Development and Evaluation of Vaginal Suppository Containing Althaea officinalis L. Polysaccharide Extract

Abstract Intrauterine adhesions cause several gynecological problems. Althaea officinalis L. roots known as marshmallows contain polysaccharides (M.P.) which possess anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcerogenic activities also can form a bio-adhesive layer on damaged epithelial membranes prompting healing processes. Vaginal formulations of herbal origin are commonly applied to relieve cervico-uterine inflammation. Herein, we aim to develop and evaluate vaginal suppositories containing polysaccharides isolated from the A. officinalis root. Six formulations (four P.E.G.-based and two lipid-based suppositories containing 25% and 50% M.P.) met standard requirements, which were then subjected to qualitative and quantitative evaluation. All suppositories exhibited acceptable weights, hardness, content uniformity, melting point, and disintegration time, which fall within the acceptable recommended limits. Higher concentrations of M.P. in PEG-bases moderately increased the hardness (p<0.05). PEG-formulations showed content uniformity>90% of the average content while it was 75-83% for suppocire formulations. All formulations disintegrated in<30minutes. In-vitro release test revealed that M.P. release from 25%-MP formulations was higher than that of 50%-M.P. suppositories. Overall, results revealed the feasibility of preparing P.E.G.-or lipid-based suppositories containing M.P., which met the B.P. quality requirement

Anti-influenza properties of herbal extract of Althaea rosea in mice / 대한수의학회지

Althaea rosea has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat numerous diseases, but no studies have investigated its anti-influenza properties to date. In this study, we investigated the anti-influenza effects of Althaea rosea. BALB/c mice orally pretreated with Althaea rosea (200 µL, 0.1 mg/mL concentration in phosphate-buffered saline) and followed by infection of influenza A virus nasally showed higher survivability and lower lung virus titer against divergent subtypes of influenza A virus infection. We also found that oral administration of Althaea rosea elicited antiviral innate immune responses in serum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, small intestinal fluid, and the lungs. Taken together, these findings suggest that aqueous extracts of Althaea rosea are a potential candidate for use as an anti-influenza drug.

Study on composition, antibiotic activity and antioxidant activity of volatile oils from uyghur medicine Althaea rosea / 中国中药杂志

Althaea rosea is a type of mallow plant. Its dry flowers are one of common herb in Uyghur medicines and recorded to have several efficacies such as external application for detumescence, moistening lung and arresting cough, sweating and relieving asthma, diminishing swelling and promoting eruption, soothing the nerves and strengthening heart. However, there are only fewer studies on effective components of A. rosea and no literature about its volatile oil and pharmacological activity. In this paper, the volatile oil of A. rosea was obtained by using the chemical distillation and extraction method. The individual chemical components were separated from the volatile oil and identified by the Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer technique (GC-MS). The antioxidant activity against free radicals was detected by the'ultraviolet and visible spectrophotometer method. The antibiotic activity was detected by the filter paper diffusion method. The experimental results showed nearly 70 compounds in the volatile oil, with complex chemical components. With a low content, most of the compounds were aromatic and aliphatic compounds and their derivatives. A. rosea had a better antibiotic activity for common microorganisms, with a wide antibacterial spectrum. According to the results, the volatile oil of A. rosea will have a good application value in medicine, food and cosmetic industries, which provided a scientific basis for the development of natural A. rosea resources.

Quality control of herbs: determination of amino acids in Althaea officinalis, Matricaria chamomilla and Taraxacum officinale

Analysis of raw materials and final products need reliable methods for the standardization of natural product drugs. Legal guideline also emphasizes on the qualitative and quantitative analyses of the plant constituents in an herbal product. In this study, thin layer chromatography [TLC] and amino acid analyzer was used for the determination of amino acids in plant extracts. Samples for this study were standards and aqueous extracts from Althaea officinalis, Matricaria chamomilla and Taraxacum officinale. Different amino acids in the extracts were detected through TLC. An automatic amino acid analyzer was used for the quantification of amino acids in the plant extracts under study.

