<jats:p>Geum urbanum L. (St. Benedict's herb, Wood Avens) belonging to Rosaceae family, is a perennial herb occuring in the moderate zone of both Hemispheres. The roots and rhizomes containing: tannins, especially ellagitannins... more
<jats:p>Geum urbanum L. (St. Benedict's herb, Wood Avens) belonging to Rosaceae family, is a perennial herb occuring in the moderate zone of both Hemispheres. The roots and rhizomes containing: tannins, especially ellagitannins (mainly gemin), essential oil (mainly gein), flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, triterpenes, carbohydrates. In folk medicine it was used in gastro-enteritis and liver disorders, and to induce cardiogenesis also externally for reducing the gingivitis. The results of experiments on: antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cardiogenic and antioxidant effects were presented.</jats:p>
<jats:p>Lady's mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris L.), belonging to Rosaceae family, is a perennial occuring in the Northern Hemisphere. The raw material used in medicine is herb containing: tannins, flavonoids and carbohydrates. In... more
<jats:p>Lady's mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris L.), belonging to Rosaceae family, is a perennial occuring in the Northern Hemisphere. The raw material used in medicine is herb containing: tannins, flavonoids and carbohydrates. In folk medicine it was used to soothe menopausal complaints, dysmenorrhea, to treat flatulence, diarrhea, mouth and throat inflammation and for eczema and skin rashes. Many researches proved number of biological properties of A. vulgaris that can be used in medicine. The results of experiments on: antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiproliferative effects, as well as on elastase activity and wound healing process were also presented. The antidiabetic and anxiolytic properties and the vasorelaxant effect of Lady's mantle, that can be used in hypertension treatment, was also described. The results of a clinical trial showed the possibility of A. vulgaris extract using in menstrual disorders, aphthous stomatitis and as component anti-wrinkle creams. The article contains information on the safety of products from Lady's mantle.</jats:p>
Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) is a perennial belonging to Zingiberaceae family. Primary place of occurrence was Asia, but nowadays it is grown in many regions of subtropical zone. The raw material used in medicine is a rhizome and... more
Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) is a perennial belonging to Zingiberaceae family. Primary place of occurrence was Asia, but nowadays it is grown in many regions of subtropical zone. The raw material used in medicine is a rhizome and oil obtained from it. Chemical compounds responsible for pharmacological activity are mainly sesquiterpene alcohols, gingerols and shogaols. Among beneficial properties of ginger we can list: promoting salivation, stimulating secretion of gastric juice and bile, reducing cholesterol level, improving immunity, activating peristalsis of the intestines and antioxidative, antibacterial, antiviral, anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory properties. Confirmed indications are loss of appetite, dyspepsia and motion sickness. In this paper we described scientific reports considering potential neuroprotective activity of ginger, which can be used in treatment of neurodegenerative disorders as Alzheimer’s disease. We presented the results of in vitro and in vivo st...
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Cinnamon, the bark of different species of cinnamon, is a food spice used all over the world. In medicine, cinnamon is recommended for dyspeptic conditions, fullness and flatulence, for symptomatic treatment of mild diarrhea and for the... more
Cinnamon, the bark of different species of cinnamon, is a food spice used all over the world. In medicine, cinnamon is recommended for dyspeptic conditions, fullness and flatulence, for symptomatic treatment of mild diarrhea and for the support of diabetes treatment. Cinnamon contains essential oil, whose main active ingredient is cinnamaldehyde, as well as procyanidins and terpenes. The paper presents the results of experiments performed on animals with induced diabetes assessing the antidiabetic activity of the extract, cinnamon bark oil and cinnamaldehyde. They are also described regarding spasmolytic, analgesic and cardiovascular stimulating activity.
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Lichen secondary metabolites are characterized by huge pharmacological potential. Our research focused on assessing the anticancer and neuroprotective activity of Hypogymnia physodes acetone extract (HP extract) and physodic acid, its... more
Lichen secondary metabolites are characterized by huge pharmacological potential. Our research focused on assessing the anticancer and neuroprotective activity of Hypogymnia physodes acetone extract (HP extract) and physodic acid, its major component. The antitumor properties were evaluated by cytotoxicity analysis using A-172, T98G, and U-138 MG glioblastoma cell lines and by hyaluronidase and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibition. The neuroprotective potential was examined using COX-2, tyrosinase, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity tests. Moreover, the antioxidant potential of the tested substances was examined, and the chemical composition of the extract was analyzed. For physodic acid, the permeability through the blood–brain barrier using Parallel Artificial Membrane Permeability Assay for the Blood–Brain Barrier assay (PAMPA-BBB) was assessed. Our study shows that the tested substances strongly inhibited glioblastoma cell proliferation and hya...
