Magical Herb Research Articles

Comparison of topical purslane & topical 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide in the management of oral lichen planus - a double blinded clinical trial

Aim and backgroundOral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic autoimmune mucocutaneous disorder of unknown etiology and treatment is targeted at alleviating symptoms. At present, corticosteroids are the mainstay treatment, and their side effects hamper their long-term use, demanding alternative therapy. This study intended to assess the efficacy of topical purslane (Portulaca oleracea) at two concentrations, 5% and 10%, in OLP and to compare the level of clinical improvement in comparison to topical 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide gel.Materials and methodsAfter sample size determination, thirty-four subjects confirmed histopathologically with OLP were included in the study. They were divided into 3 groups, Group 1(Control) was treated with 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide, and Group 2(Case) and 3 (Case) were treated with topical purslane 5% and 10%, respectively. They were examined at baseline, 14 days, 30 days, 60 days, and 90 days. Clinical improvement was then analyzed at the end of 90 days using a visual analog scale (VAS) and Thongprasom’s criteria.ResultsThe study was analyzed statistically and a P value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Intragroup comparison revealed a statistically significant difference between the five time periods (baseline, 14 days, 30 days, 60 days, and 90 days) for the study variables (burning sensation, pain, lesion score, clinical response, symptomatic response) for all three groups (p = 0.001). Alleviation of all symptoms and remission of the lesion were noted for all three groups at the end of three months.ConclusionPurslane is a magical herb with a plethora of rich nutrients, ease in accessibility and devoid of side effects. It was concluded that its preparation is beneficial and can be a safer alternative long-term drug for the management of OLP.Clinical significanceWith available literature evidence, our present study is the first of its kind to formulate a topical gel with purslane to treat symptomatic OLP. Our study had a longer follow-up of 3 months compared to other studies in the literature.

Lavender: A Magical Herb with Medicinal Properties

Every year about 3/4th of the world’s population is suffering from insomnia and is the major reason for many health illness leading to mortality. Insomnia is also an economic burden to the people in both the direct and indirect ways. The general treatment of insomnia includes the powerful drugs and sleeping pills, which cause some side implications in human health and these treatments are also very costly. This review aims to highlight the effects of insomnia and treatment of insomnia by alternate ways i.e) non-medical ways, with additional effects to the human health and economically acceptable by all the classes of people.

The Role of Indian Magical Herb Selaginella bryopteris L. (Selaginaceae) in Pharmacotherapeutic Perspective: An Overview

This review involves the medicinal as well as therapeutic applications of Sanjeevni (Selaginella bryopteris L.) in curtailing different types of acute and chronic maladies. The magical herb (Selaginella bryopteris) is utilized for its resurrecting and medicinal properties in various regions of the world. S. bryopteris based formulations have been widely used in folk medicine to treat spermatorrhoea, colitis, epilepsy, leucorrhoea, urinary tract infections, fever, venereal illnesses, constipation, beri-beri, cancer, and many other ailments. The medicinal and pharmacological effects of S. bryopteris have been extensively studied in recent years, employing a variety of in vivo and in vitro models and clinical studies. Many biochemical and pharmacological studies on Selaginella bryopteris have been conducted, and many of its traditional applications have been validated scientifically. Different biological activities are concerned with it, like anti-bacterial, growth-promoting, anti-protozoan, relief from heat stroke and the burning sensation during urination, anti-stress cell death, memory improvement, relief from stomach-aches, anti-hyperglycemic activity, and anti-depressant activity. S. bryopteris is undeniably one of the most significant plants owing to its enormous pharmacological and therapeutic potential. On the other hand, several information gaps found in this article might spur fresh academic and R&D efforts to produce S. bryopteris-based herbal medications and nutraceuticals.

