Water Decoction Research Articles

PENGARUH PEMBERIAN REBUSAN DAUN SIRIH MERAH TERHADAP KEPUTIHAN PATOLOGIS PADA REMAJA PUTRI DI SMA NEGERI 1 MERBAU

Pathological leucorrhoea is a vaginal discharge that occurs due to a bacterial infection, a fungus in which the fluid that comes out a lot and continuously from the vagina and the color of the liquid is not clear or white or yellow or greenish. This study aims to determine the effect of giving red betel leaf decoction to pathological vaginal discharge in young women in Merbau 1 High School. This study used a quasy experimental design, purposive sampling technique, and a sample of 46 people in which 23 were in the intervention group and 23 were in the control group. The sheet pre test and post test is an instrument in this study which contains signs and symptoms of vaginal discharge. The intervention group used red betel leaf boiled water by soaking the female organs for 10-15 minutes, while the control group used ordinary water. The results of the pre-test in the intervention group were 14 students with moderate vaginal discharge and 9 mild vaginal discharge, while 22 post-test students who had recovered vaginal discharge and 1 vaginal discharge were mild. The results of the pre test in the control group were 21 students who had moderate vaginal discharge and as many as 2 people with mild vaginal discharge while the results of the post test, students who had moderate vaginal discharge were as many as 23 people. The increase in the incidence of leucorrhoea from 2 female students who experienced mild vaginal discharge to moderate vaginal discharge in the control group showed that red betel leaf decoction water was able to overcome pathological vaginal discharge compared to normal water. Based on the results of the Wilcoxon test p value = 0.000, which means that there is an effect of giving red betel leaf stew to pathological vaginal discharge in young women in Merbau 1 High School. Researchers suggested that health workers, especially nurses, be able to introduce more about the benefits of red betel leaf decoction to the community, especially women, so that people were more confident in using non-pharmacological treatments.

Transformation and attribution of drug properties in Galla Chinesis fermented Baiyaojian based on cold and heat syndrome rats

To reveal the transformation and attribution of drug properties in Galla Chinesis fermented Baiyaojian by studying the effect of Galla Chinesis and Baiyaojian on cold and heat syndrome rats. Euthyrox was used to induce the hyperthyrosis model,ice water stimulation was used to induce the cold syndrome model,and different concentrations of Galla Chinesis and Baiyaojian water decoction were administrated by gavage for 15 d continuously. Symptom indexes were evaluated,content of pyruvic acid( PA),ATPase activity in liver and contents of DA,T4,cAMP,5-HT,NE,17-OHCS,TRH and TSH in serum were assayed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and spectrophotometry. The rectal temperature,water consumption and body weight of heat syndrome rats in model group were increased,cAMP,NE,17-OHCS,TRH and PA were increased,TSH,Na-K ATPase and Ca-Mg ATPase were increased significantly( P<0. 01),while 5-HT was decreased,compared with those of the blank group( P< 0. 05),the contents of T4,DA,NE,TSH,TRH,cAMP and 17-OHCS were decreased significantly( P<0. 01),PA and Ca-Mg ATPase in WG and BG groups were decreased compared with those of the model group( P<0. 05),and the Galla Chinesis content of WG group was lower than that of BG group,while the contents of 5-HT in WG and BG groups were increased,and the Galla Chinesis content of WG group was higher than that of BG group,with no significant difference of viscera index between heat syndrome rats in blank group,model group and drug groups. The rectal temperature,water consumption and body weight of cold syndrome rats in model group were decreased,DA,T4,cAMP,NE,17-OHCS,TRH,TSH,PA,Na-K ATPase and Ca-Mg ATPase of rats in model group were decreased,whereas 5-HT was increased compared with those of the blank group( P<0. 05),the indexes of heart,lung and kidney were significantly higher than those in the blank group( P<0. 05). Both Galla Chinesis and Baiyaojian can significantly alleviate the symptoms of heat syndrome rats caused by levothyroxine sodium. Galla Chinesis has a better effect than Baiyaojian,but cannot alleviate the symptoms of cold syndrome caused by ice water stimulation,suggestting that the decoction of Galla Chinesis and Baiyaojian are both cold,but Galla Chinesis is colder than Baiyaojian. Cold property in Galla Chinesis fermented Baiyaojian can be relieved. In clinical application,the property of " slight cold" is more accurate than " neutral property" for Baiyaojian.

