Elsholtzia:review of traditional uses,chemistry and pharmacology

The chemical constituents, pharmacological activity and traditional uses of 20 species attributed to the genus Elsholtzia （Labiatae） used in China are reviewed and compared. A survey of the literature available shows that these species are used mostly for the treatment of respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders. Additionally, some of these Elsholtzia species show antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, relieving fever, analgesic activities and myocardial ischemia protection. Generally, the essential oils or flavonoids from these plant extracts are assumed to be the active principles.

Traditional Uses and Pharmacologically Active Constituents of Dendrobium Plants for Dermatological Disorders:A Review

than 80 Dendrobium species have been reported in China.However,there are only six Dendrobium species,namely,D.bigibbum var.superbum(syn.D.phalaenopsis),D.chrysanthum,D.fimbriatum,D.loddigesii,D.nobile,and D.officinale(syn.D.candidum),listed in the New Inventory of Existing Cosmetic Ingredients in China Launched.Artificial planting of Dendrobium species has been a great success in China.To better utilize Dendrobium resources for medicinal and cosmetic purposes,we summarize their traditional uses and pharmacologically active compounds for treating dermatological disorders in this review.“Orchidaceae”,“Dendrobium”,“traditional use”,“ethnobotany”,“dermatological disorder”,and“skin disease”were used as search terms to screen the literature.Cited references were collected between 1970 and 2020 from the Web of Science,China National Knowledge Internet(CNKI),SciFinder,Google Scholar,and Chinese books.From the search,it was found that there are 22 Dendrobium species with traditional uses in dermatological disorders,and 131 compounds from Dendrobium plants have been reported to possess anti-inflammatory,antimicrobial,antioxidant,antiaging,anti-psoriasis,and tyrosinase-inhibitory activities,implying that Dendrobium plants are important resources for the discovery of active compounds and the development of new drugs and cosmetics.D.crepidatum,D.denneanum,D.loddigesii,D.nobile,and D.officinale have been extensively studied.More research on other Dendrobium species is needed.The major active compounds found in Dendrobium species are phenanthrenes,alkaloids,flavonoids,phenylpropanoids,and lignans.Several compounds,such as loddigesiinol A,(S)-5-methoxy-2,4,7,9-tetrahydroxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene,(S)-4-methoxy-2,5,7,9-tetrahydroxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene,2,5-dihydroxy-4-methoxy-phenanthrene 2-O-β-d-glucopyranoside,(9R)-1,2,5,9-tetrahydroxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene 5-O-β-d-glucopyranoside,(+)-homocrepidine A,and vicenin 2,have significant anti-inflammatory activities and inhibit nitric oxide(NO)production with IC_(50) values less than 5μM,and these compounds are worthy of further study.

Traditional Chinese medicine Euodiae Fructus:botany,traditional use,phytochemistry,pharmacology,toxicity and quality control

Euodiae Fructus,referred to as“Wuzhuyu”in Chinese,has been used as local and traditional herbal medicines in many regions,especially in China,Japan and Korea,for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders,headache,emesis,aphtha,dermatophytosis,dysentery,etc.Substantial investigations into their chemical and pharmacological properties have been performed.Recently,interest in this plant has been focused on the different structural types of alkaloids like evodiamine,rutaecarpine,dehydroevodiamine and 1-methyl-2-undecyl-4(1H)-quinolone,which exhibit a wide range of pharmacological activities in preclinical models,such as anticancer,antibacterial,anti-inflammatory,anti-cardiovascular disease,etc.This review summarizes the up-to-date and comprehensive information concerning the botany,traditional uses,phytochemistry,pharmacology of Euodiae Fructus together with the toxicology and quality control,and discusses the possible direction and scope for future research on this plant.

Rubus chingii Hu: an overview of botany, traditional uses,phytochemistry, and pharmacology

Rubus chingii Hu, a member of the rosaceae family, is extensively distributed in China and Japan. Its unripe fruits(Fupenzi in Chinese) have a long history of use as an herbal tonic in traditional Chinese medicine for treating various diseases commonly associated with kidney deficiency, and they are still in use today. Phytochemical investigations on the fruits and leaves of R. chingii indicate the presence of terpenoids, flavonoids, steroids, alkaloids, phenylpropanoids, phenolics, and organic acids. Extracts or active substances from this plant are reported to have various pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antifungal, antithrombotic, antiosteoporotic, hypoglycemic, and central nervous system-regulating effects. This review provides up-to-date information on the botanical characterizations, traditional usages, chemical constituents, pharmacological activities, toxicity,and quality control of R. chingii. Possible directions for future research are also briefly proposed. This review aims to supply fundamental data for the further study of R. chingii and contribute to the development of its clinical use.