白蛇文本的雙線淵源及海外影響

The study on sources of the Legend of the White Snake varies from scholar to scholar. It can be culturally related to the Chinese culture of evil spirits. Its elements were dispersedly shown in the Tang Legends and earlier Wei-Jin Mystery novels but never integrated into a complete story or text. Most scholars believe that the text of the White Snake was established in the script of Ming dynasty and developed in the opera of the Qing dynasty. There is a great difference between the text in Song and Ming dynasty and that in Qing dynasty and the source of the added plots such as “stealing a magical herb” and “The Leifeng Pagoda” are still needed to be under discussion. In this paper, the written texts in Three Words will be compared with the oral texts in Baixue Yiyin or other Chinese operas. These two sources are intertwined and resonated with each other in their development of the theme, the characteristic of white snake and the intention, and further reflect the contradiction between the imagination of the public and literary creation through multi- media retellings, and all of these further influence the spread of the Legend of the White Snake overseas.

Phytochemistry, Ethnobotany and Pharmacological Uses of Tinospora cordifolia with Special Reference to SARS-COV-2

Medicinal plants or medicinal herbs possess therapeutic properties or exert beneficial pharmacological effects on human. From time immemorial, people have been using various medicinal plants without even knowing their phytochemistry and pharmacological properties as a medicine for treating numerous ailments. As technology developed and upgraded, people used to screen out various phytoconstituents as well as evaluate their basic pharmacological properties. Tinospora cordifolia is a medicinal herb which is commonly known as Giloy belong to family menispermaceae. It can also be found in places like Africa, China, South-East Asia, Indo-Malaya region and Australia. Traditionally, people use this herb as prominent food materials due to their higher nutraceutical value and various healing properties. For phytochemical investigation, extraction of whole plant is preferable whereas most of the phytochemical are found to be present in leaves. Various potent phytochemicals are found in this herb such as tinosponone, tinocordiside, tinosporaside, cordifoliside, β-sitosterol, mekisterone A, etc. which are belong to class of alkaloids, sesquiterpenoids, glycosides, steroids, volatile oil, etc. Owing to the presence of these potent compounds, it exhibits wide range of large number of pharmacological activities such as antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer activities, etc. In past two years, SARS-CoV-2 infections has taken life of millions of people across the globe and there were no any vaccine or proper antiviral medicine available to defend this deadly pandemic, hence people were mostly relying on herbal plant therapy. Giloy is one such magical herb which exhibit healing properties in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. Moreover, in-silico studies have been carried out to determine the binding affinity as well as inhibiting potential of various phytoconstituents of giloy. In this review work, we compiled all the updated information about T. cordifolia as well as emphasizing more on SARS-CoV-2 inhibiting potential.

CComparative physicochemical and histo-anatomical study of vague traditional and magical herb Lavandula stoechas L. with Lavandula officinalis Chaix.

Lavandula stoechas L. (Lamiaceae) is a medicinal plant of traditional Unani, Iranian and Tunisian systems of medicine. It has a unique attribute to expel out and remove all impurities and obstructions and reinvigorate the brain power, honored as broom of brain in classical Unani literatures. To establish clear identification between L. stoechas (LS) and L. officinalis (LO) standard operating parameters, TLC fingerprinting and physicochemical and histo-anatomical studies were done. LS exhibited significantly higher physical values for their standardization and quality parameters with respect to LO. Histo-anatomical disquisition and chemo-microscopic studies of the drug revealed that presence of substantial and marked diagnostic feature to LS having large bract, brown colored flexible peduncle, presence of exorbitant number of uniseriate and multi seriate covering and uniseriate glandular trichomes leading to soft stem and peduncle. It has distinguished and well-developed phloem, centrally filled with parenchymatous cells, with camphoric stench along with bitter in taste while LO has lesser hairs, hard stem and peduncle, greenish color, presence of centrally hollow pith, indiscriminate bract, and flowers are without stalks with pleasant aroma. Seeds of LS are yellowish brown, frivolous weight and very small in size while LO have blackish seeds and are comparatively larger in size and weight.

