Use In Folk Medicine Research Articles

The Genus Alnus, A Comprehensive Outline of Its Chemical Constituents and Biological Activities.

The genus Alnus (Betulaceae) is comprised of more than 40 species. Many species of this genus have a long history of use in folk medicines. Phytochemical investigations have revealed the presence of diarylheptanoids, polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids and other compounds. Diarylheptanoids, natural products with a 1,7-diphenylheptane structural skeleton, are the dominant constituents in the genus, whose anticancer effect has been brought into focus. Pure compounds and crude extracts from the genus exhibit a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities both in vitro and in vivo. This paper compiles 273 naturally occurring compounds from the genus Alnus along with their structures and pharmacological activities, as reported in 138 references.

Rare tradition of the folk medicinal use of Aconitum spp. is kept alive in Sol\u010davsko, Slovenia

BackgroundAconitum species are poisonous plants that have been used in Western medicine for centuries. In the nineteenth century, these plants were part of official and folk medicine in the Slovenian territory. According to current ethnobotanical studies, folk use of Aconitum species is rarely reported in Europe. The purpose of this study was to research the folk medicinal use of Aconitum species in Solčavsko, Slovenia; to collect recipes for the preparation of Aconitum spp., indications for use, and dosing; and to investigate whether the folk use of aconite was connected to poisoning incidents.MethodsIn Solčavsko, a remote alpine area in northern Slovenia, we performed semi-structured interviews with 19 informants in Solčavsko, 3 informants in Luče, and two retired physicians who worked in that area. Three samples of homemade ethanolic extracts were obtained from informants, and the concentration of aconitine was measured. In addition, four extracts were prepared according to reported recipes.ResultsAll 22 informants knew of Aconitum spp. and their therapeutic use, and 5 of them provided a detailed description of the preparation and use of “voukuc”, an ethanolic extract made from aconite roots. Seven informants were unable to describe the preparation in detail, since they knew of the extract only from the narration of others or they remembered it from childhood. Most likely, the roots of Aconitum tauricum and Aconitum napellus were used for the preparation of the extract, and the solvent was homemade spirits. Four informants kept the extract at home; two extracts were prepared recently (1998 and 2015). Three extracts were analyzed, and 2 contained aconitine. Informants reported many indications for the use of the extract; it was used internally and, in some cases, externally as well. The extract was also used in animals. The extract was measured in drops, but the number of drops differed among the informants. The informants reported nine poisonings with Aconitum spp., but none of them occurred as a result of medicinal use of the extract.ConclusionsIn this study, we determined that folk knowledge of the medicinal use of Aconitum spp. is still present in Solčavsko, but Aconitum preparations are used only infrequently.

Hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of dry standardized extract of Apeiba tibourbou Aubl, in mice

Due to its chemical composition and use in folk medicine, the dry standardized extract of Apeiba tibourbou Aubl. (Tiliaceae) leaves (DSEAT) was tested to assess its hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. The animals were treated with DSEAT previously for 7 days, at doses of 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg and 18 mg/kg of rosmarinic acid; the liver damage was induced by administering CCl4 intraperitoneally (i.p.) at days 3 and 7, and 1 h before treating with DSEAT. The hepatoprotective activity was assessed using various biochemical assays such as alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gammaglutamyltransferase (GGT), malondialdehyde (MDA) and histopatological studies. DSEAT doses of 400, 200, and 100 mg/kg were not capable of protecting the liver against CCl4. However, the dose of 50 mg/kg reduced AST by 31.50% the dose of 25 mg/kg reduced GGT by 57.18% compared to the CCl4 (p < 0.05). In the liver, DSEAT dose of 50 mg/kg and rosmarinic acid reduced MDA by 27.45% and 63.61%, respectively, whereas in plasma, MDA was reduced in all the groups treated with DSEAT and rosmarinic acid. In conclusion, DSEAT exhibits hepatoprotective effect only at low doses and antioxidant activity in vivo after peroral administration. The experimental protocol was approved by the Animal Research Ethics Committee of UFG (CEUA, no. 177/2011).

