Source Of Medicinal Plants Research Articles

Anti-tumor withanolides as signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3)-inhibition from Withania obtusifolia

The Solanaceae family and the Withania genus specifically are rich sources of medicinal plants. Liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS/MS) revealed a predominance of withanolides from an organic extract of Withania obtusifolia. A constructed molecular network uncovered the presence of potentially novel withanolides. A series of withanolides were then isolated and structurally characterized from the extract including two new withanolides (withafolia A and withafolia B) and seven previously reported metabolites. Of the isolated compounds, cytotoxicity of withanolide J, physaperuvin G, and a commercial STAT3 inhibitor (S3I-201) were assessed against a human leukemia HL-60 cell line resulting in IC50 values of 26, 29, and 120 μM, respectively. In silico molecular docking simulations indicate that withanolide J and physaperuvin G can bind as an inhibitor in the active site of STAT3 with docking scores comparable to the selective STAT3 inhibitor, S3I-201.

Schisandra chinensis Bee Pollen Extract Inhibits Proliferation and Migration of Hepatocellular Carcinoma HepG2 Cells via Ferroptosis-, Wnt-, and Focal Adhesion-Signaling Pathways.

Bee pollen possesses favorable anticancer activities. As a medicinal plant source, Schisandra chinensis bee pollen (SCBP) possesses potential pharmacological properties, such as reducing cisplatin-induced liver injury, but its anti-liver cancer effect is still rarely reported. This paper aims to investigate the effect and mechanism of SCBP extract (SCBPE) on hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. The effect of SCBPE on cell proliferation and migration of HepG2 cells was evaluated based on MTT assay, morphology observation, or scratching assay. Furthermore, tandem mass tag-based quantitative proteomics was used to study the effect mechanisms. The mRNA expression levels of identified proteins were verified by RT-qPCR. Tandem mass tag-based quantitative proteomics showed that 61 differentially expressed proteins were obtained in the SCBPE group compared with the negative-control group: 18 significantly downregulated and 43 significantly upregulated proteins. Bioinformatic analysis showed the significantly enriched KEGG pathways were predominantly ferroptosis-, Wnt-, and hepatocellular carcinoma-signaling ones. Protein-protein interaction network analysis and RT-qPCR validation revealed SCBPE also downregulated the focal adhesion-signaling pathway, which is abrogated by PF-562271, a well-known inhibitor of FAK. This study confirmed SCBPE suppressed the cell proliferation and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells, mainly through modulation of ferroptosis-, Wnt-, hepatocellular carcinoma-, and focal adhesion-signaling pathways, providing scientific data supporting adjuvant treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma using SCBP.

Efficacy and Safety of Shatavari Root Extract for the Management of Menopausal Symptoms: A Double-Blind, Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background Menopause is a physiological state that occurs in all women and refers to the halt of the reproductive phase. The cessation of the reproductive phase occurs through various stages and presents different symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, anxiety, depression, and irritability. Such pre- and post-menopausal symptoms may affect the daily activities and production capacities of women, impacting the quality of life (QoL) of women. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is primarily used to manage menopausal symptoms. However, various side effects have been reported related to HRT. Therefore, women are choosing alternative medicine such as Ayurveda that can benefit them with less or no adverse effects. Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) is known in Ayurveda as an effective medicinal plant source for various women's health remedies since ancient times.This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Ayurvedic Shatavari formulation on menopausal symptoms compared to the placebo. Methodology This is a randomized, double-blinded, multicenter, placebo-controlled, clinical study. Altogether, 70 patients were randomized to two groups, i.e., the test group (active group) and the placebo group (microcrystalline cellulose), with 35 participants in each group. Results The study outcomes showed a positive and significant effect of the active test ingredient over the placebo in terms of reduction in hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, anxiety, nervousness, vaginal dryness, and loss of libido. The Utian QoL improved significantly in the test group compared to the placebo group. No significant adverse events were recorded in the test group, suggesting the safety of this formulation. Conclusions The test compound could be a safe alternative to modern drugs. The findings of this study support the traditional use of Shatavari. Further clinical and pharmacological studies with longer duration and larger and more diverse sample sizes are required to understand the generalized effect of Shatavari root extract in menopausal women.

