Search results for "Pharmacognosy"
showing 10 items of 127 documents
Identification of NF-κB as Determinant of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Its Inhibition by the Chinese Herbal Remedy Free and Easy Wanderer
2017
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental disorder developing after exposure to traumatic events. Although psychotherapy reveals some therapeutic effectiveness, clinically sustainable cure is still uncertain. Some Chinese herbal formulae are reported to work well clinically against mental diseases in Asian countries, but the safety and their mode of action are still unclear. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms of Chinese remedy free and easy wanderer (FAEW) on PTSD. We used a reverse pharmacology approach combining clinical data to search for mechanisms of PTSD with subsequent in vitro verification and bioinformatics techniques as follows: (1) by analyzing microarray-based …
Cytotoxic activity of medicinal plants of the Kakamega County (Kenya) against drug-sensitive and multidrug-resistant cancer cells
2018
Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance The geographical location of Kakamega County proximal to the Kakamega Rain Forest in Kenya and its rich flora represents an interesting resource of traditional medicinal plants. The medicinal plants in the present study are traditionally used to treat cancer in Kakamega County as recorded in published literature. Aim of the study Due to multidrug resistance (MDR) and severe side effects of currently used drugs in clinical oncology, new candidate compounds are urgently required to improve treatment outcome. The present study explored the in vitro cytotoxic potential of 34 organic and 19 aqueous extracts of Kakamega medicinal plants towards sensitive an…
Effect of the basidiomycete Poria cocos on experimental dermatitis and other inflammatory conditions.
1997
The hydroalcoholic extract from P. cocos was examined for oral and topical anti-inflammatory activities. It proved to be active against carrageenan, arachidonic acid, tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA) acute edemas, TPA chronic inflammation and oxazolone delayed hypersensitivity in mice. Two lanostane-type triterpenes were isolated and identified by spectroscopic methods as dehydrotumulosic and pachymic acids. Their ID50 on acute TPA edema was 4.7 x 10(-3) and 6.8 x 10(-4) mumol/ear, respectively.
Topical anti-inflammatory activity of some Asian medicinal plants used in dermatological disorders.
2001
The topical anti-inflammatory activity of extracts from Cassia angustifolia, Rheum palmatum, Coptis chinensis, Phellodendron amurense and Scutellaria baicalensis, plants used in traditional East Asian medicine against different skin disorders, was studied. Though in different degree, all the extracts significantly inhibited the edema induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), in both single or multiple application, oxazolone, and arachidonic acid (AA). None of the extracts inhibited in vitro the activity of phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) from Naja naja.
Anti-arthritic activity of a lipophilic woad (Isatis tinctoria) extract
2006
A dichloromethane extract of Isatis tinctoria was tested in the adjuvant-induced arthritis model in rats. The extract (150 mg/kg p. o.) leads to a significant reduction of paw oedema. Radiographic, histological and clinical assessment confirmed reduced damage of cartilage and signs of inflammatory response in comparison to untreated control. No significant differences were observed in the tissular levels of cyclooxygenases 1 and -2, and of inducible nitric oxide synthase in Isatis treated and untreated animals. High dose treatment with Isatis extract for two weeks did not result in macroscopic lesions of the gastric mucosa.
Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Properties ofPoria cocos
2011
Poria cocos (Polyporaceae) is a saprophytic fungus that grows in diverse species of Pinus. Its sclerotium, called fu-ling or hoelen, is used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine for its diuretic, sedative, and tonic effects. Various studies of this fungus have demonstrated its marked anti-inflammatory activity in different experimental models of acute and chronic inflammation. It is widely used as a constituent of many preparations in Asian medicine, but the number of research papers on its clinical properties is insufficient for establishing its efficacy and safety from a scientific point of view. In this review, we have compiled all the published data concerning the chemistry, pha…
Zanhasaponins A and B, Antiphospholipase A2 Saponins from an Antiinflammatory Extract of Zanha africana Root Bark
1997
A MeOH extract from Z. africana was examined for topical antiinflammatory activity and proved to be active against arachidonic acid (AA) acute edema, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA)-induced chronic inflammation, and oxazolone delayed-type hypersensitivity in mice. The extract also showed significant inhibitory activity of Naja naja phospholipase A2 when a polarographic method was used. Two oleanane-type triterpene saponins, zanhasaponins A (1) and B (2), and the cyclitol pinitol (4), isolated from the extract, were active as inhibitors of PLA2. A further saponin, zanhasaponin C (3) was inactive in this assay.
Antifungal steroid saponins from Dioscorea cayenensis.
2004
From the rhizomes of Dioscorea cayenensis Lam.-Holl (Dioscoreaceae), the new 26- O- beta- D-glucopyranosyl-22-methoxy-3 beta,26-dihydroxy-25( R)-furost-5-en-3- O- alpha- L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)- alpha- L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-[ alpha- L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)]- beta- D-glucopyranoside ( 1) was isolated together with the known dioscin ( 2) and diosgenin 3- O- alpha- L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)- alpha- L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-[ alpha- L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)]- beta- D-glucopyranoside ( 3). Their structures were established on the basis of spectral data. Compound 2 exhibited antifungal activity against the human pathogenic yeasts Candida albicans, C. glabrata and C. tropicalis (MICs of …
Steroidal saponins from Asparagus acutifolius.
2007
Abstract Six new steroidal saponins ( 1 – 6 ) were isolated from the roots of A. acutifolius L., together with a known spirostanol glycoside ( 7 ). Their structures were elucidated mainly by extensive spectroscopic analysis (1D and 2D NMR, FABMS and HRESIMS). Compounds 4 – 7 demonstrated antifungal activity against the human pathogenic yeasts C. albicans , C. glabrata and C. tropicalis with MICs values between 12.5 and 100 μg/ml.
Steroidal saponins from Smilax medica and their antifungal activity.
2005
Three new steroidal saponins (1-3) were isolated from the roots of Smilax medica, together with the known disporoside A (4). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated mainly by extensive spectroscopic analysis (1D and 2D NMR, FABMS, and HRESIMS). Compounds 1, 2, and 4 demonstrated weak antifungal activity against the human pathogenic yeasts Candida albicans, C. glabrata, and C.tropicalis, with MIC values between 12.5 and 50 microg/mL.