Explotación de Malvaviscus arboreus Cav. con fines medicinales / Use of Malvaviscus arboreus Cav. with medicinal purposes

Introducción: para la explotación de Malvaviscus arboreus con fines medicinales se necesita la determinación de algunos parámetros.Objetivos: establecer los parámetros de cultivo y poscosecha. Métodos: se determinó la forma de propagación asexual como tipos de estacas, sustratos y plantación directa de estas en el terreno; porcentaje que brotó; el comportamiento de cultivo en 3 fechas, plantando estacas de cualquier tipo directamente en canteros al sol (9 plantas/m2); inicio de cosecha de flores y rendimientos frescos en 15 recolecciones sucesivas por 7 días; presencia de plagas; tamizaje fitoquímico en extractos etéreo, alcohólico y acuoso; parámetros farmacognósticos; tipo de secado; índices numéricos (humedad, cenizas totales, sustancias solubles en agua y alcohol 70 por ciento), y vida útil de la droga conservada por año a temperatura ambiente. Resultados: el mejor enraizamiento fue en zeolita; resultó preferible la plantación directa en área definitiva (90 x 40 cm) en cualquier fecha del año, la óptima fue mayo por mayores rendimientos de flores. Se observó presencia del crisomélido Phylotreta striolata y hongos; Alternaria sp. y Fusarium sp. en ramas. Se identificó mayor diversidad de metabolitos secundarios en el extracto alcohólico. Cualquier tipo de secado fue rápido y mantuvo el color natural de la droga. Las características organolépticas se conservan durante 1 año en frascos de vidrio y polipropileno; en los sobres de polietileno de baja densidad hay pérdida de color y olor a partir de 6 meses y presencia de Lasioderma serricorne en cualquier envase.Conclusiones: se demostró crecimiento vigoroso y alta producción de flores durante casi todo el año a partir de 5 meses de establecido el cultivo, la droga cosechada mantiene calidad por 6 meses en frascos de vidrio ámbar

Introduction: the use of Malvaviscus arboreus Cav. with medicinal purposes requires the determination of some parameters. Objectives: to determine cultivation and pre-crop parameters. Methods: forms of asexual spread such as types of pegs, substratum, and their direct plantation in the land were determined as well as the sprout percentage; cultivation behavior in three different dates, planting different types of pegs in flowerbeds exposed to the sun (9 plants/m²); beginning of the cultivation of flowers and fresh yield in 15 consecutive pickings for 7 days; presence of plagues; phytochemical screening in ethereal, alcoholic and aqueous extracts; pharmacognostic parameters; drying types; numerical values (humidity, total ashes, soluble substances in water and 70 percent alcohol) and useful life of the drug preserved during a year at room temperature. Results: the best growing roots was seen in the zeolite; direct seeding was preferable in a definitive area (90 x 40 cm) at any in date of the year, the optimum date was May due to the possibility of obtaining better production of flowers; presence of chrysomelid Phyllotreta striolata and fungi was observed as well as Alternaria sp. and Fusarium sp. in branches. A greater diversity of secondary metabolites in the alcoholic extract was identified. Any type of drying was fast and maintained the natural color of the drug. The organoloeptic characteristics are kept for a year in glass and polypropylene bottles; in low density polyethylene packs, color and odor loss appears from the 6 months and Lasioderma serricorne is present in any container. Conclusions: a vigorous growth and a high production of flowers were demonstrated during almost all the year from the 5 months of cultivation establishment; the cultivated drug maintains its quality for 6 months in amber glass containers

Molecular identification of astragali radix and its adulterants by ITS sequences / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore a new method for identification Astragali Radix from its adulterants by using ITS sequence.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Thirteen samples of the different Astragali Radix materials and 6 samples of the adulterants of the roots of Hedysarum polybotrys, Medicago sativa and Althaea rosea were collected. ITS sequence was amplified by PCR and sequenced unidirectionally. The interspecific K-2-P distances of Astragali Radix and its adulterants were calculated, and NJ tree and UPGMA tree were constructed by MEGA 4.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>ITS sequences were obtained from 19 samples respectively, there were Astragali Radix 646-650 bp, H. polybotrys 664 bp, Medicago sativa 659 bp, Althaea rosea 728 bp, which were registered in the GenBank. Phylogeny trees reconstruction using NJ and UPGMA analysis based on ITS nucleotide sequences can effectively distinguish Astragali Radix from adulterants.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ITS sequence can be used to identify Astragali Radix from its adulterants successfully and is an efficient molecular marker for authentication of Astragali Radix and its adulterants.</p>