Phytochemical Analysis and Pharmacological Activities of Methanolic Extract and Essential Oil from Rhizomes of Alpinia malaccensis (Burm. f.) Roscoe

The present study describes chemical composition, antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of essential oil and methanolic extract from rhizomes of Alpinia malaccensis. Fifty nine components were identified by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with eucalyptol (18.0%), and α-fenchyl acetate (16.7%), as the major constituents. The methanolic extract of A. malaccensis exhibited good anti-inflammatory effect (32.69%) by carrageenan induced method at a dose of 100 mg/kg b.wt. after 24 hours compared with essential oil. In acetic acid induced writhing test, essential oil exhibited significant (p<0.05) analgesic effect at both doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg b.wt. with 41.39% inhibition of writhes at 100 mg/kg b.wt. in comparision to its methanolic extract. For antipyretic activity by brewer's yeast suspension method, both essential oil and methanolic extracts exhibited significant pyrexia (p<0.05) for 50 mg/kg b.wt. and 100 mg/kg b.wt. in a dose dependent manner. The present study provided the scientific justification about the antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of the essential oils and methanolic extract from A. malaccensis, thus validating its use in traditional folk medicines and hence supporting the development in the pharmacological properties of bioactive natural substances.

Solvent-solvent fractionations of Combretum erythrophyllum (Burch.) leave extract: Studies of their antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant and cytotoxicity potentials.

To evaluate the biological activities of Combretum erythrophyllum (C.erythrophyllum) leaf extracts against infectious diseases' pathogenesis and their cytotoxicity potentials. Powdered leaf material (300g) of C.erythrophyllum was extracted (1:10 w/v) using acetone to obtain the crude extract. Liquid-liquid fractionation was performed on the crude acetone extract (30g) using solvents of different polarity. The bioautographic method was used to detect the inhibition of bacterial and fungal growth by active compounds present in the crude and fractions. The extracts were then tested on bacterial strains: Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa; fungal strains: Candida albicans (C.albicans), Cryptococcus neoformans, and Aspergillus fumigatus, by microtitre dilution method for MIC determination. The extracts MIC values ranged between 0.08 and 2.50mg/mL against the tested pathogens. Water fraction had the highest activity against bacteria strains, while the fungal assay revealed crude acetone extract and ethyl acetate fraction to be active against C.albicans (1.25mg/mL), dichloromethane extract against C.albicans and A. fumigatus (0.16mg/mL). Extract fractions showed a good antioxidant activity via DPPH, ABTSandhydroxyl radical scavenging assays, in the order: ethyl acetate>water>acetone>dichloromethane>hexane. The toxicity level of crude extract and fractions evaluated in Vero monkey kidney cells ranged from 34 to 223μg/mL, while doxorubicin (IC50=7.19μg/mL) served as the positive control. It can be concluded that the extracts of C.erythrophyllum are safe for medicinal use in folk medicine for treating infectious and stress related diseases.

Effects of Nigerian red propolis in rats infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei

Propolis has a long history of use in folk medicine and possesses various biological activities. Effects of the methanol extract of Nigerian red propolis (NRP) in trypanosome-infected rats were studied. Mature albino Wistar rats (30) were randomly grouped into six (A–F). Groups A–E were infected with 1.0 × 106 Trypanosoma brucei brucei organisms intraperitoneally. Group F was uninfected. On establishment of infection, groups A–C were treated orally with NRP at 600, 400 and 200 mg/kg body weight for five consecutive days while group D received diminazene aceturate at 7 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally. Group E received equal volumes of DMSO solution for five consecutive days. Parameters monitored were mean group parasitaemia, packed cell volumes (PCV), haemoglobin concentrations (Hbc) and bodyweight changes. By day 16 post-infection (PI) parasitaemia was significantly higher in the DMSO control group E than in the NRP-treated groups. Mean group PCV, Hbc and weight loss were significantly (p < 0.05) lower in DMSO control group when compared with all the other experimental groups. Rats treated with NRP (600 and 400 mg/kg) had significant (p < 0.05) reduction in parasitaemia (day 16 PI), higher PCV, Hbc and weight gain than the DMSO control.

Folk Medicinal use of Allium cepa L. to Cure Painful Joints and Inflammatory Swelling

In this paper highlights a brief description of Allium cepa L. belongs to Liliaceae family is provided along with its medicinal use to cure painful joints and inflammatory swelling.