Bioinformatics database and production layout visual analysis platform of medicinal plants:a case study of Dao-di medicinal materials in Sichuan province

In the new stage of trans-omics and trans-subjects for medicinal plants, it is an urgent need to integrate big data, provide interactive applications, and form a unified and multi-level research system and big data platform. Dao-di medicinal material, as an important source of medicinal plants, is a unique quality concept and comprehensive standard of tranditional Chinese medicine(TCM). Several databases have been developed in China and abroad, such as the Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine(ETCM) and the Global Pharmacopoeia Genome Database(GPGD). Yet, most databases do not provide multi-dimensional data, including geographic data, phenotype data, compound data, and genetic data. Sichuan, known as the hometown of TCM therapies and the treasure trove of TCM, is the most representative region of medicinal plant diversity in China. According to the latest data of the fourth national survey of TCM resources, there are more than 8 000 TCM and 86 Dao-di medicinal materials in Sichuan province. Based on resource census data and relevant achievements, this study constructed the bioinformatics database of medicinal plants and the visual analysis platform of production layout by taking the Dao-di medicinal materials in Sichuan province as an example, covering geographic data, phenotype data, compound data, and genetic data. It effectively integrates multi-dimensional data of Dao-di medicinal materials and provides different levels of data interaction applications. The platform is the first large-scale multi-dimensional database and visual platform of Dao-di medicinal materials in Sichuan province, which serves as an essential resource for germplasm resources identification, decomposition of biosynthetic pathways, molecular breeding of varieties and provides medicinal plant resource information and data support for development and utilization of medicinal plants in China and abroad.

Phytochemical Screening and In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of Three Nepalese Plants

Nepal is rich in plant resources and holds the 49th spot in the world’s biodiversity. The variation in altitude, climatic conditions, and geographical features across Nepal make it a rich source of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs). The study was carried out to perform the preliminary phytochemical screening and assess antioxidant properties in Ficus neriifolia, Rubus treutleri, and Periploca calophylla. Plants were selected based on their ethnomedical use and scant scientific research. Ethanol (70%) and aqueous extracts were prepared by using the cold maceration method and preliminary phytochemical screening was conducted using the previously established method to test the presence of biologically active phytoconstituent. In vitro, antioxidant activity was examined by DPPH free radical scavenging assay. The results revealed the variation in phytoconstituents among the 70% ethanol and aqueous extracts of all three plant samples. Among the samples, the 70% ethanol extract of P. calophylla exhibited the highest antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 94.36 μg/mL, while the aqueous extract of F. neriifolia showed the minimum antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 902.23 μg/mL. This study indicates that these plant samples possess potent natural antioxidants capable of scavenging free radicals that cause cellular damage and contribute to various diseases in our bodies.

Exploring Four Atraphaxis Species: Traditional Medicinal Uses, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Activities.