In vitro screening of traditionally used medicinal plants in China against Enteroviruses

AIM： To search for new antiviral agents from traditional Chinese medicine, specifically anti-enterovirosuses agents. METHODS： The aqueous extracts （AE） of more than 100 traditionally used medicinal plants in China were evaluated for their in vitro anti-Coxsackie virus B3 activities with a MTT-based colorimetric assay. RESULTS： The test for AE of 16 plants exhibited anti- Coxsackie virus B3 activities at different magnitudes of potency. They can inhibit three steps （inactivation, adsorption and replication） during the infection. Among the 16 plants, Sargentodoxa cuneata （Oliv.） Rehd. et Wils., Sophora tonkinensis Gapnep., Paeonia veitchii Lynch, Spatholobus suberectus Dunn. and Cyrtorniurn fortunei J, sm. also have activity against other enterovirus, including Coxsackie virus 135, Polio virus I, Echo virus 9 and Echo virus 29. Cell cytotoxic assay demonstrated that all tested AE had CC50 values higher than their EC50 values. CONCLUSION： The sixteen traditionally used medicinal plants in China possessed antMral activity, and some of them merit further investigations.

Antibacterial potential of some plants of traditional use in India against pathogenic strains of S.aureus

Objective:To evaluate antibacterial sensitivity of 43 ethnomedicinally important plants belonging to 25 different families from Western Uttar Pradesh,a northern province in India,against hospital isolated pathogenic strains of Staphylococcus aureus(S.aureus).Methods:Methanol(MeOH)and aqueous extracts of plants were subjected to sensitivity test against S.aureus ATCC 25953 and two hospital isolated virulent strains of S.aureus SA1 and SA2 following disc diffusion assay to determine sensitivity and agar dilution method to test minimum inhibition concentration using Mueller-Hinton agar.Results:Potential antibacterial activity was recorded for MeOH extracts against test pathogens,while moderate antibacterial activity was observed in case of aqueous extracts.Out of 43 plant species,39 species were found sensitive to tested strains.Minimum inhibition concentration values of MeOH extracts were demonstrated at low concentration ranging from 15.5 mg/mL up to 45.5 mg/mL compared to aqueous extracts which were observed ranging from 30.0 mg/mL up to 95.0 mg/mL.Conclusions:The present findings strongly support traditional uses of these plants in the treatment of infectious maladies and further urge of phytochemical and pharmacological research to develop safer and cheaper drugs for the benefit of ailing humanity.

Erratum to “Census Ethnobotanical Study of Some Plants Used in Traditional Medicine in the City of Meknes” [American Journal of Plant Sciences 5 (2014) 2480-2496]

An ethnobotanical survey was conducted in the city of Meknès over a period of two years, from 2009 to 2011 with 1000 people (615 women, 385 men). Through the questionnaire, schedules were established to collect information on the use of therapeutic medicinal plants by the local population. This research has focused primarily on the general population, herbalists and healers. The present investigation has enumerated 194 species distributed in 165 genera and 72 families. The most represented families are Lamiaceae (18%), the Aseraceae, (17%), the Apiaceae (14%) and the Fabaceae (10%). The results of the survey show that 54% of individuals use both herbal medicine and modern medicine, 26% of individuals use herbs and 20% use modern medicine. We are interested in the use of plants in different ages and sexes. We report that 31% of the population is aged between 51 and 60 years, 29% between 41 and 50 years, 23% between 31 and 40 years, 10% between 21 and 30 years, 3% less than 20 years and 4 % > 60 years. We note the predominance of women over men. Women use up to 61% against 39% of men. The analysis of our results shows that herbal medicine takes a place in the self-medication of the population studied. However, we emphasize an important point: Ignorance of toxic plants, in fact, only 19% of the target population recognizes these plants.

Published papers about Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge used in traditional Chinese medicine

Chu Kedan, Ji Guolu, Shi Hong, Xie Weirong, Zhang Yuqin, Zhang Xiaoqin. Study of the alcohol extraction process of Shenhu granules. Strait Pharmaceutical Journal, 2011, 23（03）： 21-24. Email： chukd5917@ 163.com

The Legally Permissible Traditional Customary Uses of Wildlife and Forests under Kenyan Law

