Improved metabolic control and hepatic oxidative biomarkers with the periconception use of Helichrysum plicatum ssp. plicatum.

Our aim was to investigate the hypoglycaemic and antioxidant effects of the Helichrysum plicatum ssp. plicatum (HPsP) plant extract in the streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes rat model during pregnancy. Five groups (n = 8, each) were formed: (1) diabetic non-mated control, (2) non-diabetic mated control, (3) diabetic mated control, (4) diabetic non-mated treatment and (5) diabetic mated treatment. The HPsP extract was administered orally for 15 days (250 mg/kg body weight), beginning 3 days before mating. The extract led to decreased blood glucose, increased serum insulin, and decreased serum triglycerides in pregnant and non-pregnant diabetic animals. Liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and reduced glutathione (GSH) measurements in extract-treated diabetics were similar to non-diabetic pregnant controls, indicating probable reversal of increased lipid peroxidation in the liver. The mean pup number tended to increase (p = 0.06) with extract administration. In conclusion, the beneficial effects we encountered with the periconception use of the studied herbal extract warrant further investigation.

In vitro inhibitory effects of Daphne oleoides ssp. oleoides on inflammatory cytokines and activity-guided isolation of active constituents.

Aerial parts of Daphne oleoides Schreber ssp. oleoides (Thymelaeaceae) are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and lumbago in Turkish folk medicine. In order to evaluate folkloric utilization, in vitro inhibitory effects of the ethyl acetate extract and fractions obtained from this extract on interleukin 1 (IL-1alpha, IL-1beta) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) biosynthesis were studied. Through chemical isolation techniques and activity-guided fractionation process, seventeen compounds were isolated and their structures were elucidated (numbered 1-17). Diterpenoids genkwadaphnin (3) and 1,2-dehydrodaphnetoxin (6) and a coumarin derivative daphnetin (9) showed potent inhibitory activity and were found to be the main active ingredients. Furthermore, gnidilatin (4), gnidilatin-20 palmitate (5), genkwadaphnin-20-palmitate (7) and gnidicin-20-palmitate (8), having diterpenoid structure, and eudesmine (12), wikstromol (13) and matairesinol (14), having lignan structure, were determined to possess moderate inhibitory activity and may have a contributory role in the effect of the remedy.

Traditional medicine in Turkey X. Folk medicine in Central Anatolia.

Traditional medicine used in Central Anatolia; Ankara, Kayseri, Nigde and south-eastern parts of Karaman and Konya provinces have been studied. Two hundred and ninety one folk remedies obtained from 103 plant species belonging to 40 families and 4 animal species are reported with their vernacular names, parts used, methods of preparing remedies and therapeutic usage.

Labdane diterpenoids from Marrubium globosum ssp. globosum.

A new labdane type diterpenoid, marrubiglobosin, was isolated from the aerial parts of Marrubium globosum ssp. globosum together with the known diterpenoids, marrubiin and marrubinone B. The structure of this new compound was elucidated by spectral methods.

Anti-ulcerogenic effects of Spartium junceum flowers on in vivo test models in rats.

Flowers of Spartium junceum L. (Fabaceae) are used for the treatment of gastric ulcers in Turkish folk medicine. Through bioassay-guided fractionation using chemical and chromatographical means and water immersion and restraint-induced stress ulcer model in rats, a saponin fraction was determined as the potent anti-ulcerogenic ingredient. The active fraction was also highly effective in preventing ethanol- and pyloric ligation-induced gastric lesions as well as inhibiting gastric secretion volume, gastric pH and titratable acidity, but did not affect the hexosamine content of the gastric mucosa. A novel oleanen-type triterpenic saponin, named as spartitrioside, was isolated as the active principle by using chromatographical separation techniques.

Phlorigidosides A-C, iridoid glucosides from Phlomis rigida.

From the aerial parts of Phlomis rigida, three iridoid glucosides, phlorigidoside A (2-O-acetyllamiridoside), B (8-O-acetyl-6-beta-hydroxyipolamide) and C (5-deoxysesamoside), were isolated together with the known iridoid glucosides, shanzhiside methyl ester, 8-O-acetylshanzhiside methyl ester, deoxypulcheloside I, lamiridoside, and 6-beta-hydroxyipolamide. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated based on spectral and chemical evidence.

Traditional medicine in Turkey IX: folk medicine in north-west Anatolia.

Folk medicine in northwest Anatolia has been studied and 116 remedies prepared from 67 plant and 8 animal species are described, each with vernacular names, methods of preparation and traditional uses.

Inhibitory effects of Turkish folk remedies on inflammatory cytokines: interleukin-1alpha, interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha.

In this study, in vitro inhibitory effects of 55 extracts or fractions obtained from 10 plant species on interleukin-1 (IL-1alpha, IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) biosynthesis were studied. The following plant materials from Turkish folk medicine for the treatment of various diseases which are thought to be inflammatory in nature e.g. rheumatism, fever, infections, edemas or related inflammatory diseases were selected as the subject of this study: Cistus laurifolius leaves, Clematis flammna flowering herbs, Crataegus orientalis roots, Daphne oleoides ssp. oleoides whole plant, Ecbalium elaterium roots, Rosa canina roots, Rubus discolor roots, Rubus hirtus roots, Sambucus ebulus flowers and leaves, Sambucus nigra flowers and leaves. All plants showed inhibitory activity against at least one of these models in various percentages depending upon the concentration, thus supporting the folkloric utilization. Daphne oleoides was found to be the most active plant against the test models.

Megastigmane glycosides from Salvia nemorosa.

From the aerial parts of Salvia nemorosa, three new megastigmane glycosides, salvionosides A-C, were isolated, along with the known compounds, (6S,9R)- and (6S,9R)-roseosides, (6R,9R)- and (6R,9S)-3-oxo-alpha-ionol glucosides and blumeol C glucoside. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectral and chemical evidence.

Traditional medicine in Turkey. VI. Folk medicine in west Anatolia: Afyon, Kütahya, Denizli, Mugla, Aydin provinces.

Two hundred and one folk remedies of West Anatolia derived from 91 plant species in 40 families and 2 animal species are presented, each with vernacular names, method of preparation of drugs and traditional uses.

Traditional medicine in Turkey. V. Folk medicine in the inner Taurus Mountains.

Folk medicine in the inner region of the Taurus Mountains in south Anatolia has been studied; 256 remedies prepared from 124 plant and 3 animal species are listed. Data include vernacular names, the parts used, the methods of preparation of the drugs and the medicinal use.

Traditional medicine in Turkey. IV. Folk medicine in the Mediterranean subdivision.

The traditional utilization of plants as medicine in the Mediterranean region has been investigated. Field surveys were carried out among the people who live in the Taurus Mountains. Sixty-nine medicinal plants have been identified, which are listed with the vernacular names, the parts used, the methods of preparing the drugs and their traditional usages.

Isolation of an anti-inflammatory principle from the fruit juice of Ecballium elaterium.

The fruit juice of Ecballium elaterium, used as a folk medicine in Turkey for the treatment of sinusitis, was investigated for its anti-inflammatory activity in mice. Fractions obtained from the juice were tested in mice for their effects on increased vascular permeability, as induced by HOAc ip. The active principle was isolated from the CHCl3 extract as well as the H2O-insoluble part of the fruit juice and identified as cucurbitacin B. This is the first report that cucurbitacin B has a significant anti-inflammatory activity.