Atraphaxis is a genus of flowering plants in the family Polygonaceae, with approximately 60 species. Species of Atraphaxis are much-branched woody plants, forming shrubs or shrubby tufts, primarily inhabiting arid zones across the temperate steppe and desert regions of Central Asia, America, and Australia. Atraphaxis species have been used by diverse groups of people all over the world for the treatment of various diseases. However, their biologically active compounds with therapeutic properties have not been investigated well. Studying the biologically active components of Atraphaxis laetevirens, Atraphaxis frutescens, Atraphaxis spinosa L., and Atraphaxis pyrifolia is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it can unveil the therapeutic potential of these plants, aiding in the development of novel medicines or natural remedies for various health conditions. Understanding their bioactive compounds enables scientists to explore their pharmacological properties, potentially leading to the discovery of new drugs or treatments. Additionally, investigating these components contributes to preserving traditional knowledge and validating the historical uses of these plants in ethnomedicine, thus supporting their conservation and sustainable utilization. These herbs have been used as an anti-inflammatory and hypertension remedies since the dawn of time. Moreover, they have been used to treat a variety of gastrointestinal disorders and problems related to skin in traditional Kazakh medicine. Hence, the genus Atraphaxis can be considered as a potential medicinal plant source that is very rich in biologically active compounds that may exhibit great pharmacological properties, such as antioxidant, antibacterial, antiulcer, hypoglycemic, wound healing, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, and so on. This study aims to provide a collection of publications on the species of Atraphaxis, along with a critical review of the literature data. This review will constitute support for further investigations on the pharmacological activity of these medicinal plant species.

Roles of local food and knowledge of indigenous communities during pandemic COVID-19 at three districts across West Papua Province, Indonesia

Abstract. Wahyudi, Djitmau DA, Dwiranti F, Sagrim M, Manuhua D. 2024. Roles of local food and knowledge of indigenous communities during pandemic COVID-19 at three districts across West Papua Province, Indonesia. Asian J Ethnobiol 7: 1-12. The world suffered from the COVID-19 pandemic without exception to local communities in West Papua Province, causing deaths worldwide. During the pandemic, food supply, availability, and distribution were short. Indigenous communities in West Papua Province, Indonesia are surrounded by natural resources providing foods, vegetables, vitamins, and other nutrients for maintaining the human immune system. This research was designed to determine local food diversity, examine the contribution of local foods in fulfilling daily needs, nutrient sources, medicines, and others during the pandemic, and document local community perception of the pandemic COVID-19 among three study areas in West Papua Province. A questionnaire field survey was employed for data collection: 11 villages at three districts in Manokwari, South Manokwari, and Teluk Bintuni were selected to represent coastal, lowland, and mangrove areas. The results indicated that local food provides all daily food needs, offering various ingredients and supporting the livelihood of the local communities. Among the three districts, there are variations in food diversity, but they are similar. Furthermore, 18 plants were consumed as vegetables; 14 plants as carbohydrate sources; 16 plants for fruits, medicinal, herbs, respectively; 13 plants for flavor; Protein and fat-producing plants and animals were 7 of plants and 6 of animal, respectively. They were prepared by boiling, fresh, roasted, burned in a wood fire, and fried gently with cooking oil. These local foods are also the source of house income, offer informal work, and are a source of medicinal plants. When food supply and distribution are scarce everywhere due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the local communities rely on their local foods to maintain their health and immunity. They believe that the COVID-19 virus is a warning from God to humans who always exploit nature without caring for others.

Pulmonary hypertension and the potential of 'drug' repurposing: A case for African medicinal plants.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a haemodynamic disorder in which elevated blood pressure in the pulmonary circulation is caused by abnormal vascular tone. Despite advances in treatment, PH mortality remains high, and drug repurposing has been proposed as a mitigating approach. This article reviews the studies that have investigated drug repurposing as a viable option for PH. We provide an overview of PH and highlight pharmaceutical drugs with repurposing potential, based on limited evidence of their mechanisms of action. Moreover, studies have demonstrated the benefits of medicinal plants in PH, most of which are of Indian or Asian origin. Africa is a rich source of many medicinal plants that have been scientifically proven to counteract myriad pathologies. When perusing these studies, one will notice that some African medicinal plants can counteract the molecular pathways (e.g. proliferation, vasoconstriction, inflammation, oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction) that are also involved in the pathogenesis of PH. We review the actions of these plants with actions applicable to PH and highlight that they could be repurposed as adjunct PH therapies. However, these plants have either never been tested in PH, or there is little evidence of their actions against PH. We therefore encourage caution, as more research is needed to study these plants further in experimental models of PH while acknowledging that the outcomes of such proof of-concept studies may not always yield promising findings. Regardless, this article aims to stimulate future research that could make timely contributions to the field. What the study adds. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) remains a fatal disease, and 80% of the patients live in developing countries where resources are scarce and specialised therapies are often unavailable. Drug repurposing is a viable option to try to improve treatment outcomes.Implications of the findings. We propose that another form of 'drug' repurposing is the use of medicinal plants, many of which have demonstrated benefits against pathological processes that are also key in PH, e.g. apoptosis, tumour-like growth of cells, proliferation, oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Analysis of essential oil and volatile components of different organs of isgin (Rheum ribes L.) plant by ultrasound-assisted extraction method