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Simple Summary Central nervous system (CNS) diseases, including tumors such as glioblastomas and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, are some of the greatest challenges of modern medicine. Therefore, our study aimed... more
Simple Summary Central nervous system (CNS) diseases, including tumors such as glioblastomas and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, are some of the greatest challenges of modern medicine. Therefore, our study aimed to evaluate the anticancer and neuroprotective activity of the extract from a common European lichen Hypogymnia physodes and of its compound-physodic acid. The examined substances were cytotoxic against the glioblastoma cell lines A-172, T98G, and U-138 MG. Both substances strongly inhibited hyaluronidase, and diminished cyclooxygenase-2 activity (H. physodes extract), enzymes expressed in patients with malignant glioma. Furthermore, H. physodes extract inhibited tyrosinase activity, the enzyme linked to neurodegenerative diseases. The tested substances exhibited antioxidant activity, however, acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activity were not high. We proved that physodic acid can cross the blood–brain barrier. We conclude t...
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The study aimed to evaluate the possible modulation of Nrf2, NF-ĸB and STAT3 signaling pathways in the colorectal cancer (CRC) cells line DLD-1 and HCT116 by secondary metabolites of lichens. An attempt was made to indicate the most... more
The study aimed to evaluate the possible modulation of Nrf2, NF-ĸB and STAT3 signaling pathways in the colorectal cancer (CRC) cells line DLD-1 and HCT116 by secondary metabolites of lichens. An attempt was made to indicate the most promising targets in these signaling pathways. Attention was also paid to the effects of the compounds tested on CRC cells using anakoinosis—that is, simultaneous analysis of several signaling pathways. The effects of the tested natural compounds on the activity of selected transcriptional factors related to CRC were analyzed by Western blot and RT-PCR assays. The highest activity against CRC cells was shown by physodic and salazinic acids from the studied secondary metabolites of lichens. As a result, an increase in the activation of transcription factor Nrf2 and the expression of its selected target genes was observed. Physodic and salazinic acids induced the opposite effect in relation to the NF-κB and STAT3 pathways. These results confirmed our earli...
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Introduction. Diabetes is characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia, resulting from a defect in insulin secretion or abnormal functioning of this hormone. The consequence of the lack of insulin is the disturbed metabolism of carbohydrates,... more
Introduction. Diabetes is characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia, resulting from a defect in insulin secretion or abnormal functioning of this hormone. The consequence of the lack of insulin is the disturbed metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Chronic hyperglycemia causes damage and dysfunction of many organs. One of the ways to support the treatment of diabetes is the use of plant preparations. Aim. The aim of the study was to examine and compare the biological (α-glucosidase and antioxidative) activity and the content of polyphenols and flavonoids in selected plants: Anserinae herba, Alchemillae herba and Fragariae folium, included in herbal tea blends used in diabetes. Material and methods. The content of polyphenols was determined by applying the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and the flavonoid content by the AlCl3 method. The antioxidant properties were tested using the reagent method DPPH and CUPRAC, while the inhibitory activity of α-glucosidase by measuring the absorba...
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The extract from horse chestnut seeds (Aesculus hippocastanum L., Sapindaceae), standardised for the content of aescin, is used as the treatment for chronic venous insufficiency. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-oedematous properties and... more
The extract from horse chestnut seeds (Aesculus hippocastanum L., Sapindaceae), standardised for the content of aescin, is used as the treatment for chronic venous insufficiency. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-oedematous properties and indicates a positive effect on the venous tone, rheological properties, and blood coagulability. The mechanism of horse chestnut seed extract/aescin activity was proposed on the basis of in vitro and in vivo studies, and its effectiveness was documented with numerous randomised clinical trials. The results of the studies have proven that horse chestnut seed extract not only significantly improves subjective symptoms in patients with chronic venous insufficiency like calf spasm, leg pain, pruritus, fatigue, but it also reduced leg volume, the ankle and calf circumference. The preparations containing horse chestnut seed extract are very popular and they have similar effectiveness as compression therapy and a preparation with O-( -hydroxyethyl)-rutosi...