Leaf anatomy and epicuticular waxes composition of Clusia fluminensis Planch. & Triana (Clusiaceae)

Clusia fluminensis Planch. & Triana (Clusiaceae) is a Brazilian native species found in regions of high luminous intensity and water restriction. There are reports of its use in folk medicine, however, there is little literature information on its chemical composition and structural characterization. The results of the phytochemical study and biological tests conducted by our research group so far have shown that C. fluminensis has great potential to be used as a source of biologically active substances, making its anatomical characterization of fundamental importance. The leaf structure was analyzed through optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The leaves epicuticular waxes were analyzed by GC-MS. The leaf is hypostomatic with paracytic stomata and polygonal epidermic cells with 4 to 7 sides. The epidermis is uniseriate, with cuticle, thicker in the adaxial epidermis with cuticular flanges. The dorsiventral mesophyll showed hypodermis in the adaxial surface and numerous druses all over the mesophyll and many secretory ducts in the mesophyll and midvein. The vascular system is constituted by collateral bundles involved in numerous fibers, which in the midvein are densely grouped. The highest content of epicuticular waxes was obtained from leaves collected in summer. GC-MS data of the waxes indicated a marked presence of triterpenes such as α-amyrin, β-amyrin, lupenone, epifriedelinol and friedelin.

Bioactive diterpenoids from Celastraceae species

Celastraceae species have a long tradition of use in folk medicine and agriculture. Intensive research into this family has resulted in the isolation of a large number of secondary metabolites with a wide range of bioactivity, with the most characteristic being the dihydro-β-agarofuran sesquiterpenes and the quinomethide triterpenoids. Despite diterpenoids not often being found in Celastraceae species, the novelty of their structures and their biological activities has stimulated their research. There are several reviews covering studies on Tripterigium wilfordii, a traditional Chinese medicine, and their metabolites, but none focusing on bioactive diterpenoids isolated from other Celastraceae species. This review focuses on diterpenes isolated from Celastraceae species, and their skeleton diversity, species sources, and tested biological activities are discussed. The literature from January 2000 to October 2016 is reviewed, and 64 references are cited. A total of 118 isolated diterpenoids possessing twelve different skeletons are included and classified by the following tested biological activity: cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory, antitumour-promotion, anti-HIV, immunosuppressant, reversal multi-drug resistance, and antifeedant. This compliance information will be helpful in further research into diterpene Celastraceae isolation, biological activity determination and structure specific modifications.

Anticoccidial activity of Artemisia vestita (Anthemideae, Asteraceae) - a traditional herb growing in the Western Himalayas, Kashmir, India.

Coccidiosis, caused by various species of genus Eimeria, is a major parasitic disease in chicken. The increasing resistance of these parasites to currently used anticoccidial drugs has stimulated the search for new methods of control. As part of this effort, a study was designed to see the anticoccidial effect of different solvent extracts of Artemisia vestita-a traditional herb growing in Kashmir Himalayas. The plant extracts were prepared using different solvents. Preliminary toxicity study was first carried out to see the safety of crude plant extracts. A high dose of crude extracts (300mg/kg body weight) was tested for possession of anticoccidial activity against experimentally induced coccidial infection in broiler chicken. Activity was measured in comparison to the reference drug amprolium on the basis of oocyst output reduction, mean weight gain of birds and feed conversion ratio. Oocyst output was measured using Mc-Masters counting technique. Preliminary toxicity study showed that crude extracts of A.vestita are safe up to dosage of 2000mg/kg body weight. LD50 was not determined as mortalities were not recorded in any of the five groups of chicken. For anticoccidial activity crude methanolic extract (CME) of A.vestita showed the maximum effect as evident by oocyst output reduction (71.5±12.2), weight gain of birds (1406.4±12.2) and feed conversion ratio (1.58±0.06), thereby affirming the presence of alcohol soluble active ingredients in the plant. We also tested different doses (100-400mg/kg body weight) of the CME of A.vestita, the most active extract on E.tenella and observed a dose dependent effect. From the present study it can be concluded that alcoholic extract of A.vestita has the immense potential to contribute to the control of coccidian parasites of chicken. Our results corroborate the use of genus Artemisia and could justify its use in folk medicine for treatment of parasitic diseases.

