scholarly journals Critical review of the Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal: ethnobotany, pharmacological efficacy, and commercialization significance in Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Henok Kessete Afewerky ◽  
Ayeni Emmanuel Ayodeji ◽  
Bashir Bolaji Tiamiyu ◽  
Joshua Iseoluwa Orege ◽  
Emmanuel Sunday Okeke ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (W. somnifera) is a herb commonly known by its English name as Winter Cherry. Africa is indigenous to many medicinal plants and natural products. However, there is inadequate documentation of medicinal plants, including W. somnifera, in Africa. There is, therefore, a need for a comprehensive compilation of research outcomes of this reviewed plant as used in traditional medicine in different regions of Africa. Methodology Scientific articles and publications were scooped and sourced from high-impact factor journals and filtered with relevant keywords on W. somnifera. Scientific databases, including GBIF, PubMed, NCBI, Google Scholar, Research Gate, Science Direct, SciFinder, and Web of Science, were accessed to identify the most influential articles and recent breakthroughs published on the contexts of ethnography, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and commercialization of W. somnifera. Results This critical review covers the W. somnifera ethnography, phytochemistry, and ethnomedicinal usage to demonstrate the use of the plant in Africa and elsewhere to prevent or alleviate several pathophysiological conditions, including cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, reproductive impotence, as well as other chronic diseases. Conclusion W. somnifera is reportedly safe for administration in ethnomedicine as several research outcomes confirmed its safety status. The significance of commercializing this plant in Africa for drug development is herein thoroughly covered to provide the much-needed highlights towards its cultivations economic benefit to Africa.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (18) ◽  
pp. 8702
Author(s):  
Naoual El Menyiy ◽  
Aya Khouchlaa ◽  
Nasreddine El Omari ◽  
Gokhan Zengin ◽  
Monica Gallo ◽  
...  

Urolithiasis is a disease characterized by the formation of stones, which are crystalline accretions that form in the urinary tract from minerals dissolved in the urine. Moreover, it is considered to be a complex and multifactorial disease, requiring treatment. Unfortunately, current treatments are insufficient or may induce several side effects. In fact, medicinal plants are among the anti-litholytic treatments that are strongly recommended by many studies. Indeed, these natural resources contain bioactive molecules of different natures, such as flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, and phenolic acids, which have recently demonstrated very important anti-litholytic effects. The molecular mechanisms involved are multiple and variable, and can reach cellular and molecular levels. In this review, we have discussed in depth the work that has studied the bioactive molecules of medicinal plants and their major potential against urolithiasis. Scientific databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar, were searched from their inception until April 2021.The cellular and molecular mechanisms are presented and discussed. Some mechanisms of action related to these bioactive compounds are highlighted. This review could provide a scientific starting point for further studies on urolithiasis and natural bioactive compounds, especially flavonoids.


2021 ◽  
Vol 07 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhuwan Chandra Joshi ◽  
Vijay Juyal ◽  
Archana N. Sah ◽  
Piyush Verma ◽  
Minky Mukhija

Background: Cancer is a frightful disease and it is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Naturally derived compounds are gaining interest of research workers as they have less toxic side effects as compared to currently used treatments such as chemotherapy. Plants are the pool of chemical compounds which provides a promising future for research on cancer. Objective: This review paper provides updated information gathered on medicinal plants and isolated phytoconstituents used as anticancer agents and summarises the plant extracts and their isolated chemical constituents exhibiting anticancer potential on clinical trials. Methods: An extensive bibliographic investigation was carried out by analysing worldwide established scientific databases like SCOPUS, PUBMED, SCIELO, ScienceDirect, Springerlink, Web of Science, Wiley, SciFinder and Google Scholar etc. In next few decades, herbal medicine may become a new epoch of medical system. Results: Many researches are going on medicinal plants for the treatment of cancer but it is a time to increase further experimental studies on plant extracts and their chemical constituents to find out their mechanism of action at molecular level. Conclusion: The article may help many researchers to start off further experimentation that might lead to the drugs for the cancer treatment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 06 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ravindra Verma ◽  
Vaibhav Misra ◽  
Dileep Tiwari ◽  
Prakash S. Bisen

