A Review of Antifungal Activity of Combined Plant Extracts or Plant Exudates from Medicinal Plants either together or with Known Antifungal Agents

Medicinal plants provide humanity with important phytochemical compounds and extracts which are widely used in treatment of many diseases. Fungal infections are one of these diseases which are widely distributed especially in developing countries; medicinal plants are extensively used in developing countries. There are few antifungal agents, most of them are expensive and have many adverse effects, also there is high incidence of drug resistance among some available antifungal agents, hence for these mentioned reasons many people, especially in developing countries, use medicinal plants (either alone, combined together or combined with known antifungal drugs) in treatment of many fungal infections. This rise a new and important issue about plant(s) – plant(s) and plant(s) - drug interactions. The aim of this review is to try to fill the gap in understanding the interactions of plant(s) - plant(s) and plant(s) – drug(s) combinations by providing an overview of some evidence-based researches done in this field, so our review highlights many interactions between medicinal plants constituents with current available antifungal agents, these interactions may be synergistic, additive, indifferent or antagonistic, so, if there is any antagonistic effect, we recommend to avoid using the combination which caused this effect. We collected a lot of studies which studied the interactions between plant(s) (including extracts, isolated active constituents, essential oils, plants latexes and other phytochemicals) used either together or with conventional antifungal agents. This will not only bring about better understanding of both phytochemicals and antifungal activity, but also may help in searching and developing new safely and effective drugs, specially with those combinations which showed synergistic effect.

Structure and histochemistry of medicinal species of Solanum

ABSTRACT Studies on native medicinal plants strengthen initiatives to preserve the environments where those species naturally occur, many of them already strongly menaced even before their potential to humankind is known. Root and stem barks, leaves, and pericarps samples of Solanum agrarium Sendtn., S. lycocarpum A. St.-Hil., S. palinacanthum Dunal, S. paniculatum L., and S. stipulaceum Roem. & Schult., species that occur in the Cerrado (Brazililan savanna) were processed according to common light microscopy techniques for structural analysis, and histochemical tests were performed to locate and identify classes of chemical compounds. The distinctive features identified were low concentration of crystal sand in the root and stem, presence of terpene resin in the root, and absence of hypodermis in the leaf, in S. agrarium; bright spots (group of sclereids) in the root, isobilateral mesophyll, thickened cell walls with hemicelluloses and strong aroma in the fruit, in S. lycocarpum; high concentration of crystal sand in the root and stem, oval-shaped limb, presence of isolated crystals in the exocarp, in S. palinacanthum; strong sclerification and rays with great height in the root and stem, in S. paniculatum; and accumulation of soluble protein in the root and stem, presence of conspicuous membranaceous stipules, absence of spiniform trichomes, in S. stipulaceum. This work identifies distinctive structural features, its ecological importance, and determines the distribution of secondary compounds associated with the medicinal properties reported for these species and contributes to the conservation of the natural environments where they occur.

Avaliação fitoquímica e potencial cicatrizante do extrato etanólico dos frutos de Jucá (Libidibia ferrea) em ratos Wistar / Phytochemical evaluation and wound healing potential of the fruit extract ethanolic of Jucá (Libidibia ferrea) in Wistar rats

Libidibia ferrea é uma planta muito utilizada popularmente para fins terapêuticos, inclusive para acelerar processos de cicatrização de feridas cutâneas. O presente trabalho pesquisou a composição química e avaliou o potencial cicatrizante do extrato etanólico dos frutos de L. ferrea (Mart. ex Tul.) em ratos. Foram utilizados 24 ratos Wistar divididos em quatro grupos. De todos os animais, foi retirado um fragmento de pele do dorso e cada grupo recebeu um tratamento diferente: solução de NaCl 0,9%, digliconato de clorexidina 1%, extrato etanólico dos frutos de Libidibia ferrea 12,5% e 50%. O processo de cicatrização foi avaliado macro e microscopicamente. Para a cicatrização de pele em ratos o extrato etanólico dos frutos de L. ferrea a 12,5% é significativamente mais eficiente do que a 50%. Saponinas, ácidos orgânicos, açúcares redutores, fenóis e taninos, sesquiterpenolactonas e outras lactonas, e antraquinonas foram encontrados no extrato.

Libidibia ferrea is a plant popularly used for therapeutic purposes, including processes to accelerate wound healing. The present investigation analyzed the chemical composition and the healing potential of ethanolic extract of the fruits of L. ferrea (Mart. ex Tul.) in rats. This study used 24 Wistar rats divided into four groups. In all animals a piece of skin on the back was removed and each group received a different treatment: NaCl 0.9%, Chlorhexidine digluconate 1%, ethanol extract of the fruits of Libidibia ferrea 12.5% and 50%. The healing process was evaluated macroscopically and microscopically. The ethanolic extract of the fruits of L. ferrea 12.5% was significantly more efficient than the 50% healing in rat skin.

