A review on Balanites aegyptiaca Del (desert date): phytochemical constituents, traditional uses, and pharmacological activity.
Authors: Chothani DL, Vaghasiya HU
Abstract
Balanites aegyptiaca Del. (Zygophyllaceae), known as 'desert date,' is spiny shrub or tree up to l0 m tall, widely distributed in dry land areas of Africa and South Asia. It is traditionally used in treatment of various ailments i.e. jaundice, intestinal worm infection, wounds, malaria, syphilis, epilepsy, dysentery, constipation, diarrhea, hemorrhoid, stomach aches, asthma, and fever. It contains protein, lipid, carbohydrate, alkaloid, saponin, flavonoid, and organic acid. Present review summarizes the traditional claims, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of B. a...
Source: Pharmacognosy Reviews - November 25, 2014 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Pharmacogn Rev Source Type: research
Cuminum cyminum and Carum carvi: An update.
Authors: Johri RK
Abstract
Cuminum cyminum and Carum carvi are the sources of cumin and caraway seeds respectively, which have been used since antiquity for the treatment of various indications in traditional healing systems in wide geographical areas. Cumin and caraway seeds are rich sources of essential oils and have been actively researched for their chemical composition and biological activities. In recent times (especially during the last 3 years) considerable progress has been made regarding validation of their acclaimed medicinal attributes by extensive experimental studies. In this attempt many nov...
Source: Pharmacognosy Reviews - November 25, 2014 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Pharmacogn Rev Source Type: research
Tamarindus indica: Extent of explored potential.
Authors: Bhadoriya SS, Ganeshpurkar A, Narwaria J, Rai G, Jain AP
Abstract
Tamarindus is a monotypic genus and belongs to the subfamily Caesalpinioideae of the family Leguminosae (Fabaceae), Tamarindus indica L., commonly known as Tamarind tree is one of the most important multipurpose tropical fruit tree species in the Indian subcontinent. Tamarind fruit was at first thought to be produced by an Indian palm, as the name Tamarind comes from a Persian word "Tamar-I-hind," meaning date of India. Its name "Amlika" in Sanskrit indicates its ancient presence in the country. T.indica is used as traditional medic...
Source: Pharmacognosy Reviews - November 25, 2014 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Pharmacogn Rev Source Type: research
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.): An overview.
This article briefly reviews the medicinal uses along with botany and cultivation techniques. Since chamomile is a rich source of natural products, details on chemical constituents of essential oil and plant parts as well as their pharmacological properties are included. Furthermore, particular emphasis is given to the biochemistry, biotechnology, market demand, and trade of the plant. This is an attempt to compile and document information on different aspects of chamomile and highlight the need for research and development.
PMID: 22096322 [PubMed] (Source: Pharmacognosy Reviews)
Source: Pharmacognosy Reviews - November 25, 2014 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Pharmacogn Rev Source Type: research
Ficus hispida Linn.: A review of its pharmacognostic and ethnomedicinal properties.
Authors: Ali M, Chaudhary N
Abstract
Ficus hispida (FH) Linn. is a moderate sized tree found throughout the year and is grown wild or cultivated for its edible fruits and folklore value. Traditionally, different parts of the plant have been used in the treatment of ulcers, psoriasis, anemia, piles jaundice, vitiligo, hemorrhage, diabetes, convulsion, hepatitis, dysentery, biliousness, and as lactagogue and purgative. FH contains wide varieties of bioactives from different phytochemical groups like alkaloids, carbohydrates, proteins and amino acids, sterols, phenols, flavonoids, gums and mucilage, glycoside...
Source: Pharmacognosy Reviews - November 25, 2014 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Pharmacogn Rev Source Type: research
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L.): A systematic review.
Authors: Pareek A, Suthar M, Rathore GS, Bansal V
Abstract
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L.) (Asteraceae) is a medicinal plant traditionally used for the treatment of fevers, migraine headaches, rheumatoid arthritis, stomach aches, toothaches, insect bites, infertility, and problems with menstruation and labor during childbirth. The feverfew herb has a long history of use in traditional and folk medicine, especially among Greek and early European herbalists. Feverfew has also been used for psoriasis, allergies, asthma, tinnitus, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. The plant contains a large number of natural...
Source: Pharmacognosy Reviews - November 25, 2014 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Pharmacogn Rev Source Type: research
Phcog Rev. is now in PUBMED.
Authors: Ahmed MK
PMID: 22279369 [PubMed] (Source: Pharmacognosy Reviews)
Source: Pharmacognosy Reviews - November 25, 2014 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Pharmacogn Rev Source Type: research
Systematic review of herbals as potential anti-inflammatory agents: Recent advances, current clinical status and future perspectives.
Authors: Beg S, Swain S, Hasan H, Barkat MA, Hussain MS
Abstract
Many synthetic drugs reported to be used for the treatment of inflammatory disorders are of least interest now a days due to their potential side effects and serious adverse effects and as they are found to be highly unsafe for human assistance. Since the last few decades, herbal drugs have regained their popularity in treatment against several human ailments. Herbals containing anti-inflammatory activity (AIA) are topics of immense interest due to the absence of several problems in them, which are associated with synthetic preparations. The ...
