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Natural Product Research Feb 2024The Pyracantha genus consists of evergreen shrubs distributed from Southeast Europe to South-East Asia. They are found in geographical regions of India, China, and South... (Review)
Review
The Pyracantha genus consists of evergreen shrubs distributed from Southeast Europe to South-East Asia. They are found in geographical regions of India, China, and South West Europe. They are used in traditional medicines against earache, menstrual cycles, constipation etc. The genus is pharmacologically significant because of its antioxidant and antimicrobial effects. The genus also acts as a biomonitor species for heavy metals and bio sorbent in wastewater treatment. The review aims to present an overview of four species of the Pyracantha genus - and . The comparison of their geographical distribution, traditional uses, therapeutic uses, phytochemical components and future prospects has been described. In this study, 189 research and review articles were scanned to provide summarised research of phytochemical composition, pharmacological effects and future prospects of the species which can benefit the plant as a therapeutic drug or as a functional food.
PubMed: 38414268
DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2024.2319660 -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Jan 2024Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability. The only FDA-approved therapy for treating stroke is tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), exhibiting a short...
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability. The only FDA-approved therapy for treating stroke is tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), exhibiting a short therapeutic window. Due to this reason, only a small number of patients can be benefitted in this critical period. In addition, the use of endovascular interventions may reverse vessel occlusion more effectively and thus help further improve outcomes in experimental stroke. During recovery of blood flow after ischemia, patients experience cognitive, behavioral, affective, emotional, and electrophysiological changes. Therefore, it became the need for an hour to discover a novel strategy for managing stroke. The drug discovery process has focused on developing herbal medicines with neuroprotective effects via modulating neuroplasticity.
AIM OF THE STUDY
We gather and highlight the most essential traditional understanding of therapeutic plants and their efficacy in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. In addition, we provide a concise summary and explanation of herbal drugs and their role in improving neuroplasticity. We review the pharmacological activity of polyherbal formulations produced from some of the most frequently referenced botanicals for the treatment of cerebral ischemia damage.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A systematic literature review of bentham, scopus, pubmed, medline, and embase (elsevier) databases was carried out with the help of the keywords like neuroplasticity, herbal drugs, neural progenitor cells, neuroprotection, stem cells. The review was conducted using the above keywords to understand the therapeutic and mechanistic role of herbal neuroprotective agents on neuroplasticity in cerebral ischemic-reperfusion injury.
RESULTS
Neuroplasticity emerged as an alternative to improve recovery and management after cerebral ischemic reperfusion injury. Neuroplasticity is a physiological process throughout one's life in response to any stimuli and environment. Traditional herbal medicines have been established as an adjuvant to stroke therapy since they were used from ancient times and provided promising effects as an adjuvant to experimental stroke. The plants and phytochemicals such as Curcuma longa L., Moringa oliefera Lam, Panax ginseng C.A. Mey., and Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) DC., etc., have shown promising effects in improving neuroplasticity after experimental stroke. Such effects occur by modulation of various molecular signalling pathways, including PI3K/Akt, BDNF/CREB, JAK/STAT, HIF-1α/VEGF, etc. CONCLUSIONS: Here, we gave a perspective on plant species that have shown neuroprotective effects and can show promising results in promoting neuroplasticity with specific targets after cerebral ischemic reperfusion injury. In this review, we provide the complete detail of studies conducted on the role of herbal drugs in improving neuroplasticity and the signaling pathway involved in the recovery and management of experimental stroke.
Topics: Humans; Neuroprotective Agents; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Plant Extracts; Reperfusion Injury; Stroke; Tissue Plasminogen Activator
PubMed: 37717842
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117153 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2024(L.) Dunal is a medicinal plant belonging to the traditional Indian medical system, showing various therapeutic effects such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory,... (Review)
Review
(L.) Dunal is a medicinal plant belonging to the traditional Indian medical system, showing various therapeutic effects such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-diabetic, and hepatoprotective activity. Of great interest is 's potential beneficial effect against neurodegenerative diseases, since the authorized medicinal treatments can only delay disease progression and provide symptomatic relief and are not without side effects. A systematic search of PubMed and Scopus databases was performed to identify preclinical and clinical studies focusing on the applications of in preventing neurodegenerative diseases. Only English articles and those containing the keywords ( AND "neurodegenerative diseases", "neuroprotective effects", "Huntington", "Parkinson", "Alzheimer", "Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis", "neurological disorders") in the title or abstract were considered. Reviews, editorials, letters, meta-analyses, conference papers, short surveys, and book chapters were not considered. Selected articles were grouped by pathologies and summarized, considering the mechanism of action. The quality assessment and the risk of bias were performed using the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions checklist. This review uses a systematic approach to summarize the results from 60 investigations to highlight the potential role of and its specialized metabolites in treating or preventing neurodegenerative diseases.