Rheum ribes L. belongs to the family Polygonaceae and is locally known as "ışkın, ucgun, highland banana". In this study, ultrasound-assisted extraction with a solvent mixture of methanol: ethyl acetate was used to isolate the volatiles of the plant from the root, stem, and leaf organs. The essential oils were extracted from the plant roots by water distillation to determine the essential oil content and composition. GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) was used to analyse the content of essential oils and extracts. Carvacrol (40.41%) and gamma-terpinene (%22.90) were used in the root extracts of the plant., 2,4-ditert-butylphenol (20.76%) and carvacrol (13.52%) in the stem extracts and 2,4-ditert-butylphenol (25.87%) and methyl formate (6.87%) in the leaf extracts. The volatile components of 6-butyl-3-methoxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one (30.06%) and 3-carene (16.42%) were found in the essential oil. When the structure of the volatile components in both the extract and the essential oil of the plant is examined, the presence of versatile volatile components that can be used in the production of pharmacological, bioactive, flavouring, dye material, and perfume indicated that the plant can be used as an important medicinal and aromatic plant source.

Assessment of Phytochemicals, Antioxidant Activity and Enzyme Production of Endophytic Fungi Isolated from Medicinal Plant Sources

Endophytic fungi are mitosporic and meiosporic ascomycetes that asymptomatically reside in the internal tissues of plants beneath the epidermal cell layer, where fungi colonise healthy and living tissue via quiescent infections. Endophytes are important components of microbial diversity. Endophytic fungi isolated from medicinal plants more likely exhibit pharmaceutical potentials. These plentiful natural products isolated from endophytes represent a huge reservoir which offers an enormous potential for exploitation for medicinal, agricultural and industrial uses. There has been a great interest in endophytic fungi as potential producers of novel, biologically active products. Endophytes are believed to carry out a resistance mechanism to overcome pathogenic invasion by producing secondary metabolites. Globally, there are at least one million species of endophytic fungi in all plants which can potentially provide a variety of structurally unique natural products such as alkaloid, benzopyranones, chinones, flavanoids, phenols, steroids, xanthones and others. Therefore, there is an ample opportunity to unearth novel and interesting endophytic microorganisms with significant therapeutic efficacy. The objectives of our current study are to isolate endophytic fungi from specific medicinal plants found locally and carry out their characterization and isolation, followed by qualitative and quantitative assessment of secondary metabolites produced by them and study their antioxidant and enzyme activities. The present study, therefore would highlight the growing concept that the bioactive compounds produced by the endophytes not only establishes host endophyte relationship but also have an immense chance of application in the field of medicine, agriculture and industry.

Medicinal plants used for various health issues by rural inhabitant of Wayanad forest division-Kerala, India - A statistical analysis

