In silico prospective analysis of the medicinal plants activity on the CagA oncoprotein from Helicobacter pylori

BACKGROUND Colonization with Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)has a strong correlation with gastric cancer,and the virulence factor CagA is implicated in carcinogenesis.Studies have been conducted using medicinal plants with the aim of eliminating the pathogen;however,the possibility of blocking H.pylori-induced cell differentiation to prevent the onset and/or progression of tumors has not been addressed.This type of study is expensive and time-consuming,requiring in vitro and/or in vivo tests,which can be solved using bioinformatics.Therefore,prospective computational analyses were conducted to assess the feasibility of interaction between phenolic compounds from medicinal plants and the CagA oncoprotein.AIM To perform a computational prospecting of the interactions between phenolic compounds from medicinal plants and the CagA oncoprotein of H.pylori.METHODS In this in silico study,the structures of the phenolic compounds(ligands)kaempferol,myricetin,quercetin,ponciretin(flavonoids),and chlorogenic acid(phenolic acid)were selected from the PubChem database.These phenolic compounds were chosen based on previous studies that suggested medicinal plants as non-drug treatments to eliminate H.pylori infection.The three-dimensional structure model of the CagA oncoprotein of H.pylori(receptor)was obtained through molecular modeling using computational tools from the I-Tasser platform,employing the threading methodology.The primary sequence of CagA was sourced from GenBank(BAK52797.1).A screening was conducted to identify binding sites in the structure of the CagA oncoprotein that could potentially interact with the ligands,utilizing the GRaSP online platform.Both the ligands and receptor were prepared for molecular docking using AutoDock Tools 4(ADT)software,and the simulations were carried out using a combination of ADT and AutoDock Vina v.1.2.0 software.Two sets of simulations were performed:One involving the central region of CagA with phenolic compounds,and another involving the carboxy-terminus region of CagA with phenolic compounds.The receptor-ligand complexes were then analyzed using PyMol and BIOVIA Discovery Studio software.RESULTS The structure model obtained for the CagA oncoprotein exhibited high quality(C-score=0.09)and was validated using parameters from the MolProbity platform.The GRaSP online platform identified 24 residues(phenylalanine and leucine)as potential binding sites on the CagA oncoprotein.Molecular docking simulations were conducted with the three-dimensional model of the CagA oncoprotein.No complexes were observed in the simulations between the carboxy-terminus region of CagA and the phenolic compounds;however,all phenolic compounds interacted with the central region of the oncoprotein.Phenolic compounds and CagA exhibited significant affinity energy(-7.9 to-9.1 kcal/mol):CagA/kaempferol formed 28 chemical bonds,CagA/myricetin formed 18 chemical bonds,CagA/quercetin formed 16 chemical bonds,CagA/ponciretin formed 13 chemical bonds,and CagA/chlorogenic acid formed 17 chemical bonds.Although none of the phenolic compounds directly bound to the amino acid residues of the K-Xn-R-X-R membrane binding motif,all of them bound to residues,mostly positively or negatively charged,located near this region.CONCLUSION In silico,the tested phenolic compounds formed stable complexes with CagA.Therefore,they could be tested in vitro and/or in vivo to validate the findings,and to assess interference in CagA/cellular target interactions and in the oncogenic differentiation of gastric cells.

A review of ethnobotanical studies reveals over 500 medicinal plants in Mindanao,Philippines

Medicinal plants have long been used to treat various diseases in both indigenous and non-indigenous populations of Mindanao,Philippines.Here,we extracted data from ethnobotanical studies to compile a comprehensive list of these medicinal plants and identify how and for what purpose they are most commonly used.We identified 530 verified medicinal plant species across 372 genera in 118 families.The two most frequently cited species were Euphorbia hirta and Psidium guajava.The most represented family was Fabaceae and the most represented genus was Ficus.A total of 28 medicinal plant species are designated as threatened at the national or global level;of these,11 are endemic to the Philippines.Medicinal plant preparations most commonly use leaves for oral administration to treat various diseases such as digestive issues,including diarrhea.This study underscores the need for further ethnobotanical investigations,particularly in areas lacking records.It also emphasizes the need for conservation of threatened and endemic medicinal plants to ensure sustainable utilization of this valuable resource.

