scholarly journals Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activities of Dracaena cinnabari Resin

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Yahya S. Al-Awthan ◽  
Omar Salem Bahattab

Dracaena cinnabari (D. cinnabari) is an endemic plant located in Socotra Island, Yemen. Deep red resin attained from different plant species including D. cinnabari is commonly known as dragon’s blood. In folk medicine, it is prescribed for the treatment of traumatic dermal, dental, and eye injuries as well as blood stasis, pain, and gastrointestinal diseases in humans. Numerous studies have investigated that this resinous medicine has antidiarrheal, antiulcer, antimicrobial, antiviral, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, wound healing, and antioxidant activity. Several phytochemicals have been isolated from D. cinnabari, including the biflavonoid cinnabarone, triflavonoids, metacyclophanes, chalcones, chalcanes, dihydrochalcones, sterols, and terpenoids. The present review highlights the structures and bioactivities of main phytochemicals isolated from D. cinnabari regarding the botany and pharmacological effects of the resin derived from this plant.

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulraqeb Al-Okaishi

Abstract Background In this study, we present and analyze toponyms referring to Socotra Island’s endemic dragon’s blood tree (Dracaena cinnabari) in four areas on the Socotra Archipelago UNESCO World Heritage site (Republic of Yemen). The motivation is the understanding of the past distribution of D. cinnabari trees which is an important part of conservation efforts by using ethnobotanical data. We assumed that dragon’s blood trees had a wider distribution on Socotra Island in the past. Methods This research was based on field surveys and interviews with the indigenous people. The place names (toponyms) were recorded in both Arabic and the indigenous Socotri language. We grouped all toponyms into five different categories according to the main descriptor: terrain, human, plant, water, and NA (unknown). Also, this study identified current and historical Arabic names of dragon’s blood trees of the genus Dracaena through literature review. Results A total of 301 toponyms were recorded from the four study areas in Socotra Island. Among names related to plants, we could attribute toponyms to nine different plants species, of which six toponyms referred to the D. cinnabari tree, representing 14.63% of the total phytotoponyms in the category. Three historical naming periods prior to 2000 could be identified. The most commonly used name for dragon’s blood trees (D. cinnabari, D. serrulata, D. ombet) appears to be “ahrieb” “إعريهب” and its resin “dum al-akhawin” “دم الأخوين,” while derived (mixed-cooked) products are called “eda’a” “إيدع,” while regionally different names can be found. Conclusion The place names that refer to D. cinnabari are herein suggested to represent remnant areas of once large populations. Therefore, the toponyms may support known hypotheses based on climate models that D. cinnabari had a wider distribution on Socotra Island in the past. This study also confirmed the historical importance of dragon’s blood.


2021 ◽  
Vol 908 (1) ◽  
pp. 012031
Author(s):  
E P Dylenova ◽  
S V Zhigzhitzhapova ◽  
T E Randalova ◽  
L D Radnaeva

Abstract This paper represents the results of the GC-MS analysis of the essential oil’s composition of Artemisia jacutica Drob. collected within the Republic of Buryatia in 2015-2020. A. jacutica is an East Siberian endemic plant which has been widely used in folk medicine of Yakutia for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. 59 compounds were identified in total, which were represented by mono- and sesquiterpenoids. Neryl-2-methylbutanoate, neryl-hexanoate, γ-eudesmol, and chamazulene were constant components of the oil, whereas γ-eudesmol and chamazulene predominated (the content reaches over 40%). Essential oils of A. jacutica collected in different years were characterized by a stable set of dominant constituents, while the content of sesquiterpenoids was over 92%. The samples of the 2018-2020 years of collection had a greater variety of constituents (31-36 compounds): derivatives of nerol, geraniol, 1,8-cineole, seline-4-diene, compared to the 2015-2017 samples.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulraqeb Shamsan Al-Okaishi