Tamizaje fitoquímico del Malvaviscus penduliflorus que crece en Cuba / Phytochemical screening of Malvaviscus penduliflorus growing in Cuba

Las flores de la especie Malvaviscus penduliflorus Cav, conocida popularmente en Cuba como pasiflora, se emplean como sedante en forma de decocción. Hasta el momento, sin embargo, no ha sido publicado ningún estudio sobre su composición química. OBJETIVO: realizar un tamizaje fitoquímico de los extractos acuosos de las flores y hojas de la especie M penduliflorus. MÉTODOS: se recolectaron las hojas y las flores frescas, se lavaron, desinfectaron y extrajeron a reflujo con agua (1:10) durante 2 h, de forma independiente. Los extractos se filtraron y se les hicieron las pruebas fitoquímicas de identificación. RESULTADOS: entre los grupos de compuestos identificados en los 2 extractos se encontraron saponinas, azúcares, alcaloides y flavonoides. Teniendo en cuenta la presencia de compuestos como flavonoides y alcaloides en las partes aéreas del M penduliflorus, así como los efectos farmacológicos reportados para extractos de esta especie, sería interesante realizar nuevos estudios que aporten evidencias sobre su eficacia y seguridad, como forma de avalar sus usos tradicionales

The Malvaviscus penduliflorus Cav species flowers popularly known in Cuba as pasiflora are used as sedative in the brew form. Until now, however, there isn't any study on its chemical composition. OBJECTIVE: to perform a phytochemical screening of aqueous extracts from the flowers and leaves of M. penduliflorus species. METHODS: the dry fresh leaves and flowers were washed, disinfected to extract with water reflow (1:10) during 2 h in an independent way. Extracts were filtered and underwent the phytochemical identification tests. RESULTS: among the compounds identified in the two groups were included the saponines, sugars, alkaloids and flavonoids. Taking into account the presence of compounds like the flavonoids and the alkaloids in aerial parts of M penduliflorus, as well as the pharmacological effects reported for the extracts of this species, it will be interesting to perform new studies providing evidences on its effectiveness and safety, as a way to assess its traditional uses

Atividade antimicrobiana, antiaderente e antifúngica in vitro de plantas medicinais brasileiras sobre microrganismos do biofilme dental e cepas do gênero Candida / In vitro antimicrobial, antiadherent and antifungal activity of Brazilian medicinal plants on oral biofilm microorganisms and strains of the genus Candida

Avaliou-se in vitro a atividade antimicrobiana, antifúngica e antiaderente da aroeira-do-sertão, malva e goiabeira sobre microrganismos do biofilme dental e candidose oral. Os extratos mostraram-se eficazes, inibindo o crescimento das bactérias do biofilme dental e fungos da candidose oral, sugerindo a utilização dessas plantas como meio alternativo na terapêutica odontológica.

The antimicrobial, antifungal and antiadherent activity of aroeira-do-sertão, mallow and guava tree on oral biofilm microorganisms and oral candidiasis was evaluated in vitro. The extracts were shown to be effective in inhibiting the growth of bacteria of the oral biofilm and fungi of oral candidiasis, thus suggesting that these extracts can be used as alternative means of dental therapy.

The Efficacy and Safety of Guardix-SG® in Patients Who Are Undergoing Thyroid Surgery: A Randomized, Prospective, Double-blinded Study / 대한내분비외과학회지