Native peoples of Wayanad use a wide range of plants medicinally. Many of these Plants have profound meaning to their users. Quantitative ethnobotany deals with the computation and importance of plants and vegetation to people. It helps quantification of qualitative data in biological and social sciences. The traditional source of medicinal plants is an important way for daily curative uses in the rural area. A survey was carried out among the tribes of Wayanad forest division, Wayanad district, Kerala India. The present study identified traditionally using 64 species of ethnomedicinal plants distributed in 61 genera belonging to 42 families to treat various diseases. Moreover, among the plant habit wise analyzed there are 16 herbs, 9 shrubs, 10 Climbing shrubs, 25 trees, 3 Small trees and 1 Twiner. The status of plants was analyzed and recorded as 44 rare, 14 Common, 3 extinct, each one in Endangered, Least common and sporadic in this study area. In this communication, the information got from the rural inhabitants was compared with the already existing literature. The data were collected randomly from tribal and healers of 149 informants and the data were statistically analyzed by using suitable statistical tools such as Use Value (UV), Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), Fidelity Value (FL) and various ranking methods.Top of Form

Sacred Groves as the Source of Local Medicinal Plants and Sites of Biodiversity Conservation in North 24 Parganas, West Bengal

A Sacred Grove (SG) is any grove of trees, shrubs and even herbs of special religious importance to a particular culture. SGs are consideredas distinct patches of vegetation (ranging in size from a small cluster of a few trees to a large forest stand spanning several hundredacres) which are venerated in the name of local deities or ancestral spirits, promoting conservation. Conservation of biodiversity insacred groves is a consequence of the sacred physical space of the sacred grove which is communally shared as commons and used toobserve crucial social ceremonies in indigenous societies. While documenting the sacred groves in the district of North 24 Parganas ofWest Bengal through a detailed field survey, plants of local medicinal importance were identified in these patches in which the localpeople traditionally conserved the medicinal plants since time immemorial. An extensive field survey to potential district areas anddocumentation of major flora, including their correct identification and their related Traditional Knowledge (TK) in each SG was done.More than 120 local medicinal plants were found and traditional knowledge associated with these plants was documented whichincluded Adhatoda vasica, Abroma agustum, Andrographis paniculata, Bacopa monnieri, Centella asiatica, Cocculus hirsutus, Gloriosasuperba, Tinospora cordifolia to name very few. Out of these purified aqueous extract of Cocculus hirsutus has also been reported inCOVID-19 treatment in many research papers. Traditional knowledge associated with these plants found in the sacred groves is a hiddentreasure from where further research, learning and dissemination of potential information can ensue. These SGs are examples of in-situconservation traditionally by local people and gene pool for various medicinal plants.

A SUMMARY ON MEDICINAL PLANTS OF JANGALA DESHA WITH RESPECT TO INDIAN ARID ZONE

The maintenance of health of a healthy individual and treatment of a diseased person is the pedestal of Ayurveda. Desha or biological distribution of habitat is one of the important principles linked with health of individuals. For this reason, our acharyas have always pointed the importance of suitable desha for collection of the Aushadhi Dravya. And so ancient classics have always given importance to Aushadhi sangrahana (Drug collection). Because Sadhya and Asadhyata of vyadhi greatly depends on the source of medicinal plants along with their properties. Therefore, in this article an attempt is made to give a glimpse of Indian medicinal plants available in Jangala desha with respect to Arid zone.

Understanding of genes encoding bioactive compounds from potential medicinal plants in Indonesia as cancer cell inhibitors

Abstract. Muflikhati Z, Sianipar NF, Syamsunarno MRAA, Anas. 2023. Understanding of genes encoding bioactive compounds from potential medicinal plants in indonesia as cancer cell inhibitors. Biodiversitas 24: 4645-4660. Indonesia has abundant plant diversity and enormous potential to be developed as a source of medicinal plants due to the content of bioactive chemicals in them. Potential medicinal plants from Indonesia, such as Andrographis paniculata (Sambiloto), Curcuma longa (Kunyit), Moringa oleifera (Moringa), Phyllanthus niruri (Meniran), Orthosiphon stamineus (Kumis kucing), Typhonium flagelliforme (Keladi tikus), and Zingiber officinale (Jahe), contain bioactive compounds with mechanisms that act as anticancer. Bioactive compounds with anticancer mechanisms in plants can be controlled by specific genes. Therefore, it is important to elaborate on bioactive compounds and the genes involved. This article aims to discuss the genes encoding bioactive compounds in Indonesian medicinal plants and the mechanisms that can inhibit cancer cell growth. Several genes encode anticancer compounds, such as lectin-coding genes, the stigmasterol-coding CYP710A gene, the tocopherol-coding ?-TMT gene, the fatty acid-coding FAD gene, the doxorubicin-coding DXR gene, and the chalcone synthase-coding CHS gene. These genes have mechanisms to increase the expression of several apoptosis-promoting proteins, including BCL-2 family members, in several cancer cell models. This article also describes the potential utilization and creation of molecular markers linked to genes encoding anticancer chemicals and can be used as a reference for research on medicinal plants that is still limited. Knowledge of genes encoding anticancer compounds in plants can support future research in the development of cancer drugs.