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Herbal infusions are an underestimated and easy to intake a source of biologically active natural compounds (polyphenols), which, in the dissolved form, are more easily absorbed. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the potential of... more
Herbal infusions are an underestimated and easy to intake a source of biologically active natural compounds (polyphenols), which, in the dissolved form, are more easily absorbed. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the potential of herbal infusions as a functional food to reduce postprandial hyperglycemia (inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase) and to reduce the effects of increased blood glucose level (antioxidant effect-DPPH, CUPRAC, and Fe2+ chelating assays, as well as anti-inflammatory activity-inhibition of collagenase). We showed that polyphenols are present in the examined aqueous herbal infusions (including chlorogenic and gallic acids). Subsequently, our research has shown that herbal infusions containing cinnamon bark, mulberry leaves, and blackberry fruits most strongly inhibit glucose release from complex carbohydrates, and that all herbal infusions can, to different degrees, reduce the effects of elevated blood sugar. In conclusion, infusions prepared from herbal...
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The present work was aimed at studying the potential of elicitation on the accumulation of phenolic compounds in in vitro shoot cultures of Eryngium alpinum L., a protected plant from the Apiaceae family. The study examined the influence... more
The present work was aimed at studying the potential of elicitation on the accumulation of phenolic compounds in in vitro shoot cultures of Eryngium alpinum L., a protected plant from the Apiaceae family. The study examined the influence of (+)-usnic acid on the biomass growth as well as on the biosynthesis of the desired flavonoids and phenolic acids in the cultured microshoots. The phenolic compound content was determined by HPLC-DAD. The flavonoid of the highest concentration was isoquercetin, and the phenolic acids of the highest amount were rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, both in the non-elicited and elicited biomass. Isoquercetin accumulation was efficiently increased by a longer elicitation with a lower concentration of lichenic compound (107.17 ± 4.67 mg/100 g DW) or a shorter elicitation with a higher concentration of acid (127.54 ± 11.34 and 108.37 ± 12.1 mg/100 g DW). Rosmarinic acid production generally remained high in all elicited and ...
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The study aimed to examine whether usnic acid—a lichen compound with UV-absorbing properties—can be considered as a prospective photoprotective agent in cosmetic products. Moreover, a comparison of two usnic acid enantiomers was performed... more
The study aimed to examine whether usnic acid—a lichen compound with UV-absorbing properties—can be considered as a prospective photoprotective agent in cosmetic products. Moreover, a comparison of two usnic acid enantiomers was performed to preselect the more effective compound. To meet this aim, an in vitro model was created, comprising the determination of skin-penetrating properties via skin-PAMPA assay, safety assessment to normal human skin cells (keratinocytes, melanocytes, fibroblasts), and examination of photostability and photoprotective properties. Both enantiomers revealed comparable good skin-penetrating properties. Left-handed usnic acid was slightly more toxic to keratinocytes (IC50 80.82 and 40.12 µg/mL, after 48 and 72 h, respectively) than its right-handed counterpart. The latter enantiomer, in a cosmetic formulation, was characterized by good photoprotective properties and photostability, comparable to the UV filter octocrylene. Perhaps most interestingly, (+)-usn...
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A protocol for C. japonica micropropagation with a confirmation of genome size stability of the in vitro-propagated plantlets was developed. The highest number of shoots multiplied in vitro was obtained on Murashige & Skoog medium (MS)... more
A protocol for C. japonica micropropagation with a confirmation of genome size stability of the in vitro-propagated plantlets was developed. The highest number of shoots multiplied in vitro was obtained on Murashige & Skoog medium (MS) with 1.0 mg L−1 N6-benzyladenine plus 1.0 mg L−1 indole-3-acetic acid. The highest number of roots was observed for the shoots on MS with 15 g L−1 sucrose plus 1.0 mg L−1 indole-3-acetic acid. The acclimatization rate was significantly high. The qualitative HPLC analyses confirmed the presence of phenolic acids and flavonoids in the extracts. The extracts from both shoot cultures and the leaves from field-grown plants revealed antioxidant activity and they exhibited moderate antimicrobial activity. The conducted research confirmed the regeneration potential of genetically-stable plants of C. japonica under in vitro conditions, the ability of the plantlets to produce polyphenols as those present in field-grown plants, as well as their antioxidant poten...
