Therapeutic Potential Of Medicinal Plants Research Articles

Chemical Study of Iraqi Kassub Plant Eryngium creticum Lam and its Geographical Distribution in Diyala Province

General Background: The therapeutic potential of medicinal plants has garnered increasing interest, particularly in relation to their chemical compositions and geographical distributions. Specific Background: This study focuses on Eryngium creticum Lam, an Apiaceae family plant known as Iraqi Kassub, prevalent in the Diyala province of Iraq. Knowledge Gap: Despite its traditional use in treating various ailments, there is a lack of comprehensive chemical analysis and geographical distribution data for this plant. Aims: The objective of this research was to identify the chemical components of Eryngium creticum Lam through GC-MS analysis and to map its geographical distribution within the Diyala province. Results: The chemical study revealed 101 distinct compounds in the alcoholic extract of the plant, highlighting a significant presence of sitosterols and sugars. These compounds are associated with antioxidant properties and therapeutic applications, including the treatment of envenomations, leishmaniasis, and anemia. Novelty: This study is novel in its detailed chemical profiling and geographical mapping of Eryngium creticum Lam, providing new insights into its medicinal value and distribution. Implications: The findings underscore the plant's potential as a therapeutic resource and emphasize the need for further research. Future studies should aim to isolate and characterize bioactive compounds such as phenols and flavonoids and assess their efficacy and safety through in vivo models to validate their therapeutic potential. Highlights: GC-MS identified 101 compounds. Bioactive compounds with therapeutic properties. Mapped geographical distribution in Diyala. Keywords: Eryngium creticum, GC-MS, therapeutic potential, chemical profile, geographical distribution

Exploring the Biochemical Profiles of Medicinal Plants Cultivated Under Stressful Environmental Conditions

The therapeutic potential of medicinal plants, attributed to diverse bioactive chemicals, is impacted by dynamic metabolic changes under environmental stressors such as salt, drought, and heavy metal exposure. This study aimed to elucidate the biochemical alterations in stressed medicinal plants and their implications for therapeutic qualities. Two groups of plants were compared: one cultivated in optimal conditions, serving as a control, and the other exposed to stressors mimicking real-world scenarios. Biochemical parameters, including total phenolic content, flavonoids, antioxidant activity, and specific secondary metabolites, were assessed using established analytical methods. In a case study involving Aloe vera under elevated soil salinity, a significant decrease in total phenolic content and antioxidant activity was observed. Surprisingly, aloin, an anti-inflammatory bioactive compound, exhibited notable upregulation. Stress-induced biochemical variations in medicinal plants differed significantly from those in ideal conditions, demonstrating adaptive responses, including modulation of secondary metabolite synthesis. While certain stresses led to an overall decrease in secondary metabolites, specific instances showed an overexpression of beneficial chemicals. Exploring drought stress in Lavandula angustifolia (lavender), Vitis vinifera, and Artemisia tridentata, revealed a marked reduction in flavonoids and specific secondary metabolites. The study aimed to establish connections between metabolic alterations and stress-adaptive reactions. The findings contribute to understanding how environmental stress influences the therapeutic efficacy of medicinal plants and shed light on the molecular pathways governing stress-induced changes. In the investigation of heavy metal exposure, Hypericum perforatum, and Coriandrum sativum subjected to cadmium-contaminated soil exhibited an overall decline in secondary metabolites, including reduced hypericin content. Contrarily, hyperforin, linked to antidepressant properties, experienced a significant increase. These results have implications for pharmaceutical applications, sustainable farming practices, and the conservation of medicinal plant biodiversity amidst changing environmental dynamics. The study underscores the intricate relationship between environmental stressors and the biochemical makeup of medicinal plants, emphasizing their resilience and capacity to produce valuable bioactive molecules in challenging conditions. The comparative biochemical analysis of stressed medicinal plants involves assessing various parameters to comprehend how stress influences plant metabolism and bioactive compound production.

