Euphorbia tirucalli L.:Review on morphology,medicinal uses,phytochemistry and pharmacological activities

The intention of current review is to make available up-to-date information on morphology, ecological biodiversity, medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacolog-ical activities on different parts of Euphorbia tirucalli (E. tirucalli). This plant has a number of medicinal uses. Latex of E. tirucalli is vesicant and rubefacient which is used for rheumatism, warts, cough, asthma, ear-ache, tooth-ache and neuralgia. It acts as a purgative in small doses while in big doses it is bitter irritant and emetic. Milky juice is alexiteric, carminative and purgative. It is useful in whooping cough, gonorrhea, asthma, leprosy, dropsy, dyspepsia, enlargement of spleen, colic, jaundice and stone in bladder. The fresh milky juice is good alternative in syphilis and a good application in neuralgia. A decoction of branches is used in gastralgia and colic. Bark is used in treatment of fractures. Poultices prepared from the stem are useful to repair the broken bones. Boiled root liquid acts as an emetic in cases of snake-bite and for infertility in women. The wood is used for rafters, toys and veneering purposes. It is also useful against leprosy and foot paralysis subsequent to childbirth. E. tirucalli is reported to have euphol, β-sitosterol, euphorbol hexacosonate, cycloeuphordenol, cyclotirucanenol, tirucalicine, tri-methyl ellagic acid, gallic acids, terpenic alcohol, isoeuphorol, taraxasterol, tirucallol, euphor-one, euphorcinol, euphorbins, 12-deoxy-4β-hydroxyphorbol-13-phenyl acetate-20-acetate, 12, 20-dideoxyphorbol-13-isobutyrate, glut-5-en-3-β-ol, 3,3′-di-O-methylellagic acid, euphorbin-A (polyphenol), tirucallin-A (7) (tannin), tirucallin-B (11), euphorbin-F (14) (dimers), cycloartenol, 24-methylenecycloartenol, ingenol triacetate, 12-deoxy-4β-hydroxyphorbol-13-phenyl acetate-20-acetate, taraxerone, euphorginol, taraxerol, cam-pesterol, stigmasterol, palmitic acid, linoleic acid,β-amyrin, etc. active phytoconstituents. E. tirucalli have possessed activity in human-lymphocytes, analgesic, anthelmintics, antiarthritic, antibacterial/antifungal/antimicrobial, anti-HIV, anti-inflammatory, antioxi-dant, antiviral, biodiesel production, CNS depressant/neuropathic pain, cytotoxicity/anticancer, genotoxic/mutagenic, hepatoprotective, insect repellants, immunomodulatory, larvicidal, molluscicidal/ovicidal/piscicidal, myelopoiesis, proteolytic/chitinolytics phar-macological activities. There is a need to isolate dynamic constituents, their biological trial, molecular mechanisms, experimental protection and legalization of therapeutic uses of E. tirucalli. The collected information will be helpful to locate up study protocol for recent drugs and Ayurvedic formulation expansion in curative and treat a variety of ailments.

Analysis of wild medicinal vascular plant resources and diversity in Dabie Mountains, Anhui Province

Dabie Mountains are located at the junction of Anhui,Henan and Hubei provinces in the East of China.With its varied altitude,climate,and soil texture,Dabie Mountains are extremely rich in wild plant resources.The 12th Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)Resources Scientific Expedition Team of Shenyang Pharmaceutical University conducted a study on wild vascular plants resources,especially medicinal vascular plants,through field investigation,literature review and specimen identification.There were 472 species of vascular plants belonging to 347 genera and 125 families collected during July 2018 in this area,of which 424 species were medicinal vascular plants,accounting for 89.83%of the total.From the perspective of medicinal parts,most of the medicinal plants there have values in their roots and rhizomes,as well as the whole plants.The efficacy and characteristics of these pharmaceutical dimensions were also summarized and analyzed in detail.Besides,among the wild vascular plants collected,the most dominant families with the biggest numbers of species are Compositae,Lamiaceae,Liliaceae,Rosaceae,Leguminosae,Ranunculaceae,Saxifragaceae and Polygonaceae,and the dominant genus are Viola and Sedum.In terms of life form,perennial herbs are dominant,accounting for 55.72%of the total species,followed by some annual(or biennial)herbs,shrubs and lianas.Finally,recommendations are put forward for strengthening the protection and utilization of wild medicinal plant resources in Dabie Mountains.

Phytochemical and pharmacological potentials of Pedalium murex Linn and its traditional medicinal uses

The aim of this study is to assess the pharmacological and phytochemical aspects of the Pedalium murex(Linn)(P.murex)and its traditional medicinal uses of different parts of the plant.Flavonoids,phenolic compounds,glycosides,carbohydrates,reducing sugars,phytosterols,tannins,triterpenoids,alkaloids,xanthoproteins,aromatic oil,stable oil,saponins and resins are the main phytochemical groups that have been found in different chemical extracts of P.murex.Pharmacological activities of P.murex have proven its importance for medicinal uses.This review will be helpful to create interest to use P.murex for developing new formulation in therapeutic medicines.