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The effect of the well-characterized callus extract of Chaenomeles japonica on viability, morphology, and proliferation of normal human skin fibroblasts was investigated. The phytochemical analysis was performed using the ultra-high... more
The effect of the well-characterized callus extract of Chaenomeles japonica on viability, morphology, and proliferation of normal human skin fibroblasts was investigated. The phytochemical analysis was performed using the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography method. The total phenolic, phenolic acid, and flavonoid contents were determined spectrophotometrically. The antioxidant activity was investigated using the DPPH (1,1-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl Radical Scavenging), FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power), and CUPRAC (CUPric Reducing Antioxidant Capacity) assays. The callus growth index during passages was high as well as the content of pentacyclic triterpenoids. The microscopic observations of the fibroblast viability, morphology and the evaluation of the proliferation ratio (xCELLigence system) proved that the influence of callus extract on the fibroblasts was dose-dependent. The evaluated level of fibroblasts proliferation rate after 72 h of incubation with callus ext...
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Cladonia uncialis is a lichen species with confirmed antibacterial activity and whose genome has been recently sequenced, enabling first attempts in its functional characterization. In this work, we investigated activity of the C.... more
Cladonia uncialis is a lichen species with confirmed antibacterial activity and whose genome has been recently sequenced, enabling first attempts in its functional characterization. In this work, we investigated activity of the C. uncialis acetone extract (CUE) and usnic acid (UA) enantiomers against ten clinical microbial strains causing skin infections. The results showed that CUE, containing (–)-UA and squamatic acid, assayed at the same concentrations as UA, was noticeably more active than (–)-UA alone, in its pure form. The studied CUE displayed an activity that was comparable to that of (+)-UA observed for Staphylococcus epidermidis and Enterococcus faecium (18-24 mm zone of growth inhibition), but did not display any activity against fungal strains. The CUE demonstrated low cytotoxicity against HaCaT cells, in comparison to UA enantiomers, which is important for its therapeutic use. Results of the antioxidant assay (DPPH) indicated low antioxidant activity (IC50>200 µg/mL)...
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Summary Symptoms of inflammation accompany a number of diseases. In order to mitigate them, folk medicine has used a variety of medicinal substances, including herbs and mushrooms. Lichens are less known organisms, containing specific... more
Summary Symptoms of inflammation accompany a number of diseases. In order to mitigate them, folk medicine has used a variety of medicinal substances, including herbs and mushrooms. Lichens are less known organisms, containing specific secondary metabolites with interesting biological properties. One of their biological actions is the anti-inflammatory activity that has been confirmed by in vitro and animal studies. It has been proven that compounds and extracts from lichens inhibit the enzymes involved in the inflammatory process. The following paper is a review of research on the little-known anti-inflammatory properties of lichens.
Abstract Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. is a lichenized fungus within the Parmeliaceae family that commonly occurs in Europe and in many other parts of the world. As a result of the specific relationship between a heterotrophic fungus and... more
Abstract Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. is a lichenized fungus within the Parmeliaceae family that commonly occurs in Europe and in many other parts of the world. As a result of the specific relationship between a heterotrophic fungus and an autotrophic photobiont - algae or cyanobacteria among others - some secondary compounds not found among plants are produced. So far the presence of depsidones: physodalic acid, physodic acid, 3-hydroxyphysodic acid, 2′-O-methylphysodic acid, and protocetraric acid as well as depsides: atranorin and chloroatranorin, has been confirmed in H. physodes. Studies revealed interesting biological properties of depsidones and the extracts from H. physodes. The literature data has proved their antibacterial and antioxidant activity as well as cancer cell cytotoxicity and inhibitory effects on enzymes. Depsidones from H. physodes also influenced the cells of the immune system. Moreover, this lichen is often used in bioindicator and biomonitoring studies that enable the assessment of environmental conditions as well as air pollution.