Kenya like most of sub-Saharan Africa is reliant predominantly on agriculture and natural resources;which include land, water, minerals and fisheries, but the most dominant of which are wildlife and forestry. Unlike minerals which are by law vested in the government and can only be extracted by it and not the citizenry, wildlife and forestry are resources that the citizens may utilize in their day to day lives to meet their needs. Apart from their consumptive uses, there are also non-consumptive uses and values of wild animals and forests;such as their intrinsic ecological value as gene banks, as well as their scenic value for viewing. These are essentially conventional values and uses. They are largely formal and universal ones that are universally obtaining across the world irrespective of the levels of civilization or cultural identity, and are even compatible with modernity. Apart from these, there are some wildlife and forestry uses which are unique to the typical African way of life as part of old traditional customs that have existed from earlier times. These are what are in this paper referred to as “traditional customary uses”. These uses are largely informal, rudimentary and archaic. They are nevertheless critical in the endemic African way of life and represent the inextricable rudimentary technologically bereft relationship between the African people and their natural resources. Under the country’s existing laws, some of these uses are prohibited and criminal sanctions prescribed to enforce their proscription, hence cannot be enjoyed or practiced. There are however others that the law has either expressly allowed, or not prohibited, hence may be lawfully enjoyed or practiced. These are what this paper has referred to as the legally permissible traditional customary uses;and are the ones that are its subject. As for wildlife, in the year 1977, the Kenya Government by a Legal Notice in the Kenya Gazette imposed a ban on all forms of hunting of wildlife. The ban is still in force. This therefore means that hunting is illegal, as legal prohibition has in effect prohibited all and any form of off-take or killing of wildlife. By implication therefore, under Kenyan law, only non-consumptive uses of wildlife may be enjoyed, and not the consumptive ones. These include viewing as well as socio-cultural and spiritual uses. In Kenya therefore, the only permissible traditional customary use of wildlife is its non-consumptive use for socio-cultural and spiritual purposes;subject of course to the existing legal prohibition on witchcraft under the Witchcraft Act (Cap 67 Laws of Kenya). This piece of legislation has prohibited the practice and promotion of witchcraft. This in effect means that the socio-cultural and spiritual uses of wildlife though legally permissible, will be enjoyed, provided it is not for witchcraft purposes. With regard to forests, this author has identified the following five as their legally permissible traditional customary uses under Kenyan law: Socio-cultural and spiritual (consumptive and non-consumptive) use, other than for witchcraft;use in herbal folk medicine, other than for witchcraft;use for human food and livestock fodder;use for firewood;and use as raw material in construction and traditional craft. Notably, in Kenya, traditional customary use is subject to the existing legal prohibition on witchcraft. Further, while it is the legally permissible use category that is the focus of this paper, the author nevertheless discusses the prohibited traditional customary uses as well. This paper is based on literature survey as well as data obtained from the author’s previous research whose primary data and findings have been published in recent times. It also draws from the documented research and diverse documented views of other commentators on the subject.

Analysis of Household Use of Traditional Fuels and Possible Contribution to Deforestation in Kisii County, Kenya

A large majority of Kenyans still rely on traditional fuels to meet their domestic cooking needs. The demand for traditional biomass is therefore likely to increase in the coming decades as long as they remain the most readily available and affordable in comparison to modern energy options. This research sought to analyze the household use of traditional fuels and its possible contribution to deforestation in Kisii County. The willingness of respondents to adopt alternative biofuels and energy efficient stoves and barriers encountered were also assessed. Two structured questionnaires that contained both open and close-ended questions were administered to 436 households and 40 wood fuel sellers respectively. Analysis of variance and regression analysis were used to analyze the alternative hypotheses of the study. It was established that the use of charcoal was the most prevalent compared to other fuels. Household consumption of traditional fuels contributed to an estimated loss of 39 ha of forest cover per annum. However, since 89.7% of the wood fuel used was sourced from other counties, the loss of biomass did not occur in Kisii County. Given a chance, about 63% of the respondents were willing to adopt alternative biofuels and energy efficient stoves. However, the greatest barrier to the adoption of these alternatives was the high cost of purchase. Other barriers identified included lack of government support and unwillingness to let go of traditional cooking practices. It was recommended that the Kenyan government and other stakeholders should promote local technologies for producing energy efficient stoves to make them more affordable to the populace.