PURPOSE: Postoperative adhesion of the surgical field seems to be troublesome not only to the patients, but also to the surgeons. Guardix-SG® is a poloxamer/alginate mixture that reduced the incidence of postoperative adhesions when it is added to the abdominal surgery in animal models and also in clinical trials. This study was a randomized, prospective, double-blinded study to evaluate the antiadhesive efficacy and safety of Guardix-SG® after total thyroidectomy. METHODS: A total of 89 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy between July 2008 and February 2009 in Severance Hospital and Gang-Nam Severance Hospital were randomized to either the Guardix-SG® treatment group (n=45) or the non-treatmentcontrol group (n=44). The patients were asked about their clinical symptoms (hypesthesia or paresthesia on the operative site (SN) and swallowing discomfort (SW)) by using a questionnaire, and the swallowing function was evaluated using Marshmallow Esophagography by one physician. The clinical symptoms and Marshmallow Esophagography were scored according to the results of assessment. The most severe state was scored as 0 and normal was scored as 3. RESULTS: The scores of the clinical symptoms (SN and SW) were 2.67 and 2.49 in the treatment group, and 2.09 and 1.80 in the control group, respectively, at the postoperative 6th week (P=0.001, <0.001). The scores of the Marshmallow Esophagography were 2.93 in the treatment group and 2.73 in the control group (P=0.033). Abnormal findings were seen in 2 patients (4.4%) in the treatment group and in 10 patients (22.7%) in the control group (P=0.014). CONCLUSION: Guardix-SG® seems to be effective in preventing adhesion after thyroidectomy. Further studies involving a larger number of subjects will be needed to make an application guideline.

Comparative pharmacognostic evaluation of althaea officinalis and alcea rosea root

Althaea [Family Malvaceae], a small genus comprising about 15 species distributed in the temperate regions. The official drug Khatmi or Marshmallow, botanically equated to the roots of A. officinalis, the only species of this genus found in India. Alcea rosea L. syn. Althaea rosea [L.] Cav., a substitute of Khatmi is also grown as ornamental plant in Indian gardens. The root, constitute the drug Khatmi and used as demulcent and emollient. The roots are useful in inflammation, irritation of alimentary canal and urinary and respiratory organs The decoction of root is used as an expectorant in whooping cough, hoarseness of voice and bronchitis. It is also reported to be used for fomentation in inflammatory tumors, burns, bruises, sprains etc. as a poultice. Hence, in the present paper, comparative pharmacognostic evaluation of A. officinalis and A. rosea has been undertaken. The root of both the species can be identified on the basis of macro-microscopic characters, physicochemical parameters and TLC finger print profiles. The macroscopic studies showed that the root of A. officinalis are strongly longitudinally furrowed, often spirally twisted with short-medium fracture but in A. rosea these are finely longitudinally furrowed, straight with medium-hard fracture. Microscopically both these species can be differentiated on the basis of size and number of mucilage canals and distribution of fibres. The comparative TLC profiles showed common as well as differentiating bands for example 4 significant bands of orangish-brown colour at Rfs. 0.11, 0.13, 0.37 and 0.41 were only visible in A. officinalis

The Usefulness of Esophagogram with Marshmallow Bolus in Patients with Esophageal-Related Symptoms

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of the esophagogram using marshmallow bolus in the evaluation of the causes of variable esophageal-related symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Esophagograms using marshmallow bolus were performed on 44 patients with esophageal-related symptoms and on ten normal volunteers. Video fluoroscopic studies were also made. Patients were classified into three groups according to their esophageal-related symptoms ; those with dysphagia, those with globus symptom, and those with chest pain. Abnormal findings on an esophagogram with marshmallow were graded into three categories ; mild, moderate, and severe. Provocation of the same symptom wasalso evaluated. Esophageal manometric studies were performed on 16 patients and those results were compared with the results obtained from the esophagogram using marshmallow bolus. RESULTS: The provocation rate of the same symptom was 33% in the first group, 47% in the second, and 24% in the third. The provocation rate was highest inthe second group. The provocation rate was also higher in patients with a severe degree of abnormality on anesophagogram using marshmallow bolus. Where there were abnormal findings, an esophagogram using marshmallow bolus showed a higher abnormality rate than did a conventional esophagogram. In cases showing abnormal findings on the esophageal manometric study, an esophagogram using marshmallow bolus showed a higher provocation rate and more severe abnormality than in cases showing normal findings on manometric study. CONCLUSION: An esophagogram using marshmallow bolus will a useful radiologic screening modality for the evaluation of patients with esophageal-related symptoms.