Physiology of medicinal and aromatic plants under drought stress

Drought poses a significant challenge,restricting the productivity of medicinal and aromatic plants.The strain induced by drought can impede vital processes like respiration and photosynthesis,affecting various aspects of plants’growth and metabolism.In response to this adversity,medicinal plants employ mechanisms such as morphological and structural adjustments,modulation of drought-resistant genes,and augmented synthesis of secondary metabolites and osmotic regulatory substances to alleviate the stress.Extreme water scarcity can lead to leaf wilting and may ultimately result in plant death.The cultivation and management of medicinal plants under stress conditions often differ from those of other crops.This is because the main goal with medicinal plants is not only to increase the yield of the above-ground parts but also to enhance the production of active ingredients such as essential oils.To elucidate these mechanisms of drought resistance in medicinal and aromatic plants,the current review provides a summary of recent literature encompassing studies on the morphology,physiology,and biochemistry of medicinal and aromatic plants under drought conditions.

Vasorelaxant effects of biochemical constituents of various medicinal plants and their benefits in diab

Endothelial function plays a pivotal role in cardiovascular health,and dysfunction in this context diminishes vasorelaxation concomitant with endothelial activity.The nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway,prostacyclin-cyclic adenosine monophosphate pathway,inhibition of phosphodiesterase,and the opening of potassium channels,coupled with the reduction of calcium levels in the cell,constitute critical mechanisms governing vasorelaxation.Cardiovascular disease stands as a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality among individuals with diabetes,with adults afflicted by diabetes exhibiting a heightened cardiovascular risk compared to their non-diabetic counterparts.A plethora of medicinal plants,characterized by potent pharmacological effects and minimal side effects,holds promise in addressing these concerns.In this review,we delineate various medicinal plants and their respective biochemical constituents,showcasing concurrent vasorelaxant and anti-diabetic activities.

Ethnobotanical and Phytochemical Study of Medicinal Plants Sold in the Markets of the City of N’Djamena

The use of medicinal plants occupies an important place in traditional Chadian medicine, this study was carried out with the aim of listing the medicinal plants sold in the markets of the city of N’Djamena, and knowledge of the medicinal flora Chad, such as the leaves of Guiera senegalensis in Arabic called Khibeche, the roots of Cassia occidentalis called Am kwala-Kinkéliba in Arabic;the bark of Khaya senegalensis (Desv) A. Juss called Muraї in Arabic and the seeds of Trigonella foenum-graecum called Helbé in Arabic in order to treat the most frequently cited diseases such as malaria, the common cold, mother and newborn care, and typhoid. Ethnobotanical surveys were conducted from September to December 2022, in three markets in the city of N’Djamena, based on individual interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire, with 30 herbalists and traditional practitioners. Phytochemical screening analyses of the organs of four plants were carried out in the chemistry and biology laboratory of the Faculty of Exact and Applied Sciences (FSEA) following a standard protocol established by [1] and slightly modified by [2] [3]. The results of the surveys identified 68 species divided into fifty-five (55) genera and twenty-seven (27) families, the most represented of which were Caesalpiniaceae (10 species), Mimosaceae (5 species) and Combretaceae (4 species). The leaves were the most commonly used parts (43%), with decoction (70%) the most frequently used method of preparation. The oral route was the most popular with 73% of recipes. The phytochemical study revealed a wealth of secondary metabolites such as Trapezoidal Sterols, Alkaloids, Tannins, Flavonoids, Free Quinones, Anthocyane, Anthraquinones, Saponosides and Heterosides. These results can be considered as a source of information for scientific research in the field of phytochemistry and pharmacology.

