Ethnopharmacological Information Research Articles

Therapeutic Effects of Pterocarpus santalinoides Stem Bark Aqueous Extract: Evidence from L-NAME-induced Hypertensive Wistar Rats

Aims: Ethnopharmacological information indicates that the stem bark of Pterocarpus santalinoides is used in traditional medicine to treat many diseases including hypertension. Thus, this study was designed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of the stem bark aqueous extract of Pterocarpus santalinoides (AEPS) in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats (LNHR). Methodology: Hypertension was induced in normotensive rats by intraperitoneal administration of L-NAME (25 mg/kg/day) for 42 days. Forty-two animals were divided into two main groups: one group of seven rats (group 1) receiving distilled water (10 mL/kg) and another thirty-five rats receiving L-NAME (group 2). After three weeks of treatment, the hypertensive animals (group 2) were divided into five groups of seven rats each. Animals of the first group received distilled water, those of the second group were treated with captopril (20 mg/kg), and the three last groups received the AEPS (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg). These rats were daily treated per os with the above substances for three weeks. At the end of the experimental period (42 days), animals were anesthetized and the blood pressure and heart rate were recorded by invasive method. Afterward, the blood, aorta, and heart of each rat were collected for some biochemical and/or histological examination. Results: L-NAME administration induced hypertension, as associated with left ventricular hypertrophy, dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, hepatic and renal dysfunctions. Aqueous extract administration significantly improved all these metabolic disorders induced by L-NAME. Furthermore, the remodeling of the aortic media after NO deficiency-induced L-NAME has also been improved by Pterocarpus santalinoides aqueous extract. The therapeutic effect of AEPS against L-NAME-induced hypertension could probably be due to its antihypertensive, hypolipidemic, and antioxidant properties. Conclusion: Current results confirmed the empirical use of Pterocarpus santalinoides stem bark for the treatment of hypertension in traditional medicine.

Targeting Hypoglycemic Natural Products from the Cloud Forest Plants Using Chemotaxonomic Computer-Assisted Selection.

The cloud forest (CF), a hugely biodiverse ecosystem, is a hotspot of unexplored plants with potential for discovering pharmacologically active compounds. Without sufficient ethnopharmacological information, developing strategies for rationally selecting plants for experimental studies is crucial. With this goal, a CF metabolites library was created, and a ligand-based virtual screening was conducted to identify molecules with potential hypoglycemic activity. From the most promising botanical families, plants were collected, methanolic extracts were prepared, and hypoglycemic activity was evaluated through in vitro enzyme inhibition assays on α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV). Metabolomic analyses were performed to identify the dominant metabolites in the species with the best inhibitory activity profile, and their affinity for the molecular targets was evaluated using ensemble molecular docking. This strategy led to the identification of twelve plants (in four botanical families) with hypoglycemic activity. Sida rhombifolia (Malvaceae) stood out for its DPP-IV selective inhibition versus S. glabra. A comparison of chemical profiles led to the annotation of twenty-seven metabolites over-accumulated in S. rhombifolia compared to S. glabra, among which acanthoside D and cis-tiliroside were noteworthy for their potential selective inhibition due to their specific intermolecular interactions with relevant amino acids of DPP-IV. The workflow used in this study presents a novel targeting strategy for identifying novel bioactive natural sources, which can complement the conventional selection criteria used in Natural Product Chemistry.

Biological Potential and Therapeutic Effectiveness of Phytoproduct 'Fargesin' in Medicine: Focus on the Potential of an Active Phytochemical of Magnolia fargesii.