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.

Ethnobotanical profiling of the medicinal flora of Kotli,Azad Jammu and Kashmir,Pakistan:Empirical reflections on multinomial logit specifications

Objective:To report the indigenous people's uses of plants from a multidimensional perspective in a remote area where strong ethnobotanical cultural practices prevail. Methods:An ethnobotanical survey was conducted in the field during 2014-2016. Ethnobotanical data were gathered from 182 informants through oral interviews and semi-structured questionnaires. The distribution of plants was explored using both descriptive and graphical methods. Further,a Multinomial Logit Specification was applied to find out the probability of the occurrence of diverse utilization of plants in multipurpose domains. Results:The study identified 202 plant species distributed among 71 families and 156 genera. Ethnobotanical data indicate that there are more medicinal(36.96%) uses of plants as compared to all other use categories. The output from the Multinomial Logit Specifications(MLS) model reveals that perennial and non-woody plants are exploited more for medicinal and food uses than annual and woody plants. In the context of ethnomedicinal uses,aerial plant parts particularly leaves are more extensively used for the preparation of herbal recipes as compared to underground parts. Conclusions:The results of the study emphasize the need to create awareness among the local communities about the conservation status of plant species in order to maintain a sustainable resource of plant-derived materials into the future. The novel econometric approach employed in this study adds a new insightful methodology to the existing body of literature in the field of ethnobotany. We strongly recommend conservation measures,alongside phytochemical and pharmacological studies on the useful plant species identified in this study in order to ensure their sustainable and effective utilization.

Analysis of plant resources and diversity in the southeast area of Taihang Mountains

Taihang Mountains are situated between Shanxi Province and the North China Plain,spanning Beijing,Hebei,Shanxi,and Henan provinces and cities.The mountains extend from northeast to southwest for over 400 km,naturally deviding the second step from the third one in China.The southeastern area of Taihang Mountains specifically refers to Changzhi City and Jincheng Administrative Region of Shanxi Province.Given Shanxi Province’s robust development plans for the southeast area of Taihang Mountains,the medicinal plant resources in this area will be affected.Therefore,it is imperative and urgent to conduct a comprehensive investigation and study on the medicinal plant resources in the southeast area of Taihang Mountains.By means of field investigation,literature review,and specimen identification,the plant resources and diversity of two counties in the southeast of Taihang Mountains were evaluated.The findings revealed 234 plants species across 172 genera in 70 families,primarily comprising angiosperms.The families with more species included Compositae,Leguminosae,Rosaceae,Labiatae,Ranunculaceae.Among the genera,those with more species were Cynanchum,Selaginella,Clematis,Thalictrum,and Rhamnus.A total of 114 medicinal plants were identified,constituting 48.72%of the total.Regarding medicinal parts,the concentration is in roots and rhizomes,followed by whole plants and fruits.On the basis of investigation and study,some suggestions on the development,utilization,and protection of medicinal plant resources in southeast Taihang Mountains were made.These suggestions provide valuable insights for the study on medicinal plant resources and vegetation in the southeast of Taihang Mountains,serving as a scientific basis for the protection and sustainable utilization of wild medicinal plant resources.

Analysis of plant resources and diversity in Balluk Mountain, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

Balluk Mountain is located between the Tianshan Mountains and the Altai Mountains in Xinjiang Province.Influenced by the humid air and diverse landforms of Lake Alacuri,the unique climate of Mount Baluk nourishes excellent pastures and supports numerous wildlife,making it rich in plant resources.The 9th Shenyang Pharmaceutical University Chinese Medicine Resources Scientific Expedition Team conducted field investigations,literature reviews,and specimen identification to study the plant resources and diversity of Balluk Mountain in Xinjiang Province.A total of 235 species of medicinal plants belonging to 59 families and 159 genera were collected during the period from July to August 2015 in this area.The dominant families observed were Asteraceae,Caryophyllaceae,Lamiaceae,Ranunculaceae,Rosaceae and Umbelliferae,with 35,11,14,12,27,and 13 species respectively.These families account for over 47.4%of the total species collected,though comprising only 10.2%of the total number of families.At the genus level,Artemisia was found to be the most dominant genus with eight species,contributing to 0.63%of the total genera,while representing 3.4%of the total species abundance.Overall,this study provides an updated analysis of the plant resources and diversity in Balluk Mountain.Several species have been identified to possess significant medicinal properties and hold potential for various research fields,including natural product chemistry and drug development.The study also offers practical and meaningful suggestions for strengthening the protection and utilization of plant resources in the area.By implementing these suggestions,we can better preserve the plant diversity in Balluk Mountain and ensure the sustainable use of these valuable resources.

