Medical botany

This research was aimed to investigate the ability of a alpha-mangostin compound derived from mangosteen pericarp to reduce plasma blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine level, and also to ameliorate the damaged renal proximal tubular of the kidneys in diabetic mice. An in-vivo antioxidant test was conducted using male BALB/c mice. The mice were divided into two groups; normal control (KN) and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Streptozotocin (STZ) induction was performed using multiple low-doses of 30 mg/kg injected for five consecutive days. The diabetic mice were separated again into three sub-groups; diabetic control (KD), diabetic mice treated with Metformin HCl (KM), and diabetic mice treated with alpha-mangostin. The alpha-mangostin treatment group was categorised based on the dose given; P1 (2 mg/kg body weight), P2 (4 mg/kg body weight) and P3 (8 mg/kg body weight). Before and after STZ injection, the body weight and fasting blood glucose were measured. The body weight...

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Cordia macleodii, an important medicinal plant traditionally used for the treatment of various disorders, including wound healing, jaundice, gastric ulcer, hepatoprotective activity and antivenom potential, thus the plant showed the high antioxidant properties. Successive extraction of leaf and barks powder with methanol and water was tested for quantitative determination of total phenolics, total flavonoids and various in vitro antioxidant activities. Phytochemical screening of crude plant extracts revealed the presence of sterols, alkaloid, flavonoid, phenolic, Reducing sugar, glycosides, tannins and saponins. All extracts showed the significant total phenolic and flavonoid contents and as well as radical scavenging and iron-chelating activities. Among all, methanol leaf extract was observed to be higher antioxidant activity than that of other extract. The methanol extracts showed greater antioxidant activity by DPPH scavenging the free radical with IC 50 values of 7.63 ± 0.38 μg gm-1 along with scavenged free radical in a concentration depended manner, which is compare to the standard ascorbic acid. Our results revealed that the presence of grater antioxidant activity of C. macleodii extract may be due to the high level of flavonoid and phenolic content in the plant. These results clearly indicated that C. macleodii is an effective natural antioxidant.

The rosemary (Rosemarinus officialis L) leaves extract was evaluated for inhibitive action towards the corrosion of mild steel in 0.1 N HCl at ambient temperature by gravimetric and potential monitoring techniques. There was a drastic reduction in weight loss of test samples. The corrosion inhibition efficiency of extract varied with concentration of extract and duration of immersion of mild steel in corrosive medium. The 100% leaves extract of Rosemarinus officinalis L gave 98.33% corrosion inhibition efficiency as compared to control. The corrosion rate was significantly reduced and curtailed to 0.27 mm/year at 100% leaves extract concentration. The corrosion inhibition of leaves extract of Rosemarinus officialis L is attributed to protective film formed by the complex organic compounds of the extract.

This study aims to assess the comparative effects of vitamin C supplementation on lipid profiles in male and female human subjects. A total of 60 healthy individuals (male and female) were selected randomly, instructed and given the understanding of the purpose of study. The test group comprising 30 individuals were given 500mg vitamin C tablets one daily for 30 days and control group of 30 individuals were given placebo capsules(glucose 500mg) one daily for 30 days. Fasting blood samples were collected in the morning for estimation of cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C, LDL-C and VLDL-C on first day of the commencement of the study and second blood samples were taken after thirty days of supplementation and same estimations were carried out. Vitamin C caused reduction in serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol significantly but it did not have any statistically significant effect on HDL-C, VLDL-C and triglycerides. As far as gender is concerned the effect of vitamin C on lipid profile in males was not significantly different from those in females.

Safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum) belongs to a family Lilliaceae is one of the important endangered Indian herbal medicine known for adoptogenic and aphrodisiac properties acts as rejuvenator. Traditionally, Safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum) root has been used to treat male impotence, oligozoospermia and erectile dysfunction. Roots of safed musali are known to improve male reproductive performance by increasing the testosterone level in male partner and consumption of green leaves as immunity booster. Safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum) is a highly valued medicinal plant in India and is considered as-white gold‖ in Indian system of Ayurveda. Safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum) is a rich source of over 25 alkaloids, vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, steroids, saponins and polysaccharides. A number of health tonics were prepared from safed musli. This review paper highlights latest updates on ethnobotany and pharmacological activities of safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum).

