Traditional Plant-based Medicines Research Articles

Ethnobotanical assessment of antidiabetic medicinal plants in District Karak, Pakistan

BackgroundDiabetes is a leading health disorder and is responsible for high mortality rates across the globe. Multiple treatment protocols are being applied to overcome this morbidity and mortality including plant-based traditional medicines. This study was designed to investigate the ethnomedicinal status of plant species used to treat diabetes in District Karak, Pakistan.Materials and methodsA semi-structured survey was created to collect data about traditionally used medicinal plants for diabetes and other ailments. The convenience sampling method was applied for the selection of informants. The collected data was evaluated through quantitative tools like frequency of citation (FC), relative frequency of citation (RFC), informant consensus factor (FIC), fidelity level (FL), and use value (UV).ResultsA total of 346 local informants were selected for this research. Out of them, 135 participants were men and 211 participants were women. Overall 38 plant species belonging to 29 plant families were used to treat diabetes. The most dominant plant family was Oleaceae having 11 species. Powder form (19%) was the most recommended mode of preparation for plant-based ethnomedicines. Leaves (68%) were the most frequently used parts followed by fruit (47%). The highest RFC was recorded for Apteranthes tuberculata (0.147). The maximum FL was reported for Apteranthes tuberculata (94.4) and Zygophyllum indicum (94.11) for diabetes, skin, and wounds. Similarly, the highest UV of (1) each was found for Brassica rapa, Melia azedarach, and Calotropis procera. Based on documented data, the reported ailments were grouped into 7 categories. The ICF values range between 0.89 (diabetes) to 0.33 (Cardiovascular disorders).ConclusionThe study includes a variety of antidiabetic medicinal plants, which are used by the locals in various herbal preparations. The species Apteranthes tuberculata has been reported to be the most frequently used medicinal plant against diabetes. Therefore, it is recommended that such plants be further investigated in-vitro and in-vivo to determine their anti-diabetic effects.

Plant phenolics inhibit focal adhesion kinase and suppress host cell invasion by uropathogenic Escherichia coli.

Traditional folk treatments for the prevention and management of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and other infectious diseases often include plants and plant extracts that are rich in phenolic compounds. These have been ascribed a variety of activities, including inhibition of bacterial interactions with host cells. Here, we tested a panel of four well-studied phenolic compounds-caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), resveratrol, catechin, and epigallocatechin gallate-for the effects on host cell adherence and invasion by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). These bacteria, which are the leading cause of UTIs, can bind and subsequently invade bladder epithelial cells via an actin-dependent process. Intracellular UPEC reservoirs within the bladder are often protected from antibiotics and host defenses and likely contribute to the development of chronic and recurrent infections. In cell culture-based assays, only resveratrol had a notable negative effect on UPEC adherence to bladder cells. However, both CAPE and resveratrol significantly inhibited UPEC entry into the host cells, coordinate with attenuated phosphorylation of the host actin regulator Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK or PTK2) and marked increases in the numbers of focal adhesion structures. We further show that the intravesical delivery of resveratrol inhibits UPEC infiltration of the bladder mucosa in a murine UTI model and that resveratrol and CAPE can disrupt the ability of other invasive pathogens to enter host cells. Together, these results highlight the therapeutic potential of molecules like CAPE and resveratrol, which could be used to augment antibiotic treatments by restricting pathogen access to protective intracellular niches.IMPORTANCEUrinary tract infections (UTIs) are exceptionally common and increasingly difficult to treat due to the ongoing rise and spread of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Furthermore, the primary cause of UTIs, uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), can avoid antibiotic exposure and many host defenses by invading the epithelial cells that line the bladder surface. Here, we identified two plant-derived phenolic compounds that disrupt activation of the host machinery needed for UPEC entry into bladder cells. One of these compounds, resveratrol, effectively inhibited UPEC invasion of the bladder mucosa in a mouse UTI model, and both phenolic compounds significantly reduced host cell entry by other invasive pathogens. These findings suggest that select phenolic compounds could be used to supplement existing antibacterial therapeutics by denying uropathogens shelter within host cells and tissues and help explain some of the benefits attributed to traditional plant-based medicines.