Effects of Ziziphus jujuba fruit extracts on cytochrome P450 (CYP1A2) activity in rats / 中国天然药物

Drug-drug interactions have become a serious problem in the clinic, since plant-based medicines are extensively used. The present study investigated the effects of Ziziphus jujuba fruit (ZJ) extract on the pharmacokinetics of phenacetin, a typical substrate of a cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP 1A2, in rats. The rats were pretreated with the water extract (1.0 g · kg(-1)) or the ethanolic extract (3.6 g · kg(-1)) of ZJ for 10 days, and the pharmacokinetics of phenacetin was investigated after intravenous administration. In an in vitro assay, acetaminophen formation in the hepatic microsomes of ZJ-treated rats was investigated to assess CYP1A2 activity. Our results demonstrated that the treatment with the water and ethanolic extracts of ZJ decreased the plasma concentration of phenacetin and increased the plasma concentration of acetaminophen, resulting in a 43.2% and 15.5% reduction in the AUC0-120 of phenacetin, respectively, and a 53.2% and 64.9% increase in the AUC0-120 of acetaminophen, respectively after intravenous administration. The water or ethanolic extract of ZJ significantly increased the clearance of phenacetin and acetaminophen formation in hepatic microsomes. In conclusion, ZJ extracts displayed effects on the pharmacokinetics of phenacetin and increased the CYP1A2 activity in rats. Therefore, precaution on drug-drug interactions should be taken when ZJ is co-administered with drugs metabolized by CYP1A2, which may result in decreased concentrations of these drugs.

Exploratory study to evaluate tolerability, safety, and activity of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in healthy volunteers.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) (WS), a “rasayana” drug, is recommended for balavardhan and mamsavardhan. The study was intended to evaluate dose-related tolerability, safety, and activity of WS formulation in normal individuals. The design was prospective, open-labeled, variable doses in volunteers. Eighteen apparently healthy volunteers (12M:6F, age:18-30 years, and BMI: 19-30) were enrolled. After baseline investigations, they received WS capsules (Rx) (aqueous extract, 8:1) daily in two divided doses with increase in daily dosage every 10 days for 30 days (750 mg/day x10 days, 1 000 mg/day x 10 days, 1 250 mg/day x 10 days). Volunteers were assessed for symptoms/signs, vital functions, hematological and biochemical organ function tests. Muscle activity was measured by hand grip strength, quadriceps strength, and back extensor force. Exercise tolerance was determined using cycle ergometry. Lean body weight and fat% were computed from skin fold thickness measurement. Adverse events were recorded, as volunteered by the subjects. Repeated measures ANOVA, McNemar’s test, and paired t test were employed. All but one volunteer tolerated WS without any adverse event. One volunteer showed increased appetite, libido, and hallucinogenic effects with vertigo at the lowest dose and was withdrawn from study. In six subjects, improvement in quality of sleep was found. Organ function tests were in normal range before and after the intervention. Reduction in total- and LDL- cholesterol and increase of strength in muscle activity was signifi cant. Total body fat percentage showed a reduction trend. WS, in escalated dose, was tolerated well. The formulation appeared safe and strengthened muscle activity. In view of its traditional Rasayana use, further studies are planned to evaluate potential of this drug in patients of sarcopenia.

Results of bone fracture treatment by electrophoresis with plant drug / Монголын Анагаах Ухаан

Introduction: The biologically active substances from medicinal plants contributed to humankind’s development. Thus the medicinal plants are used for medicinal purpose throughout the world from ancient time until now. Nowadays more than 300 medicinal plant species are used in the medicine. The type and quantity of phytopreparation, obtained from medicinal plants, is increasing in the recent times. Goal: We have three goals for implementing the study purpose.1. To decrease or reduce pain of bone fracture2. To reduce or relieve edema (less or more)3. To recover joint movement.Materials and Methods: In the rehabilitation department of Second General Hospital we observed 59 patients, who is fractured tibia or forearm bone three months ago, during 21-42 days. The electrophoresis treatment with 5% solution of plant “Rhodiola rosea” is done by 3-6 times in connection with patient’s age, gender, stage of disease and clinical feature.Results: In the result of the electrophoresis treatment with solution of plant “Rhodiola rose” the pain, swallowing, and limitation of movement have been increased by 71-80% after 3 times of the treatment. Besides effect of the electrophoresis have been increased by 97-98,9% after six times of the treatment. Discussion and conclusion: The study proposed that electrophoresis treatment with extract of plant Rhodiola rosea have healing effect on bone fracture. The plant contains 13 essential microelements which absorbs to the body through application of electrophoresis treatment with 5% of the plant solution. In our study, we observed that patient’s complains as pain, swallowing, limitation of movement in first three month of injury reduced in 56%-56,5% after the treatment. Effect of electrophoresis treatment with 5% of Rhodiola rosea increases to 74,2%-76,6% after three times, and effect of 97,9%-98,5% observed after six times of the treatment.

Identificação de amostras comerciais de raiz de taiuiá como Wilbrandia ebracteata Cogn / Identification of commercial samples of taiuia-roots as Wilbrandia ebracteata Cogn

A droga vegetal Taiuiá é comercializada pela indústria farmacêutica do Rio Grande do Sul como sendo proveniente de Cayaponia tayuy. (Veil.) Cogn. A análise cromatográfica de duas amostras comerciais fornecidas pela indústria mostrou-se tratar-se de Wilbrandia ebracteat. Cogn.

The vegetable drug Taiuia is used by the pharmaceutical industries of the state Rio Grande do Sul and the original plant is assigned to Coyaponia tayuya (Vell.) Cogn. The chromatographic analysis of two commercial samples supplied by the industry showed to be Wilbrandia ebracteata Cogn.