Honokiol: A naturally occurring lignan with pleiotropic bioactivities / 中国天然药物

Honokiol is the dominant biphenolic compound isolated from the Magnolia tree, and has long been considered as the active constituent of the traditional Chinese herb, 'Houpo', which is widely used to treat symptoms due to 'stagnation of qi'. Pharmacological studies have shown that honokiol possesses a wide range of bioactivities without obvious toxicity. Honokiol protects the liver, kidneys, nervous system, and cardiovascular system through reducing oxidative stress and relieving inflammation. Moreover, honokiol shows anti-diabetic property through enhancing insulin sensitivity, and anti-obese property through promoting browning of adipocytes. In vivo and in vitro studies indicated that honokiol functions as an anti-cancer agent through multiple mechanisms: inhibiting angiogenesis, promoting cell apoptosis, and regulating cell cycle. A variety of therapeutic effects of honokiol may be associated with its physiochemical properties, which make honokiol readily cross the blood brain barrier and the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier, with high bioavailability. In the future, more clinical researches on honokiol are needed to fully authenticate its therapeutic values.

Ethnopharmacological Potentials of Warburgia ugandensis on Antimicrobial Activities / 中国结合医学杂志

Warburgia ugandensis (W. ugandensis) is known by various names, including the East African greenheart, pepper bark tree, and Ugandan greenheart, and has a rich history of extensive use in the treatment of a host of human diseases in many African countries. This review is based on the botany and ethnopharmacological potentials of W. ugandensis for the treatment of pneumonia, asthma, malaria, candidiasis, skin infections, human immunodeficiency virus opportunistic infections, diarrhea, and measles given the common use in the management of these diseases. Extracts from W. ugandensis have strong antimicrobial activities against a broad spectrum of pathogens mainly because of the presence of abundant terpenoids, drimane, and coloratane type sesquditerpenoids amongst which are ugandensial, warburganal, mukaadial, and other secondary metabolites, such as tannins, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, and mannitol. This group of compounds gives the plant a high therapeutic value. Based on the review, there is a need for identification and isolation of the highly therapeutic phytochemical constituents and a drive for more preclinical and clinical trials to validate the safety and efficacy of the extracts. This gives basis for the potential development of new therapeutic drugs from the plant.

Experiential learning of ethnopharmacological sources of drugs through rotating trios micro discussion in MBBS students: an innovative I-tray teaching methodology

Background: Complementary and alternative medicine is very robust in some parts of the world. The study was done to impart the experiential learning related to sources of drugs in a pharmacy practical class for MBBS students.Methods: We used ingredient-tray (I-Tray) teaching tool consisting of two parts to generate experiential learning in MBBS students about ethno pharmacological sources of drugs. Innovatively designed I -tray filled with two sizes plastic containers (100 ml and 50 ml sizes used for collecting biological samples of sputum and urine) containing crude drug medicinal sources which were arranged in gutters of the tray. They were sorted into five categories such as plants (flowers of Vinca rosea, bark of Terminalia arjuna, roots of Rauwolfia serpentine and Eucalyptus leaves); animals (formalin preservatives freshwater leech, shells and vaccines); minerals (kaolin, potassium permanganate and charcoal); oils and others. Three charts of 4 square feet sizes were used for demonstration of synthetic, microbiological and genetically engineered drug sources.Results: The students’ approval rate of I-tray was mean yes value of 105.78 for a tool of active learning out of total 113 students. Around 100%, 98.23 % and 97.35% students utilised application of concept (cognition), faculty of smell (affective) and volunteering (psychomotor) in the class. However female students had statistically significant score against this set up of the class depicting gender specificity of the learning process.Conclusions: Thus teaching traditional sources of drugs through I-tray impart higher order social, place based and experiential learning of medicine.

Children's versus adult's knowledge of medicinal plants: an ethnobotanical study in Tremezzina (Como, Lombardy, Italy)

Abstract The study was developed in order to collect information about knowledge on medicinal plant uses by students from some primary school classes located in a small community on the western shore of Lake Como (northern Italy). This information was compared with the one collected from the students' relatives and from other people they were in contact with, in order to evaluate differences and similarities between the children's and the adults' knowledge. Two workshops were led in each of the classes taking part in the project. The first one was performed to introduce our research and the topic of healing plants to the students. During the second workshop we asked the students to fill a survey focusing on which plant remedies they would use as medicines. In another phase of the project each child was given a new survey to be filled in at home while conducting the interviews with their relatives or other adults. Tremezzina children reported the use of 24 medicinal species; 78% of students listed at least one species but only 9% showed to know more than three species and uses. In total, adults reported 85 species in eighteen categories of use. Children listed eight species and eleven uses that were not reported by the adults, suggesting that some of the Tremezzina children's knowledge of the medicinal plants are specific to them. Both children and adults learned about the use of the medicinal plants mainly from their family; however, other sources of knowledge were also reported. Differences related to age and gender in both the informants' groups were also discussed. Our results provide valuable qualitative and quantitative data on the plants used for the medicinal purpose within the studied community.

