Medicinal Plant, Anoectochilus: Distribution, Ecology, Commercial Value and Use in North Vietnam

Background: Anoectochilusorchids have been widely used as medicine. However, it has been overharvested in nature because of high commercial values. This study aims at identifying distribution ranges and ecological characteristics of Anoectochilusorchids serving for sustainable development and describing traditional uses by ethnic people in Lai Chau Province, North Vietnam.Methods: Twenty-one plots of 100 m2each (10 m × 10 m) were established for ecological survey and stand structures were analyzed for vegetation characteristics. While interviewing was applied to gather information on harvesting method, marketing, and medicinal uses.Results: Three Anoectochilusorchids (A. lanceolatus, A.calcareus, and A. setaceus) were found in Lai Chau Province, North Vietnam. These species distribute in both evergreen old-growth and secondary broadleaved forests, and mixed broadleaf-bamboo forest on the elevations of 996–2,134 m. They grow in forests with a high canopy cover of 67 m2canopy area/ 100 m2land and high cover (> 90% land) of low vegetation (< 2 m tall). It is believed that using the whole plant of Anoectochiluscan treat hypertension and diabetes mellitus and improve the development of underdeveloped children. The folk uses include soaking in alcohol and boiled water for daily drinks like green tea, and consuming as a vegetable. The best harvesting season is during Autumn–Winter and fresh product is mainly marketed with the price of up to 100 U$D/1 kg fresh mass.Conclusion:A. lanceolatus, A.calcareusand A. setaceusare potential forest herbs for poverty reduction to ethnic communities in North Vietnam. The natural populations have been reduced remarkably because of overharvesting. Growing techniques are an urgent need for the conservation and sustainable development of such valuable orchids

Xanthine oxidase inhibitors from Archidendron clypearia (Jack.) I.C. Nielsen: Results from systematic screening of Vietnamese medicinal plants

OBJECTIVE@#To screen Vietnamese medicinal plants for xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory activity and to isolate XO inhibitor(s) from the most active plant.@*METHODS@#The plants materials were extracted by methanol. The active plant materials were fractionated using different organic solvents, including n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol. Bioassay-guided fractionation and column chromatography were used to isolate compounds. The compounds structures were elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data, including IR, MS, and NMR.@*RESULTS@#Three hundreds and eleven methanol extracts (CME) belonging to 301 Vietnamese herbs were screened for XO inhibitory activity. Among these plants, 57 extracts displayed XO inhibitory activity at 100 μg/mL with inhibition rates of over 50%. The extracts of Archidendron clypearia (A. clypearia), Smilax poilanei, Linociera ramiflora and Passiflora foetida exhibited the greatest potency with IC values below 30 μg/mL. Chemical study performed on the extract of A. clypearia resulted in the isolation of six compounds, including 1-octacosanol, docosenoic acid, daucosterol, methyl gallate, quercitrin and (-)-7-O-galloyltricetiflavan. The compound (-)-7-O-galloyltricetiflavan showed the most potent XO inhibitory activity with an IC value of 25.5 μmol/L.@*CONCLUSIONS@#From this investigation, four Vietnamese medicinal plants were identified to have XO inhibitory effects with IC values of the methanol extracts below 30 μg/mL. Compound (-)-7-O- galloyltricetiflavan was identified as an XO inhibitor from A. clypearia with IC value of 25.5 μmol/L.

Xanthine oxidase inhibitors from Archidendron clypearia (Jack.) I.C. Nielsen: Results from systematic screening of Vietnamese medicinal plants

Objective To screen Vietnamese medicinal plants for xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory activity and to isolate XO inhibitor(s) from the most active plant. Methods The plants materials were extracted by methanol. The active plant materials were fractionated using different organic solvents, including n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol. Bioassay-guided fractionation and column chromatography were used to isolate compounds. The compounds structures were elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data, including IR, MS, and NMR. Results Three hundreds and eleven methanol extracts (CME) belonging to 301 Vietnamese herbs were screened for XO inhibitory activity. Among these plants, 57 extracts displayed XO inhibitory activity at 100 μg/mL with inhibition rates of over 50%. The extracts of Archidendron clypearia (A. clypearia), Smilax poilanei, Linociera ramiflora and Passiflora foetida exhibited the greatest potency with IC

Isolation and identification of Asiaticoside from Centella asiatica (L.) urb

By column chromatograpy and thin layer chromatography, a purified substance named H3 was isolate from the dried powder of Rau Ma (leaf, stem and root of Centella asiatica). Basing on fusion point, IR spectrum, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, DEPT, HMQC, HMBC, COSY 90, the extracted substance was identified as C48H78O19

The influence of upper respiratory tract infection to effusive otitis media

Study performed with 1168 children aged 1-15 in some kindergarten and maternal school, primary school and secondary school in the commune Trung Tu, Kim Lien – District Dong Da – Ha Noi had showed that 8,9% children had effusive otitis media. In the group of children with VA, the incidence of effusive otitis media was higher than in the group without VA (13,74% vs 8,01%). In the group of children with tonsilitis, the incidence of effusive otitis media was higher than in the group without tonsilitis (15,69% vs 8,26%)

Epidemiologic characteristics of catarrhal media otitis in children of preschool age in some kindergarten in Ha Noi

Study was carried out at some kindergarten with 773 children of 1-5 years old of age. Results showed an incidence of catarrhal media otitis of 10.34%. This incidence trends to increased in the lower age with a peak of 12.21% at the age of 2, then diminished gradually. The gender rate is 53.75% in boys comparing with 46.25% in girls. In 75.60% patients the condition occurred in both sides of two ears and in the case of unilateral development, the rate is 70.27% in the left in comparing with 29.73% in right ear

The relation between secretory otitis media and breast feeding

Among 773 children are diverse kindergartens and maternal school in Hanoi the prevalence of secretory otitis media, in winter is 18.49%, summer 11.25%, chronical – in both winter and summer 10.34%, in boys 53.75%, higher than girls 6.25%. The prevalence in breastfeeding infants lower significantly than in bottle feeding ones (9.78% versus 21.62%)

The relation between smoke and catarrhal otitis media

The influence of smoke on otitis media was investigated on 1168 children from 1 to 15 years old of age in Trung Tu and Kim Lien Quarters (Ha Noi) from July 2000 to 2001. The interview was performed on their parents with a questionary of 19 issues concerning the risk factor of otitis media, the examination of ENT and the measuring of ear volume were exerted by two times in all subjects during the period of 1 year. Results showed a prevalence of 8,9% of otitis media in Ha Noi children, the rate of boys is higher than that of girls. Smoke and environment pollution is one of the risk factors of high pulmonary tract infection and of catarrhal otitis media