Traditional usage,phytochemistry and pharmacology of Croton sylvaticus Hochst.ex C.Krauss

Croton sylvaticus(C. sylvaticus) is widely used as herbal medicine by the indigenous people of tropical Africa. The potential of C. sylvaticus as herbal medicine,the phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of its parts used as herbal medicines are reviewed. The extensive literature survey revealed that C. sylvaticus is traditionally used to treat or manage at least 24 human and animal diseases and ailments. The species is used as herbal medicine for diseases and ailments such as abdominal pains,boils,fever,inflammation,malaria,rheumatism,swellings and tuberculosis and as ethnoveterinary medicine. Multiple classes of phytochemicals such as alkaloids,anthraquinones,essential oils,flavonoids,lignan,phenolics,sterols,tannins and terpenoids have been isolated from the species. Scientific studies on C. sylvaticus indicate that it has a wide range of pharmacological activities which include antibacterial,antifungal,anti-inflammatory,antioxidant,larvicidal and effects on the central nervous system. Although studies have confirmed that C. sylvaticus has a wide range of bioactives,further research on the exact bioactive molecules and mechanisms of action are required.

Diospyros lycioides Desf:Review of its botany, medicinal uses,pharmacological activities and phytochemistry

Diospyros lycioides Desf.(D. lycioides) is traditionally used as herbal medicine against various human and animal ailments in tropical Africa. The present paper reviewed information on botany, medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of D. lycioides. This review was compiled using scientific literature from electronic search engine such as PubMed,Scopus, ScienceDirect, Springerlink, BioMed Central, Scielo, Medline and Science domain.Additional literatures were obtained from book chapters, books, dissertations, websites and other scientific publications. D. lycioides is used as traditional medicine in 50% of the countries where the species is native in tropical Africa. This study recorded 22 medicinal uses of D.lycioides which included abdominal pains, infertility in women, sexually transmitted infections,and used as chewing sticks(or mouthwash), toothbrushes and ethnoveterinary medicine. D.lycioides extracts demonstrated anti-adhesive, anti-inflammatory, antimetastatic, antioxidant,antifungal, antiproliferative, mutagenicity and antibacterial activities. Future research should focus on the pharmacological properties, phytochemistry, clinical trials and pharmacokinetics of D. lycioides which will enhance the therapeutic potential of the species.

Traditional Chinese medicine of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge: a review of phytochemistry, pharmacology and pharmacokinetics

Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge,known as red sage or Danshen,is commonly applied in Chinese herbal therapeutics for various biological effects.In 25-220 C.E.,the earliest Chinese Materia Medica referred to as Shengong’s Classic of Materia Medica(Eastern Han Dynasty of China,200 C.E.)initially documented Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge.Currently,Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge is one of the most frequently prescribed traditional Chinese medicines in clinics for antidiabetic,antianxiety,antihypertensive,antidepressant,antilipidemic,antiarrhythmic,and anticancer effects.Undoubtedly,it is best known for improving and promoting blood circulation;thus,its recommendation for use in cardiovascular disorders.Regarding this article,important information was sourced both manually and electronically using patent compendium and databases,including Google Scholar,herbal plant monographs,Hindawi,PubMed,Embase,CNKI,pharmacopoeias,Springer,etc.Well-concise details and discussions on the botany,traditional medicinal uses,chemical constituents-phytochemistry,pharmacokinetics,pharmacology,and toxicology information are presented.In perspective,understanding the comprehensive information of the above-stated fields with regards to Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge would yield an additional positive knowledge on areas that need urgent attention and identify gaps in research and safety for future consideration.

The Genus Terminalia(Combretaceae):An Ethnopharmacological,Phytochemical and Pharmacological Review

Terminalia Linn,a genus of mostly medium or large trees in the family Combretaceae with about 250 species in the world,is distributed mainly in southern Asia,Himalayas,Madagascar,Australia,and the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa.Many species are used widely in many traditional medicinal systems,e.g.,traditional Chinese medicine,Tibetan medicine,and Indian Ayurvedic medicine practices.So far,about 39 species have been phytochemically studied,which led to the identification of 368 compounds,including terpenoids,tannins,flavonoids,phenylpropanoids,simple phenolics and so on.Some of the isolates showed various bioactivities,in vitro or in vivo,such as antitumor,anti HIV-1,antifungal,antimicrobial,antimalarial,antioxidant,diarrhea and analgesic.This review covers research articles from 1934 to 2018,retrieved from SciFinder,Wikipedia,Google Scholar,Chinese Knowledge Network and Baidu Scholar by using“Terminalia”as the search term(“all fields”)with no specific time frame setting for the search.Thirty-nine important medicinal and edible Terminalia species were selected and summarized on their geographical distribution,traditional uses,phytochemistry and related pharmacological activities.