PENGARUH PEMBERIAN REBUSAN DAUN SIRIH MERAH TERHADAP KEPUTIHAN PATOLOGIS PADA REMAJA PUTRI

Pathological leucorrhoea is a vaginal discharge that occurs due to a bacterial infection, a fungus in which the fluid that comes out a lot and continuously from the vagina and the color of the liquid is not clear or white or yellow or greenish. This study aims to determine the effect of giving red betel leaf decoction to pathological vaginal discharge in young women in Merbau 1 High School. This study used a quasy experimental design, purposive sampling technique, and a sample of 46 people in which 23 were in the intervention group and 23 were in the control group. The sheet pre test and post test is an instrument in this study which contains signs and symptoms of vaginal discharge. The increase in the incidence of leucorrhoea from 2 female students who experienced mild vaginal discharge to moderate vaginal discharge in the control group showed that red betel leaf decoction water was able to overcome pathological vaginal discharge compared to normal water. Based on the results of the Wilcoxon test means that there is an effect of giving red betel leaf stew to pathological vaginal discharge in young women in Merbau 1 High School. Researchers suggested that health workers, especially nurses, be able to introduce more about the benefits of red betel leaf decoction to the community, especially women, so that people were more confident in using non-pharmacological treatments.

Offline preparative 2-D polar-copolymerized reversed-phase chromatography × zwitterionic hydrophilic interaction chromatography for effective purification of polar compounds from Caulis Polygoni Multiflori

Polar compounds are abundant in the water decoction of Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) and possess important biological activities. However, purifying these compounds has faced great difficulties largely due to poor retention and insufficient selectivity. To solve this problem, an offline orthogonal 2-D RPLC coupled with hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) method was developed to achieve purification of polar compounds from Caulis Polygoni Multiflori. A polar-copolymerized XAqua C18 column and a zwitterionic Click XIon column exhibited satisfactory retention and separation for polar compounds. Therefore, they were adopted to construct the offline 2-D LC system. Furthermore, the method presented a high orthogonality, which was calculated to be 72%. The XAqua C18 column was used in the first dimension to fractionate the 5.1 g polar fraction with a recovery of 85% within 10 h. In the second dimension, three representative fractions were purified using the Click XIon column. Finally, three compounds with purity higher than 95% were identified for the first time from this plant. This offline 2-D RPLC/HILIC method was shown to be an effective approach to purifying polar compounds from Caulis Polygoni Multiflori.

Verification of miRNAs in ginseng decoction by high-throughput sequencing and quantitative real-time PCR

Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer is a precious traditional Chinese medicine that has been clinically used for over thousands of years. In general, ginseng needs to be prepared to ginseng decoction before taking it. MicroRNAs are a class of small (18–24 nt), single-stranded molecules that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Considering that ginseng miRNAs may be bioactive compounds, we used Illumina high-throughput sequencing and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) to validate the existence of miRNAs in fresh ginseng decoction which have been boiled at high temperature. Our previous studies have demonstrated that there are several miRNAs in fresh ginseng. The roots of fresh Panax ginseng were prepared according to routine methods, from which miRNAs were extracted and sequenced. A total of 43 miRNAs were identified from water decoction by Illumina high-throughput sequencing, belonging to 71 miRNA families. The target genes of these miRNAs were predicted by sequencing, and were annotated by GO, KEGG and Nr databases. The functions of these target genes mainly included plant hormone signal transduction, transcription regulation, macromolecular metabolism and auxin signaling. Nine highly expressed miRNAs (miR159, miR167, miR396, miR166, miR168, miR156, miR165, miR162 and miR394) were verified by qRT-PCR, and the results of Illumina high-throughput sequencing and qRT-PCR were consistent. Results from this study indicate that miRNAs remained stable in P. ginseng after high-temperature boiling. Additionally, Illumina high-throughput sequencing was superior in the acquisition of higher amount of small RNAs.

PHYTOCHEMICAL PROFILE AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF WATER PEPPER (POLYGONUM HYDROPIPER L.)