Research and application of Portulaca oleracea in pharmaceutical area / 中草药·英文版

Portulaca oleracea, a plant species used as medicine and food, is widely spread in most areas of China. It is also a popular food in some Europe and Mediterranean countries. Purslane contains a variety of chemical constituents with pharmacological activities, such as antitumor, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory activities. It is also full of plenty of nutrients serving as a diet food or healthy food. Here we reviewed purslane in the following aspects: botanical resources, ethnopharmacological function, chemical constituents, pharmacology and pharmacokinetics, safety evaluation and toxicity, and clinical applications.

Estudo etnofarmacológico e etnobotânico de Himatanthus drasticus (Mart. ) Plumel (janaguba) / Ethnopharmacological and ethnobotanical study of Himatanthus drasticus (Mart. ) Plumel (janaguba).

RESUMO Himatanthus drasticus (Mart.) Plumel, janaguba, produz um látex em seu caule que é usado para o tratamento de alguns tipos de câncer, vermes intestinais, febre, menstruações irregulares, infertilidade feminina e úlceras gástricas. Estudos fitoquímicos revelaram a presença de acetato de lupeol e proteínas; e estudos farmacológicos, os efeitos antiúlcera, antitumoral, imunomodulador, analgésico e anti-inflamatório. O presente trabalho objetivou realizar levantamento etnobotânico e etnofarmacológico sobre H. drasticus como contribuição ao conhecimento científico da referida espécie. Foi elaborado um questionário, que foi aplicado em entrevista a 21 raizeiros nos mercados das cidades de Crato, Fortaleza e Pacajus do estado do Ceará (CE). Observou-se que 38,1% dos raizeiros têm mais de 10 anos de serviço e 47,6%, estão na faixa etária de 40 a 59 anos, o que representa um fator positivo quanto à experiência com plantas medicinais. Aproximadamente 85,7% dos raizeiros relataram o uso do látex da H. drasticus para tratamento de úlcera; 66,7% para inflamação; 66,7% para câncer. Verificou-se que as principais indicações terapêuticas relatadas pelos raizeiros sobre esta espécie estão de acordo com as informações científicas. Os levantamentos etnobotânicos e etnofarmacológicos exercem um papel primordial no resgate do conhecimento tradicional, nos meios rurais e urbanos, tanto por seu valor histórico-cultural, como também pela necessidade de confirmação das indicações de uso.

ABSTRACT The Himatanthus drasticus (Mart.) Plumel, janaguba, produces a latex whose stem is used to treat some types of cancer, intestinal worms, fever, irregular menses, female infertility and gastric ulcers. Phytochemical studies revealed the presence of lupeol acetate and proteins in the latex; and pharmacological studies indicated antiulcer, anti-tumor, immunomodulating, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. This study aimed to conduct surveys on ethnopharmacological and ethnobotanical species H. drasticus as a contribution to the scientific knowledge about the species. A questionnaire and interviews were made with 21 healers in the markets of the cities of Crato, Fortaleza and Pacajús, in state of Ceara (CE). It was observed that 38.1% of the healers have more than 10 years of service, and 47.6% are between 40-59 years old, which is a positive factor about the experience with medicinal plants. Approximately 85.7% of the healers reported to apply latex H. drasticus for the treatment of ulcers, 66.7% for inflammation, and 66.7% for cancer. It was found that the main therapeutic indications mentioned by the healers about this species are consistent with the scientific information available. The ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological surveys play an essential role on keeping the traditional knowledge in rural and urban areas, both for its historical and cultural value, but also for the need of confirmation of the intended use.

Ethnopharmacological Survey of Medicinal Plants Used against Malaria in Bukavu City (D.R. Congo).

Aims: An Ethnopharmacological survey was conducted in the city of Bukavu, in order to identify plant species and recipes used in Congolese folk medicine for the treatment of malaria. Study Design: Survey; plant collection; plant identification and classification: family, used part, treated disease, recipes preparation; floristic characterization. Place and Duration of Study: “Université Officielle de Bukavu” (DR Congo), from February 2011toDecember 2012. Methodology: Forty-nine healers belonging to different ethnic groups were interviewed about the plant species used in traditional medicine for the management of malaria in the city of Bukavu. The name of the plants, the plant parts, the modes of preparation and the modes of administration of recipes were recorded. Cited plants were collected and identified at herbarium of the Laboratory of Ecology and Plants Resource Management, Faculty of Sciences, “Université Officielle de Bukavu”. The plants ecological status was also determined. Results: Forty species of plants belonging to twenty seven botanical families were identified. The main habitat preference of species is cultivated (62%), trees constituted 33% of morphological type while 30% of biological type are microphanerophytes. The decoction was the main mode of preparation (47.5%) and almost all recipes (100%of cases) are administrated by oral route. Leaves constituted sixty percent of plant organs used for drug preparation. Conclusion: Some plant species cited (62.5%) are known in the literature to possess antimalarial activity. Further studies should be undertaken to investigate effectiveness of other plants that have not yet been studied and to determine their chemical composition.