Honeysuckle-derived microRNA2911 inhibits tumor growth by targeting TGF-\u03b21

BackgroundHoneysuckle is a time‐honored herb with anticancer activity in traditional Chinese medicine. Recently, accumulating reports are suggesting that the microRNAs in this medicinal plant not only play a physiological role in their original system, but also can be transmitted to another species as potential therapeutic components. In the numerous bioactive investigations, the anti-tumor effects of these microRNAs in the magical herb are rarely studied, especially the special miR2911, a honeysuckle-encoded atypical microRNA, with high stability during the boiling process and unique biological activity to target TGF-β1 mRNA.MethodsLuciferase assay was conducted to test the ability of miR2911 to target TGF-β1 mRNA. ELISA was performed to determine the expression level of TGF-β1 of mouse colorectal adenocarcinoma CT26 cells when treated with miR2911 and tumor tissue in Sidt1+/+ and Sidt1−/− mice. qRT-PCR was performed to examine the level of expression of miR2911. Tumor-bearing wild and nude mice were employed to evaluate the anti-tumor effect of honeysuckle and miR2911 in vivo. Tumor tissue necrosis was observed by H&E staining. Besides, the infiltration of T lymphocytes across solid tumors was tested by immunostaining staining.ResultsOur results showed that honeysuckle slowed the development of colon cancer down. Further research showed that miR2911 could bind strongly to TGF-β1 mRNA and down-regulate the expression of TGF-β1 and had a high stability under boiling and acid condition. Moreover, SIDT1 mediated dietary miR2911 inter-species absorption. And we found that miR2911 had a similar anticancer effect as honeysuckle. Mechanistically, miR2911 reversed the tumor-promoting effect of TGF-β1 by an increase of T lymphocytes infiltration, resulting in slowing the colon cancer process in immunocompetent mice. Consistent with this inference, the anti-tumor effect of miR2911 was revealed to be abolished in T cell immune deficiency mice.ConclusionTaken together, honeysuckle-derived miR2911 showed an anti-tumor effect in colon cancer through targeting TGF-β1 mRNA. The down-regulation of TGF-β1 promoted T lymphocytes infiltration, and accordingly impeded the colon tumor development.

Teddy, The Little Refugee Mouse by Dorothy Burroughes, and: The Magic Herb by Dorothy Burroughes

Reviewed by: Teddy, The Little Refugee Mouse by Dorothy Burroughes, and: The Magic Herb by Dorothy Burroughes Jan Susina (bio) Teddy, The Little Refugee Mouse. By Dorothy Burroughes, edited by Jack Zipes. Little Mole and Honey Bear, 2021. The Magic Herb. By Dorothy Burroughes, edited by Jack Zipes. Little Mole and Honey Bear, 2021. The most recent reprints in Jack Zipes's Fabulous Excavated Tales series are two books written and illustrated by Dorothy Burroughes. Popular during the 1930s and 1940s, Burroughes is a British children's author who is rarely mentioned in the histories of children's literature but is still held in high regard as a print maker and poster artist. Trained at the Slade School of Fine Art, Burroughes's first major success as a commercial artist was designing posters in 1920 for the London Underground that encouraged visitors to the London Zoo in Regent's Park. Drawn in the style of Japanese woodcuts, her image of Langur monkeys became popular with the public. Her second zoo poster, known as "the monkey poster," became the most requested poster in the history of the London Underground and is reprinted in both volumes along with her striking print of "The Black Panther." In the 1930s and 1940s, Burroughes was considered one of the leading British animal artists, along with Harry Rountree and Cecil Aldin. Many of her twenty children's books, like her better-known posters and prints, focus on animals and animal rights. Burroughes established her reputation as an animal artist with her prints and posters often featuring animals that she sketched at the Regent's Park Zoo and was awarded a Zoological Society Fellowship for her animal artwork. Yet she expressed mixed feelings about zoos and restricting animals in cages. In addition to illustrating informational books on animals such as Queer Beasts at the Zoo (1927) and Queer Birds at the Zoo (1927), Burroughes also wrote children's stories featuring anthropomorphized creatures that address social issues and emphasize the need to treat animals with respect and kindness. While Burroughes uses watercolor illustrations interspersed with linocuts in her children's books, her stories are longer and more complicated than those by Beatrix Potter and are intended for older readers. Her chummy and social world of animals more closely resembles that of Kenneth Grahame in [End Page 445] The Wind in the Willows, without the humorous escapades of Mr. Toad that A.A. Milne admired. The Magic Herb shows a bit of Lewis Carroll influence. Three badgers go on a quest for the Magic Herb to aid their seriously ill baby brother. To obtain the mysterious plant, they must journey to the Magic Isle where the white plant is guarded by the Dodo and the Unicorn. Burroughes draws the Dodo so he resembles John Tenniel's illustration of the Dodo in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. The Dodo, who initially appears rather fierce, is just "a little embittered by being misunderstood" (19). He is moved by the unselfish nature of the badgers' quest. As the Unicorn explains to the badgers, he and the Dodo are tasked with the responsibility of preventing the life-restoring plant from falling into the wrong hands, such as "pompous scientists and people who-want-towrite-to-the-papers" about discovery of this rare species. The selfless nature of the badgers' quest is reminiscence of Gluck's journey in John Ruskin's The King of the Golden River. The badgers succeed on their impossible journey, liberate the Dodo and the Unicorn from their long-term duties as protectors of the Magic Herb, and restore their younger brother to health, all a result of their selflessness. Teddy, The Little Refugee Mouse is an updated version of Aesop's "Country Mouse and City Mouse." Teddy is an elegant mouse who wears a smart gray coat with clean white collars. He accompanies his human family when they vacate London for the country for the duration of the War. Burroughes uses animal figures to comfort younger readers who were moved from the cities to escape Nazi bombing during World War II. Teddy is befriended by the Brown Mouse family who introduce him to the rural world of cows, pigs...

