Exploration and characterization of bioactive phytochemicals in native Canadian plants for human health

2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (5) ◽  
pp. 1045-1053 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rong Tsao ◽  
Zhongying Liu
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Native Plants ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Native Canadian ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Herbal Plants ◽  
Potential Use

The boundary between medicine and food is not always clear in many ancient cultures. Many plants have traditionally been used in both culinary and healing practices. Herbs, in particular, have shown this dual functionality. Scientific information on herbal medicines has been limited to exotic plants, and only a few herbal plants native to, or grown in, Canada, such as American ginseng, Echinacea, St. John’s wort and feverfew, have been studied. Thorough investigations have not been carried out, and there is a lack of information about native Canadian plants and their potential as medicinal plants, particularly in terms of their chemical composition, biological activity and potential use for disease prevention. Also, from the marketing point of view, many of the existing herbs have only a small niche in the marketplace, so over production and consequent price depression can easily happen, as seen in the ginseng industry. There is obviously a need for multidisciplinary collaboration among herbalists, botanists, chemists and other scientists, since introducing native plants into mass production requires knowledge of environmental impact, genetic variability and the effects of other factors on the bioactive components. This review is intended to introduce the needs, techniques and challenges of such an approach with an emphasis on chemical and biochemical characterizations. Key words: Phytochemicals, native plants, medicinal plants, aboriginal plants

scholarly journals In vitro cytotoxicity of Aspilia pluriseta Schweinf. extract fractions

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sospeter N. Njeru ◽  
Jackson M. Muema
Keyword(s):  
Biological Activities ◽  
Vero Cells ◽  
In Vitro Cytotoxicity ◽  
Root Extract ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Information Gap ◽  
Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide ◽  
Potential Use

Abstract Objectives We and others have shown that Aspilia pluriseta is associated with various biological activities. However, there is a lack of information on its cytotoxicity. This has created an information gap about the safety of A. pluriseta extracts. As an extension to our recent publication on the antimicrobial activity and the phytochemical characterization of A. pluriseta root extracts, here we report on cytotoxicity of tested solvent fractions. We evaluated the potential cytotoxicity of these root extract fractions on Vero cell lines by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Results We show that all solvent extract fractions (except methanolic solvent fractions) had cytotoxic concentration values that killed 50% of the Vero cells (CC50) greater than 20 µg/mL and selectivity index (SI) greater than 1.0. Taken together, we demonstrate that, A. pluriseta extract fractions’ earlier reported bioactivities are within the acceptable cytotoxicity and selective index limits. This finding scientifically validates the potential use of A. pluriseta in the discovery of safe therapeutics agents.

scholarly journals Medicinal Plants Used in Mapuche Traditional Medicine in Araucanía, Chile: Linking Sociocultural and Religious Values with Local Heath Practices

2010 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 132-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Costanza Torri
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Traditional Medicine ◽  
Therapeutic Efficacy ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Religious Values ◽  
Individual Interviews

The vast majority of the medicinal plants in Chile have been studied from a pharmacological point of view. These studies, although giving important insights into the understanding of the Mapuche’s traditional medicine in terms of the therapeutical value of the plants, fail, however, to portray the numerous sociocultural and symbolic aspects of this form of medicine. This article aims to overcome this shortcoming by analyzing the sociocultural and religious values of medicinal plants among the Mapuche’s rural communities in Araucanía, Chile, as well as their role in traditional medicine. The methods utilized combined participant observation with individual interviews with local shamans (machi) and villagers. Data from free-list interviews and conversations with research participants were used to develop a series of semi-structured interview questions on knowledge of herbal medicines and plants. Data show that the therapeutic efficacy of Mapuche medicine is not only based on ‘‘active agents’’ but is also related to the symbolic and religious meaning attributed to the treatments by healers and patients. The article concludes that in order to fully understand the therapeutic efficacy of the plants, it is thus necessary to comprehend the sociocultural context in which they are used.

scholarly journals Development of cookies from agroindustrial by-products

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kricelle Mosquera Deamici ◽  
Lucas Carvalho de Oliveira ◽  
Gabriela Silveira da Rosa ◽  
Elessandra da Rosa Zavareze ◽  
Elizangela Gonçalves de Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Rice Bran ◽  
Physicochemical Characterization ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Solubility In Water ◽  
Parboiled Rice ◽  
Grape Marc ◽  
Milling Operations ◽  
By Products ◽  
Potential Use

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential use of dry grape marc obtained of drying and milling operations with parboiled rice bran for cookies production. By-products were characterized with respect to moisture content, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, fiber, and ashes, besides the analysis of absorption index, solubility in water and acidity. The proposed formulations were prepared by varying the amount of by-products to replace wheat flour. Elaborate cookies were subjected to microbiological and sensory analysis. The formulation with greater acceptance contained 5% of flour grape marc and 10% of parboiled rice bran. The physicochemical characterization of the cookies with greater acceptance was highlighted by the protein and fiber that presented 5.15% and 28.42%, respectively. The result obtained from this study shows a suitable product for consumption for microbiological as well as nutritional point of view.

