Abstract
Elsholtzia ciliata (Thunb.) Hyl, family Lamiaceae, is an important and popular anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). However, there are limited scientific studies on its anatomy and pharmacological activities. Moreover, the information of chemical constituents in relation to its non-volatile constituents are still missing. The current study aimed to evaluate the anatomic, pharmacological and phytochemical profile of Elsholtzia ciliata, providing means for the quality control of this herbal drug. The methodology designed for this study included the preparation of anatomic sections and their description, extraction, chromatography, structural elucidation of isolated compounds by NMR techniques and their quantification by HPLC using pharmacological assays (Formalin, hot plate, DPPH, antimicrobial-Gram positive, Gram Negative and fungus, and MTT assays) to confirm the activities described for this species. Results of the anatomic study are aligned with the pattern expected for plants belonging to the Lamiaceae family; Ursolic acid and Oroxylin were isolated from this plant species. The findings observed in this study indicate that Elsholtzia ciliata possess anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer activities. The chemical compounds isolated from its leaves and the anatomy profile of its parts provide the basis for further quality control for this plant.
Highlights
For thousands of years, plants have been a source of medicine; people relied on nature to supply their basic needs, including their medicines
Slides with the Transverse sections (TS) were observed under the microscope resulting in the following findings (Figures 1–3): The leaf blade of Elsholtzia ciliata proved to be amphistomatic with diacytic and anisocytic stomata
The results presented by the DPPH assay, total phenolic content and flavonoid equivalents in this study suggest that Elsholtzia ciliata possesses high antioxidant activity
Summary
Plants have been a source of medicine; people relied on nature to supply their basic needs, including their medicines. Several traditional medicinal systems such as Traditional Chinese Medicine, Indian Ayurvedic and the ancient Greek and Romans systems [1] have formed and made a substantial contribution to the development of natural medicine [2]. As a typical ethnomedicinal approach, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is one of a few ancient medicinal systems still preserved to date. It has gained more acceptance and recognition by other countries due to its affordability, reliable efficacy, local availability and fewer described side effects [3]. The indistinct effects, poor quality control, and the differences concerning the modern medical system restrict its global use.
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