Consumption Of Medicinal Plants Research Articles

Factors associated with the consumption of medicinal plants for the prevention of COVID-19 in peruvian population: a cross-sectional study.

Motivation for the study. No study conclusively recommends the use of medicinal plants to treat COVID-19 symptoms, and their indiscriminate use may present health risks. Main findings. Sixty percent of participants consumed medicinal plants to prevent COVID-19. This was particularly true for those living in the Peruvian highlands and individuals with family members diagnosed or deceased from COVID-19, who perceive a higher risk of infection and use medications or chlorine dioxide as preventive measures. Implications. Communication strategies emphasizing validated preventive practices and educating about the risks of consuming medicinal plants should be tailored to the predominant characteristics of the consumer. Determine the factors associated with the consumption of medicinal plants as a preventive measure against COVID-19 in the Peruvian population. A population over 18 years of age, living in Peru and without a history of COVID-19 disease, was evaluated. The factors associated with the consumption of medicinal plants were evaluated using a Poisson regression model with robust variances. Of the 3231 participants included, 84.6% were young adults (18-29 years old), 62.7% were women, and 59.7% consumed a medicinal plant to prevent COVID-19 infection. The factors associated with the consumption of medicinal plants to prevent COVID-19 infection were residing in the Peruvian highlands, having had a family member diagnosed with COVID-19, having had a family member die from COVID-19, considering their family to be at increased risk of infection, having used medications or chlorine dioxide to prevent COVID-19, having medical information as the main source of information about COVID-19, thinking that medicinal plants are effective in preventing COVID-19 disease, or not being informed about their effectiveness. Sixty percent of the participants reported having consumed a medicinal plant to prevent COVID-19. Authorities must apply communication strategies about the implications of consuming medicinal plants, prioritizing population groups with higher consumption patterns.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) accumulation in selected medicinal plants: a mini review.

The use of plant-based products in healthcare systems has experienced a tremendous rise leading to a substantial increase in global demand. However, the quality and effectiveness of such plant-based treatments are often affected due to contamination of various pollutants including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Like other plants, medicinal plants also uptake and accumulate PAHs when exposed to a contaminated environment. The consumption of such medicinal plants and/or plant-based products causes negative effects on health rather than providing any therapeutic advantages. Unfortunately, research focusing on PAH accumulation in medicinal plants has received very limited attention. This review discusses a sizable number of literature regarding the concentration of sixteen priority PAH pollutants as recognised by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) in different medicinal plants. The review also highlights the risk assessment of cancer associated with some medicinal plants in terms of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) equivalent concentrations.

Assessment of cancer risk and radiological effects from 210Po and 210Pb with consumption of wild medicinal herbal plants

BackgroundPlants' raw materials can accumulate chemical elements, including radioisotopes, to some extent and reflect the region they grow in. Due to their high environmental content and toxicity, natural radionuclides – polonium 210Po and lead 210Pb are the most dangerous radioisotopes for human health. Methods70 raw medicinal herbal materials from 54 popular wild-growing medicinal plant species, most of them included in the European Pharmacopoeia, were collected across three regions. In 210 samples, the activity concentrations of 210Po and 210Pb were determined, and their radiotoxicity and cancer risk were calculated. ResultsThe results of 210Po and 210Pb activities measured in herbal raw material were from 0.12 mBq g−1 dry weight in the fruits of the common chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) to 19.7 mBq g−1 dw in herb of ground elder (Aegopodium podagraria) for 210Po, while for 210Pb ranged from 0.16 mBq g−1 dw to 34.3 mBq g−1 dw in the same plants. There were statistically significant differences between 210Po and 210Pb content in leaves, herbs, flowers, and fruit. The studies indicated that the estimated annual effective radiation dose from Polish medicinal herbs consumption was low, ranging 0.03–105 µSv from 210Po and 0.02–98.2 µSv from 210Pb, while the risk of cancer morbidity and mortality ranged from 10−5 to 10−9. ConclusionsConsumption of the tested medicinal herbs is safe from the radiological point of view and, based on the predictions related to the calculated risk of cancer, should not increase the probability of its occurrence.