scholarly journals Utilização de medicamentos fitoterápicos e plantas medicinais em diferentes segmentos da sociedade

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 01 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Sarmento Gadelha ◽  
Vicente Maia Pinto Junior ◽  
Kevia Katiucia Santos Bezerra ◽  
Patricio Borges Maracajá ◽  
Débora S. S. Martins
Keyword(s):  
Herbal Medicine ◽  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
National Policy ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
World Health ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Herbal Plants ◽  
The Government ◽  
Health Organization

<p>A utilização de plantas medicinais como medicina alternativa é uma pratica milenar, no entanto, a inserção de fitoterápicos é recente, porém, tem sido incentivado a sua prescrição pelo SUS.  A Organização Mundial de Saúde,  leva em consideração a cultura e a biodiversidade existentes no Brasil, tendo em vista a complexidade que envolve a fitoterapia, a Política Nacional de Planta Medicinal e Fitoterápico. Esta pesquisa teve como principal objetivo avaliar o uso de fitoterápicos e de plantas medicinais na saúde básica do município de Sousa-PB. Para isso foram aplicados formulários com pacientes/usuários e profissionais de saúde (Médicos e Enfermeiros), a respeito do uso, indicações, contra indicações dentre outros. A pesquisa foi realizada entre os meses de julho a outubro de 2014. Em relação ao faixa etária 90% dos entrevistados possuem idade entre 22 e 59 anos, com relação à renda dos usuários 40% dos mesmos possuem uma renda de menos de R$ 1.000,00, já à indicação do uso de plantas medicinais 96,7% dos usuários utilizam por indicação popular. Em relação as plantas mais usadas pelos pacientes foram citadas: Quebra pedra 58 citações, Hortelã 44, Aroeira 38, Babosa 32, Alecrim do nordeste 16 e unha de gato 10 citações, 58,4% dos usuários acham excelente a ideia de plantas medicinais e fitoterápicos do SUS disponível para a comunidade, 90% dos profissionais de saúde consideram inserção da fitoterapia no SUS e principalmente nas UFS como avanço para a terapia comunitária, 88% dos profissionais de saúde relataram que os conhecimentos que possuem não são suficientes para uma orientação e/ou prescrição adequada e plantas medicinais ou de fitoterápicos, em relação a freqüência e recomendações que os profissionais de saúde prescrevem fitoterápicos foram antidepressivo, calmante com uma freqüência de 0,35, seguidos de tosse, gripe e sistema respiratório com 0,31 e mal estar gástrico com 0,21. Entretanto, de acordo com os dados encontrados na pesquisa, sugerem-se mais incentivos por partes do poder público, além, de capacitação aos profissionais de saúde para que os mesmos se sintam preparados para prescrever fitoterápicos.</p><p class="Default" align="center"><strong><em>Use of herbal and medicinal plants in different segments of society</em></strong><em></em></p><p><strong>Abstract</strong>:  The use of medicinal plants as alternative medicine is an ancient practice, however, the inclusion of herbal medicines is recent, however, has been encouraged their prescription by SUS. The World Health Organization, takes into account the culture and the existing biodiversity in Brazil, in view of the complexity involved in herbal medicine, the National Policy on Medicinal Plant and Herbal. This research aimed to evaluate the use of herbal and medicinal plants in the basic health of the municipality of Sousa-PB. To this were applied forms with patients / users and health professionals (doctors and nurses), regarding the use, indications, contraindications among others. The survey was conducted between the months of July to October 2014. In relation to the age group 90% of respondents have aged between 22 and 59, in relation to income users 40% of them have an income of less than R $ 1,000 , 00, as the indication of the use of medicinal plants 96.7% of users use a popular statement. Regarding the plants most used by patients were cited: Breaking stone 58 quotes, Mint 44, Aroeira 38, 32 Aloe, Rosemary Northeast 16 and cat's claw 10 citations. 58.4% of users find the excellent idea of SUS medicinal plants and herbal medicines available to the community, 90% of health professionals consider insertion of herbal medicine in the SUS and especially in the UFS as an advance for the community therapy, 88% of professionals Health reported that the knowledge they have are not enough for an orientation and / or proper prescription and medicinal herbal plants or in relation to frequency and recommendations that herbal prescribing health professionals were antidepressant, soothing with a frequency of 0.35, followed by cough, flu and respiratory system with 0.31 and 0.21 with gastric discomfort. However, according to the data found in the search, it is suggest more incentives for parts of the government, in addition, training for health professionals so that they feel prepared to prescribe herbal medicines.</p>

scholarly journals Therapeutic approach for COVID-19: The power of herbal medicine