Polygonum hydropiper L. (water pepper), an important medicinal plant from the Polygonaceae family, is traditionally used in folk medicine as an anti-cancer and anti-rheumatic agent, against diarrhea, positively influencing cerebral ischemia, Parkinson’s disease, and with neuroprotective effects. The aim of the current study was to evaluate and compare the total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity of water (infusion, decoction and microwave) and alcohol (tincture) extracts of Polygonum hydropiper. The total flavonoid content, total monomeric anthocyanin content and detailed phenolic acids profile were additionally assessed. The polyphenol content was established to be in range from 5.02 ± 0.07 to 17.44 ± 0.24 mg GAE/g dw, the total flavonoids from 3766.27 ± 118.25 to 6909.66 ± 66.03 µM QЕ/g dw and total monomeric anthocyanins from 0.26 ± 0.14 to 3.17 ± 0.44 mg/l. The in vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated by four common procedures, the highest results were established for the decoction, and tincture extracts. The phenolic acids profile revealed the highest yield, in respect of total phenolic acids, in the water pepper tincture - 3243.74 µg/g dw. As a result, the consumption of P. hydropiper extracts could be recommended as a good source of biologically active substances with potential benefit effects.

Ethnobotanical notes about medicinal and useful plants of the Reventino Massif tradition (Calabria region, Southern Italy)

This paper presents an ethnobotanical survey of the traditional uses of plants in the Reventino Massif (Calabria Region, Southern Italy). The aim of study was to record local knowledge on plants used for food, medical and other purposes based on new information provided by inhabitants in the study area. Fifty people, aged between 52 and 91 years, were interviewed between January and June 2016, using open and semi-structured ethnobotanical interviews. For each described plant species, the Italian common and local folk names, the part of the plants used, the uses and the relative use value (UV), were recorded. 76 plant species belonging to 43 families have been identified, with Asteraceae (10 species) and Lamiaceae (9 species) being most frequently used. The decoction and infusion in water, is the main preparation method for oral administration, while direct application of plants is the most important method for topical use. Several uses were never reported before. Phytotherapy in the Reventino Massif Area is nowadays practiced by a few elderly people that resort to medicinal plants only for various mild complaints such as tooth-ache, rheumatic pain, headaches; they also serve as first aid, as cicatrizing, lenitive, haemostatic agents. On the contrary, food uses are still commonly practiced.

Antimycobacterial activity in a single-cell infection assay of ellagitannins from Combretum aculeatum and their bioavailable metabolites

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe water decoction of Combretum aculeatum aerial parts is traditionally used in Senegal to treat tuberculosis (TB). The extract shows significant antimycobacterial activity in a validated single-cell infection assay. Aim of the studyThe main aim of this study was to identify the antimycobacterial compounds in the water decoction of Combretum aculeatum. Since the traditional preparations are used orally, a bioactivity assessment of the possible bioavailable human metabolites was also performed. Materials and methodsThe Combretum aculeatum water decoction extract was first fractionated by flash chromatography. The fractions were submitted to an antibiotic assay against Mycobacterium marinum and to a single-cell infection assay involving Acanthamoeba castellanii as a host. Using these approaches, it was possible to correlate the antimycobacterial activity with two zones of the chromatogram. In parallel with this liquid chromatography (LC)-based activity profiling, high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS/MS) revealed the presence of ellagitannin (Et) derivatives in the active zones of the chromatogram. Isolation of the active compounds was performed by preparative chromatography. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Additionally, the main human metabolites of commercially available Ets were biologically evaluated in a similar manner. ResultsThe in vitro bioassay-guided isolation of the Combretum aculeatum water extract led to the identification of three Ets (1–3) and ellagic acid (4). The major compounds 2 and 3 (α- and β-punicalagin, respectively), exhibited anti-infective activity with an IC50 of 51.48 μM. In view of the documented intestinal metabolism of these compounds, some metabolites, namely, urolithin A (5), urolithin B (6) and urolithin D (7), were investigated for their antimycobacterial activity in the two assays. Urolithin D (7) exhibited the strongest anti-infective activity, with an IC50 of 345.50 μM, but this was moderate compared to the positive control rifampin (IC50 of 6.99 μM). The compounds assayed had no observable cytotoxicity towards the amoeba host cells at concentrations lower than 200 μg/mL. ConclusionThe observed antimycobacterial properties of the traditional water decoction of Combretum aculeatum might be related to the activity of Ets derivatives (1–3) and their metabolites, such as ellagic acid (4) and urolithin D (7). Despite the relatively weak activity of these metabolites, the high consumption of tannins achieved by taking the usual traditional decoction doses should lead to an important increase in the plasmatic concentrations of these active and bioavailable metabolites. These results support to some extent the traditional use of Combretum aculeatum to treat tuberculosis.