Ethnomedicinal Value of Medicinal Plants Found In Chhattisgarh: Recent Scenario and Advancement

Abstract: Traditional plant-based medicine in India exemplifies the culturally accepted connection between natural medicines, health, diet, and folk healing. Plants and their derivatives are increasingly used to treat illness because they are thought to be safe and effective medications with few side effects and low cost. Herbal medicine has long been the foundation of alternative healthcare and a primary inspiration for the development of novel pharmaceuticals. Medicinal, aromatic, and dye plants with significant social, economic, and commercial value are stored in Chhattisgarh. The current review article is an ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used in traditional medicine in the Chhattisgarh region of India. This review article includes data on the plant species, plant parts, preparation process, and medicinal uses of traditional plants. Information about medicinal plants was gathered from journals, textbooks, periodicals, websites, and databases. The plant species discussed in the article have been widely utilized in Chhattisgarh, India to prevent and treat a wide range of diseases.

Efficacy and safety of traditional plant-based medicines for preventing chronic oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neurotoxicity in patients with colorectal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis with core herb contribution

Ethnopharmacological relevanceTraditional plant-based medicines (TMs) have been widely used to prevent chronic oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (OIPN). However, the prevention and safety of TMs for chronic OIPN remain ambiguous. Furthermore, diverse TM prescriptions and complicated components limit in-depth research on the mechanisms of TMs. Aim of this studyTo determine core TMs and potential pharmacological pathways on the basis of a thorough investigation into the preventive benefits and safety of oral TMs for chronic OIPN in colorectal cancer (CRC). MethodsA search of the PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang databases for RCTs reporting on TMs for chronic OIPN was conducted through December 1, 2022. Subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis and meta-regression were applied to assess the impacts of influencing variables. The assessment of Risk of Bias was relied on Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. The funnel plot, Egger's test, and the Trim and Fill method were applied to identify potential publication bias. Trial sequential analyses (TSA) were carried out by the TSA tool to increase the robustness. The assessment of the quality of evidence was according to the GRADE system. System pharmacology analysis was employed to screen core herbal combinations to elucidate possible mechanisms for preventing chronic OIPN in CRC. ResultsThe pooled effect estimate with robustness increased by TSA analysis demonstrated that oral TMs appeared to significantly decrease the incidence of chronic OIPN (RR = 0.66, 95% CI (0.56, 0.78); P＜0.00001), leukocytopenia (RR = 0.65, 95% CI (0.54,0.79); P＜0.00001), and nausea and vomiting (RR = 0.72, 95% CI (0.61,0.84); P＜0.0001) as well as improve the Objective Response Rate (ORR) (RR = 1.31, 95% CI (1.09,1.56); P = 0.003). The incidence of severe chronic OIPN was revealed a significant reduction, particularly when chemotherapy was administered for periods of time shorter than six months (RR = 0.33, 95% CI (0.15,0.71); P = 0.005; actuation duration＜3 months; RR = 0.33, 95% CI (0.17,0.62); P = 0.0007; actuation duration≥3 months, ＜6 months). The considerable heterogeneity among studies may be attributable to the severity of dysfunction categorized by grade and accumulated dosage. Using core TMs consisting of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge, Atractylodes Macrocephala Koidz., Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf, and Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf. To regulate nuclear factor-kappa B against inflammation caused by activation of microglia might be an approach to preventing chronic OIPN. ConclusionsTMs appear to be effective and safe in the prevention of chronic OIPN, especially severe chronic OIPN. Additionally, core TMs consisting of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge, Atractylodes Macrocephala Koidz., Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf, and Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf were presumably responsible for reducing the incidence of chronic OIPN, and the mechanism may be related to relieving inflammation. However, quality-assured trials with long-term follow-up for exploring inflammatory factors and preliminary research on core TMs and pharmacological pathways are needed.

The ethnobotanical study of native plants of district Layyah

The current ethnobotanical survey described the medicinal plant use in Layyah city. Layyah has a diverse flora of medicinally significant plants that can be used in various medicines. Traditional plant-based medicine is the best option due to its low cost, effectiveness, and lack of side effects. For this survey, 87 people were chosen, including locals and Hakeems. Techniques such as questionnaires and interviews were used. In addition, information was gathered through fieldwork and group discussions. The use value, the relative frequency of citation, and the information consensus factor were used for data analysis. Fabaceae was declared the dominant family, with 33 species calculated from this survey. All plant parts, medicinal uses, and medicine dosages were observed. The leaves were the most commonly used plant part, and paste and juice were the most common preparation methods. Trees were more common in all plants than herbs and shrubs. Keywords: Ethnobotany, Medicinal Plants, Data collection, botanical characterization.