Exploring hemostatic and thrombolytic potential of heynein - A cysteine protease from Ervatamia heyneana latex

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe latex of Ervatamia heyneana (Wall.) T. Cooke plant has been used for wound healing and various skin diseases by Indian tribes and folklore. Aim of the studyTo validate the scientific basis of heynein – a key protease of Ervatamia heyneana, in hemostasis and wound healing process. Materials and methodsThe latex from E. heyneana was processed and subjected to two step purification. The purified heynein was assayed for proteolytic activity using casein as substrate and also attested by zymography. The inhibition studies confirmed the nature of heynein. Pure fibrinogen was used for fibrinogenolytic activity and citrated plasma was used for coagulant and fibrinolytic activities. The edema inducing action and hemorrhagic activity of heynein were assessed on mice model. ResultsThe purified heynein exhibited proteolytic activity, which was confirmed by caseinolytic assay and zymography. The inhibition studies confirmed heynein to be a cysteine protease. Heynein showed complete hydrolysis of all the three subunits of human fibrinogen (Aα, Bβ, γ). It exhibited strong pro-coagulant activity by reducing plasma clotting time from 248 to 39s at 40µg concentration. Heynein cleaved α polymer subunit in fibrin clot and did not induce edema and hemorrhage in mice models. The non-hemorrhagic nature was supported with histopathological studies of skin samples. ConclusionHeynein displays strong pro-coagulant action associated with fibrin(ogen)olytic activity. This provides basis for the observed pharmacological action of Ervatamia heyneana and thereby justifies its use in folk medicine.

Folk Medicinal Use of Plants to Treat Skin Disorders in Chandpur District, Bangladesh

Title: Folk medicinal use of plants to treat skin disorders in Chandpur district, Bangladesh. Background: Folk medicinal practitioners (FMPs) possibly form the largest group of traditional medicinal practitioners in Bangladesh. FMPs essentially use plants for treatment of diseases; however, the selection of plants can differ widely among FMPs even within the same region. The objective of the present study was to document the phytotherapeutic practices of several FMPs in Chandpur district, who treated various types of skin disorders. Methods and findings: Interviews of the FMPs regarding their phytotherapeutic practices were carried out with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire and the guided field-walk method between 2016-2017. The FMPs used a total of 10 plants distributed into 10 families in their 9 formulations. Conclusions: Skin diseases are common in Bangladesh, particularly among the rural and urban slum people. These people most often cannot afford a visit to allopathic doctors. As such, the medicinal plants of the FMPs can prove useful in the treatment of skin disorders.

Ganoderma lucidum - from tradition to modern medicine

Ganoderma lucidum has a long tradition of use in folk medicine of the Far East, which is documented in the oldest Chinese pharmacopoeia, written in the first century B.C, declaring it a superior medicine. The healing properties of G. lucidum reflected on folk names such as: Reishi, Mannentake, Ling Zhi etc., which mean ?herb of spiritual power?, ?mushroom of immortality? or ?10,000-year mushroom?, respectively. It has been known, for thousands of years, that this species extends life span, increases youthful vigour and vitality and it was used in the treatments of hepatitis, kidneys? disease, hypertension, arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, arteriosclerosis, ulcers and various types of cancer. However, Western civilisation did not discover its healing properties until the 20th century. Modern scientific researches and numerous clinical trails, conducted in recent decades, have confirmed the ancient knowledge of Eastern nations and given them a scientific basis. These studies have demonstrated many biological activities of G. lucidum extracts and compounds, including: immunomodulating, antioxidative, cytotoxic, hypoglycaemic, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, antimicrobial, etc. It has been reported that its extracts play important role in detoxification of the body and protecton of the liver, as well as in reducing cardiovascular problems, stress and anxiety. However, its most important effect is undoubtedly immunostimulating one as it is the basis of many other positive effects. The Japanese government introduced G. lucidum on the official list of auxiliary agents for the treatments of various cancers, Alzheimer?s disease, diabetes and chronic bronchitis. Many chemical components have been isolated from G. lucidum, but polysaccharides and terpenoids are the main carriers of its bioactivities.