Heavy metal content of selected readily available commercial medicinal plants in Jos Plateau and their potential human health risk

This study determined the level of heavy metal contamination in selected medicinal plants sold in Jos Metropolis and assesses the health risks associated with their consumption. Five commonly used medicinal plants (Annona senegalensis, Mangifera indica, Psidium guajava, Vernonia amygdalina, and Vitex donniana) were analyzed for the presence of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) respectively using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The result showed that the concentrations of As, Cd, Hg, Mn, and Zn in all the plants and Pb levels in two plants, V. amygdalina and V. donniana were significantly higher than the WHO recommended limits, indicating a potential health hazard. The calculated values of the hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and cancer risk (CR) for the heavy metals exceed the acceptable levels for both adults and children, suggesting a high vulnerability to heavy metal toxicity and carcinogenicity with the highest and lowest HI values obtained by V. amygdalina (47.3) for children and P. guajava (9.63) for adults. The CR associated with Ni and As for adults and children indicated high carcinogenic risk. In contrast, the CR values for Cd and Pb for adults and children indicated a moderate CR. Based on the results and risk assessment provided by this study, the consumption of medicinal plants suggests a high vulnerability to heavy metal toxicity. It can be concluded that the consumption of medicinal plants poses a serious threat to human health due to heavy metal contamination and calls for implementing preventive measures and risk communication among users of these products to safeguard the health of the residents.

Consumption of Medicinal Plants among Patients with Diabetes in Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease which affects all aspects of human life. Medical herbs have become increasingly popular as complementary therapeutic measures for patients with diabetes. Thus, the present research aims to explore the consumption of medical herbs in patients with diabetes in Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (EMRO) countries through a meta-analysis. Methods: The following keywords were searched: medicine, medicinal plants, healing plants, medicinal herbs, use, usage, frequency of use, prevalence, diabetes patients, type 2 diabetes, adults with diabetes, and EMRO countries. The databases searched included Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Results: A total of 3,542 papers were found. After omitting repeated or irrelevant papers, 70 papers were retained. An analysis of the abstract and full text of papers led to the retention of 35 papers. A great variance was found regarding the rate of consuming medical herbs in the papers (16.8-97.7%). The relative frequency of consuming medical herbs was 38% (95% CI: 33-44). Moreover, the most prevalent herbs were fenugreek (19%), cinnamon (18%), black seed (14%), white lupinus (13%), and olive (13%) with a 95% confidence interval. About 70% of patients (95%CI: 62-79) did not inform their physician of their herbal medicine consumption. Conclusion: In light of the present findings, it can be concluded that patients with diabetes use a wide range of medical herbs. Thus, health specialists and physicians need to be aware of the possible synergic or moderating effect of herbal medicine on the therapeutic measures taken for diabetes.

Association of medicinal plant consumption with all-cause mortality and cognitive impairment in older adult: A large prospective cohort study

BackgroundPanax ginseng and other medicinal plants have long been believed to have beneficial effects on health, and there is substantial evidence supporting their mechanisms of action. However, the extent of the health benefits derived from consuming these medicinal plants lacks substantial evidence from large-scale longitudinal population studies. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of consuming these medicinal plants on all-cause mortality and cognitive impairment. MethodsA population-based cohort study was conducted using the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), which was established in 1998 and has been followed up till now. The main exposure was the frequency of eating medicinal plants, including Panax ginseng, Astragalus membranaceus, Lycium barbarum, Angelica sinensis, etc. According to the consumption patterns of medicinal plants, the participants were divided into three groups: frequent use, occasional use, and rarely or never use group. The participants were individually tracked to determine their mortality and cognitive impairment status during the period from 2008 to 2018. Cox proportional hazards regression and competing risk model were used to calculate the hazard ratio (HR) for the association between the use of medicinal plants and the all-cause mortality and cognitive impairment. ResultsAmong 13,918 participants, the average age was 87.2 ± 11.3 years old, and 70.1% (9,754/13,918) of the participants died during follow-up. The proportion of those frequently using, occasionally using, and rarely using medicinal plants was 8.4%, 20.7%, and 70.8%, respectively. Compared with the rarely or never use group, the occasional and frequent use groups demonstrated significantly lower risks for all-cause mortality, with HR of 0.75 (95% CI: 0.71 – 0.79) and 0.53 (95% CI: 0.49 – 0.58), respectively. The protective effect of medicinal plants against all-cause mortality decreased with increasing age in the subgroup analysis. Additionally, frequent use of medicinal plants reduced the risk of cognitive impairment in the competing risk model (HR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.60 – 0.87). However, there was no protective effect on cognitive function for those who occasional use medicinal plants. ConclusionIn elderly individuals, occasional and frequent use of medicinal plants was associated with reductions in risk of all-cause mortality, and frequent use of medicinal plants could reduce the risk of cognitive impairment.