Appraisal of the anti-diabetic potential of polyphenolic compounds from Viscum combreticola Engl.: In vitro α-glucosidase inhibition, LC-ESI-QTOF-MS coupled to pre-column DPPH antioxidative assay, network pharmacology and molecular docking analysis

Viscum combreticola Engl. is currently used in African medicine for treating various ailments including diabetes. However, modernizing plant-based traditional medicine is a considerable challenge due to lack of scientific information linked to its therapeutic efficacy given the complexity of plant extracts. Herein, methanolic extracts were evaluated for their anti-diabetic and antioxidative properties through the α-glucosidase in vitro inhibition assay and LC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS coupled to pre-column DPPH assay, respectively. Furthermore, metabolic profiling of V. combreticola extracts was conducted using UHPLC-q-TOF-MS technique. The identified chemically diverse polyphenols comprising of 19 diacylated chlorogenic acids (CGAs) and 12 flavonoids were explored for their mode of action in managing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) using network pharmacology. Systematic pharmacological analysis revealed that CGAs and flavonoids characterized by structural similarities or analogous spatial arrangements exhibited interactions with identical target proteins. Isomers of CGAs diacylated at carbon positions 3,4 (3,4-diCQA; 3-p-Co-4-CQA and 3-C-4-p-CoQA) as well as 4,5 (4,5-diCQA;4-C-5-p-CoQA; and 4-p-Co-5-CQA) of quinic acid were found to be hub therapeutic agents against T2DM related target proteins. The investigated CGAs and flavonoids could be playing a major role in the management of T2DM and its complications by synergistically regulating key protein targets. These include matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), caspase 3 (CASP3), protein kinase C alpha and delta (PRKCA and PRKCD), which are related to T2DM hub pathways such as the lipid and atherosceloresis, AGE-RAGE signalling pathway for diabetes complications and diabetic cardiomyopathy signalling pathways. Finally, molecular docking studies revealed that viscutin 2 and 3,4-diCQA were key potential inhibitors of α-glucosidase and MMP2, respectively. Therefore, the findings of this study suggest that isomerism in compounds might have pharmacological implications. Lastly, the anti-T2DM therapeutic effects of the polyphenols investigated in this study can serve as potential anti-diabetic agents for future experimental validation, particularly paying attention to isomerism.

Phytochemical screening, antioxidant analyses, and in vitro and in vivo antimalarial activities of herbal medicinal plant - Rotheca serrata (L.) Steane & Mabb.