PubMed: 38592845
DOI: 10.3390/plants13060771 -
Toxicon : Official Journal of the... Dec 2023Some plant species of the genus Cestrum L. (Solanaceae family) are known to cause poisoning in farming animals in Brazil, negatively affecting the livestock sector. In... (Review)
Review
Some plant species of the genus Cestrum L. (Solanaceae family) are known to cause poisoning in farming animals in Brazil, negatively affecting the livestock sector. In this context, this study aimed to carry out a systematic review of the Cestrum species that cause poisoning in ruminants in Brazil and to list the main phytochemicals involved in these toxic activities that have already been identified. Scientific documents were retrieved in Google Scholar, PubMed®, ScienceDirect®, and SciELO databases. After applying the inclusion criteria, a total of 38 articles published between 1920 and 2023 were included in the present study. Cestrum axillare Vell. [Syn. Cestrum laevigatum Schltdl.], Cestrum corymbosum Schltdl., Cestrum intermedium Sendtn., and Cestrum parqui L'Hér. were found to have reported cases of poisoning in the Northeast, Southeast, and South of Brazil. Natural poisonings in ruminants caused by these species have been recorded in ten Brazilian states, mostly in Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul, and Pernambuco. In general, Cestrum species cause liver damage and a clinical-pathological state characterized by acute liver failure of the poisoned animals. Cattle are more susceptible to poisoning by these plants, but there are reports of poisoning by C. axillare in goats and buffaloes as well. Several chemical constituents were identified in C. axillare and C. parqui, including some saponins and terpenoids that may be associated with the cases of poisoning. However, only one chemical compound has been identified in C. intermedium, and no phytochemical investigation has been carried out regarding toxic compounds in C. corymbosum. It is expected that future studies fill the gap in determining the toxic principles present in these species.
Topics: Cattle; Animals; Solanaceae; Cestrum; Brazil; Liver Diseases; Goats
PubMed: 37981013
DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107348 -
Life (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2023The use of traditional medicine in treating a variety of both human and animal infections is ancient and still relevant. This is due to the resistance exhibited by most... (Review)
Review
The use of traditional medicine in treating a variety of both human and animal infections is ancient and still relevant. This is due to the resistance exhibited by most pathogenic microbial stains to currently-used antibiotics. The current work reports the phytochemistry, ethno-medicinal uses, toxicology, and most important pharmacological activities that validate the use of the plant species in African traditional medicine. is used in the treatment of many human and animal infections, including diarrhea, skin and related conditions, sexually transmitted infections, cancer, and a variety of ethno-veterinary infections. Pharmacologically, the plant species exhibited potent antimicrobial activity against a variety of pathogens. Further, both extracts and compounds isolated from the plant species exhibited potent antioxidant, anticancer, anti-parasitic, anti-inflammatory, and other important biological activities. Phytochemically, the plant species possess a variety of compounds, particularly triterpenes, that may well explain the various pharmacological activities of the plant species. The toxicological parameters, antimicrobial activities against microorganisms related to sexually transmitted infections, anti-diabetic effects, and inflammatory properties of the plant species are not well studied and still need to be explored. The biological activities observed validate the use of the plant species in African traditional medicine, particularly in the treatment of pulmonary infections associated with species, and may well be due to the presence of triterpenes prevalent in the leaves.
PubMed: 38004299
DOI: 10.3390/life13112159 -
International Journal of Preventive... 2023It is well established that unrefined sugarcane products have antioxidant activity due to phytochemicals, polyphenols, and total antioxidant capacity, which may decrease... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
It is well established that unrefined sugarcane products have antioxidant activity due to phytochemicals, polyphenols, and total antioxidant capacity, which may decrease inflammation and oxidative stress. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review to evaluate the association of unrefined sugar consumption with inflammatory biomarkers.