Abstract BackgroundIn this study, we present and analyze toponyms referring to Socotra Island’s endemic dragon’s blood tree (Dracaena cinnabari) in four areas of the Socotra Archipelago UNESCO World Heritage site (Republic of Yemen). The motivation is understanding of the past distribution of D. cinnabari trees which is an important part of conservation efforts by using ethnobotanical data. We assumed that dragon’s blood trees had a wider distribution on Socotra Island in the past. MethodsThis research was based on field surveys and interviews with the indigenous people. The place names (toponyms) were recorded in both, Arabic and indigenous Socotri language. We grouped all toponyms into five different categories according to the main descriptor: Terrain, Human, Plant, Water and NA (unknown). In addition, this study identified current and historical Arabic names of dragon’s blood trees of the genus Dracaena, through literature review. ResultsA total of 301 toponyms were recorded from the four study areas in Socotra Island. Among names related to plants, we could attribute toponyms to nine different plant species, of which six names referred to the D. cinnabari tree, representing 14.63% of total phytotoponyms in the category. Three historical naming periods prior to 2000 could be identified. The most commonly used Arabic name for dragon’s blood trees (D. cinnabari, D. serrulata. D. ombet) appears to be “ahrieb” "إعريهب", its resin “dum al-akhawin” “دم الأخوين”, while derived (mixed-cooked) products are called “edah” “إيدع”; while regionally different names can be found.ConclusionThe place names that refer to D. cinnabari are herein suggested to represent remnant areas of once large populations. The toponyms may therefore support known hypotheses based on climate models that D. cinnabari had a wider distribution on Socotra Island in the past. This study also confirmed the historical importance of dragon’s blood


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (16) ◽  
pp. 3387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salehi ◽  
Sharifi-Rad ◽  
Capanoglu ◽  
Adrar ◽  
Catalkaya ◽  
...  

The Cucurbita genus, a member of Cucurbitaceae family, also known as cucurbits, is native to the Americas. Genus members, like Cucurbita pepo and Cucurbita maxima, have been used for centuries in folk medicine for treating gastrointestinal diseases and intestinal parasites. These pharmacological effects are mainly attributed to their phytochemical composition. Indeed, Cucurbita species are a natural source of carotenoids, tocopherols, phenols, terpenoids, saponins, sterols, fatty acids, functional carbohydrates, and polysaccharides, that beyond exerting remarkable biological effects, have also been increasingly exploited for biotechnological applications. In this article, we specifically cover the habitat, cultivation, phytochemical composition, and food preservative abilities of Cucurbita plants.


Author(s):  
Israa Adnan Ibraheam ◽  
Haider Mashkoor Hussein ◽  
Imad Hadi Hameed

Young specimen of Dracaena cinnabari in the Koko Crater Botanical Garden, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States The dragon blood tree has a unique and strange appearance, with an "upturned, densely packed crown having the shape of an uprightly held umbrella". This evergreen species is named after its dark red resin, which is known as "dragon's blood". Its leaves are found only at the end of its youngest branches; its leaves are all shed every 3 or 4 years before new leaves simultaneously mature. Branching tends to occur when the growth of the terminal bud is stopped, due to either flowering or traumatic events (e.g. herbivory). The trees can be harvested for their crimson red resin, called dragon's blood, which was highly prized in the ancient world and is still used today. Dragon's blood is used as a stimulant and abortifacient. The root yields a gum-resin, used in gargle water as a stimulant, astringent and in toothpaste. The root is used in rheumatism, the leaves are a carminative. The local inhabitants of the city in the Socotra Island use the dragon's blood resin as a cure-all. They use it in general wound healing, as a coagulant, cure for diarrhea, for dysentery diseases, for lowering fevers. It is also taken for ulcers in the mouth, throat, intestines and stomach.


Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulraqeb Al-Okaishi

Various nontimber forest products (NTFPs) are produced from the forests and woodlands of Yemen. Dragon’s blood tree resin is one of the commercial NTFPs in Yemen and is produced by tapping Dracaena cinnabari trees, which are listed as vulnerable by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List. By applying a forest resource assessment, the present study inventoried the D. cinnabari forest with the aim of identifying and evaluating its structure, the harvesting status of the resin, and the current management system. The study was conducted in the Firmihin forest, Socotra Island, Yemen Republic. The forest resource assessment was carried out through a forest inventory by measuring trees from 12 plots following stratified random sampling. The relevant parameters of a total of 819 trees were measured, including the tree height, stem height of lowest branches, height of the highest wound, diameter at breast height (DBH), and presence of wounds. The wounds were measured on a total of 401 trees. Value chain analysis (VCA) was used to clarify the flow of dragon’s blood tree resin from the producers to the local, national, and international markets. Traditional management was examined using questionnaires in the case study area and surrounding villages. There are two tapping techniques: (1) collecting the pure dragon’s blood tree resin and (2) cutting part of the bark along with the pure resin. The second technique resulted in 84% of the trees having wounds. The tappers were mostly from the community in and around the forest. The study found that the traditional management system of tapping dragon’s blood tree resin is not sustainable.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 715-728 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hai-Yue Lan ◽  
Bin Zhao ◽  
Yu-Li Shen ◽  
Xiao-Qin Li ◽  
Su-Juan Wang ◽  
...  

