Traditional Medical Plant Research Articles

Odor Properties and Volatile Compounds Analysis of Torreya grandis Aril Extracts

The odor properties of samples extracted from the aril of the Chinese traditional medical plant Torreya grandis by hydrodistillation (HD), supercritical fluid carbon dioxide extraction (SFE) and solvent extraction (SE) were investigated by a trained panel applying quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA) with a 5-point intensity scale. At the same time, the volatile profiles were studied by in-tube extraction and direct thermal desorption gas chromatography equipped with fame ionization detector and hyphenated to mass spectrometry (ITEX-GC-FID/MS). The SE sample showed most a unpleasant “sweaty, pungent” odor, while the SFE sample exhibited an appreciated “citric, sweet, floral” odor, and the HD sample was distinguished by its “minty” sensory attributes. Moreover, the HD sample was characterized by the highest concentration of oxygenated monoterpenes (7.9%), while the SFE sample had the highest relative content of sequiterpenes (23.6%). On the other hand, the SE sample was distinguished by the high amount of aliphatic acids (0.8%). The significant difference in the odor properties of the three extracts is attributed to the large diversity in their compositions.

Deoxyschisandrin inhibits H2O2-induced apoptotic cell death in intestinal epithelial cells through nuclear factor-κB

Oxidative stress is a pathogenesis for a typical inflammatory intestinal disease known as ulcerative colitis (UC) characterized by erosion and mucosal ulceration. For the treatment of UC, many kinds of traditional Asian medical plants have been used. Schisandra chinensis fruits (SC) are known to possess anti-ulcer, anti-hepatotoxic and anti-neurotoxic activity. However, its mechanism is still unknown. In the present study, we investigated the cytoprotective effect of deoxyschisandrin, a lignan compound comprised of SC fruits, on H2O2-induced apoptotic cell death in human intestinal epithelial cells (HCT116). In flow cytometry assay using Annexin V and propidium iodide, deoxyschisandrin inhibited H2O2-induced apoptotic cell death. To further evaluate the apoptotic signaling by H2O2, we detected caspase-3 activation using cleavage of pro-caspase-3. Deoxyschisandrin inhibited H2O2-induced caspase-3 activation by blocking cleavage of pro-caspase-3. Furthermore, it has been reported that oxidative stress by H2O2 induces an activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). In our results, H2O2 stimulated the degradation of IkappaBalpha, inhibitor of NF-kappaB, in a concentration-dependent manner. On the contrary, deoxyschisandrin inhibited H2O2-stimulated degradation of IkappaBalpha and activation of NF-kappaB by blocking translocation of NF-kappaB to the nucleus. Therefore, we suggest that deoxyschisandrin inhibits H2O2-induced apoptotic cell death.

Inhibition of glucose uptake by Silybin and Dehydrosilybin

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a common disease in industrialized countries. Pathological changes in cellular glucose and fatty acid uptake are hallmarks of T2D. Medical plants from traditional medical systems of China and India are considered as a promising source for new anti-diabetic drugs. Here, we screened a panel of plant extracts and single chemical compounds from traditional medical plants with reported anti-diabetic effects for their ability to modulate cellular glucose and fatty acid uptake rates. Cellular glucose uptake, but not cellular fatty acid uptake, was significantly reduced by several candidate drugs. Of those drugs, we chose Silybin (SIL) and its derivative Dehydrosilybin (DHS), two main flavonoids of Silybum marianum , for further investigations. SIL is reported to improve blood sugar control in several clinical trials and also possesses strong anti-cancer effects. We could show that SIL and DHS inhibit glucose transport in 3T3-L1 fibroblasts and adipocytes. Both flavonoids reduce basal glucose uptake in a dose-dependent manner (52% and 36% of basal uptake for 40 μM SIL, 5% and 20% of basal uptake for 40 μM DHS in fibroblasts and adipocytes). Insulin-stimulated glucose uptake is inhibited by SIL and DHS at concentrations of 20 and 10 μM, respectively. Using time course experiments, immunofluorescence microscopy and subcellular fractionation/immunoblotting, we demonstrated that both substances do not interfere with insulin-triggered translocation of GLUT4 to the plasma membrane. Onward metabolism seems unaffected since there are no inhibitory effects of SIL and DHS on hexokinase activity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. To determine whether SIL and DHS may affect intrinsic transport activity of GLUT4, we heterologously expressed this isoform in CHO-K1 cells. CHO-K1 expressing GLUT4 shows a 2-fold increase in basal glucose uptake compared to control cells. This increase in glucose transport is completely abolished by 40 μM SIL or DHS. SIL and DHS therefore inhibit glucose uptake by interfering with glucose transporters including GLUT4. Stable expression of GLUT4 in CHO-K1 significantly reduces the cytotoxic effect of both SIL and DHS as determined by MTT assay, indicating that restriction of glucose uptake is an important mechanism for the anti-cancer effect of the flavonoids. Our results show that inhibition of glucose transporters is a potential mechanism by which anti-diabetics from medical plants could work.