Flos Magnoliae is one of the important medicinal plants in different traditional medicine, including Chinese herbal medicine. Lignans and neolignans, including tetrahydrofurofuran, tetrahydrofuran, and aryltetralin, are present in the Flos Magnoliae species. A wide range of pharmacological activity of Flos Magnoliae has been reported in medicine. Fargesin has been isolated from Magnolia fargesii and it is a lignan-class phytochemical. Fargesin has numerous pharmacological activities in medicine, including its effectiveness on lipid and glucose metabolism, oxidative stress, myocardial apoptosis, etc. In the present work, we have summarized the detailed scientific information of fargesin concerning its medicinal properties and pharmacological activities. Numerous biological and chemical aspects of fargesin are discussed here, including the detailed pharmacological activities and analytical aspects of fargesin. In this review, we have also compiled analytical data on fargesin based on available scientific literature. Ethnopharmacological information on fargesin was gathered by a literature survey on PubMed, Science Direct, Google, and Scopus using the terms fargesin, Flos Magnoliae, phytochemical, and herbal medicine. The present review paper compiled the scientific data on fargesin in medicine for its pharmacological activities and analytical aspects in a very concise manner with proper citations. The present work signified the biological importance of fargesin in medicine due to its significant impact on bone disorders, lung injury, colon cancer, atherosclerosis, neurological disorders, ischemia, sars-cov-2, allergy, lipid and glucose metabolism, melanin synthesis, and different classes of enzymes. Furthermore, fargesin also has anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, antiprotozoal, antimycobacterial, and antifeedant activity. However, analytical methods used for the separation, identification and isolation of fargesin in different biological and non-biological samples were also covered in the present review. The present work revealed the pharmacological activities and analytical aspects of fargesin in medicine and other allied health sectors.

Plants and their uses in dermatological recipes of the Receptarium of Burkhard III von Hallwyl from 16th century Switzerland – Data mining a historical text and preliminary in vitro screening

Ethnopharmacological relevanceHistorical texts on materia medica can be an attractive source of ethnopharmacological information. Various research groups have investigated corresponding resources from Europe and the Mediterranean region, pursuing different objectives. Regardless of the method used, the indexing of textual information and its conversion into data sets useful for further investigations represents a significant challenge. Aim of the studyFirst, this study aims to systematically catalogue pharmaco-botanical information in the Receptarium of Burkhard von Hallwyl (RBH) in order to identify candidate plants in a targeted manner. Secondly, the potential of RBH as a resource for pharmacological investigations will be assessed by means of a preliminary in vitro screening. Materials and methodsWe developed a relational database for the systematic recording of parameters composing the medical recipes contained in the historical text. Focusing on dermatological recipes, we explored the mentioned plants and their uses by drawing on specific literature. The botanical identities (candidate species) suggested in the literature for the historical plant names were rated based on their plausibility of being the correct attribution. The historical uses were interpreted by consulting medical-historical and modern clinical literature. For the subsequent in vitro screening, we selected candidate species used in recipes directed at the treatment of inflammatory or infectious skin disorders and wounds. Plants were collected in Switzerland and their hydroethanolic crude extracts tested for possible cytotoxic effects and for their potential to modulate the release of IL-6 and TNF in PS-stimulated whole blood and PBMCs. ResultsThe historical text analysis points up the challenges associated with the assessment of historical plant names. Often two or more plant species are available as candidates for each of the 161 historical plant names counted in the 200 dermatological recipes in RBH. On the other hand, our method enabled to draw conclusions about the diseases underlying the 56 medical applications mentioned in the text. On this basis, 11 candidate species were selected for in vitro screening, four of which were used in RBH in herbal simple recipes and seven in a herbal compound formulation. None of the extracts tested showed a noteworthy effect on cell viability except for the sample of Sanicula europaea L. Extracts were tested at 50 μg/mL in the whole blood assay, where especially Vincetoxicum hirundinaria Medik. or Solanum nigrum L. showed inhibitory or stimulatory activities. In the PBMC assay, the root of Vincetoxicum hirundinaria revealed a distinct inhibitory effect on IL-6 release (IC50 of 3.6 μg/mL). ConclusionsUsing the example of RBH, this study illustrates a possible ethnopharmacological path from unlocking the historical text and its subsequent analysis, through the selection and collection of plant candidates to their in vitro investigation. Fully documenting our approach to the analysis of historical texts, we hope to contribute to the discussion on solutions for the digital indexing of premodern information on the use of plants or other natural products.

