Advance of a representative traditional Tibetan medicine Meconopsis horridula on its phytochemical and pharmacological aspects / 中国中药杂志

Meconopsis horridula is one of alpine plants belonging to family Papaveraceae, mainly distributed in Himalaya Range area. M. horridula is a rare alpine flower, and is a kind of traditional Tibetan medicine, which has been included in more than 40 compound formulae, having efficacies of clearing away heat and alleviating pain, activating blood circulation to remove stasis, traditionally used for the treatment of fractures, injuries, and chest and back pains. Modern research shows that the whole plant of M. horridula contains alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenes, and its pharmacological activities including antitumor, antivirus and myocardial protection etc. However, due to various factors, the current research of M.horridula still faces many challenges. This paper summaries herein a progress of MH on its ecological resources, traditional uses, and studies on chemical constituents and pharmacological effects, hopefully to provide a useful reference for the ecological protection and applications.

Phytochemical and pharmacological progress on Tibetan medicine Hypecoi Erecti Herba and plants of Hypecoum L / 中草药

Hypecoi Erecti Herba is one of ethnic and folk medicines in China, mostly known in Tibetan medicine. It has the function of heat-clearing and detoxifying, and analgesia, indicated for the treatment of a variety of heat syndrome, such as "Chi Ba" pestilence, and warm toxin. Previous phytochemical studies revealed isoquinoline alkaloids are its main chemical components, and contemporary pharmacological research demonstrated that Hypecoi Erecti Herba has antibacterial, liver protection, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral activities. The present paper describes the resource distribution, chemical constituents, and pharmacological activities of the plants in Hypecoum L. to provide the references for further research and development of the plants in Hypecoum L.

Research progress on alkaloids from genus Dactylicapnos Wall. and their pharmacological activities / 中草药

Most species of the genus Dactylicapnos Wall. (Papaveraceae) have been used as folk medicines in many areas of Yunnan province, especially in Bai ethnic region, China. Alkaloids are the major and representative ingredients in the plants of Dactylicapnos Wall., displaying various biological activities such as effects on cardiovascular system, analgesic, spasmolysis, liver protection, antihypoxic, antimalarial, and so on. This review summarizes the traditional medicinal uses, chemical constituents, and pharmacological activities of the plants of Dactylicapnos Wall., in an effort to the systematic research and application of the alkaloids of the genus.

Argemone mexicana: chemical and pharmacological aspects

The Papaveraceae, informally known as the poppy family, are an ethnopharmacologically important family of 44 genera and approximately 760 species of flowering plants. The present work offers a review addressing the detailed chemistry and pharmacology of Argemone mexicana L. regarded as one of the most significant plant species in traditional system of medicine. The plant is used in different parts of the world for the treatment of several ailments including tumors, warts, skin diseases, inflammations, rheumatism, jaundice, leprosy, microbial infections, and malaria. Interestingly, the plant is the source of a diverse kind of chemical constituents although alkaloids are mostly abundant. Beyond pharmaceutical efficacies, certain plant parts also show toxic effects as well. Hence, an up-to-date information on the chemical and pharmacological knowledge on this plant may be helpful to guide researchers anticipating to undertake further investigations in these directions. The present review covers literature up to 2012 and enlists 111 references.

Antimicrobial activity of Argemone ochroleuca Sweet (Chicalote) / Actividad antimicrobiana de Argemone ochroleuca Sweet (Chicalote)

Argemone ochroleuca Sweet (Papaveraceae) is used to treat eye infection, respiratory and dermatological disorders in Tepotzotlán, State of México (México). The aim of this work was to investigate antimicrobial activity of hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts from aerial parts of A. ochroleuca. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated against thirteen bacteria and nine fungal strains. Only methanol extract showed antimicrobial activity. S. aureus (MIC= 125 ug/mL) and C. neoformans (MIC= 500 ug/mL) were the most sensitive strains. The bioassay-guide purification of the methanolic extract resulted in the isolation and identification of the isoquinoline alkaloid berberine. The present study confirms the antimicrobial activity of methanolic extract of A. ochroleuca.

Infusiones de la parte aérea de Argemone ochroleuca Sweet (Papaveraceae) son utilizadas por los pobladores de Tepotzotlán, Estado de México, para el tratamiento de infecciones en los ojos, enfermedades respiratorias y dermatológicas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue investigar la actividad antimicrobiana de los extractos hexánicos, acetato de etilo y metanólico de la parte aérea de A. ochroleuca. La actividad antimicrobiana fue evaluada frente a trece cepas bacterianas y nueve cepas fúngicas. Solo el extracto metanólico presentó actividad antimicrobiana. S. aureus (MIC= 125 ug/mL) y C. neoformans (MIC= 500 ug/mL) fueron las cepas que presentaron mayor sensibilidad. La purificación biodirigida del extracto metanólico dio como resultado el aislamiento e identificación del alcaloide isoquinolínico berberina. El presente estudio confirma la actividad antimicrobiana del extracto metanólico de A. ochroleuca.