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Natural antioxidants due to their
radical  scavenging  and  lipid  peroxidation  ability  are  considered  as
possible  protection  against  delayed  wound  healing  in  diabetic
condition.
The Aim of the Study:  The objective of our study was to evaluate
the  antidiabetic  and  wound  healing  activity  of  the  leaf  extract  of
Catharanthus roseus L in mice.
Materials  and  Methods:  The  methanolic  extract  of  leaf  of
Catharanthus roseus  L  at a dose of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg body
weight  was  induced  through  intraperitonial  in  mice. To  create
wounds, a single full thickness 1.0 cm diameter superficial excision
was  made  on  the  mid-dorsum  of  each  mouse.  The  measurement  of
the  wound  diameter  was  taken  on  1,  3,  7  and  10  days by  using
transparency paper and permanent marker.
Results: The plant drugs increased the rate of wound contraction and
significantly  decrease  the  glucose  level  in  blood.  The  results  were
compared with control group of mice that were kept  on only saline
water. The wound closure was optimal at the dose of200 mg/kg body
weight. The extract of Catharanthus roseus L significantly increased
the wound contraction and formation of collagen fibres in the mice
compared with controls (P < 0.001).
Conclusion:  The  methanolic  extract  of  Catharanthus  roseus  L
significantly  increases  the  wound  contraction  in  mice  that  promises
to overcome the delayed wound healing in diabetic condition.

Cannabis sativa is an indispensable gift from the earth, with multiple uses and a majority of its importance recognized in its medicinal qualities. This paper investigates the role fungal endophytes, extrapolated from recent findings found in every plant species, play in the medical values attributed to C. sativa. Mysteries are enquired and investigated, and parallels are drawn from what is known about fungal endophytes. The fungal endophytes found in C.sativa should be accredited with the vast expansion of unique secondary metabolites found in C. sativa; as well as be recognized for their beneficiary actions which have probably allowed C. sativa such a long stay as a species.

Cancer is a life-threatening disease and leads to high rates of mortality worldwide, after cardiovascular disease, is the second leading cause of death. Investigations for finding new plant based anticancer compounds are imperative and interesting. There are many studies on anticancer herb/plant extracts in cell line models. Eugenia jambolana has been reported to contain phytochemicals like coumarin, flavanoids, glycosides, phenols, tannins and steroids. The various part of Eugenia jambolana have therapeutic applications. Plant active components were extracted using the decoction extraction method and the filtrate was obtained by means of filtering through a Whattman no.1 filter paper. The filtrate was evaporated in a weighed flask in a hot air oven set at 50°C. Extracts were reconstituted by re-dissolving in respective solvents. Different concentration i.e. 8, 15.6, 31.25, 62.5, 125, 250, 500 and 1000 µg. of the plant extracts were tested for the anticancer activity. The anticancer assay was performed on Human laryngeal epithiloma cells (Hep 2) obtained from King Institute of Preventive Medicine, Chennai, India. The cell viability was measured using MTT assay. Controls were maintained throughout the experiment (Untreated wells as cell control and diluent treated wells as diluent control). The assay was performed in triplicates for each of the extracts.

book is not designed to replace conventional medicine, but rather to benefit the patients where conventional medicine has either failed, had too many side effects, or where there were no treatments.  In some cases, these nutrient supplements are combined with conventional medicine to decrease the dosage of the medicines required and/or to decrease the side effects.

Plants play vital role in our existence and are major substance of nutrition and medicament throughout the world. Plants are being
used from early times to treat various human as well as animal’s diseases. A series of survey were conducted to notice the highly remedial
plants of Devi Galli Sudhnoti, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Data was collected by direct comments during field studies, interviews and
questionnaires from the local people. The locality, botanical, vernacular names, their family names and uses were elected. During study a total of
98 plants species related to 88 genera and 51 families were recorded. Most abundantly recorded families were Asteraceae, Poaceae, Moraceae,
Convolvolaceae, Rosaceae, Fabaceae and Lamiaceae. Ethnobotanical uses classifications showed that major proportion was of medicinal plants
species (85 spp, 90.4%) then fodder and forage species were (43 spp, 45.7%) It is followed by other uses such as vegetables (13 spp, 13.8%),
fruit (19 spp, 20.2%), Fuel (16 spp, 17%) and timber species (5 spp, 5.3%). Present survey has disclosed the ethno botanical importance of the
plants and also suggested that there is dire need of conservation of these medicinally important plants for sustainable utilization as they are
threatened by the loss of habitat and over exploitation.