Antioxidant Properties of Lippia alba Essential Oil: A Potential Treatment for Oxidative Stress-Related Conditions in Plants and Cancer Cells.

Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E.Br. ex Britton and P. Wilson is used in folk medicine of Central and South America for its biological activities: i.e., antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory. Based on ethnopharmacological information and the increasing interest in this species, this work aimed to test a possible wide use of its essential oil (EO) in pharmaceutical and horticultural applications. Therefore, we focused the attention on the antioxidant activity of the oil as a possible tool to overcome the oxidative stress in both applications. For this purpose, we have chosen three aggressive breast cancer cell lines and two horticultural species (Solanum lycopersicum L. and Phaseolus acutifolius L.) that are very sensitive to salt stress. We determined the antioxidant activity of L. alba EO through the quantification of phenols and flavonoids. Regarding tomato and bean plants under salt stress, L. alba EO was used for the first time as a seed priming agent to enhance plant salt tolerance. In this case, the seed treatment enhanced the content of phenolic compounds, reduced power and scavenger activity, and decreased membrane lipid peroxidation, thus mitigating the oxidative stress induced by salt. While in breast cancer cells the EO treatment showed different responses according to the cell lines, i.e., in SUM149 and MDA-MB-231 the EO decreased proliferation and increased antioxidant activity and lipid peroxidation, showing high cytotoxic effects associated with the release of lactate dehydrogenase, vice versa no effect was observed in MDA-MB-468. Such antioxidant activity opens a new perspective about this essential oil as a possible tool to counteract proliferation in some cancer cell lines and in horticulture as a seed priming agent to protect from oxidative damage in crops sensitive to salinity.

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) induces psychostimulant, anxiolytic-like effects and improvement of motor performance in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevanceSugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is reported by traditional medicine as tonic, stimulating and beneficial in increasing resistance to fatigue. Previous preclinical studies in rats using aqueous extract of sugarcane leaves (AE) revealed pharmacological effects on the central nervous and cardiovascular systems involving the participation of dopaminergic pathways. This neurotransmission system is also related to motor, emotional and cognitive activities, which could, in part, justify the ethnopharmacological information. Aim of studyThe present study aimed to investigate the motor, emotional and cognitive activities of rats submitted to AE treatment using behavioral tests in order to correlate the pharmacological effects with the therapeutic benefits postulated by traditional medicine. Additionally, the chemical profile of AE was evaluated by HPLC-UV/Vis, and the presence of shikimic acid, vitexin, and ferulic acid, as possible chemical markers, was investigated through comparisons of chemical parameters with the authentic patterns, and a UV–Vis scan of known spectra. Material and methodsRats received water (1.5 mL/kg, p.o.) and AE (0.5, 10 and 500 mg/kg, p.o.) in the absence and presence of haloperidol (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.), 90 min before open field; rotarod; elevated plus maze and inhibitory avoidance tests for investigation of motor; emotional and cognitive responses. As a positive control was used apomorphine (0.25 mg/kg, s.c.). The chemical profile of AE was evaluated by HPLC-UV/Vis and the presence of shikimic acid, vitexin and ferulic acid, as possible chemical markers, was investigated through comparisons with the retention times, an increase of the integral of the peak area determined by co-injection of AE with the authentic patterns, and a UV–Vis scan of known spectra. ResultsIn open field, it revealed that AE increased locomotion; reduced rearing but did not change freezing and grooming. Besides, AE increased motor performance in rotarod and reduced anxiety in elevated plus maze. A relation dose-response was observed in these tests where the lowest dose of AE was more effective in developing pharmacological responses. Previous administration of haloperidol inhibited the responses of AE. Inhibitory avoidance test revealed that AE did not modify fast-learning and associative memory. ConclusionsSugarcane induced psychostimulant, anxiolytic-like effects, and improvement of motor performance in rats, with the involvement of dopaminergic pathways. The present study points to AE as a potential adaptogen but, in addition to behavioral assessments, metabolic and molecular aspects, that involve the participation of a variety of regulatory systems, will be investigated in futures studies. Phytochemical analyses showed that AE is a complex matrix and revealed shikimic acid, vitexin, and ferulic acid as potential chemical markers.

