scholarly journals Chemical Constituents of Yarsagumba (Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Berk.) Sung et al.), a Valued Traditional Himalayan Medicine

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabina Shrestha ◽  
Bhushan Shrestha ◽  
Ji-Hae Park ◽  
Dae-Young Lee ◽  
Jin-Gyeong Cho ◽  
...  

Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Berk.) Sung et al. is popularly known as Yarsagumba (winter worm summer grass) in Nepal. It is a well-known entomogenous fungus distributed in alpine nival zone of trans-Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau. Its occurrence in extreme biological niche and cohabitation with insect [Thitarodes (Hepialus)] larvae has led to unique assemblage of metabolites including proteins and nitrogenous compounds, polysaccharides, sterols, nucleosides, fatty acids and their derivatives, vitamins and inorganics. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is one of the most trusted main ingredients for several preparations of remedy from wide range of human health conditions. Several biological activities from O. sinensis have been reported that include anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, anti-metastatic, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, insecticidal, hypolipidaemic, hypoglycemic, anti-ageing, lipolytic, neuroprotective, renoprotective effects, etc. The chemical constituents and their pharmacological uses are reviewed here highlighting the potentiality of this highly esteemed traditional Himalayan medicine. Nepal Journal of Science and Technology Vol. 13, No. 1 (2012) 43-58 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njst.v13i1.7398

2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (05) ◽  
pp. 1071-1098 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mao-Xing Li ◽  
Xi-Rui He ◽  
Rui Tao ◽  
Xinyuan Cao

In the present review, the literature data on the chemical constituents and biological investigations of the genus Pedicularis are summarized. Some species of Pedicularis have been widely applied in traditional Chinese medicine. A wide range of chemical components including iridoid glycosides, phenylpropanoid glycosides (PhGs), lignans glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids and other compounds have been isolated and identified from the genus Pedicularis. In vitro and in vivo studies indicated some monomer compounds and extracts from the genus Pedicularis have been found to possess antitumor, hepatoprotective, anti-oxidative, antihaemolysis, antibacterial activity, fatigue relief of skeletal muscle, nootropic effect and other activities.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 7-10
Author(s):  
Ru Xiang ◽  
Bing Xu

Cancer is a serious threat to human health. Fungal polysaccharide is a polar biological macromolecule with low toxicity. It has a wide range of biological activities, including immune regulation, antitumor activity, and antiviral activity. In recent years, the research results have shown that polysaccharides from fungus in traditional Chinese medicine have excellent antitumor effect in liver cancer, gastric cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, esophageal cancer, and lung cancer. Therefore, the research and development of fungal polysaccharides are of great significance for the development of antitumor drugs in the future.


2022 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-16
Author(s):  
Jia-ying Yuan ◽  
Zhi-ying Tong ◽  
Yu-chao Dong ◽  
Jia-yi Zhao ◽  
Yan Shang

Bronchial asthma is a common chronic airway disease, and long-term management of asthma is the focus and difficulty of clinical treatment. Glucocorticoids are often used as the first choice for the treatment of asthma. However, the occurrence of hormone dependence, hormone resistance, local and systemic adverse reactions caused by hormone application also brings problems for the treatment of asthma. Finding safe and effective new therapeutic drugs is an important research direction at present. Icariin is the effective ingredient of traditional Chinese medicine Epimedium. It has various biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative stress, and immune regulation. It has high safety and has a wide range of clinical applications. Icariin has the characteristics of multi-target intervention in the treatment of asthma. This article reviews recent studies in order to provide new research directions for further therapeutic drug development.


2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 49-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Shrestha ◽  
AK Shrestha ◽  
JH Park ◽  
DY Lee ◽  
JG Cho ◽  
...  

Yarsagumba (Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Berk.) Sung et al.) is a well-known entomogenous fungus native to alpine nival terrain of trans-Himalaya and Tibetan Plateau. The traditional use of O. sinensis in Ayurvedic medicine as well as in traditional Chinese medicine for range of human health requirements with well documented evidences are themselves testimony of its value. It is regarded as winter worm, summer grass due to its association with Thitarodes (Hepialus) larvae. The extremities of habitat condition and endurance of fungus to sustain adversaries by production of metabolites has led to unique profile of metabolites including nucleosides, proteins and nitrogenous compounds, polysaccharides, sterols, fatty acids and their derivatives, as well as some vitamins and inorganics. There are wide ranges of biological activities that have been reported from O. sinensis including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tumor, anti-metastatic, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, insecticidal, hypolipidaemic, hypoglycemic, antiageing, lipolytic, neuroprotective, renoprotective effects, etc. Although several components can be responsible for activity of compounds, understanding ultimate compounds which fit with biomolecular target is crucial to combat diseases and development of new class of effective drugs. In this review a concise evaluation of pharmacological activities of metabolites reported for O. sinensis are done to provide insight into its biologically active components. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njst.v14i2.10415   Nepal Journal of Science and Technology Vol. 14, No. 2 (2013) 49-58


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.