Investigating the Usage of Medicinal Plants and Herbal Products in Aceh to Address COVID-19 Symptoms: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Medicinal plants have been used worldwide as supportive therapy in reducing symptoms of various diseases, including COVID-19 symptoms. The objective of this study was to investigate the use of medicinal plants and herbal products in respondents who experienced symptoms of COVID-19 in Aceh, Indonesia. A cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 384 respondents from the age group over 18 years old residing in Aceh Province, Indonesia. Data was collected via an online questionnaire consisting of 4 structured questions to assess the types and names of medicinal plants, the time of use, and the purpose of using medicinal plants. The results showed that nearly half of the study population (181 respondents) consumed medicinal plants and commercial products, mainly for the reason to enhance their immunity (49.7%), followed by to overcome the COVID-19 symptoms (26.7%). Amongst all medicinal remedies mentioned in this study, Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) are the most widely used, which were consumed by 65.5% of medicinal plant and herbal products users. The other medicinal plant chosen by the study population were lemon (Citrus lemon), Java Ginger/temulawak (Curcuma zanthorrhiza), and Habbatus sauda (Nigella sativa). Although the majority of the respondents had used the herbal remedies prior contracting COVID-19 symptoms (45.5%), a third of the respondents consumed traditional medicine during the symptomatic period only (less than two weeks). This study has demonstrated the characteristics of the consumption of medicinal plants and their commercial products in Aceh, during the occurrence of COVID-19 symptoms in the study population.

Assessment of bio-accessibility of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, and As) through consumption of medicinal plants collected from different regions in Nyamira- Kenya

Background: In this study, the total and bio-accessible levels of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and arsenic (As) in 19 Kenyan medicinal plants from two regions (Manga and Borabu) are presented. Methods: Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine the total and bio-accessed heavy metals in plants. The NIST 1647 plant reference material was used to study the performance of the method. The method offered excellent quality parameters in terms of detection and quantification limits of 0.08 and 0.24 µg/kg, 0.5 and 1.5 µg/kg, and 3.1 and 9.5 µg /kg, linearity (r2 > 0.997) and recoveries of 95%, 99% and 93% for Cd, Pb, and As, respectively. Results: The dry weights of the plants from Manga and Borabu showed low concentrations of Cd (270 ± 20 and 260 ± 20), As (320 ± 20 and 480 ± 40), and Pb (1230 ± 110 and 1160 ± 100) µg/kg. Significantly higher mean concentrations of Cd, Pb, and As (0.45 ± 0.11, 0.46 ± 0.12 and 0.37 ± 0.10 µg/kg) than (0.32 ± 0.07, 0.34 ± 0.11 and 0.26 ± 0.08 µg/kg) were bioaccessible enzymatically than aquatically from dry weight (p<0.05). The percentage bioaccessibility of the elements from the plants ranged from 0.08 to 10.66% and 0.02 to 2.56% for the enzymatic and aquatic procedures, respectively. Conclusion: The low bioaccessible concentrations of heavy (toxic) elements in plants justify their therapeutic use.

Human Health Risk Assessment to the Consumption of Medicinal Plants with Melliferous Potential from the Romanian South-Eastern Region.

This study presents the impact on human health by consuming medicinal herbs with high melliferous potential (HMPs) from botanical areas with different pollution levels. First, the bioaccumulation of the plants' parts has been determined. The study assessed the potential health risks associated with the ingestion of various mineral species (macroelements-K, Ca, Mg, Na; microelements-Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, and one trace element Cd) from three types of HMPs (Sambucus nigra (SnL), Hypericum perforatum (Hp), and Tilia tomentosa (Tt)). The average concentrations of these elements were not similar even in the same type of HMPs. Nevertheless, all samples contained detectable levels of the studied elements. The average concentrations of the studied elements were very low (significantly lower than the legal limit set by the WHO). The study's findings indicated that the potential health risks associated with ingesting the elements in HMPs were within acceptable limits for children and adults. The hazard quotient (HQ) for Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, and Cd and the hazard index (HI) for the minerals from HMPs were significantly lower than the acceptable limit (HQ and HI = 1). Similarly, the carcinogenic risk for chemical substances (Riskccs) were lower than or close to the acceptable limit (1 × 10-4).