Evaluation of hematinic effects of aqueous leaf extract of hibiscus acetosella welw. Ex hiern on phenyl hydrazine-induced anemia in wistar rats

Ethnopharmacological information indicates that the leaves of Hibiscus acetosella Welw. ex. Hiern are used in the treatment of anemia in western and central Uganda. In this study, the aqueous leaf extract of Hibiscus acetosella Welw. ex. Hiern was tested for its haematinic activity in Wistar rats. Phenylhydrazine (PHZ- 4 mg/kg, IP) was used to induce anemia in rats for a period of two weeks. Animals were grouped into six groups (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6); each group had six rats. Group 1 (negative control), group 2 (positive control), group 3 were treated with FeSO4, and groups 4, 5, and 6 were treated with different doses of the extract (1000 mg/kg, 2000 mg/kg, and 4000 mg/kg, respectively). Screening of phytochemicals was performed, and acute toxicity study was carried out according to the Lorke's experiment 1993. Phytochemical analysis revealed that the aqueous leaf extract of Hibiscus acetosella Welw. ex. Hiern contains tannins, flavonoids, diterpenes, steroids, and saponins. The aqueous leaf extract of Hibiscus acetosella Welw. ex. Hiern exhibits haematinic effects. Keywords: Hematinic effects, Aqueous leaf extract, Hibiscus acetosella Welw. ex Hiern, Phenyl hydrazine induced anemia, and Wistar rats.

Revisiting the ethnomedicinal, ethnopharmacological, phytoconstituents and phytoremediation of the plant Solanum viarum Dunal.

Solanum viarum, a perennial shrub, belongs to the family Solanaceae known for its therapeutic value worldwide. As a beneficial remedial plant, it is used for treating several disorders like dysentery, diabetes, inflammation, and respiratory disorders. Phytochemistry studies of this plant have shown the presence of steroidal glycoside alkaloids, including solasonine, solasodine, and solamargine. It also has flavonoids, saponins, minerals, and other substances. S. viarum extracts and compounds possess a variety of pharmacological effects, including antipyretic, antioxidant, antibacterial, insecticidal, analgesic, and anticancer activity. Most of the heavy metals accumulate in the aerial sections of the plant which is considered a potential phytoremediation, a highly effective method for the treatment of metal-polluted soils. We emphasize the forgoing outline of S. viarum, as well as its ethnomedicinal and ethnopharmacological applications, the chemistry of its secondary metabolites, and heavy metal toxicity. In addition to describing the antitumor activity of compounds and their mechanisms of action isolated from S. viarum, liabilities are also explained and illustrated, including any significant chemical or metabolic stability and toxicity risks. A comprehensive list of information was compiled from Science Direct, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science using different key phrases (traditional use, ethnomedicinal plants, western Himalaya, Himachal Pradesh, S viarum, and biological activity). According to the findings of this study, we hope that this review will inspire further studies along the drug discovery pathway of the chemicals extracted from the plant of S. viarum. Further, this review shows that ethnopharmacological information from ethnomedicinal plants can be a promising approach to drug discovery for cancer and diabetes.

Ethnobotanical significance of several seasonal medicinal plants associated with Amravati suburban habitats

Medicinal plants are integral part of Indian tradition. This traditional practice helped people of India to sustain successfully in this pandemic situation. According to the WHO, approximately 80% of the world’s population relies on plant-based preparations for their primary health care needs. The present work was carried to identify the medicinal plants and their ethno botanical use. The area under study is the Amarawati region of state Maharashtra, India. The study was carried out for six months and Ethno botanical data was acquired by conducting interviews using specially designed techniques for collecting ethno pharmacological information. The study reveals the presence of 45 plant species belonging to 22 angiosperm families, which were commonly used for medicinal purposes. Most of time urban developmental activities cause damage to such flora. Whereas the community which is familiar with potential of such species try to utilize them on different alignments in over extend.