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Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of a hydroalcoholic extract of Hippocastani flos (HF) in wound healing, especially in regards to cell viability, proliferation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and... more
Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of a hydroalcoholic extract of Hippocastani flos (HF) in wound healing, especially in regards to cell viability, proliferation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and proinflammatory cytokine production using an endothelial cell line [human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) line EAhy926]. Antibacterial and anti-hyaluronidase activity was also evaluated. The phytochemical profile was determined using an the UPLC–MS. The UPLC–MS analysis confirmed the presence of nine flavonoids, mainly kaempferol and quercetin derivatives. Specifically, the HF extract contained a high content of polyphenols (88.84 ± 4.13 mg chlorogenic acid equivalents/g dw), including flavonoids (15.68 ± 0.04 mg/quercetin equivalents/g dw). Antioxidant properties were demonstrated using FRAP assays (IC0.5 = 159.82 μg/mL). The HF extract exhibited a level of anti-hyaluronidase activity (IC50 = 0.86 mg/mL) similar to the positive control kaempferol (IC50 = 0.78 mg/mL). The antimicrobial properties of HF were shown against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC, MBC = 12.5 mg/mL). After exposing the endothelial cells to HF extract in vitro, it did not observed any change in the cell viability, proliferation, wound healing or proinflammatory cytokine production, but there was a dose dependent-reduction in ROS generation. In conclusion, HF extract exhibits anti-hyaluronidase activity, antimicrobial properties, and reduces ROS production. These observations may partly justify the use of HF in supporting wound healing.
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The objective of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of a hydroalcoholic extract from herb (GP) in some aspects of the endothelial cell function necessary for anti-inflammatory activity and wound healing and relate these to the GP... more
The objective of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of a hydroalcoholic extract from herb (GP) in some aspects of the endothelial cell function necessary for anti-inflammatory activity and wound healing and relate these to the GP phytochemical profile. This study demonstrated that the GP extract caused a dose-dependent reduction of IL-6 secretion on IL-1β-stimulated endothelial cells. The IL-6 release was decreased to 33% ± 9% while this did not influence the IL-6 secretion without stimulation. Additionally, the GP extract exhibited an anti-hyaluronidase activity (IC = 0.47 mg/mL), which was evidently stronger than the positive control kaempferol (IC = 0.78 mg/mL) as well as a moderate and concentration-dependent, antioxidant activity. The results of the scratch assay showed that exposure of the endothelial cells to GP induced complete healing of the damage after 12 h of the study. The phytochemical profile of the extract was studied by using spectrophotometric (total amount ...
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The paper lists 337 species from Magurski National Park (MNP): 314 lichens, 18 lichenicolous fungi, four saprotrophic fungi and one lichenicolous myxomycete; 112 of them are new for MNP, 75 are reported for the first time for the Beskid... more
The paper lists 337 species from Magurski National Park (MNP): 314 lichens, 18 lichenicolous fungi, four saprotrophic fungi and one lichenicolous myxomycete; 112 of them are new for MNP, 75 are reported for the first time for the Beskid Niski Mts, and two are new for Poland. Selected species are accompanied by taxonomic notes and remarks on their distribution in Poland and other Carpathian ranges. First records of Intralichen lichenicola, Burgoa angulosa and Verrucaria policensis and a second record of Epigloea urosperma are given for the whole Carpathian range, and Fuscidea arboricola was recorded for the first time in the Western Carpathians. Halecania viridescens and Mycomicrothelia confusa are new for the Polish Carpathians. The records of Absconditella pauxilla, Collema crispum, Licea parasitica and Rinodina griseosoralifera in MNP are their second known localities for the range. 93 species, mainly rare or threatened in Poland, were reported from MNP in the 20
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Abstract Context: Lichens produce specific secondary metabolites with different biological activity. Objective: This study investigated the cytotoxic effects of physodic acid, in addition to the total phenolic content and cytotoxic and... more
Abstract Context: Lichens produce specific secondary metabolites with different biological activity. Objective: This study investigated the cytotoxic effects of physodic acid, in addition to the total phenolic content and cytotoxic and antioxidant activity of acetone extract from Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. (Parmeliaceae). Materials and methods: Cytotoxicity of physodic acid (0.1–100 μM) was assessed in MDA-MB-231, MCF-7 and T-47D breast cancer cell lines and a nontumorigenic MCF-10A cell line using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, neutral red uptake and crystal violet assays during 72 h of incubation. An MTT assay was also used to assess the cytotoxic effects of the acetone extract (0.1–100 μg/mL) in the MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, T-47D breast cancer cell lines after 72 h. The total phenolic content of the acetone extract, expressed as the gallic acid equivalent, was investigated using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. The antioxidant activity of the extract was assessed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and ferric-reducing antioxidant power assays. Results: The cytotoxic activity of physodic acid appeared to be strong in the tumorigenic cell lines (IC50 46.0–93.9 μM). The compound was inactive against the nontumorigenic MCF-10A cell line (IC50 >100 μM). The acetone extract showed cytotoxicity in the breast cancer cell lines (IC50 46.2–110.4 μg/mL). The acetone extract was characterized by a high content of polyphenols, and it had significant antioxidant activity. Discussion and conclusion: Physodic acid and acetone extract from H. physodes displayed cytotoxic effects in the breast cancer cell lines. Furthermore, acetone extract from H. physodes possessed significant antioxidant properties.