Source: Pharmacognosy Reviews - November 25, 2014 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Pharmacogn Rev Source Type: research
Mycosporine and mycosporine-like amino acids: A paramount tool against ultra violet irradiation.
Authors: Bhatia S, Garg A, Sharma K, Kumar S, Sharma A, Purohit AP
Abstract
Various facts demonstrated that UVB is harmful to organisms. Sunscreen compounds are usually used to prevent the excessive damage caused by UVB. However, certain photosynthetic organisms have evolved mechanisms to counteract the toxicity of ultraviolet radiation by synthesizing UV screening compounds such as mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs). MAAs provide UV protection to primary and secondary consumers through food chain and to non-biological materials by photostabilizing action. Information related to the ecological consequence...
Source: Pharmacognosy Reviews - November 25, 2014 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Pharmacogn Rev Source Type: research
Ethnomedicinal plants used for diarrhea by tribals of Meghalaya, Northeast India.
Authors: Laloo D, Hemalatha S
Abstract
Environmental status and diarrhea is regarded as a complex and multidimensional topic. Diarrhea is one of the main water-borne diseases considered to be endemic in many regions of the world and brings the major health threats to the world populations, both in tropical and subtropical poor countries. The state Meghalaya situated in the North-Eastern India is an upland landmass bound by seven districts surrounded within by different tribes. The population is predominantly rural, with 81.41% of the population belongs merely to the scheduled tribes. The state offers a wid...
Source: Pharmacognosy Reviews - November 25, 2014 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Pharmacogn Rev Source Type: research
Investigations on Piper betle grown in Sri Lanka.
Authors: Arambewela LS, Arawwawala LD, Kumaratunga KG, Dissanayake DS, Ratnasooriya WD, Kumarasingha SP
Abstract
Piper betle is an economically important plant cultivated in Sri Lanka. Although more than 12 cultivars of betel are reported in Sri Lanka, very few scientific investigations have been carried out on them. Studies on the chemical constituents indicated that safrole is the major constituent, followed by chavibitol acetate, in the essential oil of common betel leaves of Sri Lanka. Investigations on the bioactivities of P. betle revealed the presence of antimicrobial, insecticidal, antioxidant, ant...
Source: Pharmacognosy Reviews - November 25, 2014 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Pharmacogn Rev Source Type: research
Potential of herbs in skin protection from ultraviolet radiation.
Authors: Korać RR, Khambholja KM
Abstract
Herbs have been used in medicines and cosmetics from centuries. Their potential to treat different skin diseases, to adorn and improve the skin appearance is well-known. As ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause sunburns, wrinkles, lower immunity against infections, premature aging, and cancer, there is permanent need for protection from UV radiation and prevention from their side effects. Herbs and herbal preparations have a high potential due to their antioxidant activity, primarily. Antioxidants such as vitamins (vitamin C, vitamin E), flavonoids, and phenolic ac...
Source: Pharmacognosy Reviews - November 25, 2014 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Pharmacogn Rev Source Type: research
Bioactive constituents and medicinal importance of genus Alnus.
Authors: Sati SC, Sati N, Sati OP
Abstract
The genus Alnus has been reviewed for its chemical constituents and biological activities including traditional importance of some common species. The plants of this genus contain terpenoids, flavonoids, diarylheptanoids, phenols, steroids, and tannins. Diarylheptanoids are the dominant constituents within the genus Alnus, few of them exhibited antioxidant effects and inhibitory activity against nuclear factor kappaB activation, nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-α production, human umbilical vein endothelial cells, farnesyl protein transferase, cell-mediated...
Source: Pharmacognosy Reviews - November 25, 2014 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Pharmacogn Rev Source Type: research
A review on chemical and biological properties of Cayratia trifolia Linn. (Vitaceae).
This article focuses on the upgraded review on chemical and biological properties of Cayratia trifolia Linn. and triggers further investigation on this plant.
PMID: 22279376 [PubMed] (Source: Pharmacognosy Reviews)
Source: Pharmacognosy Reviews - November 25, 2014 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Pharmacogn Rev Source Type: research
Artemisinin biosynthesis and its regulatory enzymes: Progress and perspective.
Authors: Wen W, Yu R
Abstract
Artemisinin is an endoperoxidized sesquiterpene from the Chinese medicinal plant Artemisia annua, used as an effective anti-malarial drug. Its biosynthesis pathway has been investigated for many years for scientific interest and for potential manufacturing applications to fulfill the market demand. A number of regulatory enzymes of its biosynthesis process, including amorpha-4,11-diene synthase, CYP71AV1 and cytochrome P450 reductase, have been obtained and utilized to increase the content of artemisinin. However, a large knowledge gap still exists, and certain points of contr...
Source: Pharmacognosy Reviews - November 25, 2014 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Pharmacogn Rev Source Type: research