Hypoglycaemiac Medicinal Plants Used by Diabetics at CNHU-HKM

Introduction: Diabetes is a major public health problem. Medicinal plants are frequently used either combine with industrial treatment or exclusively, in Africa and particularly in Benin. Our study aims to identify the different medicinal plants used by diabetic patients at the CNHU-HKM. Method: we carried out a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study. It took place at the University Clinic of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nutrition of CNHU-HKM over a of 3 months period from 20th of June to 16th of September, 2022, over diabetic followed-up. Results: One hundred and seventy-three (173) patients were gathered using an anonymous inquiry form. In the study population, the age of the patients varied between 31 and 75 years with an average age of 59 +/− 1.43 years, women represented 59% with a sex ratio (male/female) of 0.69. Sixty-five (65) or 37.6% of the population had used medicinal plants. Among given reasons for using medicinal plants were, mainly the positiveness on a third party. Data analysis outcome twenty-nine species of plants belonging to twenty (20) botanical families, the most represented being the Annonaceae and Fabaceae. The most used species are Phyllanthus amarus (hlenwé in fon), Mangifera indica (mangatin in fon), Momordica charantia (gninsikin in fon), Combretum micranthum (kinkéliba in fon), and Picralima nitida (ayorkpè in fon). Most used parts of the plants are the leaves. The recipes are prepared mainly by infusion and are administered exclusively by mouth. Most of the patients who used the hypoglycaemic medicinal plants were satisfied and no adverse effects were reported by them. Conclusion: Hypoglycaemic medicinal plants could be subjected to pharmacognosy and marketed due to their richness in active components, after further toxicological studies.

Nature’s Pharmacy under Siege: Investigating Antibiotic Resistance Pattern in Endophytic Bacteria of Medicinal Plants

Antibiotic resistance poses a significant global health threat, necessitating a thorough understanding of its prevalence in various ecological contexts. Medicinal plants, renowned for their therapeutic properties, host endophytic bacteria that produce bioactive compounds. Understanding antibiotic resistance dynamics in these bacteria is vital for human health and antibiotic efficacy preservation. In this study, we investigated antibiotic resistance profiles in endophytic bacteria from five medicinal plants: Thankuni, Neem, Aparajita, Joba, and Snake plant. We isolated and characterized 113 endophytic bacteria, with varying resistance patterns observed against multiple antibiotics. Notably, 53 strains were multidrug-resistant (MDR), with 14 exhibiting extensive drug resistance (XDR). Thankuni-associated bacteria displayed 44% MDR and 11% XDR, while Neem-associated bacteria showed higher resistance (60% MDR, 13% XDR). Aparajita-associated bacteria had lower resistance (22% MDR, 6% XDR), whereas Joba-associated bacteria exhibited substantial resistance (54% MDR, 14% XDR). Snake plant-associated bacteria showed 7% MDR and 4% XDR. Genus-specific distribution revealed Bacillus (47%), Staphylococcus (21%), and Klebsiella (11%) as major contributors to MDR. Our findings highlight diverse drug resistance patterns among plant-associated bacteria and underscore the complexity of antibiotic resistance dynamics in diverse plant environments. Identification of XDR strains emphasizes the severity of the antibiotic resistance problem, warranting further investigation into contributing factors.

Combination Activity of Standard Antituberculosis Drugs and Extracts of Medicinal Plants Commonly Used in Traditional Treatment of Tuberculosis in Uganda

Introduction: Resistance to antituberculosis drugs and adverse drug reactions remain the leading causes of tuberculosis therapeutic failure globally. Despite the increasing acceptance of medicinal plant use in combination with conventional antituberculosis drugs in treatment of tuberculosis (TB) in Uganda, there is paucity of knowledge on their combination effect. Aim: This research aimed to determine combination activity of standard antituberculosis drugs with extracts of Zanthoxylum leprieurii Guill. & Perr. and Rubia cordifolia L., the two common antituberculosis medicinal plants in Uganda, against pansensitive (H37Rv) and multi-drug resistant (MDR) Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains. Materials and Methods: Two reference MTB strains (H37Rv and MDR strain) were inoculated on Middlebrook 7H11 medium containing a combination of standard antituberculosis drugs and methanol extracts of Z. leprieurii and R. cordifolia at varying concentrations. The number of colonies on the plates was observed and counted weekly for up to 8 weeks. In vitro combination activity was determined using proportion method. Mean percentage inhibition was calculated for the reduction of number of colonies on drug-extract combination medium in relation to drug-extract-free control medium. Results: Drug-extract combinations showed good combination activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains when compared with individual standard anti-TB drugs. This was more exhibited against MDR strain. There was however a reduction in percentage inhibition when extracts were combined with ethambutol and streptomycin against H37Rv strain. Conclusions: Zanthoxylum leprieurii and Rubia cordifolia in combination with standard anti-TB drugs exhibited increased in vitro activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, especially MDR-TB strain. This justifies the local use of these plants in traditional treatment of tuberculosis especially in resistant cases in Uganda.