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The extract from horse chestnut seeds (Aesculus hippocastanum L., Sapindaceae), standardised for the content of aescin, is used as the treatment for chronic venous insufficiency. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-oedematous properties and... more
The extract from horse chestnut seeds (Aesculus hippocastanum L., Sapindaceae), standardised for the content of aescin, is used as the treatment for chronic venous insufficiency. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-oedematous properties and indicates a positive effect on the venous tone, rheological properties, and blood coagulability. The mechanism of horse chestnut seed extract/aescin activity was proposed on the basis of in vitro and in vivo studies, and its effectiveness was documented with numerous randomised clinical trials. The results of the studies have proven that horse chestnut seed extract not only significantly improves subjective symptoms in patients with chronic venous insufficiency like calf spasm, leg pain, pruritus, fatigue, but it also reduced leg volume, the ankle and calf circumference. The preparations containing horse chestnut seed extract are very popular and they have similar effectiveness as compression therapy and a preparation with O-(β-hydroxyethyl)-rutosi...
One of the aim of nature protection should be improving the knowledge of society about properties of observed organisms. It can be helpful in creating the properly ecological conspicuous. Some species of lichens, eg genus Usnea, Ramalina,... more
One of the aim of nature protection should be improving the knowledge of society about properties of observed organisms. It can be helpful in creating the properly ecological conspicuous. Some species of lichens, eg genus Usnea, Ramalina, Pseudevernia, Cetraria, were commonly used in medicine from antiquity time. Their therapeutic properties are connected with the presence of secondary metabolites, eg cetraric acid,furmarprotocetraric acid, usnic acid. Nowadays few of the lichens have still application in producing some pills, tablets, syrups, toothpastes. During field trips in Sowia Gora (Puszcza Notecka) some epigaeic lichens known from therapeutic properties were recorded. Suggestion of necessity of putting some information connected with therapeutic properties of species in the didactic table along the road of nature complexes characterized by high diversity of lichens is given. It permits to increase the level of interest in this group of species and ipso facto contribute to pr...
Cetraria islandica, lichen that occurs especially in area of Nothern Europe and Asia was used by local inhabitants from a very long time. Not only medical properties of thallus but also its nutritive values were appreciated. This work is... more
Cetraria islandica, lichen that occurs especially in area of Nothern Europe and Asia was used by local inhabitants from a very long time. Not only medical properties of thallus but also its nutritive values were appreciated. This work is a review of present-day knowledge concerning Iceland moss. The main compounds isolated from C. islandica are: polysaccharides (lichenin and isolichenin), depsidones: fumaroprotocetraric acid, cetraric acid and α-methylene-γ-lactone: protolichesterinic acid. Biological activity of compounds present in C. islandica was confirmed. Studies carried out in vitro and in vivo showed immunomodulating, antiinflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antiproliferative, cytotoxic and antioxidative properties of lichens active compounds. Iceland moss toxicity was tested on animals and depended on preparation and percentage content of thallus in the diet. In the paper information concerning commercial products containing lichen, safety od their usage and possible adv...