The Traditional Medicines Predicament: A Case Study of Thailand

The ongoing use and protection of traditional medicines presents unique challenges for authorities, practitioners and stakeholders. With changes in the international intellectual property environment and biodiversity regulation, the Thai government has responded to ensure that traditional medicines, texts, traditional medical formulas, medicinal plants and herbs are protected through the development of a sui generis law. Drafted in 1999, the Act on Protection and Promotion of Thai Traditional Medicinal Intelligence is now being implemented in stages. Recent incidents, including controversies surrounding local and foreign patents over a Thai medicinal herb named kwao krua (Pueraria mirifica), have given impetus to traditional medicines protection, but have also tested the utility and implementation of the act by the Thai Department of Public Health. This article discusses the issues and implications in Thailand, while also reflecting on the approaches for traditional medicines protection internationally and in other countries.

Inner Anti-inflammatory Mechanisms of Petroleum Ether Extract from Melilotus suaveolens Ledeb

Melilotus suaveolens Ledeb is a species of traditional medical plant for treating inflammation-related disease. This study is to explore the inner anti-inflammatory mechanism on petroleum ether extract from Melilotus suaveolens Ledeb. Inflammatory cellular model was founded by intervention of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on RAW264.7 cell line. Secretion of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, NO and IL-10 in supernatant, mRNA expression of TNF-alpha, COX-2, iNOS and HO-1, protein expression of COX-2 and HO-1, activation of NF-kappaB and ingredients in the extract were assayed. The extract could not only reduce production of pro-inflammatory mediators by blocking NF-kappaB activation but promote release of anti-inflammatory mediator HO-1 significantly. The only active ingredient in the extract was coumarin and the concentration of coumarin in each 1 g extract was 0.27822 mg. Compared to Dexamethasone, the extract not only has similar effects on antagonizing pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines but has effects on promoting production of anti-inflammatory mediators.

The nature of homoeopathy.

It has been customary to define hom0eopathy in terms of the so-called Similia principle, that is to say in practical terms that one should treat a disease with a remedy which can cause in a healthy person a similar disturbance. For instance, for diarrhoea one should, according to this principle, give castor oil or a similar aperient rather than an opium derivative or mixture given on the principle of treatment with opposites. One can trace both ideas back to the Hippocratic writings and indeed the treatment with similars has a much longer history, being the essential basis of much magical medicine in what we like to regard as primitive times. Sir James Fraser in the Golden Bough uses the expression homoeopathic magic to cover a whole realm of these ancient practices. But I shall have to show that it is not as simple as it at first sounds or as it is usually presented. It further belongs to the commonly accepted ideas about homeeopathy that in this therapeutic system very small doses of medicine are given, the so-called potencies, and many people, both lay and professional, know only that a hom0eopathic dose is one so small that it cannot harm you anyway, let alone do you any good. In addition it is often emphasized that the homoeopathic materia medica is based on naturally occurring substances from the animal, vegetable or mineral kingdoms rather than the artificially constructed and manufactured products of the pharmaceutical industry. It is probably because of this distinction and the emotive terms in which it is easy to state the difference, that homceopathy is often grouped with natural therapies. This last distinction between hom0eopathy and the traditional orthodox medicine, often referred to as allopathy, was not relevant when Samuel Hahnemann introduced his revolutionary method at the beginning of the nineteenth century. The vast majority of the remedies in the hom~eopathic materia medica were and are the same as those in common use in the conventional medicine of those days, mostly traditional medical plants, many dating back to classical antiquity and beyond. Minerals and metals were also included, some also from traditional sources. Gradually additions have been made from, for instance, American Indian folk remedies and from the poisons of serpents, spiders and so on. It is therefore an issue which only assumes importance within the climate o f present-day anxieties over the pollution of our inner and outer environment by the synthetic products of modern industry. It would be difficult, however, to find