Traditional Use of Medicinal Plants Confirmed by the Baka in Southern and Eastern Cameroon

The limitations of biomedecine to provide effective solutions to certain pandemics has led many people to turn to alternative therapies. These palliative solutions, particularly phytomedecines, are much sought after for disease prevention and treatment. The Baka, a group of forest-dwelling people, hold knowledge on how wild plants can be effective in treating many illnesses. However, the greatest challenge for the identification of traditional medicines depends on the veracity of the information provided during ethnobotanic surveys by user populations. The present study describes forest plants used by the Baka and confirmed by them as being employed for traditional medicine. We carried out ethnobotanical surveys between 2019 and 2021 in 221 households within four districts of the Eastern and Southern Region of Cameroon. We used indices of significant use and performance applied to all mentioned species, alongside searches in the literature. The statistical tools used to distinguish the different groups/districts is Pearson’s X2 test. A total of 378 plant species were identified of 270 genera and 85 families. Ethnobotanical indices allowed to identify the most confirmed and efficient plants for several health problems. A pairwise comparison of these indices showed a significant correlation with a p-value < 2.2e-16 and a dissimilarity distance less than 0.5. Some plants selected are widely cited in other regions and/or countries for the same health problems. The presence of active molecules responsible for their biological activity was also proven, justifying their use in traditional medicine. This paper examines the potential to enhance the value of Cameroon’s pharmacopeia by integrating various ethnobotanical indices. It aims to discover new therapeutic molecules and develop improved traditional products from the diverse plant species documented. The findings indicate opportunities to advance both local and global healthcare solutions.

Potential efficacy and mechanism of medicinal plants on chronic kidney disease-associated vascular calcification:a review

Vascular calcification is a crucial risk factor that affects the incidence and mortality of cardiovascular disease in chronic kidney disease patients.Modern medicine relies on calcium-phosphorus binding agents,calcium mimetics,active vitamin D,and hemodialysis to prevent and treat vascular calcification,however,their efficacy is unsatisfactory and adverse reactions often occur.Medical plant therapy can act as an integrative regulator in patients with chronic kidney disease-associated vascular calcification,which can significantly improve patients’symptoms,but its specific mechanism has not been fully elucidated yet.In this paper,we reviewed the domestic and international theoretical studies on the pathogenesis mechanism of chronic kidney disease-associated vascular calcification in recent years,summarized eight active ingredients of medicinal plants as well as four compound formulas for improving chronic kidney disease-associated vascular calcification,and explored the mechanism of action of herbal medicine,which will provide a new strategy for promoting the prevention and treatment of vascular calcification.

Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants Used for Treating Urinary Tract Infections in N’Djamena (Chad)

