Comprehensive Analysis and Assessment of the Role of Major Bioactive Compounds Isolated from Justicia Adhatoda Leaves as Potent Antimycobacterial Agents

Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be one of the world's leading causes of death by the infectious pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which infects one-third of the global population. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic made its spread rapid and the treatment task more daunting. With the havoc of infectious disease expansion, traditional medicines have triggered tremendous interest worldwide. However, less availability of scientific evidence still hinders its practical use. In the present study, we evaluated the potential of the traditional medicinal plant, Justicia adhatoda, which has been used to treat respiratory ailments since ancient times. We have successfully isolated and characterized several bioactive compounds viz- Vasicoline, Vasicolinone, Adhatodine, Adhavasine, Aniflorine, and Vasicinone from J. adhatoda plant leaves, including Vasicine as the principal compound, and showed their anti-tubercular activity on nutrient-starved Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium bovis. The study also directs their in-vitro and ex-vivo antimycobacterial potential on THP1 macrophages with internalized Mycobacterium. Our study is one of its first kind, where we assessed the synergistic antimycobacterial effect of the isolated compounds with the first-line drug Isoniazid (INH). Their potential role in promoting phagolysosome fusion and apoptosis of M. bovis infected THP1 macrophages is further evaluated.

Challenges in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants DNA Barcoding—Lessons from the Lamiaceae

The potential value of DNA barcoding for the identification of medicinal plants and authentication of traded plant materials has been widely recognized; however, a number of challenges remain before DNA methods are fully accepted as an essential quality control method by industry and regulatory authorities. The successes and limitations of conventional DNA barcoding are considered in relation to important members of the Lamiaceae. The mint family (Lamiaceae) contains over one thousand species recorded as having a medicinal use, with many more exploited in food and cosmetics for their aromatic properties. The family is characterized by a diversity of secondary products, most notably the essential oils (EOs) produced in external glandular structures on the aerial parts of the plant that typify well-known plants of the basil (Ocimum), lavender (Lavandula), mint (Mentha), thyme (Thymus), sage (Salvia) and related genera. This complex, species-rich family includes widely cultivated commercial hybrids and endangered wild-harvested traditional medicines, and examples of potential toxic adulterants within the family are explored in detail. The opportunities provided by next generation sequencing technologies to whole plastome barcoding and nuclear genome sequencing are also discussed with relevant examples.

Traditional Herbs With Potential Wound Healing Properties

Medicinal plants have been necessary to conventional and non-customary types of prescriptions dating back to somewhere around 5000 years ago. Researchers progressively depend on current logical techniques and proof-based medication to demonstrate the viability of herbal medicines and spotlight on a better comprehension of the systems of their activity. Notwithstanding, data concerning quantitative human health advantages on natural remedies is yet uncommon, constraining their legitimate valuation. Traditional medicines are regularly utilized for the wound-healing process covering a wide zone of various skin-related infections. This chapter will give information about the wound-healing capability of plants that are useful for the advancement of new wound-healing formulations.

Anti-Malarial Drug Resistance

Malaria is a life-threatening infectious disease caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus Plasmodium. It is transmitted through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. The global burden is estimated to be around 219 million cases in 87 countries. Natural compounds have been used primarily in the traditional medicine for thousands of years. For the treatment of malaria, natural products were used until the development of synthetic drugs, and most of the currently available anti-malarial drugs have been derived based on the compounds from these traditional medicinal plants. The current chapter tries to briefly indicate the emerging resistance against anti-malarial drugs and to discuss the recent research on natural products that have been evaluated for anti-malarial activity. Rigorous evaluation of the efficacy and safety of traditional medicines is required along with identification of active constituents in order to develop new drugs with novel mechanisms of action.

The potency of ethanolic extract from corn silk as natural antibiotics for acne-related bacteria: A preliminary study

Introduction: Corn silk or known as herb name stigma maydis is an important medicinal botanical in many traditional medicines worldwide, including jamu, an Indonesia traditional medicine. The exploration of corn silk to treat acne vulgaris is still lacking, therefore the current research was conducted to analyze the activity of ethanolic extract from corn silk (EECS) against 3 acne-related bacteria, Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus. Materials and Methods: The antibacterial activity of EECS at concentration range of 10 to 100% v/v was evaluated using the disk diffusion method. As comparation, distilled water was used as a solvent control, while 1% clindamycin was used as a positive control. Results: Shinoda’s test showed that flavonoid was detected in the EECS. The higher concentration of EECS exhibited higher diameter of inhibition zone indicating higher antibacterial activity on P. acnes, while the antibacterial activity of S. epidermidis was not increased at similar concentrations of EECS. The antibacterial activity of EECS against S. aureus decreased at the higher EECS concentration (>70%). Conclusion: Taken together, EECS is a potential as a bioactive source to inhibit the growth of acne-related bacteria P. acne, S. epidermidis and S. aureus. Further investigation is needed to explore the corn silk or stigma maydis as a medicinal botanical in jamu targeted to treat acne vulgaris. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 21(1) 2022 Page : 84-89

Ethnobotany

Traditional medicines and natural products from ethnomedicinal plants have great significance in recent time. Various forms of medicines like Ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine, kampo, Unani, have been plasticising in recent days due to their effectiveness against various human ailments and also have blossomed into the regulated systems of traditional medicine. This chapter reviews the relationship of plants and humans, along with their cultural relationship and role of the traditional medicines, by exploring the methodologies and various concepts for the discovery of various drugs. Further, this will also illustrate traditional medicines that have their incomparable advantages over the modern allopathic medicines.