ESI-TOF MS analysis of complexes formed between quercetin and five metal ions in hot water and a study into their DNA cleavage activity

Quercetin is a flavonoid compound widely found in vegetables, fruits, and medicinal plants. It has carbonyl and phenolic hydroxyl groups in its structure that can easily form complexes with metal ions. In this study, we reacted quercetin in water at 95 °C with five metal trace elements commonly found in plants, namely calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron(III), and copper. Each supernatant was then examined by electrospray ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ESI-TOF MS). The results showed that quercetin can form complexes with Ca2+, Mg2+, Zn2+, and Cu2+ in ratios of 2:1, 3:1, and 3:2. Interestingly, after reaction with Fe3+ in water at 95 °C, not only can quercetin‑iron(III) complexes be formed in ratios of 2:1 and 3:1, but small amounts of quercetin‑iron(II) complexes can also be formed in the same ratios. Furthermore, DNA cleavage experiments showed that when acting alone, quercetin and Cu2+ have weak or no cleavage effects on DNA, but the complex formed after reaction in hot water cleaves DNA in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. These results indicate that complexes may form between quercetin and a variety of metal trace elements in a water decoction of plants, and that these metal complexes may be the material basis for the health-promoting and therapeutic effects of edible or medicinal plants.

A pectic polysaccharide from water decoction of Xinjiang Lycium barbarum fruit protects against intestinal endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Neutral polysaccharides from Ningxia L. barbarum fruit have been reported with immunomodulatory and antioxidative biological activities. Few studies on pectic polysaccharides have been reported, especially not from the Xinjiang L. barbarum. In the present study, a pectic polysaccharide, XLBP-I-I, was obtained from water decoction of Xinjiang L. barbarum using anion exchange chromatography and gel filtration. The results from methanolysis, methylation, FT-IR and NMR experiments indicated that XLBP-I-I was a typical pectic polysaccharide. In vitro assay showed that XLBP-I-I could reduce the ER stress and UPR in tunicamycin insult IPEC-J2 cells, and further protect IPEC-J2 cells against apoptosis induced by ER stress. These results reveal a new perspective for pectic L. barbarum polysaccharides on intestine ER stress, and this elicited interests for its further applications.

Pengaruh Pemberian Air Rebusan Mahkota Dewa (Phaleria Macrocarpa (Scheff) Boerl) Terhadap Kadar Asam Urat Darah Pada Wanita Menopause

Uric acid is the final result of purine metabolism in the body, which excreted through urine. In gout conditions, there is uric acid crystals deposit in joints. In the women's uric acid levels did not increase until menopause because estrogen helps to increase spending uric acid in the kidneys by reducing the amount of uric acid reabsorption. Phaleria macrocarpa (Scheff) Boerl is a plant that has medicinal properties to treat gout because Phaleria macrocarpa (Scheff) Boerl contains flavonoids that can lower uric acid by the mechanism of resistance to the activity of xanthine oxidase on purine bases so that it will reduce production of uric acid. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of giving Phaleria macrocarpa (Scheff) Boerl’s decoction water on uric acid’s level in postmenopausal women in RW 01 Kelurahan Kebonsari Sukun Malang. This research is Pre Experiment with one group pre-post test design. Using 24 postmenopausal women who suffer from uric acid with total sampling technique. Test data analysis using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test on the significant level α = 0.05. The results showed 87.5% of respondents had decreased levels of uric acid and 12.5% of respondents did not experience changes in uric acid’s level or are likely to remain. Results of analysis of test data with Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test Zhitung obtained (-4.02) &lt; ZTable (1,96). It’s means there is influence of Phaleria macrocarpa (Scheff) Boerl’s decoction water to reduction of uric acid levels in postmenopausal women. Referring to these results it is expected that Phaleria macrocarpa (Scheff) Boerl can be used as therapy in the treatment of gout. Keywords : Water decoction of Mahkota Dewa, Levels of Uric Acid, Female Menopause