Ethnopharmacological relevanceMalaria is a major global health concern that is presently challenged by the emergence of Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) resistance to mainstay artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs). Hence, the discovery of novel and effective antimalarial drugs is pivotal to treating and controlling malaria. For many years, traditional plant-based herbal medicines have been employed in the treatment of various illnesses. Rotheca serrata (L.) Steane & Mabb. belongs to the Lamiaceae family that has been traditionally used to treat, cure, and prevent numerous diseases including malaria. AimThe present investigation sought to assess the phytoconstituents, antioxidant, cytotoxicity, antimalarial activities of Rotheca serrata extract and its fractions. The in vitro antiplasmodial activity was assessed in chloroquine-sensitive Pf3D7 and artemisinin-resistant PfCam3.IR539T cultures, and the in vivo antimalarial activity was analyzed in Plasmodium berghei (Pb) ANKA strain-infected BALB/c mouse model. Materials and methodsThe fresh leaves of Rotheca serrata were extracted in methanol (RsMeOH crude leaf extract). A portion of the extract was used to prepare successive solvent fractions using ethyl acetate (RsEA) and hexane (RsHex). The in vitro antiplasmodial activity was evaluated using [3H]-hypoxanthine incorporation assays against Pf3D7 and PfCam3.IR539T cultures. In vitro cytotoxicity study on HeLa, HEK-293T, and MCF-7 cell lines was carried out using MTT assay. The human red blood cells (RBCs) were used to perform the hemolysis assays. In vitro antioxidant studies and detailed phytochemical analysis were performed using GC-MS and FTIR. The four-day Rane's test was performed to evaluate the in vivo antimalarial activity against Pb ANKA strain-infected mice. ResultsPhytochemical quantification of Rotheca serrata extract (RsMeOH) and its fractions (RsEA and RsHex) revealed that RsMeOH crude extract and RsEA fraction had higher contents of total phenol and flavonoid than RsHex fraction. The RsEA fraction showed potent in vitro antiplasmodial activity against Pf3D7 and PfCam3.IR539T with IC50 values of 9.24 ± 0.52 μg/mL and 17.41 ± 0.43 μg/mL, respectively. The RsMeOH crude extract exhibited moderate antiplasmodial activity while the RsHex fraction showed the least antiplasmodial activity. The GC-MS and FTIR analysis of RsMeOH and RsEA revealed the presence of triterpenes, phenols, and hydrocarbons as major constituents. The RsMeOH crude extract was non-hemolytic and non-cytotoxic to HeLa, HEK-293T, and MCF-7 cell lines. The in vivo studies showed that a 1200 mg/kg dose of RsMeOH crude extract could significantly suppress parasitemia by ∼63% and prolong the survival of treated mice by ∼10 days. The in vivo antiplasmodial activity of RsMeOH was better than the RsEA fraction. ConclusionThe findings of this study demonstrated that traditionally used herbal medicinal plants like R. serrata provide a platform for the identification and isolation of potent bioactive phytochemicals that in turn can promote the antimalarial drug research. RsMeOH crude extract and RsEA fraction showed antiplasmodial, antimalarial and antioxidant activities. Chemical fingerprinting analysis suggested the presence of bioactive phytocompounds that are known for their antimalarial effects. Further detailed investigations on RsMeOH crude extract and RsEA fraction would be needed for the identification of the entire repertoire of the active antimalarial components with potent pharmaceutical and therapeutic values.

Ethnobotanical Survey on the Knowledge and Use of Medicinal Plants for Malaria Management among University Students

Malaria remains a public health problem in Tanzania, escalated by the emergence of both parasite and vector resistance. Plant-based traditional medicines have been widely utilized as alternatives to malaria management. However, proper documentation is minimal, especially among the younger generation. This study assessed the knowledge of medicinal plants for malaria management among 532 Dar es Salaam University College of Education students. Overall, twenty-four plant species, most belonging to the family Asteraceae, were identified with Azaradichta indica being the most dominant species. These results reveal a substantial knowledge of medicinal plants for malaria management among university students.

Assessment of the Effects of Garlic-Citrus-Tumeric Shot on Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase and Transaminases Levels

Medicinal plants are widely used in disease management all over the world. Plant-based traditional medicines are still of great importance to people living in developing countries and also serve as a source to discover new drugs for a variety of diseases affecting man. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of garlic-citrus-tumeric shot on bilirubin, ALP, ALT and AST of adult albino wistar rats. The animals were divided into two groups; the control group and the experimental animals. A total of five (5) adult wistar rats were used for the control group, while fifteen (15) adult wistar rats were used for the experimental studies. During the period of acclimatization, the rats were fed growers’ mash water provided ad libitum. At every stage of the weight determinations, the test groups (B, C and D) presented body weight reductions. Body weights were found to be significantly increased in the control and tests groups before and after acclimatization. However, variations in body reductions were observed between the control and test rats. Comparatively, these body weight variations were significant in group C (175.00±0.01 g) and D (171.67±24.83 g) after garlic-citrus-tumeric shot administration. The results showed that AST levels were significantly lower (p<0.05) in rats (23.73±7.93 U/L) when compared with the control (33.60±6.23 U/L). Also, ALT levels were significantly lower (p<0.05) in rats (19.67±7.58 U/L) when compared with the control (28.40±5.18 U/L). ALP levels were also lower (p<0.05) in rats (17.13±5.36 U/L) when compared with the control (24.80±4.15 U/L). Furthermore, TB levels were also significantly lower (p<0.05) in rats (0.38±0.14 mg/dl) when compared with the control (0.80±0.16 mg/dl). Also, CB levels were significantly lower (p<0.05) in rats (0.21±0.11 mg/dl) when compared with the control (0.38±0.08 mg/dl). Garlic-citrus-tumeric shot inhibits elevations of biochemical markers of hepatic and renal functions. This suggests that combination of garlic-citrus-tumeric shot is not toxic to the liver. Conclusively, the increase in extract given to adult wister rat decreases the parameters of liver function test thereby increases liver normalcy or better the performance state of the liver, hence, when the extract is taking in the right proportion increases the performance of the liver.