Toxicity status and antiulcerative potential of Sansevieria trifasciata leaf extract in Wistar rats.

The lethal dose 50% (LD50) and antiulcerative potentials of Sansevieria trifasciata (ST) leaf extract were investigated. LD50 was determined through two routes of administration (intraperitoneal [i.p] and oral [p.o]) using the method of Lorke. The antiulcerative activity was evaluated in indomethacin-induced ulcer model (40 mg/kg body weight [BW], i.p, single dose) against a reference drug, cimetidine (100 mg/kg BW, p.o). ST was assessed at two different doses (200 and 400 mg/kg BW, p.o). Treatments were done twice daily at 8 h interval for 7 days before indomethacin administration. The i.p LD50 was determined as 774.60 mg/kg BW and oral administration of the extract at 18,000 mg/kg BW dosage did not cause any negative behavioral changes in the animals, and no mortality was recorded after 24 h of the experiment. ST-pre-treated animals showed some improvement against indomethacin-induced ulceration. The extract curtailed indomethacin-induced reduction in gastric volume (36.1%), free acidity (55.3%), total acidity (35.6%) while minimizing the increase in pH by 13.3%. Moreover, the extract showed 17.92% and 14.96% ulcer protective ability at 200 and 400 mg/kg BW, respectively. The phytochemical analysis of ST extract revealed the presence of phytoconstituents such as glycosides, saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, tannins, anthraquinone, and glycosides. ST apparently has a promising antiulcerative potential, and is safe for use in folk medicine. This valuable medicinal property is probably due to the array of important phytochemicals contained in the plant as observed in this study. However, a further study involving bioassay-guided identification of the main antiulcerative compound in ST is required to establish the use of the plant as a viable antiulcerative agent.

Evaluation of anti-ulcer activity of the leaf extract of Osyris quadripartita Decne. (Santalaceae) in rats.

Osyris quadripartita (OQ) Salzm. ex Decne. has been used to treat peptic ulcer disease in Ethiopian folk medicine, but its efficacy has not been validated. The present study was therefore carried out to evaluate the anti-ulcer activity of 80% methanol leaf extract of OQ in rats. The effect of OQ extract on gastric ulcer in rats in pylorus ligation-induced and ethanol-induced models was studied using single dosing (100, 200, 400 mg/kg) and repeated dosing (200 mg/kg for 10 and 20 days) approaches. Ranitidine (50 mg/kg) and sucralfate (100 mg/kg) were used as the standard drugs. Depending on the model, outcome measures were volume and pH of gastric fluid, total acidity, ulcer score, percent inhibition of ulcer score, ulcer index as well as percent inhibition of ulcer index. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey’s post hoc test, and P<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. OQ significantly (P<0.001) reduced gastric ulcer index by 55.82% and 62.11%, respectively, in pylorus ligation-induced and ethanol-induced ulcer models at the 400 mg/kg dose, which is comparable to the standard drugs. Ten and 20 days pre-treatment with OQ200 exhibited significant (P<0.001) ulcer inhibition by 66.48% and 68.36% (pylorus ligation-induced model) as well as 71.48% and 85.35% (ethanol-induced model), respectively. OQ possesses both dose-dependent and time-dependent anti-ulcer effect in the two models. The oral median lethal dose (LD50) is estimated to be higher than 2000 mg/kg for the crude hydroalcoholic extract, and secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, tannins, and saponins were present. The findings of this study confirmed that OQ has anti-ulcer pharmacologic activity due to one or more of the secondary metabolites present in it. Therefore, this study validates its anti-ulcer use in Ethiopian folk medicine. Further investigations on isolation of specific phytochemicals and elucidating mechanisms of action are needed.

Medicago sativa as a source of secondary metabolites for agriculture and pharmaceutical industry

Medicago sativa L. (lucerne or alfalfa) is a species which is generally regarded as a cheap source of valuable protein not only for animal fodder but also for nourishment provided in the poorest and developing countries. Moreover, this plant has a long tradition of use in folk medicine. Numerous studies indicate that besides protein, M. sativa synthesizes a variety of secondary metabolites. Among secondary metabolite classes produced by alfalfa, the saponins and flavonoids are of most interest and well characterized. In the current review, we have summarized their chemical structure and method of identification. The potential of alfalfa extracts in medicine and pharmacology has been highlighted. Furthermore, new ways of utilizing flavonoids as well as saponins in agriculture and horticulture are discussed. Collected data can be the starting point and inspiration for scientists of various specialties for future research on this plant. This review draws attention to the necessity of developing modern analytical tools for identification and quantification of individual M. sativa phytochemicals.

