Recovery Effects of Nephelium lappaceum var. pallens (Hiern) Leenh. Extract on Testosterone-Induced Inhibition of Hair Growth in C57BL/6 Mice and Human Follicular Dermal Papilla Cells.

Although various hair health medicines have been developed and are used today, additional safe and effective natural hair growth therapies still need to be developed. Nephelium lappaceum var. pallens (Hiern) Leenh. extract (NLE) reportedly exhibits anticancer, antidiabetic, and antioxidant effects, which could be linked to androgenic processes; however, there are no reports of its effects on testosterone (TS)-inhibited hair growth. The present study investigated the effects of NLE on TS-induced inhibition of hair growth in C57BL/6 mice and human follicular dermal papilla cells. Oral administration of NLE restored hair growth that was suppressed following subcutaneous injection of TS more effectively than finasteride, a drug used for treating hair loss. Histological analysis demonstrated that oral NLE administration increased the number and diameter of hair follicles in the dorsal skin of C57BL/6 mice. In addition, western blot and immunofluorescence assays showed that the oral NLE administration restored TS-induced suppression of cyclin D1, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and loricrin expression in the skin cells of the mice. Finally, TS suppression of cell proliferation in human follicular dermal papilla cells was significantly reversed by NLE pretreatment. The results suggest that NLE is a promising nutraceutical for hair growth because it promotes hair growth in androgenetic alopecia-like models.

Hedyotiskonhanungensis (Rubiaceae): A new species from the central highlands of Vietnam.

A new species of Hedyotis L. (Rubiaceae), Hedyotiskonhanungensis B.H. Quang, T.A. Le, K.S. Nguyen & Neupane, is described and illustrated from the central highlands of Vietnam based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence. The new species belongs to the morphologically diverse tribe Spermacoceae (ca. 1000 species) of the family Rubiaceae, which is represented by 70-80 species in Vietnam. The phylogenetic analysis, based on four DNA regions (ITS, ETS, petD, rps 16), confirms the new species' placement within the genus Hedyotis - one of the largest genera in the tribe, comprising ca. 180 species across Asia and the Pacific. Hedyotiskonhanungensis is morphologically distinct from all southeastern Asian Hedyotis L. in its set of traits such as leaf type (shape and thickness), growth habit, and floral parts (color of inflorescence axis and the shape of calyx lobes). The new species shows similarities with Hedyotisshenzhenensis, H.shiuyingiae, and H.yangchunensis from China in its herbaceous habit, fleshy ovate leaf blades, and dark purple floral parts, but it is phylogenetically distinct and can be distinguished from them by the following combination of morphological traits: habit with slightly smaller stature (<25 cm), broadly ovate or deltoid stipules with cuspidate apex and entire margin, and ovate or nearly ovate calyx lobes.

Nomenclatural notes and typification of nine names related to Jasminum (Oleaceae).

Lectotypes are designated here for the following nine validly published names: Jasminumalongense, J.anodontum, J.eberhardtii, J.harmandianum, J.lang, J.laxiflorum, J.pierreanum, J.rufohirtum, and J.sinense. Jasminumlang is reinstated as a distinct species.

Heterostemma cucphuongense (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae), a new species from Vietnam.

Heterostemma cucphuongense (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae), a new species from Vietnam is described, illustrated and compared with the similar species Heterostemma succosum Kerr. Heterostemma cucphuongense differs from H. succosum by the morphology of the rachis of the inflorescence, the margins of the corolla lobes and the colour of the adaxial surface of the corolla.

A new species of Psydrax (Vanguerieae, Rubiaceae) from the Gia Lai Plateau, southern Vietnam.

A new species of Rubiaceae, Psydrax gialaiensis B.H.Quang, T.B.Tran & V.S.Dang, sp. nov., is described and illustrated from the Kon Chu Rang Nature Reserve, Gia Lai Province, southern Vietnam. This species is characterized by having strigose branches and leaves, a conspicuously bulging, short corolla tube, an accrescent nectary disc and a style with a dense tuft of hairs, which clearly distinguishes it from the other species in the genus. A description, vernacular name, conservation assessment, illustration, photographs, and a key to the species of Psydrax in Vietnam are provided.