A Comprehensive Review of Abroma Augusta (Devil's Cotton): Phytochemical Constituents, Ethnomedicinal Applications, and Pharmacological Properties

Abstract: The nutritional and therapeutic potential of medicinal plants is constantly being investigated. This is especially relevant in today's world, where an increasing number of people are turning to complementary and alternative therapies to address their health-related concerns. Traditional knowledge, as a valuable resource, plays a crucial role in the development of new herbal medicines. Abroma augusta stands out as one such medicinal plant that has a rich history of use in traditional medicine. It has been employed to address a wide spectrum of health issues, including diabetes, menstrual irregularities, respiratory problems, musculoskeletal disorders, urinary ailments, and sexual dysfunctions, among others. While various parts of this plant species are believed to possess pharmacological properties, the active compounds and underlying mechanisms remain largely unexplored. To facilitate the development of innovative drugs for the benefit of individuals, this study places significant emphasis on delving into the phytochemical and ethnomedicinal attributes of A. augusta. Moreover, it seeks to bolster its findings with scientifically validated pharmacological investigations conducted through both in vivo and in vitro methodologies.

In vitro antifungal activity of polymeric nanoparticles loaded with Euphorbia tirucalli extract.

The therapeutic potential of medicinal plants is known as an alternative in treatment of human affections; in effect, the conventional application of these medicinal sources has several limitations like low bioavailability, solubility and stability, which affect its pharmacological efficacy. In recent decades, extraordinary advances have been made in new drug delivery systems using nanocarriers. This work consisted in determining the in vitro antifungal activity of the methanolic extract of Euphorbia tirucalli formulated in polymeric nanoparticles. The antifungal activity was determined by the microdilution method in 96-well microplates, applying nanoparticles loaded with plant extract (NP-Ext) obtained by nanoprecipitation on clinical isolates of Trichophyton rubrum and T. interdigitalis. Regarding the nanoparticles, the lots used did not present significant differences in their physicochemical characteristics, with a size of 91.885 ± 1.621nm, polydispersity index of 0.152 ± 0.025 and Z-potential of -6.047 ± 0.987. The quantification of the extract in the polymeric matrix was determined by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), where an efficiency and encapsulation percentage of 22.15 ± 0.82 and 2.95 ± 0.11, respectively, were obtained. The in vitro antifungal activity of the crude and formulated extract was obtained calculating the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of each one; a MIC of 125 µg/mL was obtained against T. rubrum and T. interdigitalis with the crude extract, while a MIC value of 55.55 and 0.1 µg/mL was obtained with NP-Ext, respectively, against these same. Conclusions: biological activity is closely linked to the phytochemical profile of the extract; while the improvement of said potential with the NP-Ext with the dosage form was directly related to the physicochemical characteristics of the nanocarrier.

Emerging Role of Plant-Based Bioactive Compounds as Therapeutics in Parkinson's Disease.

Neurological ailments, including stroke, Alzheimer's disease (AD), epilepsy, Parkinson's disease (PD), and other related diseases, have affected around 1 billion people globally to date. PD stands second among the common neurodegenerative diseases caused as a result of dopaminergic neuron loss in the midbrain's substantia nigra regions. It affects cognitive and motor activities, resulting in tremors during rest, slow movement, and muscle stiffness. There are various traditional approaches for the management of PD, but they provide only symptomatic relief. Thus, a survey for finding new biomolecules or substances exhibiting the therapeutic potential to patients with PD is the main focus of present-day research. Medicinal plants, herbal formulations, and natural bioactive molecules have been gaining much more attention in recent years as synthetic molecules orchestrate a number of undesired effects. Several in vitro, in vivo, and in silico studies in the recent past have demonstrated the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants, herbal formulations, and plant-based bioactives. Among the plant-based bioactives, polyphenols, terpenes, and alkaloids are of particular interest due to their potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and brain-health-promoting properties. Further, there are no concise, elaborated articles comprising updated mechanism-of-action-based reviews of the published literature on potent, recently investigated (2019-2023) medicinal plants, herbal formulations, and plant based-bioactive molecules, including polyphenols, terpenes, and alkaloids, as a method for the management of PD. Therefore, we designed the current review to provide an illustration of the efficacious role of various medicinal plants, herbal formulations, and bioactives (polyphenols, terpenes, and alkaloids) that can become potential therapeutics against PD with greater specificity, target approachability, bioavailability, and safety to the host. This information can be further utilized in the future to develop several value-added formulations and nutraceutical products to achieve the desired safety and efficacy for the management of PD.