Introduction: Many environmental risk factors are associated with some form of chronic inflammation. The spread of COVID-19 across the world has impacted every one of us. The first case of coronavirus was reported on 30 January 2020 in India originating from China. Study Area: India has a tremendous capacity to deal with the coronavirus outbreak because of its high immunity and climatic conditions. Maintaining social distancing and hand washing is not a sufficient step for preventing COVID-19. Indian system of traditional medicine has a potential worth to enhance immunity, which can resist a novel coronavirus. Material & Methods: A detailed study was carried out by analyzing national and international scientific databases (PubMed, SciFinder, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science, Mendeley), thesis, and recognized books. Only Indian herbs with high immunity resistant power were analyzed. Epidemiologic studies with information on COVID-19 risk factors and precautions also considered for study purposes. Results: Some herbs like Ocimum tenuiflorum (Tulsi), Glycyrrhiza glabra (Liquorice), Curcuma domestica Vahl (Turmeric), Tinospora cordifolia (Giloy), Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha), Cinnamon (Dalchini), Shoot of Triticumaestivum Linn. (Wheatgrass), Andrographis paniculata (Kalmegh), can help in boosting immunity for COVID-19 disease. Discussion: Despite the shreds of evidence for the efficacy of these herbs in treating coronavirus induced infections; the proper dose with ideal timing for such interventions needs to verify in clinical trials. Researchers must have to take the privilege to explore the potential of herbs to reduce such epidemics of environmental threats.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (15) ◽  
pp. 4664
Author(s):  
Majid Mohammadhosseini ◽  
Alessandro Venditti ◽  
Claudio Frezza ◽  
Mauro Serafini ◽  
Armandodoriano Bianco ◽  
...  

Herein, a comprehensive review is given focusing on the chemical profiles of the essential oils (EOs), non-volatile compounds, ethnobotany, and biological activities of different Haplophyllum (Rutaceae family) species. To gather the relevant data, all the scientific databases, including Scopus, ISI-WOS (Institute of Scientific Information-Web of Science), and PubMed and highly esteemed publishers such as Elsevier, Springer, Taylor and Francis, etc., were systematically retrieved and reviewed. A wide array of valuable groups of natural compounds, e.g., terpenoids, coumarins, alkaloids, lignans, flavonoids, and organic acids have been isolated and subsequently characterized in different organic extracts of a number of Haplophyllum species. In addition, some remarkable antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, cytotoxic, antileishmanial, and antialgal effects as well as promising remedial therapeutic properties have been well-documented for some species of the genus Haplophyllum.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Most. Rojuba Khatun ◽  
A.H.M. Mahbubur Rahman

Ethnobotanical investigation on traditional medicinal plants used by Santal tribal people of Nawabganj upazila of Dinajpur district, Bangladesh was documented. Frequent field trips were made during January to December 2018 to record ethnobotanical data by interviewing Santals of various age group, mostly ranging between 20-76 years, including the traditional healers. A total of 105 plant species under 97 genera belonging to 57 families were recorded which are used by the Santals for the treatment of 67 ailments. Out of these plant species 44% belonged to herbs, 28% trees, 18% shrubs, 10% climbers. In herbal formulations, leaves were found to be mostly used (29%) followed by roots (12%), fruits (12%), whole plant (10%), seeds (9%), barks (9%), stems (5%), flowers (4%), latex (2%), rhizomes (2%), petioles (2%), gums (2%), bulbs (1%), tubers (1%), pods (1%) and buds (1%). The Santal medicinal wealth have been presented with scientific name, family, Bangla name, Santal name, part(s) used, ailments to be treated and formulations. This study also provides data on diversity, distribution and habitats for conservation and prioritization of the medicinal plants.


Author(s):  
Hamed Fathi ◽  
Fatemeh Faraji ◽  
Niusha Esmaealzadeh ◽  
Shahram Eslami ◽  
Mohammad Bagher Mohammadi Laeeni

Introduction: Zingiber officinale Rose (ginger) has been used for many purposes in traditional medicine since 2500 years ago. This study intends to introduce the ginger plant, some of their applications in the field of human health in traditional and modern medicine, and their conformity with Islamic and Quranic findings. Material and Methods: Administrative and therapeutic information of ginger plant has been searched in related and valid books, scientific databases including Web of Science, PubMed, SID, Google Scholar, and Scopus. Ginger keyword has been searched in the Quran and hadiths and its medicinal and pharmacological properties; also in traditional Persian medicine and laboratory studies, the day, was collected from published articles. In order to confirm the obtained information, it was matched with Quranic and narration versions, and the obtained information was analyzed, compiled, and presented. Results: Avicenna has mentioned the positive effects of ginger in his Canon of Medicine. The Food and Drug Administration of the Ministry of Health in Iran has also introduced ginger as a dietary supplement. Ginger is one of those plants which name is mentioned in the Quran, in verse 17 of Surah Al-Insan. In narrations and quoting scientists as well as in modern medicine and articles, the effects and application of this plant in the field of medicine and nutrition have been mentioned. Conclusion: The results have shown that the use of ginger in nutrition as a spice or supplement and in Persian medicine as a medicament has a scientific and practical basis, and studies on this issue are confirmed both in science and Islam. Findings obtained from laboratory and clinical studies can also be effective in the proper use and preparation of appropriate medicinal forms of this plant.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gessica Mina Kim Jesus ◽  
Daniel Jugend