Consumption of medicinal plants and herbal medicines by children and adolescents with chronic conditions: a survey in a tertiary-care outpatient clinic

Objectives. Medicinal plants and herbal medicines are widely used worldwide. However, patients with chronic health conditions or their caregivers do not often disclose these practices to their healthcare providers, leading to potentially severe interactions with current treatments, especially in children. We aimed to describe the prevalence of the use of medicinal plants and herbal medicines by children and adolescents with chronic health conditions and whether their physicians were informed about it. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional electronic survey on parents and caregivers of children and adolescents with chronic health conditions seen at a university, tertiary-care pediatric outpatient clinic. The common names of the plants cited by respondents were reviewed and Latin names of the species were provided whenever possible. Results. From 20,213 text messages sent in May and June 2021, 521 valid responses were obtained. The prevalence of the use of medicinal plants and herbal medicines was 34.6%, most without a medical prescription (self-medication), and few physicians (4.0%) were aware of it. The five most used species were: Mentha spicata L. (mint), Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (fennel), “cidreira” (a common name possibly corresponding to Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf, Melissa officinalis L. or Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E. Br. ex Britton & Wilson, P.), Matricaria chamomilla L. (German chamomile), and Plectranthus barbatus Andrews (boldo). Conclusions. The prevalence of the use of medicinal plants and herbal medicines by children and adolescents with chronic health conditions in a tertiary-care outpatient clinic was 34.6%, and only a few physicians were aware of it.

Evaluation of natural radioactivity and assessment of health risk due to the consumption of medicinal plants grown in the Western Ghat region of India

ABSTRACT The radioactivity concentrations in soil and medicinal plants from the Western Ghat region of India were determined using NaI(Tl) gamma spectrometry. The mean activity of 232Th, 226Ra and 40K in soil was found to be 15.0 ± 0.9 Bq kg−1, 35.8 ± 2.1 Bq kg−1 and 65.1 ± 2.2 Bq kg−1. In medicinal plants, the mean activity was found to be 9.3 ± 1.1 Bq kg−1, 28.4 ± 2.8 Bq kg−1 and 76.3 ± 3.7 Bq kg−1, respectively. The calculated transfer factors from soil to plant range from 0.70 to 2.88, 0.49 to 1.64 and 0.37 to 1.53 for 40K, 226Ra and 232Th, respectively. The mean transfer factor of 40K is greater than that of 226Ra and 232Th, showing a substantial increase of 40K in the plant by root uptake. The estimated average yearly effective dosage for the age group of 15 years and older in the study is much lower than the world average, whereas, for the age group of 5 years, the Mesua ferrea, Moringa oleifera, and Piper betle medicinal plant are above the recommended word average of 0.3 mSv y−1 for an individual as reported UNSCEAR, 2000. As a result, the consumption of medicinal plants does not pose a substantial health risk and is radiologically safe for intake by people aged 15 years and above, but not to individuals under the age of 5. The possible impact of natural radiation on a human has been assessed by calculating the hazard parameters and all values within the internationally recommended limits. The impact of soil physico-chemical properties on soil-medicinal plant transfer factor was assessed. The study will serve as a baseline data on the transfer of radionuclides from the soil to medicinal plants and from medicinal plants to human as well as guidelines on the development of herbal drugs for future pharmacological and phytochemical studies.