Exploring the Antioxidant Potential of Medicinal Plant Species: A Comprehensive Review

This comprehensive review explores the antioxidant potential of various medicinal plant species and their implications for human health and disease prevention. Oxidative stress, resulting from an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and antioxidant defense mechanisms, is implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous chronic diseases. Medicinal plants, enriched with diverse phytochemicals, offer a promising source of antioxidants that can neutralize ROS and mitigate oxidative damage. Key medicinal plant species, including turmeric (Curcuma longa), green tea (Camellia sinensis), Ginkgo biloba, Aloe vera, and ginseng (Panax ginseng), are highlighted for their antioxidant properties. These plants contain bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, flavonoids, vitamins, and terpenoids, which contribute to their antioxidant activity and therapeutic effects. Challenges in optimizing extraction methods, bioavailability, and therapeutic efficacy of medicinal plant antioxidants are discussed. Standardization of herbal preparations, identification of bioactive compounds, and rigorous clinical trials are essential for validating their efficacy and safety in clinical settings. Overall, the antioxidant potential of medicinal plant species offers promising avenues for preventive and therapeutic interventions in oxidative stress-related diseases. Continued research efforts are needed to unlock the full therapeutic potential of medicinal plants and translate their antioxidant properties into effective clinical treatments, thus promoting health and well-being.

Antiplasmodial and cytotoxic activities of selected medicinal plants in Western Kenya

Malaria is a potentially lethal illness that is transmitted through the bite of mosquitoes and is caused by a parasitic organism. Individuals who are pregnant, small children, and the elderly are considered to be especially susceptible to the condition. The presently accessible antimalarial medications are associated with adverse effects and substantial expenses, particularly in regions with little financial resources. Medicinal plants present a viable option owing to their reduced incidence of adverse effects, decreased financial burden, and convenient availability. Nevertheless, the existing body of research pertaining to the utilization of medicinal plants for the treatment of malaria is somewhat restricted. The objective of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic and antiplasmodial characteristics of various medicinal plants found in Kakamega County, located in Western Kenya. In vitro studies were conducted using organic and aqueous extracts derived from the plants. The extracts were used to assess both chloroquine-sensitive (3D7) and chloroquine-resistant (W2) strains of Plasmodium falciparum. Additionally, an evaluation was conducted to determine the safety and cytotoxicity of the plant extracts. The plant extracts obtained from dichloromethane exhibited the lowest yield, whereas the water extracts yielded the highest proportion. Plants belonging to the Leguminosae family, namely Senna didmobotrya and Senna occidentalis, exhibited the most substantial productivity when subjected to water and methanol solvents. Several plant extracts shown significant antiplasmodial action against both the chloroquine-sensitive and chloroquine-resistant strains of the malaria parasite. A number of extracts had a moderate level of antiplasmodial action, but a small subset exhibited poor or negligible activity. Of the three examined extract types (water, methanol, and dichloromethane), it was shown that the methanol extracts exhibited the greatest prevalence of plants with significant antiplasmodial activity against the chloroquine-sensitive strain. The majority of the methanol extracts exhibited moderate action against both strains, although a minority shown low or no activity. The extracts of dichloromethane also exhibited a variety of antiplasmodial properties. In general, the study unveiled the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants found in Kakamega County, located in Western Kenya, for the treatment of malaria. The efficacy of these plants in inhibiting the growth of both chloroquine-sensitive and chloroquine-resistant strains of the malaria parasite was demonstrated. The results of this study offer significant insights for stakeholders who are interested in investigating the potential of herbal remedies as an alternate strategy for the treatment of malaria.

Potential Antiviral Herbal Therapeutics for Viral Infections

Background Ayurved, an ancient system of medicine with rich heritage and antiquity, is well known since Vedic period. Viral infections are responsible for many illnesses, and recent outbreaks have raised public health concerns. Viral infections are being managed therapeutically through available antiviral regimens with unsatisfactory clinical outcomes. The refractory viral infections immune to available antiviral drugs are alarming threats and a significant health concern. For hepatitis, the interferon and vaccine therapies solely aren't ultimate solutions thanks to recurrence of hepatitis C virus. Owing to the growing incidences of viral infections and particularly of resistant viral strains, the available therapeutic modalities got to be improved, complemented with the invention of novel antiviral agents to combat refractory viral infections. It is widely accepted that medicinal plant heritage is nature gifted, precious, and fueled with the valuable resources for treatment of metabolic and infectious disorders. The aims of this review are to assemble the facts and to conclude the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants within the eradication and management of various viral diseases such as influenza, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), hepatitis, and coxsackievirus infections, which have been proven in diverse clinical studies. The scientific literature mainly focusing on plant extracts and herbal products with therapeutic efficacies against experimental models of influenza, HIV, HSV, hepatitis, and coxsackievirus were included in the study. Pure compounds possessing antiviral activity were excluded, and plants possessing activity against viruses other than viruses in inclusion criteria were excluded. Hundreds of plant extracts with antiviral effect were recognized. On the basis of the work of several independent research groups, the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants against listed common viral diseases in the region has been proclaimed. In this context, the herbal formulations as alternative medicine may contribute to the eradication of complicated viral infection significantly. The current review consolidates the data of the various medicinal plants, holding promising specific antiviral activities scientifically proven through studies on experimental animal models. Consequently, the original research addressing the development of novel nutraceuticals based on listed medicinal plants is highly recommended for the management of viral disorders