Ganoderma (Lingzhi) in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Culture.

Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (ShennongMateriaMedica) and many other books in early Chinese history began to study, discuss, and report the scientific aspects of Ganoderma (Lingzhi) in respect to its categorization, habitat, bionomics, herbal nature, medication, etc. At the same time, incorrect or unsubstantiated information continues to be weeded out and updated. ShennongMateriaMedica have been frequently referred in literature and used for further research and applications. Present chapter reviews the history of modern research on Ganoderma (Lingzhi) since 1950s.Historically, Lingzhi has been viewed as a magic herb as well as an auspicious symbol by the Chinese. It is, therefore, also known as "Ruizhi," "Shenzhi," and "Xiancao," with the meaning of good fortune and mysterious power. Taoism played an important role in promoting Lingzhi for either medical purposes or otherwise. Numerous myths and poems mentioning people's love, worshipping, and beliefs on Lingzhi can be found in the Chinese literature since ancient times.

Neem: a magical herb in endodontics

Neem: a magical herb in endodontics

The Indian Magical Herb 'Sanjeevni' (Selaginella bryopteris L.) - A Promising Anti-inflammatory Phytomedicine for the Treatment of Patients with Inflammatory Skin Diseases.

ObjectivesSelaginella bryopteris L. (family: Selaginaceae), is often used in traditional Indian systems of medicine for the prevention and cure of several disorders and for the treatment of patient with spermatorrhoea, venereal disease, constipation, colitis, urinary tract infections, fever, epilepsy, leucorrhoea, beri-beri and cancer. It is also used as a strength tonic. This study aimed to evaluate the mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory effects of topically administered aqueous, polar and non-polar methanolic fractions (10 mg/20 μL) of Selaginella bryopteris.MethodsAn acute oral toxicity study of Selaginella bryopteris at doses from 250 to 2,000 mg/kg body weight (bw) was performed. Aqueous, polar and non-polar methanolic extracts (10 mg/20 μL) applied topically for 5 days were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory effects against 12-tetra-O-decanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA)-induced inflammation by using the redness in the ear, the ear’s weight (edema), oxidative stress parameters, such as lipid-peroxide (LPO) and nitric oxide (NO), and the pro-inflammatory cytokines involved in inflammation, such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6. Indomethacine (0.5 mg/20 μL) was used for the positive control.ResultsSelaginella bryopteris produced no mortalities when administered orally at doses from 250 to 2,000 mg/kg bw. Topical treatment with the non-polar methanolic fraction (10 mg/20 αL) significantly suppressed redness (2.4 ± 0.5) and edema (30.4 ± 1) and effectively reduced the LPO level (32.3 ± 3.3). The NO level was (8.07 ± 0.55), and the TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels were decreased to 69.6 ± 15.5, 7.7 ± 4.8 and 82.6 ± 5.9, respectively.ConclusionThis study demonstrated for the first time the mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory effect of medicinal plants like Selaginella bryopteris and quantified the pharmacological interactions between them. The present study showed this herbal product to be a promising anti-inflammatory phytomedicine for the treatment of patients with inflammatory skin diseases.