Food security (a pressing issue for all nations) faces a threat due to population growth, land availability for growing crops, a changing climate (leading to increases in both abiotic and biotic stresses), heightened consumer awareness of the risks related to the use of agrichemicals, and also the reliance on depleting fossil fuel reserves for their production. Legislative changes in Europe mean that fewer agrichemicals will be available in the future for the control of crop pests and pathogens. The need for the implementation of a more sustainable
agricultural system globally, incorporating an integrated approach to disease management, has never been more urgent. To that end, the Valorizing Andean Microbial Diversity (VALORAM) project (http://valoram.ucc.ie), funded under FP7, examined the role of microbial
communities in crop production and protection to improve the sustainability, food security, environmental protection, and productivity for rural Andean farmers. During this work, microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs) of 27 rhizobacterial isolates were identified using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), and their antifungal
activity against Rhizoctonia solani was determined in vitro and compared to the activity of a selection of pure volatile compounds. Five of these isolates, Pseudomonas palleroniana R43631, Bacillus sp. R47065, R47131, Paenibacillus sp. B3a R49541, and Bacillus simplex M3-4 R49538 trialled in the field in their respective countries of origin, i.e., Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador, showed significant increase in the yield of potato. The strategy followed in the VALORAM project may offer a template for the future isolation and determination of putative biocontrol and plant growth-promoting agents, useful as part of a low-input integrated pest management system.

The present paper deals with the herbal remedies for curing common day-today ailments of children. The information is based on real experiences of the common rural people including tribes and the collective information to cure the most frequent diseases of children by herbal remedies was also verified with the available literature. The study reveals that a total of 97 plants belonging to 89 genera, 97 species under 48 families have been successfully used as a promising remedies for curing ailments of children.

The study about material contained in Barringtonia seeds were conducted for the first time using the standard procedure of AOAC. For present work, two species of Barringtonia were selected viz., B. acutangula and B. racemosa, which are distributed along the west coast of Maharashtra. The proximate composition and mineral constituents of Barringtonia seeds were evaluated. The B. acutangula seeds contained ash 4.24%, crude protein 9.23%, crude lipids 0.68%, crude fibre 13.54% and carbohydrates 66.17%. While in seeds of B. racemosa, ash 4.02%, crude protein 12.09%, crude lipids 0.75%, crude fibre 15.18% and carbohydrates 64.67% were observed. Both the species have a high energy value on dry basis. Comparing the mineral content with recommended dietary allowances (RDA), the results indicated that seeds of B. Acutangula fruits couldbe a good supplement for some nutrients such as calcium, fibre and carbohydrates, whereas the B. Racemosa seeds could be a good supplement for some nutrients such as fibre, potassium, zinc and carbohydrates. The seeds of Barringtonia could be promoted as a carbohydrate supplement. Hence, this piece of work claims the potential of Barringtonia species indicating its proximate and mineral composition.

Lés études de la phytodiversité ont recours le plus souvent à la caractérisation taxonomique, et parfois, à la mise en évidence de valeurs directes des ressources naturelles en tant qu’usage direct de la flore, sans toutefois faire appel à ses valeurs réelles, en tant que fonctionnalités indirectes de l’écosystème. Ce travail examine des valeurs de la flore vasculaire dans le Pré-Rif de Taza (Nord-Ouest du Maroc), résultats de liens entre la phytodiversité et les activités humaines. Il met en évidence différents usages directs et indirects de la flore utilisée par la population locale, tout en prêtant plus d’intérêts à la flore médicinale et mellifère. Il intègre aussi un inventaire floristique, ainsi que la valeur que représente cette richesse chez les acteurs locaux. Nous avons procédé via des enquêtes socioéconomiques, des relevés phytosociologiques, une évaluation contingente et un bilan de services des écosystèmes locaux tout en esquissant des outils d’aide à la gestion de la végétation locale. Les valeurs accordées à ces ressources, incitent les décideurs à adopter de nouvelles approches de gestion en pleine concertation avec la population pour garantir leur sauvegarde.