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. e6789108907
Author(s):  
Danilo José Machado de Abreu ◽  
Hanna Elisia Araújo de Barros ◽  
Caio Vinicius Lima Natarelli ◽  
Alice Pereira Zanzini ◽  
Eduardo Valério de Barros Vilas Boas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Therapeutic Strategy ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Complementary Therapy ◽  
Brazilian Legislation ◽  
Medicinal Use ◽  
Potential Use ◽  
Sciverse Scopus

The objective of this work was to evaluate whether medicinal plants as active ingredients of herbal, homeopathic and floral medicines marketed in Brazil, had potential use as a therapeutic strategy for prevention, treatment and cure for COVID-19. This study took into account products marketed and regulated by Brazilian legislation with claims such as: immunomodulators, antivirals and improvement of symptoms related to respiratory system deficiency, which were calculated the absolute (n) and relative (%) frequencies. In addition, PubMed®, Web of Science® and SciVerse Scopus® databases were used to search the literature in order to obtain the scientific claims of plants found in the formulations of the evaluated products, taking into account the typical symptoms of COVID-19. 113 products were found, of which 65% were herbal medicines, 27% homeopathic medicines and 7% floral. There were 13 medicinal plants with an absolute frequency ≥ 5, in which scientific evidence was found regarding their medicinal use, as a complementary therapy in the treatment of symptoms related to COVID-19.

scholarly journals In Vitro Cytotoxicity of Aspilia Pluriseta Schweinf. Extract Fractions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sospeter Ngoci Njeru ◽  
Jackson Mbithi Muema
Keyword(s):  
Biological Activities ◽  
Vero Cells ◽  
In Vitro Cytotoxicity ◽  
Root Extracts ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Information Gap ◽  
Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide ◽  
Potential Use

Abstract Objectives: We and others have shown that Aspilia pluriseta is associated with various biological activities. However, there is a lack of information on A. pluriseta cytotoxicity. This has created an information gap about the safety of A. pluriseta extracts. As an extension to our recent publication on the antimicrobial activity and the phytochemicals characterization of A. pluriseta root extracts, here we report the missing data on cytotoxicity of tested extracts. We evaluated the potential cytotoxicity of the root extracts on Vero cell lines by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Results: We show that all solvent extracts (except methanolic solvent fractions) had cytotoxic concentration values that killed 50% of the Vero cells (CC50) greater than 20 µg/mL and selectivity index (SI) of greater than 1.0. Taken together, we demonstrate that, A. pluriseta extract fractions’ earlier reported bioactivity are within the acceptable cytotoxicity and selective index limits. This scientifically validates the potential use of A. pluriseta in the discovery of safe therapeutics agents.

scholarly journals TRADITIONAL AND INDIGENOUS PRACTICES OF SOME MEDICINAL PLANTS AS IMMUNITY BOOSTERS BY FOLKLORE OF MANDI DISTRICT, HIMACHAL PRADESH

2020 ◽  
pp. 56-64
Author(s):  
Sharma Ritu ◽  
Goraya G.S ◽  
Seth M.K
Keyword(s):  
Drug Discovery ◽  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Himachal Pradesh ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Herbal Drug ◽  
Herbal Plants ◽  
The Rich ◽  
Indigenous Uses ◽  
Novel Drug

Himachal Pradesh being a hilly State is one of the top repositories of various herbal plants of medicinal aspects. District Mandi, popular as Varanasi of Hills, is one of the twelve districts, with great variations in elevation which provide a suitable habitat for the rich biodiversity of flora and fauna. The present paper aimed to document indigenous uses of some therapeutically significant plants which have been utilized by folklore to improve their immunity and to cure immunity-related diseases like cough, cold, and allergies. Indeed, even today when the Corona pandemic has influenced the whole world gravely, provincial fables of the State have kept themselves safe and have indicated their confidence on these plant assets which are being utilized by their predecessors for ages. Herein 21 species belonging to 17 families used as immunity boosters are compiled (8 herbs, 6 shrubs, 6 trees, 1 climber) used by folklore to enhance their immunity. Documentation of traditional knowledge is the need of the hour as it the base of the Naturopathy and Ayurveda. The documentation of the traditional medicinal knowledge will give another point of view to herbal drug researchers for extending and improving the utilization of botanical drugs and their therapeutic applications. Plant-based natural products offer an infinite source of compounds to help to design the pharmacologically important molecular products and novel drug discovery as well.

scholarly journals Concise review: Herbal remedies and herbal plants for constipation in children