Ethnobotanical Study on Medicinal Plants Used by the Ethnic People of Khagrachhari District, Bangladesh

The present study deals with important ethnopharmacological information, both in qualitative and quantitative manners on medicinal plants of Khagrachhari district of Bangladesh. The survey was conducted in a period of six months from January 2016 to June 2016 and was interviewed among 155 ethnic people including tribal, Bengalis and 14 traditional health practitioners of eight upazillas in open and semi structured form. The most of the interviewers were Chakma (82%), Marma (8%) and the rest were Tripura (2%) and Bengalis (8%). The total ethnomedicinal plant species was 94, among them 92 were angiosperms, one was gymnosperm and one fern. The plant species belonging to 44 families and 86 generas are used to treat about 53 types of ailments. The different life forms among the species are 28 herbs, 25 trees, 24 shrubs and 17 climbers. The survey showed that the most commonly used plant part was leaves (34.55%) and the most frequent method of preparation was extraction (39.18%) against different ailments. The major treatment options of the medicinal plants of Khagrachhari hilly areas are identified from the study and recommended to take immediate measures for conservation of traditional knowledge of the area. This study showed a hopeful perception for future studies, flaking light on taking immediate measures on inventory of medicinal plants of hilly areas, documentation of verbal information, conservation of threatened plant species, sustainable management of risky areas and preservation of traditional knowledge of herbal medicine in Khagrachhari district, Bangladesh. Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 21(2): 217-230, 2022 (December)

Anthocleista Djalonensis: A Review of Its Ethnobotanical, Phytochemical and Pharmacological Potentials

Anthocleista djalonensis is widely used in African folk medicine to treat conditions. This review aims to provide for the first time ethnopharmacological information while critically evaluating the traditional medicinal uses, chemical constituents and pharmacological activities so as to unveil opportunities for future research. Ethno-medical uses of the, leaf, root and stem bark extracts include treatment of wound, constipation, diarrhoea, dysentery, abdominal pain, hepatitis, jaundice, cirrhosis, fungal skin infection, filarial worm infections, acute inflammation and boils on skin, anti-diabetes, antimalarial, anti-pyretic, anthelmintic, antimycobacterial, and anti-bacterial properties. Some of the compounds isolated are phthalide and xanthones sweroside, djalonenoside, lichex-anthone, stigmasterol, 3-oxo-Δ4′5-sitosterone, sitosterol, ursolicacid, djalonensin and D-(þ)-bornesitol. The pharmacological activities of the leaf, stem bark and root has been scientifically proven by in vitro and in vivo studies. The cytotoxic activity of the crude methanol extracts obtained from the stem, roots and leaves and three natural plant constituents (djalonenol, sweroside and djalonensone respectively) isolated from the extract had been evaluated in vitro. This review has been able to show the therapeutic potentials of Anthocleista djalonensis through its ethnobotanical and pharmacological uses.

Evaluation of non-timber forest products used as medicinal plants from East Kalimantan (Indonesia) to inhibit ?-glucosidase and free radicals