Introduction: Infection disease is a real publique health problem. The rise of resistance for modern antibiotic in infections treatment imposed us order alternatives. The study objective was to contribute in the knowledge of medicinal plants uses in urinary infections treatment in N’Djamena (Chad) in view for amelioration the traditional medicine in future. Methodology: The study was conducted in the city of N’Djamena in the Republic of Chad that interviewed 60 traditherapists on using 11 plants for urinary tract infections treatment. The methodology of this study consisted of the knowledge of medicinal plants that used by traditherapists, and the plants identification was done in the laboratory of IRED at Farcha. Results: A total of 60 traditherapists was interrogated on the plants used in the treatment of urinary tract infections among the population of N’Djamena. The majority of traditherapists interrogated in this study were male with the rate of 61.67% against female with the rate of 38.33%. The age range of traditherapists was between 20 to 80 years, 25 (41.67%) from the age range between 30 - 50 years and 35 (58.33%) in age range from 50 to 70 years. For the origin of their knowledge, the study showed that 72% of traditherapists inherited the knowledge from their family, while 15% inherited from the family and from training. The ethnic groups of the traditherapists were Sara (16%), Maraba (12%) and Massa (11%). According to the results, 18.33% were illiterates, 49% attended primary school and 33.34% the secondary school. Our study found that 11 species of plants belonging to 11 families were used in the treatment of urinary tract infection and the Ziziphus spina-christi was the most represented. According to traditherapists the Ziziphus spina-christi, Cassia obovata and Euphorbia hirta were the most frequent plants used in the urinary tract infections treatment. The parts of plants used in the treatment were leaves and bark, grained leaves and entire plants with the proportion of 50%, 16.67 and 15% respectively. Conclusion: This study revealed that the medicinal plants are variously used in the treatment of infection urinary tract in the city of N’Djamena.

Phytochemical Analysis and Bioactivity Screening of Primary and Secondary Metabolic Products of Medicinal Plants in the Valleys of Medina Region Saudi Arabia

Medicinal plants are highly valued for their active compounds. These plants can be used in various fields and preservation of these plants in their environment. The present study aimed to screen medicinal plants used in traditional medicine in Medina valleys for the presence of metabolites, and to answer the following question: is the ethnomedicinal importance of medicinal plants used in Medina valleys conform to their primary and secondary metabolite content. Eight plants (Pulicaria incise, Heliotropium arbainense, Commicarpus grandiflorus, Rumex vesicarius, Senna alexandrina, Rhazya stricta, Withania somnifera and Asphodelus fistulosus) were collected from the Medina valleys and were biochemically analyzed to determine the different compounds after leaves extraction analyzed statistically to clarify the content of primary compounds. The chemical compounds in the most active fraction were determined using quantitative phytochemical and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analytical methods, comparing the mass spectra of the GC/MS identified compounds with those of the Center of Excellence in Environmental Studies (CEES) database library. The result showed 16 aroma compounds representing the GC/MS analysis revealed the presence of various compounds like 4,4-Dimethyl octane, 5H-1-Pyrindine and 1,3- Cyclopentadiene, 1,2,5,5-tetramethyl- in the ethanolic extract of Pulicaria incisa. The most prevalent plants were Pulicaria incisa, Senna alexandrina and Heliotropium arbainense the study plants have high content of protein. There is a need to focus phytochemical screening on ethnobotanical studies to complete research into traditional medicine which leads to the discovery of new drugs.

Baiting Effects of 17 Chinese Medicinal Plants on Brachydanio rerio

The study aimed to discuss baiting effects of 17 kinds of Chinese medicinal plants on Brachydanio rerio.With 100 fish of Brachydanio rerio as tested objects,the average length of the 100 fish was 3.5 cm.Cinnamomum cassia,Mentha canadensis,Eugenia aromaticum,Coptis chinensis,Phellodendron amurense,Scutellaria baicalensis,star anise,Kaempferia galanga,Prunus mume,Magnolia sinensis,Terminalia chebula meat,Sophora flavescens,Polygonum cuspidatum,Rhizoma polygonatum,Astragalus membranaceus,Forsythia suspense and...

Overview of Southern Blight in Chinese Medicinal Plants

The pathogen of southern blight, distribution and host species, damage symptoms and infection cycle, and the pathogenic mechanisms are introduced. Based on the introduction, the major factors affected the incidence of medicinal plants such as climatic conditions, soil conditions and cultivation conditions, etc. are further summarized, and the studies on the control of southern blight in Chinese medicinal plants are summarized from the aspects of agricultural control, biological control and chemical control, etc.