Ethnoveterinary uses of medicinal plants amongst the tribal populations of District Malakand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Background: The current study expresses that most of the peoples were dependent on the natural resources as compared to cultivated. Domestic animals play a vital role in the development of human civilization that why plants are utilized as a remedy for a variety of domestic animals, in addition to humans. The people of District Malakand were extremely correlated with the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants as ethnoveterinary medicine. Methods: The present study was conducted from January 2015 to December 2017 for observing the area and also to collect the medicinal plants. The assessment was observed deeply the knowledge concerned with the traditional uses of medicinal plant to cure the animal diseases. Animal diseases are a major constraint for the livestock owners; therefore, some strategies and measures should be adopted in near future. During the study stratified sampling were carried using the questioner and interviewed the people and followed by group discussion was employed to achieve the goals. Results: The represented study has 76 plant species belonged to 45 families. Amongst them one species was Pteridophyte belonged to family Pteridaceae, and one was Gymnosperm belonged to Pinaceae, while the rest of 74 species of 43 families were Angiosperms. The herbs were dominant with 40 species (52.6 %), followed by trees with 22 species (29.0 %), and shrubs with 14 species (18.4 %). The largest families were Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Poaceae and Solanaceae with 5 species each, while the second largest family was Rosaceae with 4 species. The third largest families were Apocynaceae, Amaryllidaceae, Brassicaceae, and Malvaceae with 3 species each. A total of thirty-three ailments were treated with different plants species. The most common ailments treated of the animals were constipation, intestinal worms, paralysis, broken bone, diuretic, diarrhea, indigestion, tympany, itching, and jaundice. Conclusion: The presented study revealed that production of animals played an important role in the inhabitants of Malakand district. Their people have abundant traditional knowledge of ethnoveterinary plant remedies and practical experience of animal care and production. The traditional knowledge is near to extinction in near future, due to the extensively usage of modern veterinary medicine. Keywords: Fidelity level, District Malakand, Medicinal plants, Pakistan, Traditional knowledge.

Improvement in the Phytochemical Content and Biological Properties of Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) Bertoni Plant Using Endophytic Fungi Fusarium fujikuroi

This study aimed to increase the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants through inoculation with endophytic fungi. As endophytes influence medicinal plants' biological properties, twenty fungal strains were isolated from the medicinal plant Ocimum tenuiflorum. Among all fungal isolates, the R2 strain showed the highest antagonistic activity towards plant pathogenic fungi Rosellinia necatrix and Fusarium oxysporum. The partial ITS region of the R2 strain was deposited in the GenBank nucleotide sequence databases under accession number ON652311 as Fusarium fujikuroi isolate R2 OS. To ascertain the impact of an endophytic fungus on the biological functions of medicinal plants, Stevia rebaudiana seeds were inoculated with Fusarium fujikuroi (ON652311). In the DPPH assay, the IC50 value of the inoculated Stevia plant extracts (methanol, chloroform, and positive control) was 72.082 µg/mL, 85.78 µg/mL, and 18.86 µg/mL, respectively. In the FRAP assay, the IC50 value of the inoculated Stevia extracts (methanol, chloroform extract, and positive control) was 97.064 µM Fe2+ equivalents, 117.662 µM Fe2+ equivalents, and 53.384 µM Fe2+ equivalents, respectively. In the extracts of the plant inoculated with endophytic fungus, rutin and syringic acid (polyphenols) concentrations were 20.8793 mg/L and 5.4389 mg/L, respectively, which were higher than in the control plant extracts. This approach can be further utilized for other medicinal plants to increase their phytochemical content and hence medicinal potential in a sustainable way.

