, and a physical nuisance. It is considered one of the most noxious annual weeds in East Africa. B. pilosa had strong allelopathic effects which is beneficial in enhancing its capacity in interspecific competition and to promote its invasion. It is used as a folkloric medicine for the treatment of various diseases and used extensively by indigenous people, especially in Africa, for the treatment of a variety of ailments. Various compounds with biological activity, mainly, polyacetylenes and flavonoids have been isolated and identified in all parts of the plant. Pharmacognostic studies and phytochemical screenings of B. pilosa had also shown the presences of other compounds with biological activities which include terpenes, essential oils, tannins, polysaccharides, phenols, amino acids, ascorbic acid and organic acids. These plants are ingested as decoctions, teas and juice preparations to treat respiratory infections as well as various other ailments. Aqueous extract of the leaves is used by the Zulu tribe in South Africa for treating dysentery, diarrhea and colic. Juice preparations are also made into a poultice and applied directly on the infected wounds or burns. The widespread use of B. pilosa both in Africa and the rest of the world indicate that this plant may yield valuable drugs to treat a variety of different ailments such as malaria. Although considered an invader in many countries, the potential benefit may outweigh the risks that the weed poses to the environment. Key words: Bidens pilosa, medicinal properties, black jack.

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.

Evaluation of the Relaxant Activity of some United Arab Emirates Plants on Intestinal Smooth Muscle

Abstract: Although medicinal plants are used as antispasmodic agents in folk medicine there have been no scientific studies of the phytochemical composition and usefulness of these plants for such treatment. Extracts of 23 plants used in the traditional medicine of the United Arab Emirates were tested for their effects on intestinal smooth muscle activity. Most of the plants tested caused stimulation followed by inhibition of the motility of the rabbit jejunum and guinea-pig ileum. The inhibitory effect of plants that had EC50 values < 1 mg was confirmed in-vivo using the gastrointestinal transit time test. These plants were phytochemically screened for their secondary constituents. The effect of Rhazya stricta was investigated, particularly in relation to acetylcholine effect. The results indicated the potential of some of the plants, especially Rhazya stricta, as a source of antispasmodic agents.

Medicinal Plants and its Antimicrobial Properties: A Review

Abstract: The beneficial medicinal effects of plant materials typically result from the secondary products present in the plant although, it is usually not attributed to a single compound but a combination of the metabolites. The medicinal actions of plants are unique to a particular plant species or group, consistent with the concept that the combination of secondary products in a particular plant is taxonomically distinct. The screening of plants usually involves several approach; ethno botanical approach is one of the common methods that are employed in choosing the plant for pharmacological study. In the present review paper, antimicrobial properties of various medicinal plants were reviewed. The present review deals with the antibacterial and antifungal activity of various medicinal plants.

Indian medicinal plants as an effective antimicrobial agent

Abstract: India is a great country that is recognized for its rich culture and medicinal plants. Most of the people in India is reliant on the herbal plant for their therapeutic needs. The present review will focus on Therapeutic plants from India along with its medicinal use. Various medicinal plants have already proved their significance with curing diseases including bacteriological infections and some life threating serious diseases. Medicinal plants are rich in antioxidant and proved best as antimicrobial agents. Herbal drugs are achieving popularity as compared to allopathic drugs the reasons includes adverse effects of man-made antibiotics, the prompt surge in contagious diseases, the resistance of drug in microbes. Herbal plants show slow recovery; still a great population is using it because it showed no side effects and low resistance in microbes. Antimicrobial status of various herbal plants has been reported. Therapeutic plants work as a potent antimicrobial. Herbal plants are used for its medicinal purpose throughout the world as an herbal plant provides a base material for various effective drugs. A great number of herbal plants has been used as a drug in the form of crude extracts and extensively used for their therapeutic possessions. A huge number of plants have been examined for antimicrobial possessions, but still the majority of plants have not been examined adequately. So, the present review will focus on some of the selected medicinal plants along with its antimicrobial status. Keywords : Medicinal plants, Antimicrobial agent, Infections, Herbal drugs, Antifungal