Antibacterial activities of selected medicinal plants in traditional treatment of human wounds in Ethiopia

Objective:To evaluate the activity of selected Ethiopian medicinal plants traditionally used for wound treatment against wound-causing bacteria.Methods:Samples of medicinal plants(Achyranthes aspera,Brucea antidysenteriea,Datura stramonium,Croton macrostachyus,Acokanthera xchimperi.,Phytolacca dodecandra,Milhttia ferruginea,and Solanum incanum)were extracted using absolute methanol and water and tested for their antimicrobial activities against clinical isolates and standard strains of wound-causing bacteria using agar well diffusion and micro titer plate methods.Results:Most of the plant extracts had antibacterial activities,among which Acokanthera schimperi and Brucea antidysenteriea inhibited growth of 100%and 35%of the test organisms,respectively.Methanolic extracts had higher activities compared with their corresponding aqueous extracts.The most susceptible organism to the extracts was Streptococcus pyogens while the most resistant were Escherichia coli and Proteus vulgaris.Conclusions:This finding justifies the use of the plants in wound healing and their potential activity against woundcausing bacteria.Their toxicity level and antimicrobial activity with different extraction solvents should further be studied to use them as sources and templates for the synthesis of drugs to control wound and other disease-causing bacteria.

In vitro screening for acetylcholinesterase inhibition and antioxidant activity of medicinal plants from southern Africa

Objective:To determine the acetylcholinesterase inhibitory（AChE1） and antioxidant activity of the ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of 12 traditional medicinal plants used in the treatment of neurological disorders.Methods:AChEI activity was determined spectrophotometrically using the Ellman’s colorimetric method.Antioxidant activity was carried out by determining the ability of the extracts to scavenge 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl（DPPH） and 2,2’-azinobis- 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid（ABTS） radicals.The levels of total phenols,flavonoids and flavonols were determined quantitatively using spectrophotometric methods.Results:AChEI was observed to be dose-dependent.Lannea schweinfurthii（L.schweinfurthii）（Engl.） Engl.and Scadoxus puniceus（S.puniceus）（L.） Friis & I.Nordal.root extracts showed the lowest IC50 value of 0.000 3 mg/mL for the ethyl acetate extracts while Zanthoxylum davyi（Z.davyi）（I.Verd.） P.G. Watermann had the lowest IC50 value of 0.01 mg/mL for the methanol extracts in the AChEI assay. The roots of Piper capense（P.capense） L.f.,L.schweinfurthii,Ziziphus mucronata（Z.mucronata） Willd.,Z.davyi and Crinum bulbispermum（C.bulbispermum）（Burm.f.） Milne-Redh.& Schweick.showed noteworthy radical scavenging activity and good AChEI activity.Conclusions: Five plants show good antioxidant and AChEI activity.These findings support the traditional use of the plants for treating neurological disorders especially where a cholinesterase mechanism and reactive oxygen species（ROS） are involved.

Anti-mycobacterial screening of five Indian medicinal plants and partial purification of active extracts of Cassia sophera and Urtica dioica

Objective:To find out the anti-mycobacterial potential of Cassia sophera(C.sophera),Urtica dioica(U.dioica),Momordica dioica,Tribulus terrains and Coccinia indica plants against multidrug resistant(MDR) strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis(M.tuberculosis).Methods:Plant materials were extracted successively with solvents of increasing polarity.Solvent extracts were screened for anti-mycobacterial activity against fast growing,non-pathogenic mycobacterium strain,Mycobacterium semegmatis,by disk diffusion method.The active extracts were tested against MDR and clinical isolates of M.tuberculosis by absolute concentration and proportion methods.The active extracts were subjected to bio-autoassay on TLC followed by silica column chromatography for isolation of potential drug leads.Results:Hexane extract of U.dioica(HEUD) and methanol extract of C.sophera(MECS) produced inhibition zone of 20 mm in disc diffusion assay and MIC of 250 and 125μg/mL respectively in broth dilution assay against Mycobacterium semegmatis.Semipurified traction F2 from MECS produced 86%inhibition against clinical isolate and 60%inhibition against MDR strain of ilf.tuberculosis.F18 from HEUD produced 81%inhibition against clinical isolate and 60%inhibition against MDR strain of M.tuberculosis.Phytochemical analysis indicated that anti-mycobacterial activity of MECS may be due to presence of alkaloids or flavonoids and that of HEUD due to terpenoids.Condosions:C.sophera and U.dioica plant extracts exhibited promising anti-mycobacterial activity against MDR strain of M.tuberculosis. This is the first report of anti-mycobacterial activity form C.sophera.This study showed possibility of purifying novel anti-mycobacterial compound(s) from C.sophera and U.dioica.