Endemic Asteraceae from Madeira archipelago: A relation of hypoglycemic activity to their polyphenolic composition

The vascular flora of Madeira archipelago is exuberant and diverse, comprising over 1220 species of which 10% are endemic [1]. In this work, nine endemic Asteraceae plant species were studied for their phenolic profile and anti-hyperglycemic effects. The interest and selection of these species are related to their use in folk medicine. Two main groups of plants were analyzed: Helichrysum subspecies (H. devium Johns, H. melaleucum Rchb. ex. Holl, H. monizii Lowe and H. obconicum DC.) and other five endemic species: Argyranthemum pinnatifidum Lowe, Artemisia argentea L'Her, Calendula maderensis DC, Cynara cardunculus L. var. ferocissima and Phagnalon lowei DC. Alcoholic extracts were evaluated for their inhibitory activity towards key enzymes linked to type 2 diabetes using in vitro assays. Six extracts showed stronger inhibitory efficacy [IC50 0.57 to 1.35 mg/mL] than commercial drug acarbose (positive control, IC50 1.62 mg/mL) towards α-glucosidase; exceptions were H. monizii, C. maderensis and C. cardunculus. All extracts were less active than the control towards α-amylase (IC50 ranging from 1.5 to 9.1 mg/mL versus 0.02 of acarbose). Phenolic profiles were obtained by HPLC-MSn and caffeoylquinic acid derivatives (esterified with several acyl groups) were found as the main compounds in all plant species under analysis, ranging from 86 (A. glandulosa leaves) to 1918 (P. lowei leaves) mg/100 g of dry plant. The anti-diabetic properties of these caffeoylquinic acid derivatives have been extensively reported [2, 3]. Four out of ten studied species (A. argentea, A. pinnatifidum, H. melaleucum and P. lowei) are potent inhibitors of α-glucosidase with moderate lipase and low α-amylase inhibition, which is ideal for preventing bacterial fermentation of excessive indigested carbohydrates in the colon.

Antioxidant, anticholinesterase and antibacterial activities of Stachys guyoniana and Mentha aquatica

Context: Stachys guyoniana Noë ex. Batt. and Mentha aquatica L. are two Algerian Lamiaceae used in folk medicine.Objective: To investigate their antioxidant, anticholinesterase and antibacterial activities.Material and methods: n-Butanol (BESG), ethyl acetate (EESG) and chloroform (CESG) extracts of S. guyoniana and methanol (MEMA) and chloroform (CEMA) aerial part extracts of M. aquatica and methanol (MERMA) and acetone (AERMA) roots extracts of M. aquatica were evaluated for their antioxidant activity by the β-carotene-linoleic acid, DPPH• and ABTS•+ scavenging, CUPRAC and metal chelating assays. The anticholinesterase activity was tested against AChE and BChE. The antibacterial activity was assessed by MICs determination against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella heidelberg, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter aerogenes and Morganella morganii strains.Results: In the β-carotene test, the CESG (IC50: 2.3 ± 1.27 μg/mL) exhibited the highest activity. The BESG was the best scavenger of DPPH• (IC50: 2.91 ± 0.14 μg/mL). In the ABTS test, AERMA was the most active (IC50: 4.21 ± 0.28 μg/mL). However, with the CUPRAC, the BESG exhibited the best activity (A0.50: 0.15 ± 0.05 μg/mL) and was active in metal chelating assay with 48% inhibition at 100 μg/mL. The BESG was the best AChE inhibitor (IC50: 5.78 ± 0.01 μg/mL) however, the AERMA showed the highest BChE inhibitory activity (IC50: 19.23 ± 1.42 μg/mL). The tested extracts exhibited a good antibacterial activity.Conclusion: This study demonstrated good antioxidant, anticholinesterase and antibacterial potential of S. guyoniana and M. aquatica, which fits in well with their use in folk medicine.