Annona muricata:Is the natural therapy to most disease conditions including cancer growing in our backyard?A systematic review of its research history and future prospects

Annona muricata(A.muricata)is a tropical plant species belonging to family Annonaceae and known for its many medicinal uses.This review focuses on the research history of its traditional uses,phytochemicals,pharmacological activities,toxicological aspects of the extracts and isolated compounds,as well as the in vitro propagation studies with the objective of stimulating further studies on this plant for human consumption and treatment.A.muricata extracts have been identified in tropical regions to traditionally treat diverse conditions ranging from fever to diabetes and cancer.More than 200 chemical compounds have been identified and isolated from this plant,the most important being alkaloids,phenols and acetogenins.Using in vitro studies,its extracts and phytochemicals have been characterized as antioxidant,anti-microbial,anti-inflammatory,insecticidal,larvicidal,and cytotoxic to cancer cells.In vivo studies have revealed anxiolytic,antistress,anti-inflammatory,immunomodulatory,antimalarial,antidepressant,gastro protective,wound healing,hepato-protective,hypoglycemic,anticancer and anti-tumoral activities.In silico studies have also been reported.In addition,clinical studies support the hypoglycemic as well as some anticancer activities.Mechanisms of action of some pharmacological activities have been elucidated.However,some phytochemical compounds isolated from A.muricata have shown a neurotoxic effect in vitro and in vivo,and therefore,these crude extracts and isolated compounds need to be further investigated to define the magnitude of the effects,optimal dosage,and mechanisms of action,long-term safety,and potential side effects.Additionally,more clinical studies are necessary to support the therapeutic potential of this plant.Some studies were also found to have successfully regenerated the plant in vitro,but with limited success.The reported toxicity notwithstanding,A.muricata extracts seem to be some of the safest and promising therapeutic agents of the 21st century and beyond that need to be studied further for better medicinal formulations and diseases management.

Cultural Heritage Assets: Rituals, Grinding Hollows and Other Socio-Cultural Practices in Simiyu Region, Tanzania

This paper presents results from preliminary assessments in Ngasamo ward, Busega district in Simiyu region. The main objective was to assess cultural heritage assets in some areas of Bariadi district in Simiyu region. Specific objectives of the assessment are to identify tangible cultural heritage resources in Simiyu region;to identify intangible cultural heritage resources in Simiyu region;and to provide suggestions for pertinent protection, conservation and presentation of cultural heritage resources. The assessment was carried out through surveys that included documentation together with records for Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates per surveyed locality;key informant interviews;and Focus Group Discussion. Results from the assessment revealed several worship areas that include immovable physical objects associated to ritual performance places. For example, wells like Luhuhi in Ilula village, Nkindwa biye tree in Ilula village, Magahi well in Isenge village, Isangijo hill at Isenge village, Dutwa well in Isenge village, Nyabusalu well in Igalukilo village and similar others are worship places that were revealed by informants. The assessment uncovered granite rock boulders that are being chopped off flakes for traditional medicine use in the area. Some cultural heritage sites have been identified such that a lot more needs to be explored in order to establish existence of other physical cultural heritage sites in Busega district, Bariadi district. For example, the grinding hollows, bao and the like are unique heritage resources. Such resources including undiscovered immovable archaeological objects would need presentation of sustainable preservation as well as conservation plans in line with Antiquities Acts, Antiquities Rules and Monuments of 1980 together with Cultural Heritage Policy of 2008.

THE USE OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE FOR IN VITRO FERTILIZATION IN CHINA: CLINICAL EVIDENCE

In vitro fertilization(IVF),as an important assisted reproductive technology(ART),is chosen by over l,000,000infertile couples each year,which is linked to over 3,000,000babies bom worldwide.However,an IVF cycle may be unsuccessful.The success of IVF is not guaranteed,and patients often have to undergo more than one cycle of treatment before they are successful.IVF treatment

Should China Resume the Use of Traditional Characters?

In the past few years,a debate has emerged as to whether China should resume the old way of writing Chinese characters to preserve its culture.This year,Pan Qinglin,a member of the National Committee of the Chinese

RESEARCH OF ANTIMICROBIAL AND RESISTANCE MODIFYING AGENTS FROM BENINESE PLANTS USED IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE

In a world of increasing resistance to current antibiotics,search of novel therapeutic options is urgently needed.The aim of this work was to screen plant crude extracts for direct or indirect(inhibition of resistance)antimicrobial activity.Four crude extracts from 12 plants traditionally used in Benin for the treatment of infections were

SURVEY OF PLANTS USED IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE AGAINST MALARIA IN BUKAVU AND UVIRA/DR CONGO

Malaria,for its high prevalence and morbidity,is one of the major tropical parasitic diseases,particularly in DR Congo.Its therapy not only uses modem antimalarials,for which many Resistance problems are encountered,but also medicinal plants which are promising sources for new and effective antimalarials.This study was conducted