Flavonoid Production: Current Trends in Plant Metabolic Engineering and De Novo Microbial Production.

Flavonoids are secondary metabolites that represent a heterogeneous family of plant polyphenolic compounds. Recent research has determined that the health benefits of fruits and vegetables, as well as the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants, are based on the presence of various bioactive natural products, including a high proportion of flavonoids. With current trends in plant metabolite research, flavonoids have become the center of attention due to their significant bioactivity associated with anti-cancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial activities. However, the use of traditional approaches, widely associated with the production of flavonoids, including plant extraction and chemical synthesis, has not been able to establish a scalable route for large-scale production on an industrial level. The renovation of biosynthetic pathways in plants and industrially significant microbes using advanced genetic engineering tools offers substantial promise for the exploration and scalable production of flavonoids. Recently, the co-culture engineering approach has emerged to prevail over the constraints and limitations of the conventional monoculture approach by harnessing the power of two or more strains of engineered microbes to reconstruct the target biosynthetic pathway. In this review, current perspectives on the biosynthesis and metabolic engineering of flavonoids in plants have been summarized. Special emphasis is placed on the most recent developments in the microbial production of major classes of flavonoids. Finally, we describe the recent achievements in genetic engineering for the combinatorial biosynthesis of flavonoids by reconstructing synthesis pathways in microorganisms via a co-culture strategy to obtain high amounts of specific bioactive compounds.

Advancement of Network Pharmacology in Multi-targeted Therapeutic Evaluation of Medicinal Plants

In recent years, network pharmacology has emerged as a powerful approach for understanding the complex interactions between various bioactive components of medicinal plants and their targets within biological systems [1,2]. This approach plays a pivotal role in evaluating the multi-targeted therapeutic potential of medicinal plants, making it a promising tool for drug discovery and development. The integration of traditional knowledge with modern analytical techniques and computational methods has enabled the comprehensive exploration of the pharmacological properties of medicinal plants [3-6]. Medicinal plants have been an essential part of traditional medicine systems worldwide for centuries. These plants contain a wide array of bioactive compounds, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and polyphenols, which exert therapeutic effects through interactions with specific molecular targets [7,8]. However, elucidating the intricate relationships between these compounds and their targets has proven challenging [2].

A Review Article on the Therapeutic Potential of Medicinal Plants for Prevention and Treatment of Secondary Infection in Patients with COVID-19

:COVID-19 is an infectious disease, caused by SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2) that is rapidly spreading all over the world and responsible for the international health crisis. In an earlier period, various synthetic antiviral drugs and clinical therapies have been used to control the viral infection but at present, there is no specific treatment available for COVID-19 infection. Several approaches like ritonavir, lopinavir, hydroxychloroquine, and chloroquine have been proposed. India is a hub of medicinal plants, so there is a chance to find out the way to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The medicinal herbal formulations may enhance the immunity and come up with a powerful antiviral drug, which is an urgent need to control the outbreak of coronavirus. In this review article, we have discussed epidemiology, clinical outcomes, treatment, and prevention of this novel epidemic coronavirus from medicinal herbal formulations perspective. We have also emphasized the reported antiviral activity and immunity-boosting property of the Indian medicinal plants. This article also suggests that the drug or formulation obtained from medicinal plant sources may have low fatal outcomes, quick response, and safe in the management and prevention of this pandemic outbreak.

Cytotoxic and Antioxidant Properties of Natural Bioactive Monoterpenes Nerol, Estragole, and 3,7-Dimethyl-1-Octanol.

The therapeutic potential of medicinal plants is noted because of the presence of varieties of biochemicals. The monoterpenes, like nerol, estragole, and 3,7-dimethyl-1-octanol, have been reported for antimicrobial, antifungal, anthelmintic, and antioxidant activities. This study evaluated the toxic, cytotoxic, and oxidant/antioxidant effects of these compounds by several in vitro (DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging, and ferric reducing potential), ex vivo (hemolysis), and in vivo (Artemia Salina and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) assays. Results suggest that estragole and 3,7-dimethyl-1-octanol at 31.25-500 μg/mL did not exhibit significant cytotoxic effects in the A. Salina and hemolysis tests. Nerol showed significant cytotoxic effects on these test systems at all test concentrations. The monoterpenes showed radical (ABTS•+ and DPPH•) scavenging capacities in a concentration-dependent manner in vitro tests. However, they did not oxidize the genetic material of S. cerevisiae (SODWT, Sod1Δ, Sod2Δ, Sod1/Sod2Δ, Cat1Δ, and Cat1Δ/Sod1Δ) lines. Among the three monoterpenes, nerol may be a good candidate for antioxidant and anti-tumor therapies.