Reversal effect of Zhigancao decoction on myocardial fibrosis in a rapid pacing-induced atrial fibrillation model in New Zealand rabbits.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of Zhigancao decoction on reversal of right atrial myocardial fibrosis after rapid atrial pacing (RAP)-induced atrial fibrillation (AF).MethodsNew Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: sham operation group (Group A: implanted electrodes, no RAP), pacing group (Group B: RAP-induced AF), Zhigancao soup water decoction Yin group (Group C: RAP-induced AF followed by Zhigancao soup Yin prescription twice a day for 30 days), and Zhigancao soup group (Group D: RAP-induced AF followed by Zhigancao water decoction twice a day for 30 days). The atrial myocardium was then examined for myocardial fibrosis by Masson staining, and protein expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) was immunohistochemically assessed. The right atrial appendage tissue field action potential duration (fAPD) was measured by microelectrode arrays.ResultsRAP successfully induced AF. Myocardial fibrosis was more severe in Groups B and C and less severe in Group D. Protein expression of MMP-9 was strongly positive in Groups B and C and weakly positive in Group D. The fAPD was significantly decreased in Groups B and C, but the decrease in Group D was not significant.ConclusionZhigancao decoction can reverse AF-induced myocardial fibrosis in rabbits and shorten the fAPD.

Treatment Effects of Jinlingzi Powder and Its Extractive Components on Gastric Ulcer Induced by Acetic Acid in Rats.

Jinlingzi powder comprises Melia toosendan Sieb. et Zucc. and Corydalis yanhusuo (Y.H. Chou & Chun C.Hsu) W.T. Wang ex Z.Y. Su & C.Y. Wu and is usually applied in clinic as traditional Chinese medicine for pain. The present study aims to investigate the therapeutic actions of Jinlingzi powder and its extracted components and theirs treatment mechanism on the acetic acid induced-gastric ulcer in rats. The gastric ulcer model was induced by the administration of acetic acid in rats (84 male). Jinlingzi powder water decoction, its polysaccharide, and nonalkaloid and alkaloid components were used to investigate the therapeutic actions on the acetic acid induced-gastric ulcer by measuring the related pharmacy and pharmacodynamic factors, including ulcer index, ulcer area, ulcer healing rate, interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), neurotensin (NT), platelet activating factor (PAF), thromboxane B2 (TXB2), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in rat serum, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in brain tissue, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in gastric tissue. Among the various groups, Jinlingzi powder and the nonalkaloid components caused significant changes in IL-8, TNF-α, NT, PAF TXB2, and VEGF values in the serum. The AChE content in the rats' brain tissue was also reduced after using Jinlingzi powder and the nonalkaloid components. Additionally, Jinlingzi powder and the nonalkaloid components considerably affect the amount of PGE2 and bFGF in a rat's stomach tissue. Therefore, Jinlingzi powder and the nonalkaloid components can effectively inhibit neutral neutrophil activation, prevent capillaries thrombosis, and protect gastric mucosa. Thus, the nonalkaloid components of the Jinlingzi powder play a key role in the treatment of gastric ulcer.

The Evaluation of Antiurolithiathic Properties of Ananas nanus, Aquilaria malaccensis, Curcuma xanthorrhiza, Pandanus atrocarpus and Garcinia mangostana

Abstract Medicinal plants was commonly used as an alternatives for treating many ailments including kidney stones disease. These plants provides various promising features as to confered health benefits, lessen the side effect and safe to be consumed. In this regards, a present study was conducted on five Malaysian traditional plant which are A. nanus, A. malaccensis, C. xanthorrhiza, P. atrocarpus and G. mangostana to investigate their inhibition effect towards stone crystallization using in-vitro technique. The plant extracts was obtained by using water decoction method. The turbidity of plant extract and calcium oxalate (CaOx) mixture was observed for inhibition activity in nucleation assay using UV-Vis spectrophotometer. Standard drugs Cystone, was used as positive control in comparison. Among all, the best inhibition rate was possessed by A. Malaccensis extract (77.27%) with no significant different (p

ESI-TOF MS analysis and DNA cleavage activity of rutin–metal complexes in aqueous extracts of medicinal plants

Rutin, a flavonoid commonly present in natural plants, can form multiple complexes at different rutin : metal ratios with various trace metal elements during the water decoction process, and these complexes exhibit novel activities.