Analysis of vascular plant resources and diversity in Fanjing Mountain,Guizhou Province

Fanjing Mountain Nature Reserve is located at the junction of Jiangkou,Yinjiang and Songtao counties in the Tongren region of Guizhou Province.Because of the topography and humid climate of the central subtropical monsoonal mountains,the plant species in this area are rich and diverse.The vascular plant resources and diversity of Fanjing Mountain Nature Reserve in Guizhou Province were studied through field survey,literature review and specimen identification.The results show that there are 284 species of vascular plants in the region,belonging to 205 genera in 93 families,mainly angiosperms.Liliaceae,Asteraceae,Polygonaceae,Leguminosae,Ranunculaceae and Polygonum have the most species,followed by Sedum,Dioscorea,Actinidia Lindl and Thalictrum.In terms of life types,perennial herbs are the most dominant,accounting for 68.47%of the total number of species,and annual(or biennial)herbs,shrubs and vine types also present.There are 222 species identified as medicinal vascular plants,accounting for 78.2%of the total number of species.The medicinal parts are primarily found in the whole herb category,followed by the root and rhizome category.

Analysis of plant resources and diversity in Shennongjia Area of Hubei Province,China

Shennongjia Area is located in northwest of Hubei Province with Shennongding,the highest peak(3105.4 m above sea level)in central China.The unique geographical location and complex terrain of this region make it rich in plant resources.After field investigation,th literature review,and specimen identification,the 7 Shenyang Pharmaceutical University Chinese Medicine Resources Scientific Expedition Team studied the plant resources and diversity of Shennongjia Area.454 species of vascular plants belonging to 106 families and 275 genera were collected from July to August in 2013.The dominant families are Lamiaceae,Ranunculaceae,Rosaceae,and Asteraceae,with 20,21,37 and 48 species respectively.At the genus level,Rubus is the dominant one with 11 species.3 species of national first-class protective plants,13 species of“Huan yang yao”and 36 species of“Qi yao”were collected.In all,our research has updated the plant recources and diversity in Shennongjia Area.Furthermore,by putting forward practical and meaningful suggestions on strengthening the protection and utilization of plant resources in Shennongjia Area,our research will help to protect the diverse ecosystem there.

Research Progress on Medicinal Active Components of Endophytes in Plants

Endophytes are a type of microorganisms which live in plant tissues and have no obvious disease symptoms to plants,mainly including fungi,bacteria and actinomycetes.Endophytes can produce the same or similar active substances as host plants,so they have become a hot spot in the research of natural medicinal active products in recent years.Endophytes provide abundant resources for searching medicinal active substances because of their abundant species and huge reserves.In this paper,the species,structural characteristics,separation methods and pharmacological studies of active products of endophytic fungi were reviewed,in order to provide theoretical reference for the research of medicinal active components of endophytic fungi.

Cultivation and Primary Processing of Medicinal Chrysanthemums

The morphological characteristics and growth habits of medicinal chrysanthemums are described,the cultivation techniques are summarized from the aspects of nursery,transplanting and field management,and the harvest and primary processing technology are introduced in detail.

Medicinal and Edible Plant——Physalis alkekengi L.and Its Cultivation Techniques

Botanical morphological characteristics of Physalis alkekengi L.is first introduced,and its medicinal and edible value is elaborated.Cultivation techniques of P.alkekengi L.are mainly introduced.The research aims to provide a certain basis for the better development and application of P.alkekengi L.

Analysis of vascular plant resources and diversity in Machin County,Qinghai Province

Machin County is situated in the Sanjiangyuan Nature Reserve in the southeastern part of Qinghai Province.Influenced by the special topography and climate of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,Machin County has complex and diverse plant species.The vascular plant resources and diversity in Machin County were studied through field survey,literature review and specimen identification.The results show that there are 47 families and 127 genera and 256 species of vascular plants in the region,basically angiosperms,including those containing more species of the family Asteraceae,Buttercup,Genus Ginseng,Leguminosae and Rosaceae,and those containing more species of the genus Artemisia,Artemisia,Aster and Donzonia.In terms of life type,perennial herbs are the most dominant ones,accounting for 77.34%of the total number of species,followed by some annual(or biennial)herbs and shrub types.There are 191 species of medicinal vascular plants,accounting for 74.61%of the total number of species,including 48 species of Tibetan medicine.In terms of the medicinal parts of these plants,whole herb category is the most common one,followed by the root and rhizome category.Based on the investigation and research,we have proposed the conservation and utilization of plant resources in Machin County,Qinghai Province.