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The contents of flavonoids and proanthocyanidins in the fruit of Vaccinium macrocarpon and V. oxycoccos have been determined by the methods recommended by Ph. Eur. V and the total content of phenolic compounds -by the Folin-Ciocalteu... more
The contents of flavonoids and proanthocyanidins in the fruit of Vaccinium macrocarpon and V. oxycoccos have been determined by the methods recommended by Ph. Eur. V and the total content of phenolic compounds -by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The content of flavonoids has been were 0.27% and 0. 09% calculated as hyperoside; the content of proanthocyanidins has been 2.05% and 0.92% as cyanidin chloride and the total phenolic compounds – 1.88% and 0.98% expressed as gallic acid of the fruit of V. macrocarpon and V. oxycoccos, respectively.
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Feverfew was already known at the beginning of our era. In folk medicine, infusions from the leaves of Tanacetum parthenium were used in rheumatism, fever, and in migraine, menstrual pain, toothaches also digestive troubles, cough, or... more
Feverfew was already known at the beginning of our era. In folk medicine, infusions from the leaves of Tanacetum parthenium were used in rheumatism, fever, and in migraine, menstrual pain, toothaches also digestive troubles, cough, or parasitic diseases. It has been proved that the biological activity of the plants resultsfrom the presence of the chemical compounds with different structures, including the the sesquiterpene lactones, which include partenolid, determining the antimigraine properties of plants. Research up to date on preclinical and clinical nature demonstrate the efficacy of plants in the prevention of migraine attacks. Based on the results can also conclude that the use of feverfew is safe and recorded side effects are mild and transient.
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Herbal medicines have been used in cough due to their antitussive and expectorant activity. Antitussives act either centrally on the cough center of the brain or peripherally on the cough receptors in the respiratory passages. The... more
Herbal medicines have been used in cough due to their antitussive and expectorant activity. Antitussives act either centrally on the cough center of the brain or peripherally on the cough receptors in the respiratory passages. The antitussive effect of many herbs results from the content of mucilage, which exerts protective and demulcent activity. The activity of expectorant herbs results primarily from their influence on the gastric mucose (saponins and ipec alkaloids). This proves reflex stimulation which leads to an increase in the secretion of bronchial glands. Volatile-oil type expectorant herbs exert a direct stimulatory effect on the bronchial glands by means of local irritation with antibacterial activity. In colds and flu, herbs containing volatile oil can be used; also, volatile oils are ingredients of syrups and liquids as well as external phytomedicines in the form of liniments, ointments, and inhalations. The paper shows the herbs and phytomedicines present on the Polis...
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AIM OF THE STUDY Seven extracts and eight compounds from four selected Cameroonian medicinal plants, Solanecio mannii Hook f. (Asteraceae), Monodora myristica Dunal (Annonaceae), Albizia gummifera (J.F. Gmel) C.A. Smith... more
AIM OF THE STUDY Seven extracts and eight compounds from four selected Cameroonian medicinal plants, Solanecio mannii Hook f. (Asteraceae), Monodora myristica Dunal (Annonaceae), Albizia gummifera (J.F. Gmel) C.A. Smith (Fabaceae/Mimosoideae) and Glyphaea brevis (Spreng) Monachino (Tiliaceae), traditionally used for the treatment of hepatitis, parasites and other infectious diseases, were tested in vitro for their antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive (5 species) and Gram-negative (4 species) bacteria species and pathogenic yeasts (2 Candida species), to establish whether or not they have antimicrobial activity and to validate scientifically their use in traditional medicine. MATERIALS AND METHODS The agar disc diffusion and the microbroth dilution methods were used to determine the zone of inhibition between the edge of the filter paper and the edge of the inhibition area (IZ) and the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) respectively. RESULTS The most active extracts against Candida albicans and Candida krusei were respectively the cyclohexane extract from the fruits of Monodora myristica and the ethyl acetate extract from the stem bark of Albizia gummifera (MIC=6.3 microg/ml for both extracts). The lowest MIC value (1.6 microg/ml) for purified compounds was obtained on Candida albicans with a mixture of linear aliphatic primary alcohols (n-C24H50O to n-C30H62O), with n-hexacosanol (1b) as major compound and mixture of fatty acid esters of diunsaturated linear 1,2-diols (6). CONCLUSION These results afford ground informations for the potential use of the crude extracts of these species as well as of some of the isolated compounds in bacterial and fungal infections.