Phenolic profiling and in vitro biological properties of two Lamiaceae species (Salvia modesta and Thymus argaeus): A comprehensive evaluation

The genus Salvia and Thymus have gained much popularity as an alternative therapy in Turkish folk medicine for abdominal pain, cold, nausea, among others. Nonetheless, some species are yet to be further explored for their bioactivities. We investigated the biological activities of 3 extracts (dichloromethane, methanol, and water (decoction)) of Salvia modesta Boiss. and Thymus argaeus (Fisch. & C.A.Mey.) Boiss. & Balansa. based on antioxidant and enzyme inhibition along with the determination of polyphenolic content. Antioxidant potential was assessed using six assays namely: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid), cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity, ferric reducing antioxidant power, phosphomolybdenum, and metal chelating. Moreover, enzyme inhibition activities of the extracts were studied against acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, tyrosinase, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase. Results revealed that the decoction of both plants was the strongest antioxidants. The methanol extracts displayed the highest tyrosinase inhibition while the dichloromethane extracts of both plants were the most effective butyrylcholinesterase and α-glucosidase inhibitors. In addition, the total phenolic and total flavonoid content was highest in the decoction and methanolic extract of Thymus argaeus, respectively. The most abundant phenolic compound was rosmarinic acid (6574 μg/g and 5390 μg/g in T. argaeus and S. modesta methanolic extracts, respectively). PASS prediction analysis revealed that chlorogenic acid showed the highest Pa value for antioxidant activity (0.809) including the mechanism of free radical scavenging (0.856), while rosmarinic acid showed the highest Pa value (0.798) for antidiabetic activity. To conclude, both Salvia modesta and Thymus argaeus can be regarded as new sources of antioxidants and enzyme inhibitors to manage oxidative stress and their complications.

Alkaloid-Rich Crude Extracts, Fractions and Piperamide Alkaloids of Piper guineense Possess Promising Antibacterial Effects.

Piper guineense is a food and medicinal plant commonly used to treat infectious diseases in West-African traditional medicine. In a bid to identify new antibacterial compounds due to bacterial resistance to antibiotics, twelve extracts of P. guineense fruits and leaves, obtained by sequential extraction, as well as the piperine and piperlongumine commercial compounds were evaluated for antibacterial activity against human pathogenic bacteria. HPLC-DAD and UHPLC/Q-TOF MS analysis were conducted to characterize and identify the compounds present in the extracts with promising antibacterial activity. The extracts, with the exception of the hot water decoctions and macerations, contained piperamide alkaloids as their main constituents. Piperine, dihydropiperine, piperylin, dihydropiperylin or piperlonguminine, dihydropiperlonguminine, wisanine, dihydrowisanine and derivatives of piperine and piperidine were identified in a hexane extract of the leaf. In addition, some new piperamide alkaloids were identified, such as a piperine and a piperidine alkaloid derivative and two unknown piperamide alkaloids. To the best of our knowledge, there are no piperamides reported in the literature with similar UVλ absorption maxima and masses. A piperamide alkaloid-rich hexane leaf extract recorded the lowest MIC of 19 µg/mL against Sarcina sp. and gave promising growth inhibitory effects against S. aureus and E. aerogenes as well, inhibiting the growth of both bacteria with a MIC of 78 µg/mL. Moreover, this is the first report of the antibacterial activity of P. guineense extracts against Sarcina sp. and E. aerogenes. Marked growth inhibition was also obtained for chloroform extracts of the leaves and fruits against P. aeruginosa with a MIC value of 78 µg/mL. Piperine and piperlongumine were active against E. aerogenes, S. aureus, E. coli, S. enterica, P. mirabilis and B. cereus with MIC values ranging from 39–1250 µg/mL. Notably, the water extracts, which were almost devoid of piperamide alkaloids, were not active against the bacterial strains. Our results demonstrate that P. guineense contains antibacterial alkaloids that could be relevant for the discovery of new natural antibiotics.