Momordica cochinchinensis (Lour.) Spreng (M. cochinchinensis) is a deciduous vine that grows in Southeast Asia. It is known as gac in Vietnam and as Red Melon in English. Gac is reputed to be extremely benificial for health and has been widely used as food and folk medicine in Southeast Asia. In China, the seed of M. cochinchinensis (Chinese name: Mu biezi) is used as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of various diseases. More than 60 chemical constituents have been isolated from M. cochinchinensis. Modern pharmacological studies and clinical practice demonstrate that some chemical constituents of M. cochinchinensis possess wide pharmacological activities, such as anti-tumor, anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory, etc. This paper reviews the phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, toxicity, and clinical application of M. cochinchinensis, aiming to bring new insights into further research and application of this ancient herb.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 978-992
Author(s):  
Punit Kumar ◽  
Sujata Malik ◽  
Kashyap K. Dubey

Background: Since its inception, people are using herbal extracts as natural remedies for the treatment of various diseases. Bryophyllum pinnatum, also known as the air plant, is a well-recognized herb used in folk medicine. It is native to Madagascar and further planted in tropical and subtropical areas around the world. It is known for the profusion of miniature plantlets which arise from the margins of phylloclade. Objective: The aim of this review is to provide the information regarding local and traditional uses, pharmacological activities and different phytochemicals reported from leaves extracts of Bryophyllum pinnatum. Methods: This review article contains a detailed survey of the literature about Bryophyllum pinnatum available in different online databases, such as; PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, Elsevier, and Google Scholar, etc. In this review, authors have focused on ethnopharmacological importance and phytochemicals present in Bryophyllum pinnatum and their structure. The structures of the phytochemical were prepared by the ChemDraw tool. Results: This plant is used as a traditional herbal medicine around the globe due to medicinal properties like; anthelmintic, immunosuppressive, hepatoprotective, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, nephroprotective, antioxidant, antimicrobial, analgesic, anticonvulsant and antipyretic. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of many bioactive compounds like; alkaloids, flavonoids, triterpenes, steroids, glycosides, bufadienolides, lipids, and organic acids, etc. which are associated with different medicinal properties. Conclusion: Bryophyllum pinnatum possesses diverse pharmacological importance and remarkable medicinal properties. Investigators have reported a large number of phytochemicals exhibiting different medicinal properties and correlation of medicinal properties.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 2036
Author(s):  
Luigi Marongiu ◽  
Markus Burkard ◽  
Sascha Venturelli ◽  
Heike Allgayer

Natural compounds such as essential oils and tea have been used successfully in naturopathy and folk medicine for hundreds of years. Current research is unveiling the molecular role of their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. Nevertheless, the effect of these compounds on bacteriophages is still poorly understood. The application of bacteriophages against bacteria has gained a particular interest in recent years due to, e.g., the constant rise of antimicrobial resistance to antibiotics, or an increasing awareness of different types of microbiota and their potential contribution to gastrointestinal diseases, including inflammatory and malignant conditions. Thus, a better knowledge of how dietary products can affect bacteriophages and, in turn, the whole gut microbiome can help maintain healthy homeostasis, reducing the risk of developing diseases such as diverse types of gastroenteritis, inflammatory bowel disease, or even cancer. The present review summarizes the effect of dietary compounds on the physiology of bacteriophages. In a majority of works, the substance class of polyphenols showed a particular activity against bacteriophages, and the primary mechanism of action involved structural damage of the capsid, inhibiting bacteriophage activity and infectivity. Some further dietary compounds such as caffeine, salt or oregano have been shown to induce or suppress prophages, whereas others, such as the natural sweeter stevia, promoted species-specific phage responses. A better understanding of how dietary compounds could selectively, and specifically, modulate the activity of individual phages opens the possibility to reorganize the microbial network as an additional strategy to support in the combat, or in prevention, of gastrointestinal diseases, including inflammation and cancer.


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