Nerium oleander Lin: A Review of Chemical, Pharmacological and Traditional uses

Nerium oleander Lin, which is the only species listed in the genus Nerium and a member of the Apocynaceae family, was frequently employed in traditional medicine to address various pathologies. N. oleander has demonstrated its efficacy in various disease models at a time when pharmaceutical firms are focusing more on plant-based traditional medicines to prevent side-effects and resistance against synthetic drugs. Neriin, oleandrin, cardenolides, gentiobiosyl, and odoroside are just a few of the cardiac glycosides that are present in this plant and are toxic in all sections. Additionally, this plant species creates secondary metabolites with pharmacological value, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, and steroids.

A Narrative Review on the Anti-genotoxic Potential of Medicinal Plants in Ayurveda

Genotoxicity is the capacity of drugs to induce DNA damage by chemically modifying either the structure or the sequence of nucleotides. This is most commonly experienced in lifestyle disorders as the medication in these conditions requires long-term administration. As per the WHO’s current status, 74% of the current deaths in a year are due to lifestyle disorders. Traditional plant-based medicines play a major role in the prevention of a few communicable diseases. Apart from the prevention of disease, they provide a protective effect against the ill effects induced by oxidative stress due to diet and regimes. The current review contains articles from PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases from October 2021 – September 2022 by searching keywords including “anti-genotoxicity” or “mutagenicity” or “anti-mutagenicity” and “in vitro” or “in vivo” and “plants” or “medicinal plants”. After review, 45 articles were included, which contained information about 38 plants. This article rationalises the long-term usage of medicinal plants in treating various health conditions.

Identification of medicinal plants used for chronic kidney disease: An update of reported literature in South Africa

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a debilitating condition that is becoming more common around the world, as well as a financial and social burden on healthcare systems. If not treated with kidney replacement therapies, kidney failure, the final stage of CKD, can be fatal. Chronic kidney disease patients are now seeking the use of alternative remedies, including medicinal plants, as the primary source of healthcare.Aim: This review aimed to evaluate the use of medicinal plants in the treatment of CKD and other associated kidney diseases in South Africa.Method: This article summarises previous research (2010–2021) on the impact of traditional plant-based medicine in CKD treatment and identifies the context between traditional and conventional medicines. Various scientific databases were used to source key literature.Results: The findings of this study revealed 10 medicinal plant species from nine different botanical families that are commonly used for the treatment of CKD and other kidney-related diseases in South Africa. In addition, the study demonstrated that despite medicinal plants having toxic impacts, they were still the preferred choice of medication for CKD, especially in developing countries.Conclusion: It is crucial to validate the balance between the risks and benefits of medicinal plants in CKD treatment to further enhance the credibility of medical plants in drug development.Contribution: This study contributes to the existing knowledge of medicinal plants used in CKD treatment primarily in South Africa.

Oral glucose tolerance test with methanol extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. calyces and in silico alpha-amylase inhibition studies with selected calyce phytochemicals

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an endocrinological disorder characterized by increased blood glucose, which in turn leads to increased oxidative stress and development of other complicated disorders. The disorder is caused either by non-production of insulin by pancreatic -cells or development of insulin resistance. In recent years, diabetes is increasing rapidly. Although high blood glucose (hyperglycemia) is controllable through anti-diabetic drugs and/or insulin injection, rural people in Bangladesh prefer plant-based traditional medicines dispensed by traditional medicinal practitioners. Methods and findings: The present study objective was to conduct oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in glucose-challenged mice with methanol extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces (MEHS); the calyces are widely used in Bangladesh for controlling hyperglycemia. At doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg per kg body weight, MEHS reduced blood glucose level by 55.8, 62.0 and 62.77%, respectively compared to control mice, which were untreated. Glibenclamide, by comparison, reduced blood glucose level by 61% at a dose of 10 mg per kg body weight. Furthermore, in silico molecular docking studies showed that a number of phytochemicals present in Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces have predicted low binding energies for human -amylase (PDB number: 2QV4) with the potential for inhibiting hyperglycemia.Conclusions: (MEHS) reduced blood glucose by nearly 63% at a dose of 400 mg/kg, which was comparable to that of glibenclamide at a dose of 10 mg/kg. In silico studies further indicated that a number of phytochemicals of the calyces of Hibiscus sabdariffa merits further evaluation towards new anti-diabetic drug discovery.