Improving Simplicia of Kerangas Forest by Minimizing Microbial Content Under Ultraviolet Radiation Treatment

Kerangas forest is known as a source of traditional medicinal plants and thus potentially the source of simplicia. Medicinal plant preparations of simplicia are usually dried to meet water content standards (< 10%). However, in some cases the drying process carried out still does not eliminate the microbial content in the simplicia. This study aims to analyze the phytochemical compounds contained in three types of medicinal plant simplicia and the total microbial content by treatment with ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The types of simplicia used were Baeckea frutescens leaves, Shorea balangeran bark and Vitex pubescens leaves (obtained from the kerangas forest). Before testing the total microbial content, simplicia first received UV irradiation. The first simplicia sample was not irradiated, while the next simplicia sample was given UV irradiation with a power of 60 watts and an irradiation time of 1, 2 and 4 h. The microbial content test used the total plate count method with the pour plate analysis technique. S. balangeran is unexposed species to microbes, even without UV irradiation. Radiation with a UV lamp for 1 h with a lamp power of 60 watts and a distance of the sample with a lamp of 30 cm effectively eliminates microbes in B. frutescens simplicia. Radiation for 4 h with a UV lamp of 60 watts and a sample distance of 30 cm was only able to eliminate the microbial content in V. pubescens simplicia. The results of this study indicate that S. balangeran has high potential to be developed as an antibacterial.

Establishment of a standardized ethanolic extract of Avicennia officinalis leaves in Vietnam

The mangrove plant Avicennia officinalis is widespread throughout the subtropical coast and is known for its many pharmacological properties, such as antibacterial, antiulcer, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antioxidant. This study determined the physicochemical parameters of the standardized extract, qualitative by phytochemical screening and thin layer chromatography (TLC), qualitative total phenolic content, and the content of the marker compound by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Compounds such as p-coumaric acid and cinnamic acid have been found to be major phenolic acids in the leaves of this plant. These results provided useful information for the evaluation of the quality of Avicennia officinalis raw materials and its commercial products. The parameters of the ethanol extract of Avicennia officinalis leaves were obtained as follows: the loss of dry weight (10.9±2.09%), total ash content (22.31%), microbiological limits achieved to meet the requirements of medicinal standards, and total heavy metal content not detected. The content of total phenolics determined amounted to 81.83 mg GAE/g extract. The quantification method by HPLC was validated according to AOAC, and the content of two markers in the extract was p-coumaric acid (1.19 mg/g) and cinnamic acid (3.82 mg/g). The outputs of this research will be standardized extracts that’s the source of medicinal plants in Vietnam.

Uji Organoleptik Dan Mikrobiologi Classic Enzim Belimbing Wuluh (Averrhoa bilimbi L.)