Cutaneous adverse reactions to herbal medicines

The use of medicinal plants is as old as human history. The adoption of plants in the prevention and treatment of diseases has maintained its position in various societies and cultures. Many people believe using medicinal herbs is not detrimental if there is no benefit. In recent years, due to the trend of people and the increase in the consumption of medicinal plants, extensive research is being done in the field of pharmaceuticals and the use of medicinal plants and their properties for the treatment of diseases. Skin diseases are among the most common diseases in the world. Some of the most common skin disease symptoms are skin rashes, itchy skin, prominent bumps, peeling, blisters or sores, discoloration, etc. Since the skin plays a vital role as the first defense barrier of the body, skin diseases can cause dangerous problems for all age groups, from infants to the elderly. Therefore, investigating the possible adverse effects of medicinal plants on the structure and function of the skin is of particular importance. Plants can cause side effects or reduce other pharmaceutical medication effects when improperly used. According to studies, adverse skin responses to herbal medications can be caused by dermal contact or prolonged exposure to medicinal herbs. These reactions are also linked to several risk factors, such as adverse effects, dose, health state, and interactions. This article reviews the findings and data available in articles published between 1953 and October 2022 on the skin side effects of medicinal plants in various databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scientific Information Database.

Cutaneous adverse reactions to herbal medicines

The use of medicinal plants is as old as human history. The adoption of plants in the prevention and treatment of diseases has maintained its position in various societies and cultures. Many people believe using medicinal herbs is not detrimental if there is no benefit. In recent years, due to the trend of people and the increase in the consumption of medicinal plants, extensive research is being done in the field of pharmaceuticals and the use of medicinal plants and their properties for the treatment of diseases. Skin diseases are among the most common diseases in the world. Some of the most common skin disease symptoms are skin rashes, itchy skin, prominent bumps, peeling, blisters or sores, discoloration, etc. Since the skin plays a vital role as the first defense barrier of the body, skin diseases can cause dangerous problems for all age groups, from infants to the elderly. Therefore, investigating the possible adverse effects of medicinal plants on the structure and function of the skin is of particular importance. Plants can cause side effects or reduce other pharmaceutical medication effects when improperly used. According to studies, adverse skin responses to herbal medications can be caused by dermal contact or prolonged exposure to medicinal herbs. These reactions are also linked to several risk factors, such as adverse effects, dose, health state, and interactions. This article reviews the findings and data available in articles published between 1953 and October 2022 on the skin side effects of medicinal plants in various databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scientific Information Database.

Pengujian Kualitas Parameter Fisika Kimia dan Kandungan Total Fenol dari Teh Herbal Cakar Kucing (Uncaria tomentosa Wild. Ex Schult) Sebagai Minuman Fungsional

The many side effects of consuming chemical-based drugs in maintaining human health have led to a tendency to return to nature. Consumption of medicinal plants in fresh or dried form has been considered to minimize side effects. This research will examine the feasibility of cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa Wild. Ex Schult) tea as a functional drink based on physicochemical parameters and total phenol content. The physicochemical parameters tested included pH, water content, ash content and organoleptic examination of herbal teas including taste, odor and color of the brewed solution, while the total content of phenolic compounds was carried out based on the Folin–Ciocalteu method. Organoleptic examination showed a characteristic odor of the leaves, such as the smell of herbal teas in general with a bland and astringent taste, and the juice of the solution was yellowish green. The results of the physicochemical parameter test showed that the pH of the solution was 6.9, the water content was 7.7, the ash content was 8.00%, while the total phenol content measured was 68.77 mg GAE/g sample. The physicochemical parameters measured from the testing of cat's claw herbal tea in this study met the quality requirements of dry tea according to SNI No 3836 BSN 2013

Uso de plantas medicinales que se comercializanen Guayaquil, Ecuador

The use of medicinal plants has been an ancestral custom that, despite advances in science and medical advances, continues to be part of popular culture in many cities of Latin America. The present work seeks to publicize the popular use of medicinal plants by the population of the city of Guayaquil. The municipal markets in which medicinal plants are sold were identified, then a semi-structured survey was applied to gather information on the use of medicinal plants. It was determined that of the 34 public markets in the city, the study product is sold in 10 of them, the largest amount in the north and center of the city. Most of the vendors only have primary education and all of them are native to the Ecuadorian highlands, while the most cited plants are horsetail, and boldo, followed by rue and dandelion. It was determined that in urban areas the consumption of medicinal plants is maintained at a certain percentage, in addition, the ancestral knowledge about the use of medicinal plants is evidenced, it is an oral tradition without physical record for its disclosure, for which it is in danger of disappearing over time

Assessment of Antioxidant Capacity, Heavy Metal, Mineral and Protein Contents of Some Medicinal Plants Selected in Van