Abstract. Ramadhan R, Tosepu R, Phuwapraisirisan P, Amirta R, Phontree K, Firdaus YFH, Abdulgani N, Muttaqin MZ, Saparwardi. 2022. Evaluation of non-timber forest products used as medicinal plants from East Kalimantan (Indonesia) to inhibit ?-glucosidase and free radicals. Biodiversitas 23: 5551-5558. Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) have essential uses as medicines, food sources, and traditional ceremonies for the local people living in forest areas. Medicinal plants are one of the non-timber forest products used as traditional medicine by local people in East Kalimantan. This study was conducted to search for new natural antidiabetic and antioxidant resources from medicinal plants used traditionally in Mahakam Ulu District, East Kalimantan, based on ethnopharmacological information. The present study evaluates non-timber forest products as in vitro antidiabetic (rat intestinal ?-glucosidase inhibitory activity) and antioxidant (free radical scavenging activity against DPPH, ABTS, and Nitric Oxide) activities. The antidiabetic and antioxidant activities were evaluated using ?-glucosidase inhibition assay and free radical scavenging methods. This study demonstrated that methanol extracts of Flacourtia rukam Zoll. & Moritzi, Syzygium chloranthum (Duthie) Merr. & L.M. Perry and Shorea balangeran Burck exhibited strong ?-glucosidase inhibitory activity with maltose as a substrate with IC50 values of 0.034 mg/mL, 0.039 mg/mL, and 0.039 mg/mL, respectively. On the other hand, methanol extract of S. chloranthum displayed the strongest ?-glucosidase inhibitory activity in sucrose as a substrate, similar to the IC50 value of the quercetin as a positive control. Furthermore, the antioxidant test showed that all medicinal plant extracts from East Kalimantan are good sources of natural antioxidants indicated by their IC50 values. The results of this study support the scientific background of the uses of medicinal plant extracts from East Kalimantan as folk medicine.

Cyperaceae species used for the treatment of inflammation: A review of ethnomedicinal, pharmacological, toxicological, and phytochemical evidence

Species of the family Cyperaceae are used in traditional medicine in several countries for the treatment of some illnesses. The indications of some representatives for the treatment of inflammation have been experimentally evaluated, suggesting that Cyperaceae has chemical compounds with anti-inflammatory activity. The present work aimed to carry out a systematic review of the traditional uses, anti-inflammatory potential, toxicity, and chemical compounds isolated from species of this family. Scientific articles were obtained through searches in the Google Scholar, PubMed®, SciELO, and Scopus® databases. Only works published in the last 31 years (1991–2022) were eligible. After application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 82 articles were used in this review. Ten species of Cyperaceae are traditionally used to treat inflammation in different countries. In vitro and in vivo assays with the essential oil, extracts and its fractions exhibited potent anti-inflammatory action. Relevant preclinical toxicity was not found for different formulations. A total of 50 compounds belonging to the classes of sesquiterpenes, phenolic compounds, benzenoids, phytosterols, unsaturated fatty acids, diterpenoids, triterpenes, and norterpenoids presented anti-inflammatory potential. Cyperus rotundus stood out for the high amount of information on its traditional use, anti-inflammatory potential, and phytochemical studies. Bioprospecting other species indicated in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammation is essential to validate or refute the suggested ethnopharmacological information.

COMPARATIVE IN-VITRO ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF SOME HERBAL PLANTS

The use of plants in treatment of burns, dermatophytes and infectious diseases is common in traditional medicine. Based on ethno pharmacological and taxonomic information, antibacterial activities of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of some medicinal plants were determined by in vitro by agar diffusion-method against some human pathogenic bacteria. The leaves of five different plants, belonging to the different family and which have some ethnomedicinal applications were studied for antibacterial activity. Powdered leaf materials of all selected plants were extracted with aqueous and methanol. The solvent extracts were evaporated to dryness using rotary flash evaporator. Dry residue was dissolved in ethanol (1:10 w/v) and tested for antibacterial activity. The antibacterial screening of aqueous and methanol extract carried out in vitro on the following bacteria viz., Bacillus cereus, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis and Yersinia enterocolitica. It has been showed that the methanol extracts had wider range of activity on these organisms than the aqueous extracts, which indicates that the methanol extracts of all selected plants may contain the active components. This study supports, the traditional medicines (herbal extracts) to cure many diseases like diarrhea, intestinal tract, throat, ear infections, fever and skin diseases. Key words: Antioxidant Medicinal plants Human pathogens

From Traditional Ethnopharmacology to Modern Natural Drug Discovery: A Methodology Discussion and Specific Examples.