Anti-Plasmodium falciparum Activity of Extracts from 10 Cameroonian Medicinal Plants.

Background: In the midst of transient victories by way of insecticides against mosquitoes or drugs against malaria, the most serious form of malaria, caused by Plasmodium falciparum, continues to be a major public health problem. The emergence of drug-resistant malaria parasites facilitated by fake medications or the use of single drugs has worsened the situation, thereby emphasizing the need for a continued search for potent, safe, and affordable new antimalarial treatments. In line with this need, we have investigated the antiplasmodial activity of 66 different extracts prepared from 10 different medicinal plants that are native to Cameroon. Methods: Extracts were evaluated for their capacity to inhibit the growth of the chloroquine-sensitive (Pf3D7) and resistant (PfINDO) strains of P. falciparum using the SYBR green fluorescence method. The cytotoxicity of promising extracts against human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293T) mammalian cells was assessed by MTT assay. Results: The antiplasmodial activity (50% inhibitory concentration, IC50) of plant extracts ranged from 1.90 to >100 μg/mL against the two strains. Six extracts exhibited good activity against both Pf3D7 and PfINDO strains, including cold water, water decoction, and ethyl acetate extracts of leaves of Drypetes principum (Müll.Arg.) Hutch. (IC503D7/INDO = 4.91/6.64 μg/mL, 5.49/5.98 μg/mL, and 6.49/7.10 μg/mL respectively), water decoction extract of leaves of Terminalia catappa L. (IC503D7/INDO = 6.41/8.10 μg/mL), and water decoction extracts of leaves and bark of Terminalia mantaly H.Perrier (IC503D7/INDO = 2.49/1.90 μg/mL and 3.70/2.80 μg/mL respectively). These promising extracts showed no cytotoxicity against HEK293T up to 200 μg/mL, giving selectivity indices (SIs) in the range of >31.20–80.32. Conclusions: While providing credence to the use of D. principum, T. catappa, and T. mantaly in the traditional treatment of malaria, the results achieved set the stage for isolation and identification of active principles and ancillary molecules that may provide us with new drugs or drug combinations to fight against drug-resistant malaria.

Three new 2,4′-epoxy-8,5′/8,3′-neolignans from Penthorum chinense

Three new neolignans (1−3), including one 2,4′-epoxy-8,5′-neolignan and two 2,4′-epoxy-8,3′-neolignan glycosides, were isolated from the EtOAc-soluble portion of the water decoction of Penthorum chinense Pursh. Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated by comprehensive analysis of spectroscopic data and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Notably, the unusual 2,4′-epoxy-8,3′-neolignan glycosides are reported for the first time.

Ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of Sterculia lychnophora Hance (Pangdahai)

AbstractThe matured, ripen, and dried seeds of Scaphium affine (Mast.) Pierre, known as Pangdahai (PDH) in Chinese and recorded as Sterculia lychnophora Hance (scientific synonym) in the 2015 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopeia, have been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine, Japanese folk medicine, Vietnamese traditional medicine, traditional Thai medicine and Indian traditional medicine. The decoctions of the seeds are used as a remedy for pharyngitis, laryngitis, constipation, cough, menorrhagia, and pain management. This review is aimed at fully collating and presenting a systematic and comprehensive overview of the ethnopharmacological uses of PDH, its phytochemical constituents, pharmacological activities, and toxicological profile. Additionally, this review aims to reveal the therapeutic potentials as well as the important scientific gaps in the research of this traditional medicine that need to be filled so as to provide a comprehensive data for its development, utilization and application. From our extensive review of literatures, the teas (water decoctions) of PDH, which largely contain very polar constituents like polysaccharides, are used in the treatment of constipation, pharyngitis, and pain traditionally and ethno-medicinally and their use have been justified by pharmacological studies carried out on the polysaccharides and aqueous extracts. Additionally, this review has revealed that the organic (ethanolic and methanolic) extracts of PDH possess diverse pharmacological (anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, anti-pyretic, anti-microbial, anti-obesity and analgesic) effects, yet have received little attention. Most studies on PDH have been focused on the polysaccharides (large molecular weight metabolites), resulting in a major scientific gap in our knowledge on PDH. Furthermore, this review has also shown that few studies have been done in the areas of quality control, pharmacokinetics, and toxicological studies of PDH.