PHARMACOGNOSTICAL EVALUATION OF SHATAVARI (ASPARAGUS RACEMOSUS WILLD.) ROOT COLLECTED IN DIFFERENT SEASONS – A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Background: In the current scenario, plant-based traditional medicines are providing a base for treating various diseases. It has been reported that 80% of the population of the world depends upon traditional medicine. It has been also shown that many factors like habitat, climate, temperature, season etc can affect the quality of medicinal plants. The study was conducted to explore such Ayurvedic documented literature with pharmacognostical study. Aim: To study macroscopic and microscopic characters of the drug samples collected in four different seasons according to Ayurveda classics. Materials & Methods: In the present study, four samples of Asparagus race- mosus were collected in four different seasons- Grishma, Pravrut, Sharad and Shishira Ritu (May, June, October, and January) based on Ayurveda classics for comparing the pharmacognostic characters so that they can be dis- tinguished from each other. Results and Discussion: The influence of seasons on four different samples was observed in terms of the sizes of roots, xylem vessels, phloem, raphide bundles of calcium oxalate etc. Conclusion: The seasons on the roots of Shatavari exhibited an effect in macroscopical and microscopical characters. Thus, it can be said that the season for collection of the drug has an important role to validate the factors that influence the potency of the drug. Keywords: Ayurveda, Shatavari, Asparagus racemosus, Dravya Sangraha Kala, Pharmacognostical study

Exploration of traditional plant-based medicines used for livestock ailments in northeastern Ethiopiaby

Livestock production is an integral part of the agricultural industry in Ethiopia. However, livestock diseases are a major hindrance especially among rural communities lacking access to conventional veterinary services. This study was conducted to explore medicinal plants and practices used to treat livestock ailments across varied agro-climatic zones in northeastern Ethiopia. Ethnoveterinary data was collected between December 2019 and July 2020 across three districts using a semi-structured questionnaire with a total of 120 informants. Chi-square and ANOVA were used to compute ethnoveterinary indices among agro-climates. A total of 95 plants in 44 families were used by the healers for treatments of 45 livestock ailments mostly collected from wild habitat (70.65%). The leaves (39.05%), and crushing and pounding were the major parts and modes of herbal preparations. The analysis unveiled a significant association between numbers of ethnoveterinary plant citations with sex (P= 0.001) and age categories (P=0.02). Also, considerable variations in medicinal plants distribution, Use Value (UV), Relative Frequency of Citations (RFC), and Fidelity Level (FL) were also observed among the studied agro-climates. Datura stramonium (UV= 0.85; FL=90.4%; RFCs=0.8) was the most often cited species to treat livestock ailments. Bloating (ICF= 0.87) and bloody diarrhea (ICF=0.85) were the most frequent livestock ailments. The studied districts are rich in medicinal floras and concomitant ethnoveterinary knowledge, and therefore essential to implement sustainable management and conservation of these plant genetic resources.

Phytochemical Screening and Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Cinnamomum tamala Leaf Extract

Traditional plant-based medicines are still needed by the whole world for their primary healthcare benefits. The phytochemicals or plant extract could be used to treat different diseases and new formulation for the drug discovery in pharmaceuticals. Cinnamomum tamala is commonly called as Indian bay leaf or Tejpatta. The leaves and bark of Cinnamomum tamala are used to cure various diseases due to its various properties including astringent, stimulant and carminative. Hence, the objective of this study was to determine the comparative phytochemical screening and free radical scavenging activity of the leaf of Cinnamomum tamala. To achieve this, extract was prepared in three solvents (ethanol, ethanol, aqueous and chloroform). Phytochemical screening (qualitative and quantitative) was evaluated in all the three fractions to compare the solubility of various bioactive components. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, flavones and flavonols, tannins, carbohydrates, amino acids and proteins, saponins and glycosides in leaves of Cinnamomum tamala. Quantitative analysis showed that the total polyphenolic content, total flavonoids content, total alkaloids and total flavones and flavonols content in the hydroalcoholic extract was 48.1 mg GA (gallic acid)/g, 22.1 mg QE (Quercetin)/g, 59.9 mg/g and 1.75 mg RE (Rutin)/g, respectively. DPPH free radical assay revealed that Cinnamomum tamala hydroalcoholic leaf extract at a 100 µm/ml concentration showed 96.99± 0.99% inhibition activity. It can be concluded that most of the bioactive components are found soluble in hydroalcoholic solvent. Cinnamomum tamala hydroalcoholic leaf extract contains various bioactive and also exhibits significant free radical scavenging activity. Hence, it can be used as an alternative remedy for the treatment of various diseases.