METHODS
Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and ProQuest databases were searched up to December 2021 for studies that report the effect of unrefined sugar on inflammation according to inflammatory cytokines, chemokine, and adhesion molecules as outcome measures. Results: Thirty-six studies were evaluated. Across all research, five studies (two and three animal studies) reported the effect of unrefined sugar on levels of cytokines, including IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10, IL-1β, and IFN-γ. Additionally, the quality of the studies was assessed for risk of bias.
CONCLUSIONS
it is possible to affirm that unrefined sugarcane products, including jaggery, may have a protective effect on inflammation via regulating some of the inflammatory pathways and a favorable impact on cytokines secretion according to the results of and animal model studies. However, since the findings are still insufficient, more scientific research, especially well-designed human trials, is highly recommended to conclude the outcomes confidently. Human data may encourage industries and the public to replace purified sugar with unrefined sugarcane in sugar-based food and for further health-care policy decisions.
PubMed: 38264558
DOI: 10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_318_22 -
Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of... May 2024Guilandina bonduc L. is popularly known as a fever nut that grows widely in evergreen forests and moist deciduous forests with a pantropical distribution. The plant is... (Review)
Review
Guilandina bonduc L. is popularly known as a fever nut that grows widely in evergreen forests and moist deciduous forests with a pantropical distribution. The plant is highly therapeutic in various systems of medicine, including Ayurveda, Siddha, and homeopathy. The purpose of this review is to analyze the published data on G. bonduc, including traditional uses, taxonomic position, botanical description, phytochemistry, pharmacological properties, and toxicological assessment of its various parts. Phytochemical and pharmacological studies were the main focus of this review. The previously published research on G. bonduc was tracked from scientific databases such as Online Library, Google, Taylor and Francis, PubMed, Research Gate, Scopus, Springer, Wiley, Web of Sciences. Numerous phytochemical, pharmaceutical, and pharmacological studies have been carried out on the various parts of G. bonduc. To date, more than 97 phytochemicals have been isolated from the leaves, roots, stems, stem bark, flowers, twigs, and seeds of this plant. The phytochemicals isolated from the plants are flavonoids, homoisoflavonoids, terpenoids, diterpenoids, steroids, fatty acids, alkanes, acids, phenols, ketones, esters, amides, azides, silanes, and ether groups. This plant has been extensively studied in in vitro and in vivo pharmacological experiments, where it showed analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, antidiabetic, abortive, anticataleptic, immunomodulatory, and antiestrogenic effects. This comprehensive review revealed that phytochemicals isolated from various parts of G. bonduc have significant therapeutic efficacy, with promising anticancer, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities. This review provides a good source of information for the development of a drug using modern scientific tools, in view of its underexplored traditional uses. Further studies on preclinical and clinical trials and toxicological studies on the bioactive molecules of G. bonduc to validate its traditional uses are warranted.
Topics: Phytochemicals; Animals; Humans; Medicine, Traditional; Plant Extracts; Phytotherapy; Ethnopharmacology
PubMed: 37987793
DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02822-w -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Jun 2024Morinda officinalis How is called "Ba-Ji-Tian" in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which belongs to the genus Rubiaceae and is widely used for medicinal purposes in... (Review)
Review
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Morinda officinalis How is called "Ba-Ji-Tian" in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which belongs to the genus Rubiaceae and is widely used for medicinal purposes in China and other eastern Asian countries. Morinda officinalis How polysaccharides (MOPs) are one of the key bioactive components, and have a variety of biological activities, such as antioxidation, antifatigue, enhanced immunity, antiosteoporosis, ect.
AIM OF THE REVIEW
This review is aimed at providing comprehensive information of the latest preparation technologies, structural characterization, and pharmacological effects of MOPs. A more in-depth research on the structure and clinical pharmacology of the MOPs was explored. It could lay a foundation for further investigate the pharmacological activities and guide the safe clinical practice of MOPs.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The Web of Science, PubMed, Scifinder, Google Scholar, CNKI, Wanfang database, and other online database are used to search and collect the literature on extraction and separation methods, structural characterization, and pharmacological activities of MOPs publisher from 2004 to 2023. The key words are "Morinda officinalis polysaccharides", "extraction", "isolation", "purification" and "pharmacological effects".