Ethnopharmacology, through the description of the beneficial effects of plants, has provided an early framework for the therapeutic use of natural compounds. Natural products, either in their native form or after crude extraction of their active ingredients, have long been used by different populations and explored as invaluable sources for drug design. The transition from traditional ethnopharmacology to drug discovery has followed a straightforward path, assisted by the evolution of isolation and characterization methods, the increase in computational power, and the development of specific chemoinformatic methods. The deriving extensive exploitation of the natural product chemical space has led to the discovery of novel compounds with pharmaceutical properties, although this was not followed by an analogous increase in novel drugs. In this work, we discuss the evolution of ideas and methods, from traditional ethnopharmacology to in silico drug discovery, applied to natural products. We point out that, in the past, the starting point was the plant itself, identified by sustained ethnopharmacological research, with the active compound deriving after extensive analysis and testing. In contrast, in recent years, the active substance has been pinpointed by computational methods (in silico docking and molecular dynamics, network pharmacology), followed by the identification of the plant(s) containing the active ingredient, identified by existing or putative ethnopharmacological information. We further stress the potential pitfalls of recent in silico methods and discuss the absolute need for in vitro and in vivo validation as an absolute requirement. Finally, we present our contribution to natural products’ drug discovery by discussing specific examples, applying the whole continuum of this rapidly evolving field. In detail, we report the isolation of novel antiviral compounds, based on natural products active against influenza and SARS-CoV-2 and novel substances active on a specific GPCR, OXER1.

Phytotherapy in response to COVID-19 and risks of intoxication: A field study in the city of Meknes (Morocco)

Context: The contagious global pandemic of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has prompted many Moroccans to turn to traditional phytoremedies. Aims: To highlight the ethnopharmacological information and the risks of intoxication related to the use of herbal medicine to combat COVID-19. Methods: Through a semi-structured questionnaire and using the “Free listing” technique, an ethnobotanical survey was conducted among 36 herbalists of the Meknes prefecture to collect ethnopharmacological data on species used in the fight against COVID-19. Then, many databases were used to document their pharmacological and toxicological activities. Results: A total of 36 species in 22 families were reported to be used to prepare traditional recipes against COVID-19. According to the relative frequency index of citation, the species Artemisia herba-alba Asso, Eucalyptus globulus Labill, Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L.M. Perry, Citrus limon (L.) Osbeck, and Zingiber officinale Roscoe. were recommended by all respondents and recorded the highest usage values. Based on the value of the plant parts index, leaves were the most used part (PPV = 0.37). Most of the remedies were prepared as infusions and administered orally. The bibliographic research revealed that the plants used have several biological activities and are frequently used to treat respiratory diseases. However, some of them have been reported to be toxic. Conclusions: Recommended species are endowed with innumerable biological activities. They can be a promising alternative to combat COVID-19. However, their toxic effects require pharmacotoxicological studies to ensure the safety and efficacy of these natural remedies.

Flax, Bupleurum and Other Plants at Early Bronze Age Yenibademli Höyük (Gökçeada), NW Turkey

ABSTRACT In this study, a large number of carbonised plant remains recovered from the Early Bronze Age levels of the Yenibademli Höyük site, which is situated on Gökçeada (Imbros), north-western Turkey (Anatolia), in the north-east Aegean Sea, are examined to shed light on the plant-based agricultural economy. The archaeobotanical assemblage is predominantly composed of domesticated cereals and legumes and includes clover, grapevine, flax, Bupleurum and weedy species. Potential uses of the crop plants by the inhabitants, about 5000 years ago, are evaluated, based on archaeobotanical, ethnographic, ethnobotanical and historical data sources. The present study pays particular attention to finds of pure flax and Bupleurum seeds, recorded in abundance in recent excavations on the site. The flax seeds were discovered in container-related contexts, close to and within vessels. They are considered as stored products, probably for various purposes; potentially for cultivation to produce textile fibres and/or for use as food, medicine, animal feed supplement, or oil extraction. Many weaving tools recovered from the settlement are also considered to be for fabric production, potentially including linen textiles. Regarding Bupleurum, in the light of ancient Greek texts and ethnopharmacological information, it is hypothesised that its seeds found in a jug may represent storage for growing the plant to obtain its aerial and root parts, possibly for herbal medicine preparation or food and beverage preparation, or both.