Potential of aromatic and medicinal plant extracts from Cerrado biome to control the velvetbean caterpillar Anticarsia gemmatalis / Potencial de extractos de plantas aromáticas y medicinales del bioma Cerrado para controlar la oruga Anticarsia gemmatalis

Anticarsia gemmatalis was treated with aromatic and medicinal plant extracts from Cerrado biome: Acisanthera sp., Adenocalymma nodosum, Bidens sulphurea, Lepidoploa aurea, Dimorphandra mollis, and Salvertia convallariaeodora. Extracts of astilbin from D. mollis or L. aurea were the most toxic to eggs and have reduced the sex ratio of A. gemmatalis pupae. Extracts of B. sulphurea, astilbin from D. mollis or S. convallariaeodora reduced the weight of male pupae and those of astilbin from D. mollis, the weight of female pupae of A. gemmatalis. The viability of the stages from egg to caterpillar was lower with extracts of astilbin from D. mollis or L. aurea; from caterpillar to pupa with Acisanthera sp. or astilbin from D. mollis and from pupa to adult with Acisanthera sp., A. nodosum, B. sulphurea or astilbin from D. mollis. Extracts of astilbin from D. mollis and L. aurea presented greater potential for future studies on toxicity of A. gemmatalis.

Anticarsia gemmatalis fue tratada con extractos de plantas aromáticas y medicinales del bioma Cerrado: Acisanthera sp., Adenocalymma nodosum, Bidens sulphurea, Lepidoploa aurea, Dimorphandra mollis, y Salvertia convallariaeodora. Extractos de astilbin de D. mollis o L. aurea fueron los más tóxicos para los huevos y han reducido la proporción sexual de pupas de A. gemmatalis. Extractos de B. sulphurea, astilbin de D. mollis o S. convallariaeodora redujeron el peso de las pupas macho y el de astilbin de D. mollis, el peso de las pupas hembras de A. gemmatalis. La viabilidad de los estadíos de huevo a oruga fue menor con extractos de astilbin de D. mollis o L. aurea; de oruga a crisálida con Acisanthera sp. o astilbin de D. mollis y de pupa a adulto con Acisanthera sp., A. nodosum, B. sulphurea o astilbin de D. mollis. Extractos de astilbin de D. mollis y L. aurea presentan un mayor potencial para futuros estudios sobre la toxicidad sobre A. gemmatalis.

Ethnopharmacological Survey on Antihemorrhagic Medicinal Plants in South of Benin.

Aims: Bleeding is the leading cause of early death and a post-traumatic major cause of maternal mortality worldwide. Although 80% of African people have used herbs to treat wounds, very little information is available about plants species with hemostatic properties. This study aims to contribute to a better knowledge of plants used for their hemostatic properties in southern Benin. Study Design: Ethnobotanical and survey study. Place and Duration of Study: Southern Benin in West Africa between January and June 2011. Methodology: Ethnopharmacological surveys were conducted from January to June 2011, with 66 traditional healers in Southern Benin using the method by Semi Structured Interview (SSI). Results: We surveyed 55 species of medicinal plants belonging to 28 families. The most used species were: Musa sapientum L., Jatropha multifida L., Rauvolfia vomitoria Afzel., Annona muricata L., Macrosphyra longistyla DC. And Newbouldia leavis P. Beauv. The use of these plants is more common in postpartum hemorrhages (45.8%), scarification (22%), circumcision (13%) and snake bites (7%). Preparations administered orally (56.8%) or locally (43.2%) are most often in the form of various extraction products (latex sap or juice (31.9%), aqueous decoction (22.7%), aqueous maceration (17.6%) or powder (13.5%). The plant parts most frequently used are: leaves (38.2%), bark (23.6%), roots (12.7%) and latex (11.9%). Conclusion: The extracts of these plants could therefore be an attractive option given the urgency posed by hemorrhages.

Ethnopharmacological versus random plant selection methods for the evaluation of the antimycobacterial activity

The municipality of Oriximiná, Brazil, has 33 quilombola communities in remote areas, endowed with wide experience in the use of medicinal plants. An ethnobotanical survey was carried out in five of these communities. A free-listing method directed for the survey of species locally indicated against Tuberculosis and lung problems was also applied. Data were analyzed by quantitative techniques: saliency index and major use agreement. Thirty four informants related 254 ethnospecies. Among these, 43 were surveyed for possible antimycobacterial activity. As a result of those informations, ten species obtained from the ethnodirected approach (ETHNO) and eighteen species obtained from the random approach (RANDOM) were assayed against Mycobacterium tuberculosis by the microdilution method, using resazurin as an indicator of cell viability. The best results for antimycobacterial activity were obtained of some plants selected by the ethnopharmacological approach (50 percent ETHNO x 16,7 percent RANDOM). These results can be even more significant if we consider that the therapeutic success obtained among the quilombola practice is complex, being the use of some plants acting as fortifying agents, depurative, vomitory, purgative and bitter remedy, especially to infectious diseases, of great importance to the communities in the curing or recovering of health as a whole.