Indonesia is a rich country in sources of medicinal plants that can be easily obtained. the belimbing wuluh through the fermentation to turn the raw material into a classic enzyme. the purpose of this research are to make classic enzyme and hand sanitizer from belimbing wuluh, identify the lactic acid bacteria(BAL) from the fermentation of classic enzim belimbing wuluh, and to know the effectiveness of handsanitizer belimbing wuluh. The implementations of the research are preparation of raw materials, to make classic enzyme with anaerobic fermentation method, and laboratory analysis of organoleptic and microbiology tests. The results of the reseach are classic enzim and hand sanitizer products, the identification of lactic acid bacteria (BAL), and the effectiveness of hand sanitizer.from this research, it is known that the process of making the classic enzyme is done by fermentation for three months or 90 days with the composition 1:3:10. The results of this research are the lactic acid bacteria (BAL) is not identified. it because of pH 1,96 and the liquid has been convered into alcohol, the effectiveness of handsanitizer is quite good depend on morphology and ALT tests. The number of colonies formed on sampel after applied hand sanitizer was not found.

Systematic Approach and Ethno Botanical Importance of Plants - Sugali Tribe inhabitants of Adilabad and Komaram Bheem Asifabad Districts, Telangana State, India

The preliminary investigations of Systematic Approach and Ethno Botanical Importance of Plants used by Sugali Tribe inhabitants of Adilabad and Komaram Bheem Asifabad district, Telangana State, India with their recipes, preparation of drugs, administration, and usage form several centuries. The Sugali tribe possessing rich folklore information forms the prime source and exists scope to extend scientific research in further isolation and characterization of active principle involved in the pharmacological utility. The folklore claims were conducted and collaborated with phyto-chemical evidences of the respective crude drugs. Keeping in view of the fact potential source of medicinal plants of folklore origin need to be preserved and conserved. 74 crude drugs (species) belong to 63 genera and 29 families were collected based on folk-lore knowledge. The pattern of the plant use as per habitat (terrestrial, aquatic/epiphytes), habit (growth form), plant part (tissue) and taxonomic category (Systematically families), nativity and occurrence (wild/cultivated) were established.

From the Bush to the Brain: Preclinical Stages of Ethnobotanical Anti-Inflammatory and Neuroprotective Drug Discovery—An Australian Example

The Australian rainforest is a rich source of medicinal plants that have evolved in the face of dramatic environmental challenges over a million years due to its prolonged geographical isolation from other continents. The rainforest consists of an inherent richness of plant secondary metabolites that are the most intense in the rainforest. The search for more potent and more bioavailable compounds from other plant sources is ongoing, and our short review will outline the pathways from the discovery of bioactive plants to the structural identification of active compounds, testing for potency, and then neuroprotection in a triculture system, and finally, the validation in an appropriate neuro-inflammatory mouse model, using some examples from our current research. We will focus on neuroinflammation as a potential treatment target for neurodegenerative diseases including multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s (PD), and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) for these plant-derived, anti-inflammatory molecules and highlight cytokine suppressive anti-inflammatory drugs (CSAIDs) as a better alternative to conventional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to treat neuroinflammatory disorders.

Cytotoxicity and Apoptotic Inducing Efficacy of Ctenolepsis cerasiformis Extract on Hela Cervical Cancer Cells

Introduction: Cancer is a major problem around the world. Now a day’s cervical cancer becomes the most common cause of cancer in women. The early identification and affordable drugs will help to eliminate the seriousness of cancer.&#x0D; Methods: The in vitro cytotoxicity analysis of chloroform extract of Ctenolepsis cerasiformis was undertaken by the method of MTT assay and the apoptotic activity of the chloroform extract of Ctenolepsis cerasiformis was performed by the flow cytometry analysis.&#x0D; Results: The chloroform extract of Ctenolepsis cerasiformis shown important antiproliferative action on human cervical cancer cells as compared to the normal Vero cell lines.&#x0D; Discussion: There is a need to find out the less toxic or no toxic novel anti-proliferative agent from the medicinal plant sources is paramount importance.&#x0D; Conclusion: Hence, the in vitro cytotoxicity and the apoptotic effects of the chloroform extract of Ctenolepsis cerasiformis on human cervical cancer cell lines such as HeLa cell lines were undertaken.