Objective: Rosa canina L., Malus domestica L., Prunus persica L Siebold & Zucc., Cydonia oblonga Mill., Armenica vulgaris Lam., and Pyracantha coccinea M.Roem. are important fruits of the Rosaceae family, used in a wide variety of industries such as food, perfume, cosmetics, paint, beverage, and for economic and medical purposes. Although medicinal plants act with their natural components against diseases, they can cause toxic and unde-sirable side effects. It is important in terms of human health and food safety to examine plants for their heavy metal, mineral, protein and antioxidant capacities before they are used for treatment, food or cosmetic purposes. The heavy metals (Al, Cr, Cu, Co, Zn), minerals (Fe, Mg, Na, Ca, K), protein and antioxidant capacities of some medicinal plants grown in Van-Turkey were determined and their safety in terms of food and in medical uses were evaluated. Material and Method: After the lyophilized plants were solubilized with a wet burning (microwave) device, Al, Cr, Cu, Co, Zn, Fe, Mg, Na, Ca, K elements were analyzed in the ICPOES device. Protein analyzes were per-formed by the Gerthardt Dumatherm method. Cuprac method was used for antioxidant capacity analysis. Results: The measured values were ranged between (in mg kg−1) Al 10.753-20.407, Co 0.007-9.664, Cr 0.119-0.411, Cu 2.409-6.554, Zn 23.426-33.891, Ca 743.0-2501.7, Fe 31.7-117.6, K 3555.2-4202.9, Mg 498.7-1982.9, Na 839.8-1616.0 and Protein (%) 1.45-5.53. Detected heavy metal amounts are in general within acceptable limits determined by WHO (World Health Organization). While the Cuprac values of the plants ranged between 1.13 and 3.62, the Cuprac values for the standard synthetic antioxidants α-tocopherol and BHT were determined as 2.14 and 3.21 µmol TE g−1DW, respectively. In particular, it was determined that Rosa canina extracts showed high activity (3.62 µmol TE g−1DW) comparable to α-tocopherol and BHT. Conclusion: : For centuries, human beings have benefited from plants in the treatment of diseases. Due to the severe side effects of synthetic drugs, people in the modern world also turn to medicinal plants for the treatment of many diseases. However, conscious consumption of medicinal plants by examining them especially in terms of heavy metal amounts will prevent serious health problems in the long run. The study showed that the heavy metal amounts of some plants belonging to the Rosaceae family, which are cultured, used for therapeutic pur-poses and consumed as fruit by the people of Van, are safe for human consumption and medical uses, and their micronutrient, protein and antioxidant capacities are at the desired level for healthy nutrition and therapeutic uses.

Advancements and future prospective of DNA barcodes in the herbal drug industry.

Ethnopharmacological relevance: The past couple of decades have witnessed the global resurgence of medicinal plants in the field of herbal-based health care. Increased consumption of medicinal plants and their derivative products is the major cause of the adulteration issues in herbal industries. As a result, the quality of herbal products is affected by spurious and unauthorized raw materials. Recent development in molecular plant identification using DNA barcodes has become a robust methodology to identify and authenticate the adulterants in herbal samples. Hence, rapid and accurate identification of medicinal plants is the key to success for the herbal industry. Aim of the study: This paper provides a comprehensive review of the application of DNA barcoding and advanced technologies that have emerged over the past 10years related to medicinal plant identification and authentication and the future prospects of this technology. Materials and methods: Information on DNA barcodes was compiled from scientific databases (Google Scholar, Web of Science, SciFinder and PubMed). Additional information was obtained from books, Ph.D. thesis and MSc. Dissertations. Results: Working out an appropriate DNA barcode for plants is challenging; the single locus-based DNA barcodes (rbcL, ITS, ITS2, matK, rpoB, rpoC, trnH-psbA) to multi-locus DNA barcodes have become the successful species-level identification among herbal plants. Additionally, multi-loci have become efficient in the authentication of herbal products. Emerging advances in DNA barcoding and related technologies such as next-generation sequencing, high-resolution melting curve analysis, meta barcodes and mini barcodes have paved the way for successful herbal plant/samples identification. Conclusion: DNA barcoding needs to be employed together with other techniques to check and rationally and effectively quality control the herbal drugs. It is suggested that DNA barcoding techniques combined with metabolomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics could authenticate the herbal products. The invention of simple, cost-effective and improved DNA barcoding techniques to identify herbal drugs and their associated products of medicinal value in a fool-proof manner will be the future thrust of Pharmacopoeial monograph development for herbal drugs.

