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Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2022is one of the largest genera of the American Meliaceae family, consisting of over 69 species which are widely distributed in Mexico, Argentina, and Africa and are used... (Review)
Review
is one of the largest genera of the American Meliaceae family, consisting of over 69 species which are widely distributed in Mexico, Argentina, and Africa and are used in traditional medicine for several diseases. Previous studies reported that the species produce secondary metabolites such as sesquiterpenoid, diterpenoid, triterpenoid, limonoid, steroid, and aromatic compounds. The preliminary chemical investigation commenced by isolating the limonoid compound, dihydrogedunin, in 1962; then, 240 compounds were obtained from the isolation and hydrodistillation process. Meanwhile, sesquiterpenoid is a significant compound with 52% of species. The extract and compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammation, antimalarial, antiparasitic, antiprotozoal, antiviral, antimicrobial, insecticidal, antioxidant, phosphorylation inhibitor, and cytotoxic biological activities. The genus has also been reported as one of the sources of active compounds for medicinal chemistry. This review summarizes some descriptions regarding the types of species, especially ethnobotany and ethnopharmacology, such as the compounds isolated from the part of this genus, various isolation methods, and their bioactivities. The information can be used in further investigations to obtain more bioactive compounds and their reaction mechanisms.
Topics: Meliaceae; Limonins; Ethnopharmacology; Medicine, Traditional; Ethnobotany; Phytochemicals; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 36557891
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27248758 -
Ghana Medical Journal Sep 2013
Topics: Ceiba; Humans; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Ziziphus
PubMed: 24391223
DOI: No ID Found -
International Journal of Molecular... Nov 2014Natural compounds have been used to develop drugs for many decades. Vast diversities and minimum side effects make natural compounds a good source for drug development.... (Review)
Review
Natural compounds have been used to develop drugs for many decades. Vast diversities and minimum side effects make natural compounds a good source for drug development. However, the composition and concentrations of natural compounds can vary. Despite this inconsistency, half of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved pharmaceuticals are natural compounds or their derivatives. Therefore, it is essential to continuously investigate natural compounds as sources of new pharmaceuticals. This review provides comprehensive information and analysis on natural compounds from plants (phytogenic compounds) that may serve as anti-obesity and/or anti-diabetes therapeutics. Our growing understanding and further exploration of the mechanisms of action of the phytogenic compounds may afford opportunities for development of therapeutic interventions in metabolic diseases.
Topics: Animals; Biological Products; Diabetes Mellitus; Humans; Obesity; Phytotherapy; Plants, Medicinal
PubMed: 25421245
DOI: 10.3390/ijms151121505 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Feb 2015The reduced production of thyroid hormones is the main feature of the clinical state termed hypothyroidism. In Chinese philosophical and medical theory, it results from... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The reduced production of thyroid hormones is the main feature of the clinical state termed hypothyroidism. In Chinese philosophical and medical theory, it results from Yang deficiency. Chinese herbal medicines (CHM) are thought to restore Yang and have been used in China to treat hypothyroidism for many years.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effects of CHM for hypothyroidism.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database on Disc, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure for randomised clinical trials (RCTs). The date of the last search was September 2014 for all databases. We also searched for ongoing trials in trial registers.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We considered RCTs of CHM alone or combined with thyroid hormone therapy compared with no treatment, placebo or thyroid hormone therapy. We also planned to compare different formulae of CHM with each other, alone or combined with thyroid hormone therapy. Hypothyroid individuals had to be diagnosed by the standard criteria valid at the time of the beginning of the trial regardless of the cause of hypothyroidism.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Data extraction and risk of bias assessment were not performed because no study could be included.
MAIN RESULTS
We found no RCTs and therefore could not establish the effects of CHM on hypothyroidism.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Currently, there is no evidence available from RCTs on CHM for the treatment of hypothyroidism. We also did not find any ongoing registered trial.
Topics: Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Humans; Hypothyroidism; Phytotherapy; Yang Deficiency
PubMed: 25914906
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008779.pub2 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Mar 2013Influenza is a communicable acute respiratory infection which, during epidemics, can cause high morbidity and mortality rates. Traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, often... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Influenza is a communicable acute respiratory infection which, during epidemics, can cause high morbidity and mortality rates. Traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, often administered following a particular Chinese medical theory, may be a potential treatment of choice.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effect of Chinese medicinal herbs used to prevent and treat influenza and to estimate the frequency of adverse effects.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched CENTRAL (2012, Issue 11), MEDLINE (January 1966 to November week 2, 2012), EMBASE (January 1988 to November 2012) and CNKI (January 1988 to 29 March 2012). We also searched reference lists of articles and the WHO ICTRP search portal (November 2012).