Fruits as Prospective Reserves of bioactive Compounds:A Review

Astaxanthin is a value-added ketocarotenoid with great potential in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries.Genetic engineering of heterologous hosts for astaxanthin production has attracted great attention.In this study,we assessed some key factors,including codon usage of the expressed genes,types of promoters,bacterial strains,and culture media,for engineered Escherichia coli to produce astaxanthin.The effect of codon usage was shown to be related to the types of promoters.E.coli DH5a was superior to other strains for astaxanthin production.Different culture media greatly affected the contents and yields of astaxanthin in engineered E.coli.When the expression cassette containing GadE promoter and its driving genes,HpCHY and CrBKT,was inserted into the plasmid pACCAR16DcrtX and expressed in E.coli DH5a,the engineered strain was able to produce 4.30±0.28 mg/g dry cell weight(DCW)or 24.16±2.03 mg/L of astaxanthin,which was a sevenfold or 40-fold increase over the initial production of 0.62±0.03 mg/g DCW or 0.61±0.05 mg/L.

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.

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.

Δ 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Toxicity and Validation of Cannabidiol on Brain Dopamine Levels: An Assessment on Cannabis Duplicity

Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol(THC)of cannabis is the main psychoactive component which is a global significant concern to human health.Evaluation on THC reported its drastic effect on the brain dopaminergic(DAergic)system stimulating mesolimbic DA containing neurons thereby increasing the level of striatal DA.Cannabidiol(CBD),with its anxiolytic and anti-psychotic property,is potent to ameliorate the THC-induced DAergic variations.Legal authorization of cannabis use and its analogs in most countries led to a drastic dispute in the elicitation of cannabis products.With a recent increase in cannabis-induced disorder rates,the present review highlighted the detrimental effects of THC and the effects of CBD on THC induced alterations in DA synthesis and release.Alongside the reported data,uses of cannabis as a therapeutic medium in a number of health complications are also being briefly reviewed.These evaluated reports led to an anticipation of additional research contradictory to the findings of THC and CBD activity in the brain DAergic system and their medical implementations as therapeutics.

Use of Chinese Herbal Medicine Therapies in Comprehensive Hospitals in Central China: A Parallel Survey in Cancer Patients and Clinicians

Summary： Chinese herbal medicine （CHM）, as the largest application category of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）, is widely accepted among cancer patients in China. Herbal slice （HS） and Chinese patent drug （CPD） are commonly used CHM in China. This study aimed to investigate the utilization of CHM among clinicians and cancer patients in central China. Five hundred and twenty-five patients and 165 clinicians in 35 comprehensive hospitals in central China were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire that was designed to evaluate the use of CHM. The results showed that 90.74% clinicians and 72.24% cancer patients used CHM during cancer treatment. The educational backgrounds of the clinicians and the age, education level, annual income, and cancer stage of the cancer patients were re- lated to use of CHM. More than 90% clinicians and cancer patients had used CPD. Comparatively, the percentage of HS use was 10% lower than that of CPD use among clinicians and cancer patients. More clinicians preferred to use CHM after surgery than cancer patients did （20.41% vs. 5.37%）. Enhancing physical fitness and improving performance status were regarded as the most potential effect of CHM on cancer treatment （85.71% among clinicians and 94.07% among cancer patients）, in comparison with directly killing tumor cells （24.49% among clinicians and 31.36% among patients）. As for refusal rea- sons, imprecise efficacy was the unanimous （100%） reason for clinicians＇ rejection of CHM, and 95.58% patients objected to using CHM also for this reason. Furthermore, the side effects of CHM were more concerned by clinicians than by patients （33.33% vs. 15.81%）. In conclusion, our survey revealed that CHM was popularly accepted by clinicians and cancer patients in central China. The reasons of use and rejection of CHM were different between clinicians and cancer patients.

Evaluation of Clinical Efficacy of Combined Use of Acupuncture and Medicine in Treating Sleep Disorder in Patients with Anxiety Disorder

[Objectives]To evaluate the clinical efficacy of combined acupuncture and medicine in the treatment of sleep disorders in patients with anxiety disorders.[Methods]A total of 300 anxiety patients with sleep disorders were randomly selected and divided into a research group and a control group,with 150 cases in each group.The control group was administered with western medicine,and the research group was treated with acupuncture and medicine to compare their clinical treatment effects.[Results]The total effective rate of treatment in the research group was significantly higher than that in the control group;after treatment,both the PSQI and SAS scores of the two groups were significantly reduced,and the reduction degree of the research group was higher than that of the control group,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).[Conclusions]Combined use of acupuncture and medicine to treat sleep disorders in patients with anxiety disorders has better curative effect and fewer adverse reactions,so it has high clinical application value.

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.