Antibiotics provide the main basis for the therapy of microbial (bacterial and fungal)
infections. Since the discovery of these antibiotics and their uses as chemotherapeutic
agents there was a belief in the medical fraternity that this would lead to eventual
eradication of infectious diseases. However, overuse of antibiotics has become the major
factor for the emergence and dissemination of multi-drug resistant strains of several
groups of microorganisms. The worldwide emergence of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella
pneumoniae, Haemophilus and many other â-lactamase producers has become a major
therapeutic problem. Multi-drug resistant strains of E.coli and K. pneumoniae are widely
distributed in hospitals and are increasingly being isolated from community acquired
infections. Alarmingly, the incidence of nosocomial candidemia has risen sharply in the
last decade. All this has resulted in severe consequences including increased cost of
medicines and mortality of patients. With the widespread use of antibiotics and other
antimicrobial agents, more and more of the clinical multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogen
appeared, and the degree of resistance has become increasingly serious. At the same time,
because of the difficulty in developing chemical synthetic drugs and because of their
side-effects, scientists are making more efforts to search for new drugs from plant
resources to combat MDR microbial infections. Presently there has been an increase in
the use of plant microbicides because of the necessity of finding safer agents and the
need for preventing environmental degradation.

The present study was to scientifically investigate the traditional claim of Aegle marmelos (A. marmelos) used to subside the symptoms of diabetes mellitus by siddha system of medicine. Hence,  the  study  was  carried  out  to  conform  the  activity.  The  plant  leaves  of A.  marmelos was  extracted  with  chloroform,  ethanol  and  water  in  Soxhlet  apparatus.  The  extracts  obtain were  tested  for  acute  toxicity  study  in  wistar  albino  mice  at  different  dose.  The  maximum tolerant  dose  was  observed  as  2000mg/kg  b.wt.  No  motility  and  toxic  symptoms  were observed  at  a  dose  of  2000mg/kg,  b.wt.  So,  the  1/5  (400mg)  of  the  maximum  tolerant  dose was  selected  for  the  screening  of  antidiabetic  activity.  The  14  days  antidiabetic  treatment reveals  that  there  is  a  deviation  in  the  biochemical  parameters  such  as  aspartate  amino transaminase  (AST),  alanine  amino  transaminase  (ALT),  alkaline  phosphatase  (ALP),  blood glucose  (BG),  cholesterol  (TC),  total  protein  (TP)  and  total  bilirubin  (TB).  The  ethanolic (P<0.001) and water (P<0.01) extract at a dose of 400mg/kg exhibited significant antidiabetic activity which was compared with the standard drugGilbenclamide10mg/kg.Keywords: Aegle marmelos; Anti-diabetic activity; Streptozotocin; Nicotinamide.

In this study we are tried to retrace the history of arab botanical science through its most famous scholars and focussing on some of its great moments. We have also undertaken to analyse some of the most outsatanding works wich unquestionably constitute important progresse in comparison with the theories of the period. Our study shows  that universal medicine, and science in general, benefitted greatly from the development of natural sciences in the thirteenth century and that they to a considerable extent were able to build upon the foundations laid by arabic sciences.

Food borne diseases encompass a wide spectrum of illnesses associated with the ingestion of food contaminated by microbes. Many medicinal plants are considered to be potential antimicrobial crude drugs as well as a source for novel compounds with anti-microbial activity, with possibly new modes of action. Eugenia jambolana has been reported to contain phytochemicals like coumarin, flavanoids, glycosides, phenols, tannins and steroids. Diluted meat samples in PBS were inoculated onto culture plates of S S Agar, and Chromogenic agar and incubated at 370C overnight. After 48 hours incubation, cultures were examined for significant growth. Subcultures were then made into plates of nutrient agar and incubated for another 24 hours. The primary identification of the bacterial isolates was made based on colonial appearance and pigmentation. Antibacterial activities of the plant extracts were tested on Mueller-Hinton agar by well diffusion method. Acetone, methanol and ethanolic Eugenia jambolana extracts against S. aureus, Pseudomonas species and Salmonella species showed a significant zone of inhibition. The objectives of the present study were as follows: Isolation of bacteria from meat, Study of biofilm production by the isolated bacterias and Screening of Eugenia jambolana extract for antibacterial activity against the isolated bacteria.

