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OBJECTIVES@#Diabetes is one of the most life-threatening chronic metabolic disorders and is considered a global health problem due to its prevalence and incidence. In Morocco, several herbal preparations are utilized to treat this disease. For this reason, the current study aimed to identify and to collect data about the medicinal plants utilized in folk medicine for the treatment of diabetes in the Beni Mellal region of Morocco.@*METHODS@#An ethnobotanical survey was carried out among 400 herbalists, competent villagers and traditional healers from the Beni Mellal region through direct interviews using a semistructured questionnaire.@*RESULTS@#Forty-five medicinal plants belonging to 25 families were identified for their use in diabetes treatment. Interview results showed that the most frequently used plants were Olea europaea, Salvia officinalis, Allium sativum and Trigonella foenum-graecum, with a relative frequency of citation values of 24.3%, 23.0%, 22.5% and 20.5%, respectively. Moreover, in this study, the Fabaceae family was the most commonly reported plant family, and the leaves and roots were the most commonly used parts, for the treatment of diabetes.@*CONCLUSION@#The Beni Mellal region of Morocco has an important floristic biodiversity of plants used to treat diabetes in traditional medicinal practice. This result provides a good database for pharmacological screenings in the search for plant-based antidiabetic medications.
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The emerging drug resistance bacteria increased the demand on the discovery of antibiotics from natural sources. This research was aimed to study the antibacterial reactivity; as well as the phytochemicals, of the wild type of Cyclamen persicum, using nine different extraction methods where four solvents [Methanol, Ethanol, Hexane; and Water] were involved with varied extraction periods ranged from 2 up to 10 hours. The antibacterial activity of crude methanol extract [CME] was found as the best method of extraction, with particular emphasis on the method with prolonged extraction time of [10 hrs]. The antibacterial activities of produced CME were determined by using agar diffusion method against two of gram-positive bacteria and two gram-negative ones. The CME treated Mueller-HintonAgar plates, were exhibited antibacterial effects against the gram-positive bacteria [Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis] by showing of inhibition zone after overnight incubation, while nothing was noticed on those of gram negative ones [Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli]. These results that proved the antibacterial activity of the Cyclamen persicum tubers were positively tested the Saponin glycosides from plant. In addition to that, methanol solvent could be the useful method for extractions of Cyclamen and can be used in any developing drugs against pathogenic gram positive bacteria
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Borago officinalis plant is an important plant of high medicinal and nutritional values. This study designed to evaluate antioxidant activity, screen the existence of phytogenic chemical compounds and to determine the total flavonoid and phenol contents of wild and cultivated Borago officinalis. Total flavonoid contents of the wild and cultivated Borago officinalis were determined by using rutin reference standard method and total phenols determined by using Folin Ciocalteu's method while antioxidant activity evaluated by using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate assay. Phytochemical analyses indicated the presence of carbohydrate, phenols, flavonoids, phytosteroids tannins and volatile oil. The total flavonoid content of the methanolic extract from the wild borage plant was 22.4mg RU/g this value was reduced to 13.1mg RU/g for the cultivated methanolic extract as well as the total phenols contents was dropped from 5.21mg GA/g to 2.37mg GA/g methanolic extracts. Total tannins content of the wild growing borage plant was 13.7mg GA/g methanolic extract. This value was higher in the cultivated borage with 21.33mg GA/g methanolic extract. The wild leaves extract had IC50 =6.3µg/mL for wild leaves extract was closer to IC50 value of Trolox [standard reference with high antioxidant activity], while the cultivated leaves extract had higher IC50= 8.7µg/ml which mean lower antioxidant activity than the wild growing one. The data of this study showed that the extracts of Borago officinalis possess antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities. Variation was clear between wild and cultivated species, these findings propose that such plant extract could have a wide range of applications in both food and pharmaceutical industries. Therefore, more research is necessary to investigate different cultural practices on the efficiency of borage plant
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<p><b>PURPOSE</b>Ephedra alata (E. alata) is perennial tough shrub plant that grows in Palestine and other regions. It is used often in folk's medicine for the treatment of various diseases. In this project, E. alata extract was tested for its ability to improve wound and burn healing.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>An aqueous extract of E. alata was prepared and underwent several phytochemical analyses for the presence of the major classes of phytochemical compounds. After that, a polyethylene glycol-based ointment containing the extract of E. alata was prepared and its wound and burn healing activities were tested in-vivo using an animal model for deep wound and full thickness skin burn. The effect was compared against a placebo ointment. Skin biopsies were evaluated by a blinded clinical histopathologist, in addition to digital analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Phytochemical analysis demonstrated the presence of the major classes of phytochemical compounds in the prepared extract including flavonoids, alkaloids, phytosteroids, phenolic compounds, volatile oils and tannins. As compared to placebo ointment, E. alata ointment significantly improved the healing of the wound ulcers, whereas it showed no advantage on the quality of the healing of burn ulcers.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>E. alata extract is rich in phytochemical compounds and can improve wound healing when applied topically.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Burns , Drug Therapy , Disease Models, Animal , Ephedra , Chemistry , Mesocricetus , Ointments , Plant Extracts , Therapeutic Uses , Wound HealingABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to formulate a film-coated Valsartan/Amlodipine [VS/AM] immediate release tablets and to evaluate their in vivo release profile. VS/AM core tablets were manufactured using dry granulation method. Opadry aqueous coating dispersion was used as film coating material. Dissolution of the film coated tablets was tested in 900 ml of 0.5% SLS media, bioequivalence of tablets was tested by comparisons against the reference brand product. The ICH guidelines were used to evaluate the stability of the obtained tablets. The coated tablets were subjected to gastric pH, and drug release was analyzed using HPLC system to evaluate the efficiency of the film coat. The coated tablets had no defects. VS/AM release met the FDA guidelines for bioequivalence studies. Statistical comparison of the main pharmacokinetic parameters showed no significant difference between test and reference. These findings suggest that aqueous film coating with Opadry system is an easy and economical approach for preparing stable film coated VS/AM tablets without compromising their in vivo drugs release