Environmental impact on the variability in quality of Gentiana rigescens, a medicinal plant in southwest China

Medicinal plants play an important role in traditional medicine and new drug development, but the increased use of wild plant-based traditional medicine presents a potential biodiversity conservation threat. A better understanding of environmental factors on bioactive compounds in medicinal plants is necessary to ensure the suitability of cultivation location, the sustainability of market supply, and the future conservation of the wild populations. Gentiana rigescens Franch. ex Hemsl. has been used as a medicinal plant in China for hundreds of years due to containing iridoid glycoside compounds, but we knew little about how these compounds respond to environmental changes. We therefore investigated the accumulation and distribution of four iridoid glycosides (loganic acid, sweroside, swertiamarin, and gentiopicroside) in G. rigescens individuals from 28 wild populations in the elevation range of 1260–2978 m in southwest China. We also analyzed the impact of environmental factors (geography, climate, and soil) on the content of gentiopicroside (the dominant compound) in this species. We found significant variations of the contents of the four iridoid glycosides in each part of G. rigescens among populations (p < 0.05), and the gentiopicroside contents showed higher variability in the aboveground part (stem, leaf, and flower), when compared with the content in root. Meanwhile, the root gentiopicroside content was negatively correlated with the contents in other parts of the plant individual. The masses and mass ratios of the four iridoid glycosides also varied among different plant parts among populations. In roots, gentiopicroside dominated the mass proportion of the four iridoid glycosides, while the mass proportions of the four iridoid glycosides varied differently in other plant parts (stem, leaf, and flower). The gentiopicroside content in the root was negatively correlated with latitude and soil C:N ratio, but it was positively correlated with mean annual precipitation, mean annual temperature, soil N:P ratio, and soil N content. However, the effect of climate change on the quality (gentiopicroside content) of G. rigescens materials may be complicated to predict due to the future global warming and spatial heterogeneity of precipitation on the Yunnan-Guizhou plateau. Our study demonstrates the comprehensive influence of environmental factors on the gentiopicroside contents in G. rigescens. The findings have implications for understanding the environmental impact on the bioactive compounds in medicinal Gentiana plants. Further study is needed on how environmental factors influence on the gene expression of iridoid glycoside biosynthesis.

Identification and characterization of new potent inhibitors of dengue virus NS5 proteinase from Andrographis paniculata supercritical extracts on in animal cell culture and in silico approaches

Ethnopharmacological relevanceAbout 2.5 billion peoples are at risk of dengue virus and the majority of people, use traditional plant-based medicines to combat dengue. The whole plant of Andrographis paniculata used traditionally over past decades for health promotion. Andrographolide isolated from Andrographis paniculata is used as natural remedy for the treatment of various diseases in different parts of the world. Andrographolide has been reported to have antiviral activity against hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, herpes simplex virus, influenza virus, chikungunya virus, dengue virus 2 and 4. Aim of the studyThe aim of the present study to isolate the andrographolide from the A. paniculata by supercritical fluid extraction technique and to characterize the isolated compound along with it anti-dengue activity against DENV-2 in vitro and in silico methods. Materials and methodsSupercritical extraction condition for A. paniculata was standardised to isolate andrographolide compound at definite temperature and pressure on the basis of previous study. The andrographolide was identified by using Ultraviolet–Visible Spectroscopy (UV-VIS), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) and Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1HNMR). The maximum non-toxic dose of isolated andrographolide was detected by MTT assay using a micro plate reader at 595 nm. One hundred (100) copies/ml of the DENV-2 virus was used for antiviral assay in C6/36 cells lines and inhibition of virus due to andrographolide was determined by real-time PCR assay. The purity of isolated andrographolide was determined by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The dengue NS5 receptor protein was docked with andrographolide and evaluated on the basis of the total energy and binding affinity score by Auto Dock (V4.2.6) software. ResultsAndrographolide, a diterpene lactone was isolated from the A. paniculata supercritical extract at 40 °C temperature and 15 Mpa pressure. UV spectrophotometer analysis revealed that the curve of andrographolide plant extract was overlapped with reference compound at 228 nm and the similar bands were detected from FT-IR spectroscopy analysis at 3315, 2917, 2849, 1673, 1462 and 1454 cm−1 in isolated and standard andrographolide. HPTLC analysis shows the retention factor (Rf) of A. paniculata extract at 0.74 ± 0.06 as similar to standard andrographolide Rf values. The purity of isolated andrographolide was 99.76%. The maximum non-toxic dose of isolated andrographolide was found as 15.62 μg/ml on the C6/36 cell line calculated by using MTT assay. The andrographolide showed the 97.23% anti-dengue activity against the dengue-2 virus in C6/36 cell lines. Results of molecular docking showed that the interaction between andrographolide and NS5 of dengue protein with the maximum binding energy as −7.35 kcal/mol. ConclusionsIt is concluded that isolated andrographolide from the A. paniculata possess anti-dengue activity against dengue-2 virus as revealed from in vitro and in silico method. Due to lack of the vaccine and anti-viral agents, andrographolide extracted from A. paniculata play a major role to inhibit the dengue replication. Hence, it could be a source for drug design and help to reduce the dengue infection.