An Annotated Inventory of Tanzanian Medicinal Plants Traditionally Used for the Treatment of Respiratory Bacterial Infections.

This review comprehensively covers and analyzes scientific information on plants used in Tanzanian traditional medicine against respiratory diseases. It covers ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological information extracted from SciFinder, Google Scholar, and Reaxys as well as the literature collected at the Institute of Traditional Medicine in Dar-es-Salaam. Crude extracts and fractions of 133 plant species have literature reports on antimicrobial bioassays. Of these, 16 plant species had a minimum inhibitory activity of MIC ≤ 50 µg/mL. Structurally diverse compounds were reported for 49 plant species, of which 7 had constituents with MIC ≤ 5 µg/mL against various bacteria: Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.) Oken, Warburgia ugandensis Sprague, Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst. ex DC., Cassia abbreviata Oliv., Entada abyssinica A. Rich., Strychnos spinosa Lam., and Milicia excelsa (Welw.) C.C. Berg. The low number of antimicrobial active extracts and compounds suggests that antibacterial and antimycobacterial drug discovery needs to have a fresh look at ethnobotanical information, diverting from too reductionist an approach and better taking into account that the descriptions of symptoms and concepts of underlying diseases are different in traditional African and modern Western medicine. Nevertheless, some structurally diverse compounds found in anti-infective plants are highlighted in this review as worthy of detailed study and chemical modification.

Natural Products for Cancer Therapy: A Review of Their Mechanism of Actions and Toxicity in the Past Decade.

The ethnopharmacological information gathered over many centuries and the presence of diverse metabolites have made the medicinal plants as the prime source of drugs. Despite the positive attributes of natural products, there are many questions pertaining to their mechanism of actions and molecular targets that impede their development as therapeutic agents. One of the major challenges in cancer research is the toxicity exerted by investigational agents towards the host. An understanding of their molecular targets, underlying mechanisms can reveal their anticancer efficacy, help in optimal therapeutic dose selection, to mitigate their side effects and toxicity towards the host. The purpose of this review is to collate details on natural products that are recently been investigated extensively in the past decade for their anticancer potential. Besides, critical analysis of their molecular targets and underlying mechanisms on multiple cancer cell lines, an in-depth probe of their toxicological screening on rodent models is outlined as well to observe the prevalence of their toxicity towards host. This review can provide valuable insights for researchers in developing methods, strategies during preclinical and clinical evaluation of anticancer candidates.

Persea americana Mill.: Evaluation of cytogenotoxicity and phytochemical prospection of leaf extracts

Persea americana Mill., belonging to the family Lauraceae, is noteworthy for the large amount of ethnopharmacological information in its regard, attributing to it many and varied medicinal properties. The tea and alcoholic extracts made from its leaves are used in folk medicine to treat various ailments. This study was designed to analyze the cytogenotoxicity and underlying chemistry of aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of avocado leaves, using the Allium cepa and micronucleus tests. The results obtained by applying the experimental models demonstrate that the extracts did not have a genotoxic effect at any of the concentrations analyzed, and even demonstrated a certain protective effect, possibly due to the presence of flavonoids and phenols, both of which are antioxidant substances. However, the extracts did present a cytotoxic effect. There were numerous karyorrhectic cells and those with nuclear alterations related to cell death. At the highest concentrations, it was possible to observe cytoplasmic alterations and binucleated cells. The extracts also caused a significant reduction in the number of cells undergoing division. These effects can be a response to the phytochemical agents present in the extracts. The results suggest that the extracts contain bioactive components that deserve further studies related to cancer therapies.