Some medicinal plants with antiasthmatic potential:a current status

Asthma is a common disease that is rising in prevalence worldwide with the highest prevalence in industrialized countries.Asthma affect about 300 million people worldwide and it has been estimated that a further 100 million will be affected by 2023.Since the ancient times,plants have been exemplary sources of medicine.Current asthma therapy lack satisfactory success due to adverse effect,hence patients are seeking complementary and alternative medicine to treat their asthma.Ayurveda and other Indian literature mention the use of plants in various human ailments.India has about 43 000 plant species and among them several thousand are claimed to possess medicinal properties.Researches conducted in the last few decades on the plants mentioned in ancient literature or used traditionally for asthma have shown antiasthmatic,antihistaminic and antiallergic activity.This review reveals that some plants and their extract have antiasthmatic,antihistaminic,anticholinergic and antiallergic activity.

Effects of medicinal plants on Alzheimer＇s disease and memory deficits

Alzheimer＇s disease is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder characterized by memory deficits. Various studies have been carried out to find therapeutic approaches for Alzheimer＇s disease. However, the proper treatment option is still not available. There is no cure for Alzheimer＇s disease, but symptomatic treatment may improve the memory and other dementia related problems. Traditional medicine is practiced world- wide as memory enhancer since ancient times. Natural therapy including herbs and medicinal plants has been used in the treatment of memory deficits such as dementia, amnesia, as well as Alzheimer＇s disease since a long time. Medicinal plants have been used in different systems of medicine, particularly Unani system of medicines and exhibited their powerful roles in the management and cure of memory disorders. Most of herbs and plants have been chemically evaluated and their efficacy has also been proven in clinical trials. However, the underlying mechanisms of actions are still on the way. In this paper, we have reviewed the role of different medicinal plants that play an important role in the treatment of Alzheimer＇s disease and memory deficits using conventional herbal therapy.

Xanthine oxidase inhibitors from Archidendron clypearia(Jack.) I.C. Nielsen: Results from systematic screening of Vietnamese medicinal plants

Objective: To screen Vietnamese medicinal plants for xanthine oxidase(XO) inhibitory activity and to isolate XO inhibitor(s) from the most active plant. Methods: The plants materials were extracted by methanol. The active plant materials were fractionated using different organic solvents, including n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol. Bioassay-guided fractionation and column chromatography were used to isolate compounds. The compounds structures were elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data, including IR, MS, and NMR. Results: Three hundreds and eleven methanol extracts(CME) belonging to 301 Vietnamese herbs were screened for XO inhibitory activity. Among these plants, 57 extracts displayed XO inhibitory activity at 100 μg/m L with inhibition rates of over 50%. The extracts of Archidendron clypearia, Smilax poilanei, Linociera ramiflora and Passiflora foetida exhibited the greatest potency with IC_(50) values below 30 μg/m L. Chemical study performed on the extract of Archidendron clypearia resulted in the isolation of six compounds, including 1-octacosanol, docosenoic acid, daucosterol, methyl gallate, quercitrin and(-)-7-O-galloyltricetiflavan. The compound(-)-7-O-galloyltricetiflavan showed the most potent XO inhibitory activity with an IC_(50) value of 25.5 μmol/L. Conclusions: From this investigation, four Vietnamese medicinal plants were identified to have XO inhibitory effects with IC_(50) values of the methanol extracts below 30 μg/m L. Compound(-)-7-O-galloyltricetiflavan was identified as an XO inhibitor from Archidendron clypearia with IC_(50) value of 25.5 μmol/L.