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing traditional Chinese medicinal herbs with placebo, no treatment or conventional medicine normally used in preventing and treating uncomplicated influenza.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently extracted data and assessed trial quality.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 18 studies involving 2521 participants. The methodological quality of 17 included studies was poor. Included RCTs separately compared medicinal herbs with different antiviral drugs, precluding any pooling of results. Only three indicated that compared with antiviral drugs, Chinese medicinal herbs may be effective in preventing influenza and alleviating influenza symptoms. 'Ganmao' capsules were found to be more effective than amantadine in decreasing influenza symptoms and speeding recovery in one study (in which adverse reactions were mentioned in the amantadine group although no data were reported). There were no significant differences between 'E Shu You' and ribavirin in treating influenza, nor in the occurrence of adverse reactions. Ten studies reported mild adverse reactions.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Most Chinese medical herbs in the included studies showed similar effects to antiviral drugs in preventing or treating influenza. Few were shown to be superior to antiviral drugs. No obvious adverse events were reported in the included studies. However, current evidence remains weak due to methodological limitations of the trials. More high-quality RCTs with larger numbers of participants and clear reporting are needed.
Topics: Amantadine; Antiviral Agents; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Humans; Influenza, Human; Phytotherapy; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Ribavirin
PubMed: 23543533
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004559.pub4 -
Revista Medica de Chile Oct 2010Phytotherapy is defined as the use of medicinal plants for therapeutic purposes and it uses a variety of complex vegetal structures. In public health, it is considered a... (Review)
Review
Phytotherapy is defined as the use of medicinal plants for therapeutic purposes and it uses a variety of complex vegetal structures. In public health, it is considered a type of alternative medicine, in which auto medication with herbs is common and there is a lack of quality assurance of herbal products. While the World Health Organization is proposing strategies to include complementary and alternative therapies as public health tools, in Chile this type of therapy is emerging. There is a lack of interest and underestimation of conventional medicine towards popular knowledge. At the present time, the Chilean Ministry of Health has recognized 103 plants aiming to promote the use of medicinal plants that are registered and certified, according to the regulations of the National Control System of Pharmaceutical Products. Therefore, health care professionals should be educated about the association between pharmaceutical products and medicinal plants. Consultation systems about Phytotherapy should also be available, information should be provided about where to purchase safe herbal products and publicity about these products should be regulated.
Topics: Chile; Humans; Phytotherapy; Self Medication
PubMed: 21279278
DOI: No ID Found -
Forschende Komplementarmedizin (2006) 2014
Topics: Europe; Herbal Medicine; Humans; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Phytotherapy
PubMed: 25592944
DOI: 10.1159/000370020 -
Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine Apr 2003
Topics: Arnica; Homeopathy; Humans; Phytotherapy; Postoperative Complications; Research Design
PubMed: 12668718
DOI: 10.1258/jrsm.96.4.205 -
Journal of Evidence-based Complementary... Apr 2017Usr-i-tamth in Unani (Greco-Arabic) medicine is pain associated with menstruation, and classical manuscripts are enriched with traditional knowledge for the management... (Review)
Review
Usr-i-tamth in Unani (Greco-Arabic) medicine is pain associated with menstruation, and classical manuscripts are enriched with traditional knowledge for the management of usr-i-tamth (menstrual pain/dysmenorrhoea). Hence, a comprehensive search was undertaken to find classical manuscripts for the management of menstrual pain was. We searched the Cochrane database, PubMed/Google Scholar, and other websites for articles on complementary and alternative medicine treatment and management of menstrual pain. The principal management as per Unani manuscripts is to produce analgesia and to treat the cause of usr-i-tamth such as abnormal temperament, menstrual irregularities/uterine diseases, and psychological and environmental factors. Furthermore, Unani medicines with emmenagogue, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties are beneficial for amelioration of usr-i-tamth. Herbs such as Apium graveolens, Cuminum cyminium, Foeniculum vulgare, Matricaria chamomilla and Nigella sativa possess the aforementioned properties and are proven scientifically for their efficacy in usr-i-tamth. Thus, validation and conservation of the traditional knowledge is essential for prospective research and valuable for use in the contemporary era.
Topics: Dysmenorrhea; Female; Humans; Medicine, Traditional; Pain Management; Phytotherapy
PubMed: 26721552
DOI: 10.1177/2156587215623637 -
Fitoterapia Sep 2018This article reviews and develops a perspective for the meaning of authenticity in the context of quality assessment of botanical materials and the challenges associated... (Review)
Review
This article reviews and develops a perspective for the meaning of authenticity in the context of quality assessment of botanical materials and the challenges associated with discerning adulterations vs. contaminations vs. impurities. Authentic botanicals are by definition non-adulterated, a mutually exclusive relationship that is confirmed through the application of a multilayered set of analytical methods designed to validate the (chemo)taxonomic identity of a botanical and certify that it is devoid of any adulteration. In practice, the ever-increasing sophistication in the process of intentional adulteration, as well as the growing number of botanicals entering the market, altogether necessitate a constant adaptation and reinforcement of authentication methods with new approaches, especially new technologies. This article summarizes the set of analytical methods - classical and contemporary - that can be employed in the authentication of botanicals. Particular emphasis is placed on the application of untargeted metabolomics and chemometrics. An NMR-based untargeted metabolomic model is proposed as a rapid, systematic, and complementary screening for the discrimination of authentic vs. potentially adulterated botanicals. Such analytical model can help advance the evaluation of botanical integrity in natural product research.
Topics: Biological Products; Drug Contamination; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Metabolomics; Phytochemicals; Phytotherapy; Quality Control
PubMed: 29175549
DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2017.11.017