PurposeDespite the potential of open innovation (OI) to reduce barriers to the adoption of the circular economy (CE), little is known about the integration of the two themes and how OI could contribute to a more sustainable economy. The objective of this study is to investigate how OI can contribute to the adoption of the CE.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts a systematic review of the literature sampled from the Scopus and Web of Science scientific databases.FindingsThe main findings of the study are (1) the utilization of OI within CE is still a recent phenomenon, one which emphasizes the collaboration between stakeholders and the co-creation approach; (2) the collaboration of stakeholders can be applied to align the objectives of interested parties, in a joint effort to resolve the environmental problems of the three levels of CE and (3) an action-creation approach can be adopted as a strategy to encourage the participation of consumers in the development of environmentally sustainable products, which may favor the transition to the CE.Originality/valueThe article presents the state of the art on the CE guided by OI, highlighting the opportunities and challenges of the correlation between the two themes. The article also shows the theoretical and practical implications for an OI-driven circular economy.


Author(s):  
Airton Zancanaro ◽  
José Leomar Todesco ◽  
Fernando Ramos

Open educational resources (OER) is a topic that has aroused increasing interest by researchers as a powerful contribution to improve the educational system quality and openness, both in face to face and distance education. The goal of this research is to map publications related to OER, dating from 2002 to 2013, and available through the Web of Science and Scopus scientific databases as well as in the OER Knowledge Cloud open repository. Data were used to explore relevant aspects related to the scientific production in OER, such as: (i) number of publications per year; (ii) most cited publications; (iii) authors with higher number of publications; (iv) institutions and countries with more publications and (v) most referenced bibliography by the authors. The analysis has included 544 papers, written by 843 authors, from 338 institutions, from 61 different countries. Moreover, the analysis has included the publications referenced and the author’s keywords, considering 6,355 different publications and 929 different keywords. Besides presenting a bibliographic mapping of the research on OER, this paper also intends to contribute to consolidate the idea that OER is a promising field for researchers, in line with the spreading of the Open movement.


2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dirce Maria Santin ◽  
Sônia Domingues Santos Brambilla ◽  
Ida Regina Chittó Stumpf

Resumo O artigo analisa a produção científica em Neurociências da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, em termos de artigos publicados em periódicos nacionais e internacionais registrados na base de dados Web of Science (WoS). A amostra é composta por 847 artigos publicados no período de 2000 a 2009 e indexados na categoria Neurociências da WoS. São utilizados indicadores de atividade, impacto e colaboração para caracterizar padrões e tendências na produção científica em Neurociências da UFRGS. Os resultados demonstram que a área apresenta produção científica significativa e crescente, com alto impacto e fortemente produzida em colaboração.Palavras-chave Bibliometria, Produção científica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Neurociências.Abstract The article discusses the scientific production in Neuroscience of the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul as regards articles published in national and international journals indexed in the Web of Science database. The sample consists of 847 articles published from 2000 to 2009 and indexed in the database in the Neuroscience category. Activity, impact and collaboration indicators are used to characterize patterns and trends in the scientific production in Neuroscience at UFRGS. The results demonstrate that the field presents significant and growing scientific production, with high impact and strongly produced in collaboration.Keywords Bibliometrics, Scientific production, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Neuroscience.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 177
Author(s):  
Peter Tshepiso Ndhlovu ◽  
Abiodun Olusola Omotayo ◽  
Wilfred Otang-Mbeng ◽  
Adeyemi Oladapo Aremu

Globally, the potential of medicinal plants is increasingly being recognized due to their relative availability, particularly in rural areas. This review explored the ethnobotanical and economic values of six selected medicinal plants widely used to treat and manage childhood diseases in South Africa. Acalypha glabrata, Aloe maculata, Datura stramonium, Gomphocarpus fruticosus, Rhoicissus tridentata and Vachellia karroo were selected based on their high relative frequency of citations for treating a wide range of diseases. Information was obtained from various scientific databases and ethnobotanical books. In addition to being popular for treating childhood diseases, the selected medicinal plants possess diverse applications in traditional medicine for other age groups, highlighting their general therapeutic values. This translates to extensive harvesting, trading and consumption of these plants in order to meet demands on local levels. Currently, empirical data on the economic value of the selected plants remain poorly reported. Even though South Africa has many laws to conserve and promote indigenous knowledge and medicinal plants, their commercialization remains low. Particularly the cultivation of the selected plants needs to be promoted under a participatory management action plan to stimulate the economy of the disadvantaged. A collaborative research framework for the inclusive transformation of indigenous medicinal plants is recommended to reveal their concealed beneficial properties.


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