Sub-chronic oral toxicity study of “Kien Nao Dan” tablets in experimental animal

“Kien nao dan” (KND) tablet is composed of 13 traditional medicines that may has preventive and effective treatment of cerebral ischemia. However, there are no scientific reports of its toxicological properties which guarantee of the safety its usage treatment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the sub-chronic toxicity of KND tablet on rats through oral administration. The sub-chronic toxicity was evaluated by the recommendation of WHO in Wistar rats at doses of 0.72 g/kg/day (equal to recommended human dose) and 2.16 g/kg/day (3 times as high as recommended human dose) for 8 consecutive weeks. In the evaluation of sub-chronic toxicity, there were no behavioral and physiological changes or signs of toxicity. The result of the hematological and biological parameters after administration of KND tablets showed no change. The histopathologic analysis of livers and kidneys indicated that no significant differences were observed between the exposed and unexposed rat groups. In conclusion, “Kien nao dan” tablets did not produce sub-chronic toxicity in Wistar rats.

Documentation of medicinal plants used by the traditional healers, mayannur forest, thrissur district, kerala, india

The study was carried out to document the medicinal plants used by the traditional healers in Mayannur Forest, Thrissur District, Kerala, India. In the present study, 107 plant species belonging to 46 families were documented in the Mayannur forest, Kerala. The informants of an age group ranging from 50-80 were selected for collecting data of the plants in the forest. The medicinal plants such as herbs (36%), shrub (19%), trees (27%) and climbers (18%) were mainly used by traditional healers for the treatment of fever, wound healing, skin diseases and menstrual problems. Saraca asoca was mainly in the traditional medicines to cure diseases and for treating menstrual problems. Medicinal plants used by the traditional healers were documented along with their scientific name, common name and medicinal uses. The present study shows that, the plant material mainly used was leaves for the treatment of diseases. Among the 107 plant species Rare Endangered Threatened (RET) plant species were also documented. Documentation of knowledge and conservation of the endangered plants helped for the sustainable development.

Diversity and Ethno-Mycological Importance of Mushrooms from Western Himalayas, Kashmir.

Wild edible mushrooms (WEM) are economically significant and used in traditional medicines worldwide. The region of Jammu and Kashmir (Western Himalayas) is enriched with the diversity of edible mushrooms, collected by the rural people for food and income generation. This is the first detailed study on diversity and ethno-medicinal uses of mushrooms from the State of Jammu and Kashmir. Methods: Consecutive surveys were conducted to record ethno-mycological diversity and socio-economic importance of wild edible mushrooms value chain in rural areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir during 2015-2020. Data were collected with a semi-structured questionnaire having a set of questions on indigenous mycological knowledge and collection and retailing of wild edible mushrooms. A total of 923 informants from the study area provided results identifying the gender, type of mushroom species, medicinal uses, and marketing of mushrooms. Principal component analysis (PCA) was also applied to the data set to analyse the relationship between species distribution, the underlying environmental factors and habitat types. PCA identified the major species specific to the sites and put them close to the sites of distribution.Results: A total of 131 mushroom species were collected and identified during 2015-2020 from the study area. One hundred and one species of mushrooms were reported new to the State of Jammu and Kashmir. The dominant mushroom family was Russullaceae with 23 species followed by Agaricaceae, 16 species. Major mushroom species identified and grouped by the PCA were Coprinus comatus, Lactarius sangufulus, Amanita fulva, Armillaria gallica, Lycoperdon perlatum, Lycoperdon pyriforme, and Russula creminicolor. Sparassis crispa, Pleurotus sp and Laetiporus sulphurous were recorded most edible and medicinally significant fungi. Morels were the most expensive and medicinally important among all harvested macro-fungal species. These were reported to use against the common ailments and various health problems. Conclusions: Collection and retailing of WEM contribute to improve the socioeconomic status, providing alternative employment and food security to rural people of the area. These mushrooms are used as a source of food and traditional medicines among the rural informants and could be used a potential source of antibacterial and anticancer drugs in future.

Identification and Determination of Berberine from Arcangelisia Flava, East Borneo

Berberine is a compound that has various benefits but also has dangerous toxic effects. In Indonesia, the Regulation of the Head of the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency No. 10 of 2014 concerning the Prohibition of Producing and Circulating Traditional Medicines and Health Supplements Containing Coptis Sp, Berberis Sp, Mahonia Sp, Chelidonium Majus, Phellodendron Sp, Arcangelica Flava, Tinosporae Radix, and Catharanthus Roseus. Regulation No. 7 of 2018 (BPOM, 2018) also prohibits the presence of berberine in processed food. This research was conducted to determine the content of berberine compounds from the extract and stem fraction of Arcangelisia flava. The research was conducted by identifying the content of berberine by TLC method compared with Rf Berberine sulfate and determination of berberine content by HPLC method (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography) using column C-18 (ODS). Berberine content of methanol extract, n-hexane fraction, ethyl acetate fraction and Arcangelisia Flava methanol-water fraction were 0.0040, respectively; 0.0010; 0.0041, 0.0044%.