Controversies in the history of glaucoma

AbstractThere are several interesting controversies in the history of glaucoma. The first corresponds to the origin of its name. It was argued that the ancient Greek word glaukos meant: 1. ‘‘to glow’’ or ‘‘to shine’’; 2. ‘‘blue‐white’’ or ‘‘blue‐green’’; 3. dull sheen or [bdquo]glaze” of blindness; 4. owl: ‘‘glaucomati’’ meaning ‘‘having the eyes of an owl’’; 5. a mortal fisherman who was transformed into a sea‐god after eating a magical herb. The second controversy corresponds to the meaning of the word glaucoma. Several ancient authors, including Celsus, Roufos of Ephesus and Galen, described glaucoma as a disease of the crystalline, which was transformed to glaucos because of moisture. This understanding was continued in the 18th century by Banister, Platner and Boerhaave, who argued that glaucoma was a malignant form of cataract that begins with acute pain and terminates in amaurosis. The third controversy corresponds to the different concepts of glaucoma etiology in the 19th century, including gouty iritis, serous choroiditis, thickening of the sclera, irritation of the secretory nerves of the eye, a disease of the vitreous, and [bdquo]secretory neurosis” (the primary cause of is the rise in pressure).

Effect of Seabuckthorn Leaf Extract on Microbiological Quality of Raw Chicken during Extended Periods of Storage

AbstractSeabuckthorn, a magical herb, is well known for its various valuable properties and is found in abundance in the Himalayan region of Leh districts (Jammu and Kashmir) and Lahaul and Spiti districts (Himachal Pradesh) of India. In the present study, the effect of three different concentrations (1, 2 and 3%) of aqueous extract of seabuckthorn leaves was observed on sensory and microbiological quality of chicken legs at days 0, 1, 3, 5 and 7. No significant difference (P &lt; 0.05) was observed for sensory attributes in the control and treated groups; however, scores were higher for the treated groups compared with the control group. All three concentrations of aqueous extract of seabuckthorn leaves lowered the (P &lt; 0.05) standard plate count (SPC), psychrophilic count (PC), coliform count (CC), and yeast and mold count (YMC) significantly on chicken leg as compared with the control. The 3% seabuckthorn leaf extract treatment resulted in significant (P &lt; 0.05) lowering of SPC, PC, CC and YMC through 7 days. The results of this study revealed the antibacterial and antifungal properties for the seabuckthorn leaf extract. The study also suggested the possibility of using seabuckthorn leaf extract as a decontaminant and preservative for fresh chicken meat.Practical ApplicationsThe results of the present study indicate the possibility of using seabuckthorn leaf extract as a decontaminant and/or preservative for fresh meat through overall reduction of microbial loads to extend the shelf life without any adverse effect on the sensory quality.

Can Estragole in Fennel Seed Decoctions Really Be Considered a Danger for Human Health? A Fennel Safety Update

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) mature fruit (commonly known as seeds) and essential oil of fennel are widely used as flavoring agents in food products such as liqueurs, bread, cheese, and an ingredient of cosmetics and pharmaceutical products. Moreover fennel infusions are the classical decoction for nursing babies to prevent flatulence and colic spasm. Traditionally in Europe and Mediterranean areas fennel is used as antispasmodic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, secretomotor, secretolytic, galactagogue, eye lotion, and antioxidant remedy and integrator. Topically, fennel powder is used as a poultice for snake bites. In Asian cultures fennel was ingested to speed the elimination of poisons. As one of the ancient Saxon people's nine sacred herbs, fennel was credited with the power to cure. Fennel was also valued as a magic herb: in the Middle Ages it was draped over doorways on Midsummer's Eve to protect the household from evil spirits. Recently because of estragole carcinogenicity, fennel has been charged to be dangerous for humans especially if used as decoction for babies. But this allegation do not consider the remedy is prepared as a matrix of substances, and recent researches confirm that pure estragole is inactivated by many substance contained in the decoction.