Medicinal herbs and multiple sclerosis: Overview on the hard balance between new therapeutic strategy and occupational health risk.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by demyelination and axonal loss of the central nervous system (CNS). Despite its spread throughout the world, the mechanisms that determine its onset are still to be defined. Immunological, genetic, viral, and environmental factors and exposure to chemicals may trigger MS. Many studies have highlighted the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects of medicinal herbs, which make them a natural and complementary treatment for neurodegenerative diseases. A severe reduction of several MS symptoms occurs with herbal therapy. Thus, the request for medicinal plants with potential beneficial effects, for MS patients, is constantly increasing. Consequently, a production increase needs. Unfortunately, many medicinal herbs were untested and their action mechanism, possible adverse effects, contraindications, or interactions with other drugs, are poorly or not investigated. Keeping in mind the pathological mechanisms of MS and the oxidative damages and mitochondrial dysfunctions induced by pesticides, it is important to understand if pesticides used to increase agricultural productivity and their residues in medicinal plants, may increase the risk of developing MS in both workers and consumers. Studies providing some indication about the relationship between environmental exposure to pesticides and MS disease incidence are few, fragmentary, and discordant. The aim of this article is to provide a glance at the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants and at the risk for MS onset of pesticides used by medicinal plant growers and present in medicinal herbs.

Antiviral Potential of Plants against COVID-19 during Outbreaks-An Update.

Several human diseases are caused by viruses, including cancer, Type I diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and hepatocellular carcinoma. In the past, people have suffered greatly from viral diseases such as polio, mumps, measles, dengue fever, SARS, MERS, AIDS, chikungunya fever, encephalitis, and influenza. Recently, COVID-19 has become a pandemic in most parts of the world. Although vaccines are available to fight the infection, their safety and clinical trial data are still questionable. Social distancing, isolation, the use of sanitizer, and personal productive strategies have been implemented to prevent the spread of the virus. Moreover, the search for a potential therapeutic molecule is ongoing. Based on experiences with outbreaks of SARS and MERS, many research studies reveal the potential of medicinal herbs/plants or chemical compounds extracted from them to counteract the effects of these viral diseases. COVID-19's current status includes a decrease in infection rates as a result of large-scale vaccination program implementation by several countries. But it is still very close and needs to boost people's natural immunity in a cost-effective way through phytomedicines because many underdeveloped countries do not have their own vaccination facilities. In this article, phytomedicines as plant parts or plant-derived metabolites that can affect the entry of a virus or its infectiousness inside hosts are described. Finally, it is concluded that the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants must be analyzed and evaluated entirely in the control of COVID-19 in cases of uncontrollable SARS infection.

Therapeutic Potential of Medicinal Plants against Dengue Infection: A Mechanistic Viewpoint.

Dengue is a tropical disease caused by the Dengue virus (DENV), a positive-sense, single stranded RNA virus of the family Flaviviridae, which is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. The occurrence of dengue has grown dramatically around the globe in recent decades, and it is rapidly becoming a global burden. Furthermore, all four DENV serotypes cocirculate and create a problematic hyperendemic situation. Characteristic symptoms range from being asymptomatic, dengue fever to life-threatening complications such as hemorrhagic fever and shock. Apart from the inherent virulence of the virus strain, a dysregulated host immune response makes the condition worse. Currently, there is no highly recommended vaccine or therapeutic agent against dengue. With the advent of virus strains resistant to antiviral agents, there is a constant need for new therapies to be developed. Since time immemorial, human civilization has utilized plants in traditional medicine to treat various diseases, including infectious viral diseases. With the advancement in molecular biology, cell biology techniques, and bioinformatics, recent studies have tried to provide scientific evidence and determine the mechanism of anti-dengue activity of various plant extracts and plant-derived agents. The current Review consolidates the studies on the last 20 years of in vitro and in vivo experiments on the ethnomedicinal plants used against the dengue virus. Several active phytoconstituents like quercetin, castanospermine, α-mangostin, schisandrin-A, hirsutin have been found to be promising to inhibition of all the four DENV serotypes. However, novel therapeutics need to be reassessed in relevant cells using high-throughput techniques. Further, in vivo dose optimization for the immunomodulatory and antiviral activity should be examined on a vast sample size. Such a Review should help take the knowledge forward, validate it, and use medicinal plants in different combinations targeting multiple stages of virus infection for more effective multipronged therapy against dengue infection.