Medicinal Plants Used to Manage Human and Livestock Ailments in Raya Kobo District of Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia.

Plant-based traditional medicine is practiced in Raya Kobo district, Amhara Regional State, Northeastern Ethiopia, to manage different human and livestock ailments. However, the formal ethnobotanical survey that documented such knowledge is lacking. Therefore, the aim of this study was to document the traditional knowledge on the use of medicinal plants to manage human and livestock ailments in the district. The study was conducted from January to July 2017 in five purposefully selected kebeles of the district. Ethnobotanical data were collected mainly using semistructured interviews conducted with 150 informants. In the five kebeles, 30 informants (15 males and 15 females) were selected using the stratified random sampling method from a list of traditional practitioners and knowledgeable individuals. Data were analyzed by employing descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The study documented a total of 91 medicinal plant species (distributed in 51 families) used in managing 38 human and 12 livestock ailments. Out of the total recorded plants species, 74 and 17 were used in managing human and livestock ailments, respectively. Leaves were the most frequently used plant parts in the preparation of remedies, accounting for 53.1% of the total preparations. The three most common methods of remedy preparation were grinding/pounding (23.5%), crushing (19.8%), and boiling (14.5%). Preference ranking conducted by selected informants on eight medicinal plants used in treating human febrile illness locally called “mich” revealed that Ocimum urticifolium is the most preferred medicinal plant—an indication of its high potency against the disease, and therefore needs to be prioritized for future scientific investigation. The result of this study demonstrated the rich traditional knowledge and practices in the district on the use of medicinal plants in treating various human and livestock ailments. Deforestation and drought were reported to be the major factors in the district threatening the medicinal plants and the associated knowledge. Thus, concerted efforts have to be made to conserve this important heritage using every possible means.

HIV understanding, experiences and perceptions of HIV-positive men who have sex with men in Amazonian Peru: a qualitative study

BackgroundHIV-related incidence and mortality is increasing across Peru, with highest mortality rates recorded in the Amazonian region of Loreto. This epidemic is concentrated in men who have sex with men, a population with 14% HIV treatment adherence despite free national provision. This study investigates barriers and facilitators to following healthcare advice through experiences and perceptions of HIV-positive men who have sex with men and healthcare professionals in Loreto.MethodsTwenty qualitative interviews with HIV-positive men who have sex with men and one focus group with HIV-specialist healthcare professionals were conducted in Loreto, January–February 2019. Interviews were transcribed per verbatim. Thematic content analysis and deviant case analysis were used.ResultsA culture of isolation and discrimination was identified, propagated by poor public knowledge surrounding HIV transmission and treatment. Employment potential was hampered and 7/20 patients had suicidal thoughts post-diagnosis. Barriers to care included: shame, depression, travel cost/times, a preference for traditional plant-based medicine and side-effects of antiretroviral therapy. Facilitators included: education, family and clinic support, disease acceptance and lifestyle changes.ConclusionMore effective, focussed community education and workplace discrimination investigations are recommended to reduce stigma and increase adherence to treatment in this population.