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 2260-2267
Author(s):  
Marjan Vakili ◽  
Shokoufeh Ahmadipour ◽  
Parisa Rahmani
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Traditional Medicine ◽  
Ricinus Communis ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Aloe Vera ◽  
Prunus Armeniaca ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Herbal Remedies ◽  
Foeniculum Vulgare ◽  
Herbal Plants

Background: Constipation refers to difficult or delayed bowel emptying lasting 2 weeks or more and causing anxiety and distress in patients, and it is one of the most common problems in children. To treat constipation, therapeutic measures such as nutritional methods, feedback training, osmotic laxatives and stimulants, as well as stool volume enhancers, are used; however, each has its own problems and side effects. Medicinal plants have been shown to be effective in the treatment of many diseases, including constipation. Therefore, this review was conducted to report the medicinal plants effective for constipation. Methods: In the current review, eligible articles indexed from databases such as ISI (Web of Science), PubMed, Scopus, Islamic World Science Citation Center, Scientific Information Database, and Magiran were retrieved using the keywords ‘constipation’, ‘children constipation’, ‘baby’s and newborn constipation’, ‘medicinal plants’, and ‘traditional medicine’. Results: Available evidence showed that the medicinal plants Olea europaea, Phaseolus vulgaris, Prunus armeniaca, Brassica oleracea var. italica, Malus domestica, Linum usitatissimum, Aloe vera, Vitis vinifera, Foeniculum vulgare, Ficus carica, Ricinus communis, Sesamum indicum, and Descurainia sophia are some of the most important medicinal plants for the treatment of constipation in traditional medicine. Conclusion: Herbal plants are important for isolation/ preparation of new drugs in the treatment of constipation in children. In future studies, it may be beneficial to further understand and classify herbal plants/remedies, based on their mechanisms, as laxatives in the treatment of constipation.

scholarly journals Acute Toxicity Evaluation of the Malagasy Endemic Aloe helenae and A. analavelonensis in Mice

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 452-457
Author(s):  
Rokiman Letsara ◽  
Rigobert Andrianantenaina ◽  
Colette Masengo Ashande ◽  
Clarisse Falanga Mawi ◽  
M. Yoserizal Saragih ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Acute Toxicity ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Toxicity Evaluation ◽  
Isolation And Characterization ◽  
Anticancer Effects ◽  
Herbal Plants ◽  
Intestinal Worms ◽  
Pharmacologically Active

The therapeutic virtues of medicinal plants are known and used in Africa and in Madagascar where natural products form the basis of Traditional Medicine. More than 300 million people worldwide consume dietary supplements and herbal plants. Scientific studies confirm that Aloes contains pharmacologically active ingredients associated with diverse biological activities including fungicidal, antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, laxative, immunomodulating, and anticancer effects. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of orally administered extracts of two Aloe species: A. helenae, A. analavelonensis on mice. Mice were gavaged with crude whole leaves extracts after 24 hours of empty stomach. The extracts administration was found to be not acute toxic at the dose 1200 mg/kg with 100% survival of mice. Since the Aloe helenae is traditionally used against intestinal worms in sheep and goats, it is thus desirable that the plant species could be submitted to phytochemical for the isolation and characterization of new antihelminthic compounds.

Effects of Medicinal Plants on Human Hosts and Zoonotic Helminthic Infections

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saeid Heidari-Soureshjani ◽  
Catherine MT Sherwin
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Synthetic Drugs ◽  
Helminthic Infections ◽  
Parasitic Worms

: Parasitic worm infections are a major health issue around the world, which causes numerous physiological damages in the patient's infected organ(s).The aim of this review was to investigate the anthelmintic properties of various medicinal plants.In this systematic review, all randomized controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-experimental and experimental studies that examining the anthelmintic effects were retrieved from databases including Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) and PubMed from 1988-2019 by interesting keywords.In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that many medicinal plants, including their compounds and derivatives, have anthelmintic properties through various mechanisms of action (MOA). Examples of MOAs include paralysis of the helminths’ central nervous system, tegumental (outer body covering) destruction, interference with enzyme functioning, increased autophagy and apoptosis and reduction in cell viability and count. These actions lead to reduction in the helminth ability to reproduce, decrease in eggs count, inhibition of energy generation, damage to digestive tissues, lipid and ion accumulation, and change in and binding to different regulatory proteins and disruption of the helminth motor activity. These MOA can also be used for the treatment of parasitic worms. Medicinal plants and their compounds have been the primary sources of new therapeutics, and are comparably more cost-effective than synthetic drugs and provide effective methods to combat parasitic worms that have entered into the human body. Therapists must take into account the effective dose of these compounds in treating the patients and also consider their overall health status including comorbidities. There is an urgent need to conduct clinical trials using certain approaches, such as clinical interventional trials, to identify the effectiveness of herbal medicines in treating human host and zoonotic helminthic infections.

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