RESULTS
Morinda officinalis has been widely used in tonifying the kidney yang since ancient times, and is famous for one of the "Four Southern Medicines" in China for the treatment of depression, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, infertility, fatigue and Alzheimer's disease. The active ingredients of Morinda officinalis that have been researched on the treatment of depression and osteoporosis are mostly polysaccharides and oligosaccharides. The content of polysaccharides varies with different methods of extraction, separation and purification. MOPs have a wide range of pharmacological effects, including antioxidant, antifatigue, immunomodulatory, antiosteoporosis, and regulation of spermatogenesis activities. These pharmacological properties lay a foundation for the treatment of oxidative stress, osteoporosis, spermatogenic dysfunction, immunodeficiency, inflammation and other diseases with MOPs.
CONCLUSIONS
At present, MOPs have been applied in the treatment of skeletal muscle atrophy, varicocele, osteoporosis, because of its effects of enhancing immunity, improving reproduction and antioxidant. However, the structure-activity relationship of these effects are still not clear. The more deeply study could be conducted on the MOPs in the future. The toxicology and clinical pharmacology, as well as mechanism of action of MOPs were also needed to deeply studied and clarified. This paper could lay the foundation for the application and safety of MOPs in multifunctional foods and drugs.
Topics: Male; Humans; Morinda; Antioxidants; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Oligosaccharides; Osteoporosis; Phytochemicals; Polysaccharides
PubMed: 38521432
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118090 -
Phytomedicine : International Journal... Jun 2024Obesity and hyperlipidemia can induce a variety of diseases, and have become major health problems worldwide. How to effectively prevent and control obesity has become...
BACKGROUND
Obesity and hyperlipidemia can induce a variety of diseases, and have become major health problems worldwide. How to effectively prevent and control obesity has become one of the hot-spots of contemporary research. Mulberry leaf is the dried leaf of Morus alba L., which is approved by the Ministry of Health as a "homology of medicine and food", rich in diverse active constituents and with a variety of health effects including anti-obesity and anti-hyperlipidemia activities.
PURPOSE
The review attempts to summarize and provide the molecular basis, mechanism, safety and products for further exploration and application of mulberry leaf on the treatment on the control of weight gain and obesity.
METHODS
This review is conducted by using ScienceDirect, PubMed, CNKI and Web of Science databases following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA).
RESULTS
Based on the research progress of domestic and foreign scholars, the effective phytochemicals, molecular mechanisms and product applications of mulberry leaf in the prevention and treatment of obesity and related metabolic diseases were summarized.
CONCLUSION
Mulberry leaf has excellent medicinal and health care value in obesity treatment. However, its pharmacodynamic substance basis and molecular mechanisms need to be further studied.
Topics: Morus; Plant Leaves; Obesity; Humans; Phytochemicals; Anti-Obesity Agents; Animals; Plant Extracts; Phytotherapy
PubMed: 38555774
DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155528 -
Inflammopharmacology Apr 2024Owing to the rich phytochemical content of Silymarin, it may effectively manage inflammation and oxidative stress. We, therefore, aimed to examine the existing evidence... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Owing to the rich phytochemical content of Silymarin, it may effectively manage inflammation and oxidative stress. We, therefore, aimed to examine the existing evidence on the effect of Silymarin consumption on inflammation and oxidative stress factors by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
METHODS
A systematic literature search up to September 2023 was completed in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science, to identify eligible RCTs. Heterogeneity tests of the selected trials were performed using the I statistic. Random effects models were assessed based on the heterogeneity tests, and pooled data were determined as weighted mean differences with a 95% confidence interval.
RESULTS
Fifteen RCTs were included in this meta-analysis. Our findings showed that Silymarin consumption significantly decreased CRP (WMD, - 0.50 mg/L; 95% CI, (- 0.95 to - 0.04); p = 0.03), MDA (WMD, - 1.19 nmol/mL; 95% CI, (- 1.99 to - 0.38); p = 0.004), and IL-6 (WMD, - 0.44 pg/ml; 95% CI, (- 0.75 to - 0.12); p = 0.006). Silymarin consumption had no significant effects on IL-10, TAC, and GSH. A significant non-linear relationship was observed between the duration of the intervention and MDA changes.
CONCLUSIONS
Silymarin can help reduce inflammation in patients with diabetes and thalassemia by reducing MDA as an oxidative stress marker and CRP and IL-6 as inflammatory markers.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Biomarkers; Dietary Supplements; Inflammation; Interleukin-6; Oxidative Stress; Silymarin
PubMed: 38372848
DOI: 10.1007/s10787-023-01423-6