Therapeutic potential of medicinal plants for the management of renal stones: A review

Kidney stone disease is the third most common urological ailment worldwide, people. The mechanism of stone formation includes: urine supersaturation, aggregation, retention, nucleation, and growth of crystals in the cells of the renal tubular epithelium. Kidney stones may cause extreme pain and blockage of urine flow. They are usually treated with conventional drugs and shock wave (ESWL) as well as a variety of medications that may cause several adverse effects. The remaining stone fragments and the risk of infection following ESWL are major challenges in the treatment of kidney stones. Recently, despite the emergence of modern drugs, medicinal plants have been recognized and utilized in many nations clinically due to their safety profile, efficiency, cultural acceptance, and fewer side effects than approved drugs. Medicinal plants are used in different cultures as a reliable source of natural remedies. The aim of this review is to provide comprehensive information about traditionally used plants as well as their scientifically proven pharmacological activities, their primary chemical ingredients, and potential mechanisms of action, such as analgesic, astringent, demulcent, diuretic activity, antioxidant activity, inhibition of the inflammatory process, nucleation inhibition, crystallization inhibition, inhibition of crystal aggregation, reducing , reducing stone size, and reducing urine supersaturation.

Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Protein Kinase Inhibition Profiling of C. ambrosioides Seed Extracts along with RP-HPLC

The validation of underexplored traditional plant remedies represents a reservoir of novel leads for drug discovery. In line with this, in vitro total phenolics and flavonoids content, multimode antioxidants, antimicrobial, cytotoxicity, and protein kinase inhibition assays were conducted on C. ambrosioides seed extracts in addition to RP-HPLC. Methanol extract exhibited highest total phenolics ( 64.6 ± 0.6 μ g gallic acid equivalent/mg) and flavonoids ( 50.9 ± 0.5 μ g quercetin equivalent/mg) content. RP-HPLC quantified rutin (1.98 μg/mg) in methanol extract whereas quercetin (0.322 μg/mg) and kaempferol (2.86 μg/mg) in methanol-distilled water extract. Methanol extract exhibited highest ascorbic acid equivalent (AAE) free radical (DPPH) scavenging (IC50 of 110.7 ± 5 μ g / ml ), total antioxidant capacity ( 110.6 ± 2.2 μ g AAE/mg), and total reducing power ( 94.30 ± 0.46 μ g AAE/mg). Highest antibacterial activity against K. pneumonia ( 14 ± 1.61 mm ZOI) and antifungal activity against F. solani ( 17 ± 1.38 mm ZOI) were shown by n-hexane and chloroform extracts, respectively. Ethyl acetate extract exhibited highest brine shrimps cytotoxicity (LC50 of 125 μg/ml). A noteworthy protein kinase inhibitory potential was shown by ethanol extract with a 20 ± 1.27 mm bald zone. Therapeutic potential of medicinal plants can be completely explored by using multiple solvent system. This study makes C. ambrosioides, a resourceful prospect for the bioactivity-guided isolation of lead compounds.

Ethnoveterinary Practices of Medicinal Plants Among Tribes of Tribal District of North Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

Domestic animals play a vital role in the development of human civilization. Plants are utilized as remedies for a variety of domestic animals, in addition to humans. The tribes of North Waziristan are extremely familiar with the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants as ethnoveterinary medicines. The present study was carried out during 2018–2019 to record ethnoveterinary knowledge of the local plants that are being used by the tribal communities of North Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. In all, 56 medicinal plant species belonging to 42 families were identified, which were reported to treat 45 different animal diseases. These included 32 herbs, 12 shrubs, and 12 trees. Among the plant families, Asteraceae contributed the most species (5 spp.), followed by Amaranthaceae (4 spp.), Solanaceae (4 species), and Alliaceae, Araceae, and Lamiaceae (2 spp. each). The most common ethnoveterinary applications were documented for the treatment of blood in urine, bone injury, colic, indigestion, postpartum retention, skin diseases, constipation, increased milk production, mastitis, foot, and mouth diseases.