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.

Antidiabetic potential of two medicinal plants used in Gabonese folk medicine

Abstract: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder which is rising globally in rich and developing countries. In the African region this rate is the highest, with 20 million diagnosed diabetics. Despite a noticeable progress in the treatment of diabetes mellitus by synthetic drugs, the search for new natural anti-diabetic agents is going on. Nauclea diderrichii (De Wild.) Merr. (ND) and Sarcocephalus pobeguinii Hua ex Pellegr. (SP) are used as traditional medicines in Gabon for the treatment of different diseases, especially in the case of diabetes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antidiabetic potential of these two medicinal plants traditionally used in Gabon. Pharmacological (inhibitory action on α and β-glucosidases) and toxicological (effect on human T cell proliferation) studies were conducted on aqueous extracts of ND (leaves and bark) and SP (bark) collected in Gabon. All raw extracts were analyzed by HPTLC and their content in phenolic compounds was determined by using standard method. The most active extracts were submitted to preparative HPLC in order to evidence the most efficient subfractions by biological evaluation. The results showed that two extracts from ND were potent α-glucosidase inhibitors, the leaf extract being more active that the bark extract: the first one was more than 60 fold more active than Acarbose, which is an oral medication used to treat type 2 diabetes; the extract from SP bark was less efficient. The HPLC subfractions of the extracts of ND leaves and SP bark were tested in the same experimental conditions. In each case, the most active subfractions still show very potent inhibitory effect on α-glucosidase (80-90 % inhibition at 0.1 mg/mL). The most efficient extract, from ND leaves, was also characterized by the highest percentage of phenolic compounds, which suggests a relationship between its inhibitory potential on α-glucosidase and its content in phenolic compounds. Conversely, only a moderate inhibitory activity of the three extracts was observed on β-glucosidase. These results clearly indicated that active compounds present in N. diderrichii and S. pobeguinii leaves or/and bark were selective and highly potent inhibitors of α-glucosidase and validate their popular use for the treatment of diabetes.

Phytochemical screening and reported biological activities of some medicinal plants of Gujarat region

Abstract: Phytochemicals are found at different levels in many medicinal plants and are important compounds of human diet. They produce definite physiological action on the human body. They can be used to regulate oxidation and stress-related chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases may be because possess powerful antioxidant activity. In the present study, some medicinal plants of Gujarat region (Aerva lanata, Terminalia bellirica, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia catappa, Zea mays, Tribulus terrestris and Boerhaavia diffusa) were selected for qualitative phytochemical screening and their reported biological activities. The screened plants were rich in flavonoids, tannins, steroids, cardiac glycosides and alkaloids. Out of the seven plants screened, Terminalia species were the best possessing rich source of phytochemicals and justify their traditional use. They can be therapeutically used individually or synergistically in combination with other extracts to treat any disease and disorder.

Medicinal Uses and Pharmacological Actions of Five Commonly Used Indian Medicinal Plants: A Mini-Review

Abstract: Man depends heavily on various plant species for his survival. Indian traditional system of medicine is based on empirical knowledge of the observations and the experience over millennia and more than 5000 plants are used by different ethnic communities in India. During the last few decades there has been an increasing interest in the study of medicinal plants and their traditional use in different parts of India. The present communication constitutes a review on the medicinal properties, ethnomedicinal uses and pharmacological activities of five common medicinal plants ( Acalypha indica L., Achyranthes aspera L., Adhatoda vasica Medicus, Coriandrum saticum and Centella asiatica ) used in Indian traditional medicine. These plants are known to contain various active principles of therapeutic value and to possess biological activity against a number of diseases.