The essential oil from the twigs of Cinnamomum cassia Presl alleviates pain and inflammation in mice

Ethnopharmacological relevanceCinnamomum cassia Presl (Lauraceae) can be found southern China and its bark is commonly used for centuries as ingredient in food and cosmetic industry. The twigs of Cinnamomum cassia Presl is popularly used in China to treat inflammatory processes, pain, menstrual disorders, hypertension, fever etc. The aim of this study is to evaluate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of the essential oil (EO) from the twigs of Cinnamomum cassia Presl. Material and methodsThe chemical characterization of the EO was performed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The EO doses of 15, 30, and 60mg/kg were employed in the biological assays. The antinociceptive effects of the EO were evaluated using the models of acetic acid-induced writhing, oxytocin-induced writhing, and formalin and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) -induced overt pain tests. we also investigated the effect of the EO in pain intensity to a mechanical stimulus (mechanical hyperalgesia) after carrageenan by using an electronic version of von Frey filaments. Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity was based on paw edema induced by carrageenan (300µg/25µL/paw) in mice. The levels of cytokines, NO, and PGE2 in paw skin tissue were determined according to instructions. COX-2 and iNOS proteins in paw skin tissue were assessed by Western Blot. ResultsThe EO (15, 30, and 60mg/kg) reduced the number of abdominal writhings induced by acetic acid with inhibition of 38.0%, 55.4% and 58.7%, respectively. The EO (15, 30, and 60mg/kg) also reduced the number of abdominal writhings induced by oxytocin with inhibition of 27.3%, 51.7% and 69.0%, respectively. The EO significant inhibited the inflammatory (second phase: 10–30min) phase of the formalin-induced paw flinching and licking at the doses of 15, 30, and 60mg/kg. The EO at the tested doses of 15, 30, and 60mg/kg showed inhibited CFA-induced paw flinching and licking. The EO (15, 30, and 60mg/kg) also inhibited carrageenan-induced mechanical hyperalgesia and paw edema. It also decreased the levels of cytokines (TNF-α, and IL-1β), NO, and PGE2 in carrageenan-induced mice paw skin tissue. Moreover, Western blot analysis showed that COX-2 and iNOS expressions in paw skin tissue of mice were significantly reduced. ConclusionsThese results demonstrate that the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of the EO from the twigs of Cinnamomum cassia Presl, corroborating its use in folk medicine.

English

Croton macrostachyus leaves are used for treatment of wounds by traditional healers in Ethiopia. Despite the use of this plant in the treatment of wound, there is limited data to support its medicinal use. The present study provides scientific evaluation for the wound healing potential of methanolic extract of C. macrostachyus leaves in rats. The leaves of Croton macrostachyus were studied for the presence of some secondary metabolites and wound healing activity. Ointments were made by incorporating the methanolic extract in simple ointment base B.P. in the concentration of 5 and 10% (w/w). Standard Nitrofurazone was used for comparison. Wound healing activity was studied, using excision and incision wound models. In excision wound model, percentage wound contraction, period of epithelization and morphological changes on the healed wounds were studied while incision wound model was used to determine breaking strength. The results were expressed as mean &plusmn; standard error of mean (SEM) and comparisons among treatment groups were made using one-way analysis of variance. Phytochemical screening of the methanolic extracts of leaves of C. macrostachyus showed the presence of different metabolites such as flavonoids and saponins which are reported to have significant wound healing activity. The results of epithelization period, percentage of wound contraction and morphological evaluation of groups of animals in the test groups showed significant (p &lt; 0.05) wound healing activity compared to those treated with simple ointment. Similarly, the difference in breaking strength was significant (p &lt; 0.05) for both 5 and 10% (w/w) methanol extract of C. macrostachyus ointment treated groups. Morphological evaluation showed a relatively better healing and growth of hair around the wound area in the 10% methanol extract of C. macrostachyus ointment treated group. Methanolic extract of C. macrostachyus enhanced wound healing significantly, corroborating the folk medicinal use of this plant. Key words: Croton macrostachyus, excision, incision, in vivo, wound healing.