A new variety, Neotinea tridentate var. libanotica K. Addam & M. Bou-Hamdan, from Lebanon is described and illustrated. Morpho-logically this variety is close to Neotinea tridentata (Scop.) R.M. Bateman, A.M. Pridgeon & M.W. Chase, Neotinea tridentata subsp. conica (Willd.) R.M.Bateman, Pridgeon & M.W.Chase, but differ in floral details, such as: 3 to 4 basal scale leaves, inflorescence is ovoid to elongate, the parianth segments are not curved and don’t form a helmet (hood) and are widely opened, the angle formed between the lateral and dorsal sepals is 90° bisected by the petals forming two equal 45° angles, the angles formed between the two sepals varies from 180°-160°, the lip pendent or projecting forward at an angle of 65°.

Food borne diseases encompass a wide spectrum of illnesses associated with the ingestion of food contaminated by microbes. Many medicinal plants are considered to be potential antimicrobial crude drugs as well as a source for novel compounds with anti-microbial activity, with possibly new modes of action. Eugenia jambolana has been reported to contain phytochemicals like coumarin, flavanoids, glycosides, phenols, tannins and steroids. Diluted meat samples in PBS were inoculated onto culture plates of S S Agar, and Chromogenic agar and incubated at 370C overnight. After 48 hours incubation, cultures were examined for significant growth. Subcultures were then made into plates of nutrient agar and incubated for another 24 hours. The primary identification of the bacterial isolates was made based on colonial appearance and pigmentation. Antibacterial activities of the plant extracts were tested on Mueller-Hinton agar by well diffusion method. Acetone, methanol and ethanolic Eugenia jamb...

Saps and Syrups, Tinctures and Teas: An Analysis of Medicinal Plant Usage in the Coastal Region of Primorska Province, Slovenia. Despite a growing body of ethnobotanical work on the use of medicinal plants in Europe’s Balkan Peninsula, very little research in this field has been carried out in Slovenia. The present research sought to analyze the usage of medicinal plants and pertinent cultural elements in the coastal region of Slovenia’s Primorska province. Thirty–one informants took part in the study, listing a total of 119 taxa from 47 families. The most prevalent families were the Lamiaceae and the Asteraceae. Overall, medicinal plants were largely used for treating mild health issues, especially those associated with the respiratory and digestive systems. Multiple views of health also emerged, showing that plants were considered medicinal for reasons beyond the simple application to alleviate symptoms. Though the usage of medicinal plants in the region seems to be in decline and to carry negative connotations among the majority of the population, there were some small indications that these traditions may be passed down to some in the younger generations. Further research is needed both in this region and others of Slovenia to ensure the survival of this important traditional knowledge and to further contextualize it.

Saps and Syrups, Tinctures and Teas: An Analysis of Medicinal Plant Usage in the Coastal Region of Primorska Province, Slovenia. Despite a growing body of ethnobotanical work on the use of medicinal plants in Europe’s Balkan Peninsula, very little research in this field has been carried out in Slovenia. The present research sought to analyze the usage of medicinal plants and pertinent cultural elements in the coastal region of Slovenia’s Primorska province. Thirty–one informants took part in the study, listing a total of 119 taxa from 47 families. The most prevalent families were the Lamiaceae and the Asteraceae. Overall, medicinal plants were largely used for treating mild health issues, especially those associated with the respiratory and digestive systems. Multiple views of health also emerged, showing that plants were considered medicinal for reasons beyond the simple application to alleviate symptoms. Though the usage of medicinal plants in the region seems to be in decline and to carry negative connotations among the majority of the population, there were some small indications that these traditions may be passed down to some in the younger generations. Further research is needed both in this region and others of Slovenia to ensure the survival of this important traditional knowledge and to further contextualize it.

Mon District of Nagaland, India has tremendous potential in providing valuable Wild edible Fruits (WEFs) and very few works has been done on it. This paper deals with documentation of 65 species of WEFs belonging to 36 families and 51 genera. An attempt has been made to record the use of fruits and its treatment in various ailments. Besides medicinal values it also has high market values.