Medicinal Plant Growth in Heavy Metals Contaminated Soils: Responses to Metal Stress and Induced Risks to Human Health.

Accelerating heavy metal pollution is a hot issue due to a continuous growth in consumerism and increased activities in various global industries. Soil contamination with heavy metals has resulted in their incorporation into the human food web via plant components. Accumulation and amplification of heavy metals in human tissues through the consumption of medicinal plants can have hazardous health outcomes. Therefore, in this critical review we aim to bring together published information on this subject, with a special highlight on the knowledge gaps related to heavy metal stress in medicinal plants, their responses, and human health related risks. In this respect, this review outlines the key contamination sources of heavy metals in plants, as well as the absorption, mobilization and translocation of metal ions in plant compartments, while considering their respective mechanisms of detoxification. In addition, this literature review attempts to highlight how stress and defensive strategies operate in plants, pointing out the main stressors, either biotic or abiotic (e.g., heavy metals), and the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in stress answers. Finally, in our research, we further aim to capture the risks caused by heavy metals in medicinal plants to human health through the assessment of both a hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI).

The Relationship Between the Use of Medicinal Plants and Medication Adherence in the Elderly with Chronic Diseases

Objectives Many older patients use medicinal plants, assuming that they are safe and without side effects. The present study aims to investigate the relationship between the use of medicinal plants and medication adherence in the elderly patients with chronic diseases. Methods & Materials In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 358 patients aged ≥60 years with chronic diseases were selected by a convenience sampling method. Data collection instrument was a three-part questionnaire assessing demographic information, history of using medicinal plants, and medication adherence using the Morisky medication adherence scale (MMAS). The data were entered into SPSS v.21 and analyzed using one-way analysis of variance, Chi-square test, independent t-test and logistic regression. Results The mean age of participants was 69.44±8.13 years and 52.23% were female. The majority of them were married (87.68%) with a junior high school education (71.64%).The overall mean score of MMAS was 5.48 (poor adherence). The percentage of patients with a history of taking medicinal plants in the last year with the prescription of physician was 41.34% (n=148) while the percentage of those used medicinal plants without the physician’ prescription was 27.3% (n=98). The mean of MMAS score in the groups who used medicinal plants was lower than in the group with no history of using medicinal plants (P=0.001). The number of used medicinal plants, the frequency of using medicinal plants, and the duration of chronic disease had a statistically significant relationship with the medication adherence (P <0.05). Conclusion Due to the high consumption of medicinal plants in the elderly with chronic diseases and its relationship with poor medication adherence, it is necessary to educate them about the correct use of medicinal plants, their side effects, herb-drug interactions, the need to inform the doctor about use of medicinal plants, and adherence to medication.

Vascular Protective Effect and Its Possible Mechanism of Action on Selected Active Phytocompounds: A Review.

Vascular endothelial dysfunction is characterized by an imbalance of vasodilation and vasoconstriction, deficiency of nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS), and proinflammatory factors. This dysfunction is a key to the early pathological development of major cardiovascular diseases including hypertension, atherosclerosis, and diabetes. Therefore, modulation of the vascular endothelium is considered an important therapeutic strategy to maintain the health of the cardiovascular system. Epidemiological studies have shown that regular consumption of medicinal plants, fruits, and vegetables promotes vascular health, lowering the risk of cardiovascular diseases. This is mainly attributed to the phytochemical compounds contained in these resources. Various databases, including Google Scholar, MEDLINE, PubMed, and the Directory of Open Access Journals, were searched to identify studies demonstrating the vascular protective effects of phytochemical compounds. The literature had revealed abundant data on phytochemical compounds protecting and improving the vascular system. Of the numerous compounds reported, curcumin, resveratrol, cyanidin-3-glucoside, berberine, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, and quercetin are discussed in this review to provide recent information on their vascular protective mechanisms in vivo and in vitro. Phytochemical compounds are promising therapeutic agents for vascular dysfunction due to their antioxidative mechanisms. However, future human studies will be necessary to confirm the clinical effects of these vascular protective mechanisms.