From Magical Herb to Antiemetic. Cannabinoids for the Treatment of Nausea and Vomiting

AbstractChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.

« Amor mi paixs » : Langage biblique, enchantement et personnages redoublés dans la novas « Frayre de joy et sor de plaser »

This study deals with a so far not too often analysed old Provencal short story, which is a particular version of Sleeping Beauty. After an analysis of biblical vocabulary background and a presentation of various hidden oppositions in the novas, the paper focuses on the meaning of the speaking names, on the miracles and on the duplicated persons. As the second young couple plays a crucial role in the plot, it is necessary to find its identity and comprehensive literary function. The study concludes affirming that the short story shows the decline of fin'amor by a charming mixture of Christian, antique and popular beliefs. Among the three, it is the third that prevails, as the magic herb seems strong enough to wake up the dead princess. Even though the fin'amors ideology is still present, it is not predominating any more and cannot resolve the greatest human tragedy.

The Symbol of Medicine: Aesculapius or Caduceus?

To the Editor. —Since antiquity, the Aesculapian staff has served as a symbol of medicine and the art of healing. The emblem is depicted by a single serpent coiled around a rough, knotty staff. For various reasons, the symbol of medicine is often misrepresented as the caduceus, a winged staff with 2 intertwined serpents. Though similar in appearance and today often used interchangeably, the staffs have neither the same meaning nor the same origin. The origin of the Aesculapian staff is subject to broad speculation. However, there are 3 accounts that suggest its origin. The first is from Greek mythology. 1 In this myth, Aesculapius, the Greek god of medicine, observes a serpent placing a magical herb in the mouth of a dead snake. The herb brings the snake back to life. The second account, also from mythology, maintains that the god Aesculapius was imported to Rome (circa 295 BC)

Milton's "Haemony": Knowledge and Belief

IN A RECENT study of Thyrsis' magic herb in Comus, John M. Steadman concludes that means knowledge from the Greek haimon, skillful. This derivation, he acknowledges, does not preclude other etymological interpretations, but he cautions that superimpose additional meanings to court (pp. 205-207). It seems unlikely, however, that the poet himself would not have recognized certain additional meanings (relating to Haemonia or Thessaly, blood or bloodred), and he may have chosen the term precisely because of its enrichening subordinate associations. After all, have the lesson of all past ... research that there no such thing in Milton as a single influence2 and we know that the Ludlow Mask in particular is in the fullest sense Spenserian allegory, with different levels of meaning throughout (Woodhouse, pp. 222-223). Upon this assumption, and at the risk of heaping still another obscurity upon an already overread work,3 I would like to propose that one of the associations with haemony which Milton intended-homonymically, etymologically, and symbolically-pertains to the Hebrew word-root aman. Denoting in its various forms both knowl-

Milton's Haemony: Etymology and Allegory

Recent interpretations of Thyrsis' magic herb have usually employed one or more of several angles of approach: (1) the implications of its name, (2) its similarities with, or differences from, the herb moly, and (3) its function in a larger context—its relation to the theme, dramatic structure, and ethical allegory of Milton's masque. Though all three approaches are necessary for a valid solution of this crux, each has encountered certain inherent difficulties. The third has been especially vulnerable to subjective bias; reading into haemony whatever meaning has best fitted his own conception of the poem's overall structure and sense, the individual critic has been prone to find in the herb the particular concept he had wanted to find. The second has been complicated not only by the variety of meanings commentators have ascribed to moly, but also by critical disagreement as to how far the two plants represent similar or dissimilar ideas. The first approach has hitherto failed to establish a solid basis for the allegory. The only etymology on which scholars are agreed— Keightley's suggestion that haemony was named after “Haemonia or Thessaly, the land of magic”1—tells one very little about its allegorical significance. Possible clues to the allegory have been discovered in several alternative etymologies, but these have not yet won general acceptance.