ABSTRACT
The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of traditionally used antibacterial plants (Euphorbia prostrata, Schinus molle, Brickellia veronicaefolia and Lepidium virginicum) in Santa Rosa Range in Guanajuato against major mastitis-causing pathogens. The selected plants were phytochemically screened for alkaloids, flavonoids, polyphenols, saponins, anthraquinone, cardiac glycosides, steroids and terpenoids. Moreover, to achieve the main purpose of the present research, extracts of selected plants were tested for in vitro antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Shigella spp., Bacillus subtilis, Clavibacter spp., Proteus vulgaris and Salmonella spp. All these bacterial were isolated from clinical mastitis in dairy cows. The results indicated that the ethanolic extract of the aerial part of L. virginicum exhibited the strongest antimicrobial activity, and it could be potential candidate specie for the development of novel veterinary drugs with low cost and fewer side effects.
O presente estudo teve como objetivo investigar a eficácia de plantas antibacterianas tradicionalmente usadas (Euphorbia prostrata, Schinus molle, Brickellia veronicaefolia e Lepidium virginicum) na cordilheira Santa Rosa, em Guanajuato, contra os principais patógenos causadores de mastite. As plantas selecionadas foram rastreadas fitoquimicamente quanto a alcalóides, flavonóides, polifenóis, saponinas, antraquinona, glicosídeos cardíacos, esteróides e terpenóides. Além disso, para atingir o objetivo principal da presente pesquisa, extratos de plantas selecionadas foram testados quanto à atividade antibacteriana in vitrocontra Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Shigella spp., Bacillus subtilis, Clavibacter spp., Proteus vulgaris e Salmonella spp. Todas essas bactérias foram isoladas de mastite clínica em vacas leiteiras. Os resultados indicaram que o extrato etanólico da parte aérea de L. virginicum exibia a atividade antimicrobiana mais forte e poderia ser uma espécie potencial candidata ao desenvolvimento de novos medicamentos veterinários com baixo custo e menos efeitos colaterais.
Subject(s)
Schinus molle , Lepidium , Euphorbia , Mastitis, Bovine , Medicine, Traditional , Anti-Bacterial AgentsABSTRACT
Abstract Medicinal plants play a vital role in the human health care system of tribal communities and in the treatment of various gynecological problems. This study is an effort to document important medicinal flora used for the treatment of gynecological problems by indigenous people living in a tribal region near the Pak-Afghan border. The main objective of the study was to establish a clear profile of indigenous knowledge and practices from the unexplored tribal territory. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and group discussions. The data were analyzed through Use Value and Factor of Informant Consensus. A total of 52 medicinal plants were recorded from the area; the most widely accepted were Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (94 Use Value), Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (93 Use Value), Prunus domestica L. (91 Use Value), Myrtus communis L. (91 Use Value), Cannabis sativa L. (91 Use Value) and Nigella sativa L. (90 Use Value). A high consensus factor was recorded for menses-related problems (0.95). The root was the main part used (23% plants), followed by the leaves (20% plants), whole plant (18% plants), fruit (18% plants), and seed (13% plants). A total of 21 plants were used to treat menses-related problems, followed by sexual problems (ten plants), leucorrhea (nine plants), gastric problems (seven plants) and amenorrhea (seven plants). Knowledge related to ethnogynecological treatments is restricted to midwives and traditional healers. In conclusion, the documented flora that is particularly important to medicinal plants may be researched in the future to discover new pharmaceutical, neutraceutical and other pharmacological agents against gynecological complaints.
ABSTRACT
Aim To investigate the effects of Semen Nigellae extract on regulating endothelial functions and angiogenesis and the underlying mechanisms.Methods After the extract of Semen Nigellae was obtained,the extract was administered to the primarily cultured rat aortic endothelial cells (RAECs).Then,the tube formation,proliferation and migration ability of RAECs were examined,and the expression of angiogenesis-related signaling pathways proteins,such as transforming growth factor-betal (TGF-β1),Smad3,platelet derived growth factor receptor(PDGFR),Cx43,Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS),were detected via Western blot analysis.Meanwhile,production of nitric oxide(NO) from RAECs was also measured after treatment with the extract of Semen Nigellae.Results The extract of Semen Nigellae significantly promoted the tube formation,proliferation and migration of RAECs in a dose-dependent manner.The protein expressions of TGF-β1,Smad3,PDGFR,Cx43,Akt and eNOS,as well as phosphorylation levels of Akt and eNOS,in RAECs were also markedly elevated by the administration of Semen Nigellae.In addition,the production of NO was notably enhanced by the extract of Semen Nigellae.Conclusions The extract of Semen Nigellae may improve endothelial functions and angiogenesis by activating Akt-eNOS and TGF-β1-Smad3 pathway.Meanwhile,it may also promote the maturation and stability of nascent vasculatures by activating the PDGFR and Cx43-related signaling pathways.Hence,Semen Nigellae may be a new therapeutic drug for ischemic diseases.
ABSTRACT
A survey was carried out among the Kani tribals in Kaniyakumari district- Southern Western Ghats, of Tamil Nadu, India. Traditional uses of 62 plant species belonging to 34 families are described under this study. In this communication, the informations got from the rural inhabitant were compared with the already existing literature. The medicinal plants were mostly used to cure asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, skin and sex related diseases. The medicinal plants used by people are arranged alphabetically followed by Botanical name, family, Voucher specimen number, Local name, Part used, mode of preparation.
ABSTRACT
Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have very rich tradition of herbal medicines used in the treatment of various ailments. Tribal communities practice different types of traditional healing practices. Enough documentation is available on the healing practices in other tribal communities except Mishing community of Assam and foot hill of East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh hence the attempt was made for the same. A survey on folk medicinal plants and folk healers of Mishing tribe was conducted in few places of Lakhimpur and Dhemaji district of Assam and East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh, where this ethnic group is living since time immemorial. All information was collected based on interview and fi eld studies with local healers within the community. The identifi cation of medicinal plants collected with help of indigenous healers was done. Such medicines have been shown to have signifi cant healing power, either in their natural state or as the source of new products processed by them. This study is mainly concentrated with plants used to cure diseases and to enquire about different healing systems. Detail note on the method of preparation of precise dose, the part/parts of plants used and method of application is given.