2013 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 138-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrícia Fontes Pinheiro ◽  
Vagner Tebaldi de Queiroz ◽  
Vando Miossi Rondelli ◽  
Adilson Vidal Costa ◽  
Tiago de Paula Marcelino ◽  
...  

The thrips, Frankliniella schultzei, and green peach aphid, Myzus persicae, cause direct damage to plants of economic importance and transmit phytoviruses, causing large economic losses. Chemical constituents of essential oils present a wide range of biological activities. The aim of this work was to evaluate insecticidal activity of essential oil from citronella grass, Cymbopogon winterianus, on F. schultzei and M. persicae. This essential oil was obtained by steam distillation and components were identified by GC/FID and GC/MS. A Potter spray tower was used to spray insects with the essential oil. The major constituents are geraniol (28.62%), citronellal (23.62%) and citronellol (17.10%). Essential oil of C. winterianus at 1% (w v-1) causes mortality in F. schultzei and M. persicae at 34.3% and 96.9%, respectively. The LC50 value for M. persicae was 0.36% and LC90 0.66%. Thus, citronella grass essential oil at 1% (w v-1) is more toxic to M. persicae than F. schultzei. This essential oil shows promise for developing pesticides to manage M. persicae.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boniface Pone Kamdem ◽  
Eutrophe Le Doux Kamto ◽  
Hugues Kamdem Paumo ◽  
Lebogang Maureen Katata-Seru ◽  
Dieudonné Emmanuel Pegnyemb ◽  
...  

Background: Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin & Clemants is an aromatic herb native to South America, but also distributed widely throughout Africa and Europe. This plant is traditionally used to treat various ailments including, pain and swellings, flu, parasitic diseases, and as analgesic, antipyretic, and wound healing. Phytochemical analyses of D. ambrosioides revealed the presence of terpenoids, flavonoids, coumarins, fatty acids and miscellaneous compounds among others, which might be responsible for its modern pharmacological actions. Objective: The present work summarizes recent developments on phytochemistry, ethnomedicinal use, pharmacology, and toxicity of D. ambrosioides. A critical assessment of the literature information of D. ambrosioides is also presented. Methods: The available information on D. ambrosioides was collected through libraries and electronic databases [Scifinder, ACS, Scielo, Science direct, Pubmed (National Library of Medicine), Wiley, Springer, PROTA, Web of Science, Google Web, Yahoo search and Google scholar] from respective inception until january 2021. Results: More than 150 compounds, including terpenoids, flavonoids, coumarins, fatty acids, and miscellaneous compounds etc.. were identified from D. ambrosioides. D. ambrosioides exhibited a wide range of pharmacological activities, including antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, anticancer, insecticidal, antigiardial, among others. Metal nanoparticles synthesized from D. ambrosioides extracts presented enhanced pharmacological activities as compared to the crude plant extracts counterparts. Conclusion: D. ambrosioides is a promising medicinal plant, however, more in vivo experiments, cytotoxicity tests, and mechanisms of actions of its extracts and compounds are recommended to transubstantiate the ethnomedicinal claims of this plant into scientific rationale-based information.


2019 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 153473541986947 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hei Ching Chow ◽  
Tsz Him So ◽  
Horace Cheuk Wai Choi ◽  
Ka On Lam

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herbs are commonly regarded to be safe with minimal toxicities in Chinese communities. Cancer patients who are receiving Western oncology therapy often concurrently take TCM herbs for anticancer and symptom relief purposes. We performed a literature review for current evidence on TCM herb–induced liver injury from an oncological perspective. A literature search on PubMed was performed to identify publications regarding TCM herbs and concoctions with hepatoprotective or hepatotoxic properties. Lists of commonly used herbs and their causality levels were compiled. In view of the wide range of evidence available, cases assessed by the well-established RUCAM (Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method) algorithm were categorized as the highest level of evidence. More than one case of TCM herb–induced liver injury was confirmed by RUCAM in the following herbs and concoctions: Lu Cha ( Camellia sinensis), Bai Xian Pi ( Dictamnus dasycarpus), Tu San Qi ( Gynura segetum), Jin Bu Huan ( Lycopodium serratum), He Shou Wu ( Polygoni multiflora), Ge Gen ( Pueraria lobata), Dan Lu Tong Du tablet, Shou Wu Pian, Xiao Chai Hu Tang, Xiao Yin pill, and Yang Xue Sheng Fa capsule. Finally, TCM with anticancer or symptom relief uses were discussed in detail with regard to their hepatotoxic or hepatoprotective properties.


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