Ethnobotanical study on medicinal plants used by local Van Kieu ethnic people of Bac Huong Hoa nature reserve, Vietnam.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The ethnobotanical survey was carried out in the Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve (BHHNR), Vietnam. The Van Kieu ethnic group, the inhabitant of Nature Reserve, is rich in knowledge about the medicinal plants found in the Nature Reserve. However, their knowledge is less documented. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study was conducted to document the use of medicinal plants, plant parts used, mode of preparation and delivery by the ethnic group of Van Kieu. The study also aimed at comparing the information generated by this study with the previously published Dictionary of Vietnam Medicinal plants (DVM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The information was collected through semi-structured and unstructured interviews. The interviews were conducted from April 2016 to March 2017. The number of informants involved in the survey was 93 belonging to age group of 20-81. Species Use-Reports (UR) were analyzed to determine the plant importance in the local and the Informant Consensus Factor (FIC). Local plant uses were listed and compared with the previously published data from Vietnam. RESULTS: Comprehensively 355 Use-Reports were documented in this study. A total of 111 medicinal plant species belonging to 102 genera and 46 families were reported. Out of 46 families, Euphorbiaceae (10 species), Compositae and Leguminosae (9 species each), Apocynaceae (7 species), Rutaceae and Rubiaceae (5 species each) were the dominant families. Leaves were the most frequently used plant part (43.1%) in the preparation of medicines. The most frequent preparation method was decoction (49%) while the oral route of administration (51%) was the most commonly mentioned mode of administration. Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam., Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M.King & H.Rob., Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC., Psidium guajava L. and Catunaregam spinosa (Thunb.) Tirveng. were shown to be the most useful plants as indicated by their relatively high UR. Eight medicinal plants (7.21%) used by Van Kieu ethnic people have not been previously reported in DVM. CONCLUSION: The Van Kieu ethnic group holds valuable knowledge about uses of medicinal plant resources which is inherited through generations however this knowledge was not documented. The study highlights the need for documenting and publicizing the traditional medicinal knowledge which will provide basic data for further research and conservation.

Clausena anisata-mediated protection against lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice.

Clausena anisata (Willd.) Hook.f. ex Benth. (CA), which is widely used in traditional medicine, reportedly exerts antitumor, anti-inflammatory and other important therapeutic effects. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential therapeutic effects of CA in a mouse model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) and in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Male C57BL/6 mice were administered treatments for 3 days by oral gavage. On day 3, the mice were instilled intranasally with LPS or PBS followed 3 h later by oral CA (30 mg/kg) or vehicle administration. In vitro, CA decreased nitric oxide (NO) production and pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-6 and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. CA also reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators, such as cyclooxygenase-2. In vivo, CA administration significantly reduced inflammatory cell numbers in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-6, and IL-1ß, as well as reactive oxygen species production in the BALF. CA also effectively reduced airway inflammation in mouse lung tissue of an LPS-induced ALI mouse model, in addition to decreasing inhibitor κB (IκB) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 phosphorylation. Taken together, the findings demonstrated that CA inhibited inflammatory responses in a mouse model of LPS-induced ALI and in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Thus, CA is a potential candidate for development as an adjunctive treatment for inflammatory disorders, such as ALI.

Anti-inflammatory activity of a methanol extract from Ardisia tinctoria on mouse macrophages and paw edema.

Ardisia tinctoria (AT) is a plant of the Myrsinaceae family. No studies on its anti-inflammatory effects have yet been reported. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of AT. A non-cytotoxic methanol extract of AT inhibited the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), leading to significantly reduced levels of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and of two proteins regulated by these, interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and IL-6, in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. The thickness of paw edema induced in vivo in mice by carrageenan administration was effectively reduced by the AT extract. Translocation of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) subunit 65 (p65) into the nucleus and phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) and extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) were inhibited by the AT extract. Our results indicated that a methanol extract of AT downregulates the inflammatory response by blocking phosphorylation of MEK and ERK and activation of NF-κB. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of anti-inflammatory effects of an AT extract, and demonstrates its potential in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.