A survey of herbal weeds that are used to treat gastrointestinal disorders from southern Thailand: Krabi and Songkhla provinces

Antibacterial Compound Isolation and Characterization from the Plant Cynotis axillaris Schult

A novel flavone glycoside was isolated from the methanolic extract of Cynotis axillaris Schult. Various analysis and characterization techniques were used to determine its structure and properties. The compound exhibited a melting point range of 231-232 °C and had a molecular formula of C27 H30 O14 . Several spectral characterization techniques were employed to establish the isolated compound's structure. These included UV-visible spectroscopy, FT-IR, LC-ESI-MS, and NMR spectroscopy. Based on these analyses, the structure of the isolated compound was determined to be 5,7,4'-trihydroxyflavone-8-α-L-rhamnopyranoside-4'-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl. This structure indicates that it is a flavone glycoside consisting of a flavone (5,7,4'-trihydroxyflavone) moiety attached to a sugar molecule (galactopyranosyl) at position 4', which further bears a rhamnose group at position 8 of the flavone. In addition, to the structural characterization, the compound also demonstrated significant antibacterial efficacy against various bacterial pathogens, including Gram-positive bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis MTCC441 and Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli MTCC1098, Proteus vulgarize MTCC426, and Salmonella Typhimurium MTCC3224. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by measuring the zone of inhibition in millimetres, which provides an indication of the compound's ability to inhibit bacterial growth. The study successfully identified and characterized a novel flavone glycoside from Cynotis axillaris Schult. and its antimicrobial activity.

Exploring the Phytochemical Profiles and Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, and Antihemolytic Properties of Sauropus androgynus Dried Leaf Extracts for Ruminant Health and Production

Sauropus androgynus has become an essential plant in pharmaceutical formulations due to its beneficial antioxidant phytochemical components, participating in the antioxidant defense system and playing an important role in protecting human health. However, no research has been conducted on ruminant animals. This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical profiles and biological potential of S. androgynus leaf extracts for ruminant health. Methanolic and hexanoic extracts from each commercially and noncommercially cultivated site were prepared over the course of five consecutive months. By means of HPLC-DAD, vitamins (ascorbic acid), essential oils (eugenol), tannins (gallic acid), cinnamic acids (caffeic acid, syringic acid, p-coumaric acid, sinapic acid and ferulic acid), and flavonoids (catechin, rutin, myricetin, quercetin, apigenin, and kaempferol) were detected. Variations in phytochemical composition were depending on solvent type but not on cultivation site or sample period. Methanolic extracts contained more phytochemicals than hexanoic extracts. Ascorbic acid and rutin were discovered to be the two most abundant phytochemicals in the methanolic extract of S. androgynus leaf, followed by essential oils, cinnamic acids, and tannins. In comparison to hexanoic extract, methanolic extract of S. androgynus demonstrated to be more efficient against oxidation scavenging: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (IC₅₀ = 13.14 ± 0.055 (mg/mL)), nitric oxide (IC₅₀ = 55.02 ± 1.338 (mg/mL)) and superoxide (IC₅₀ = 25.31 ± 0.886 (mg/mL)), as well as α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ = 9.83 ± 0.032 (mg/mL)). Similarly, methanolic was found to be more protective than hexanoic against oxidative damage in ruminant erythrocytes, with IC₅₀ values (mg/mL) for hemoglobin oxidation, lipid peroxidation, and hemolysis of 11.96 ± 0.011, 13.54 ± 0.012, and 5.940 ± 0.005, respectively. These findings suggested that the leaves of S. androgynus are a prospective source of phytochemical substances with health-promoting qualities for ruminant production.

Systematic review of ethnomedicine, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of Cyperi Rhizoma

Cyperi Rhizoma (CR) is the dry rhizome of Cyperus rotundus L., a Cyperaceae plant. It has a long history of clinical medication and is known as the “holy medicine” of gynecology. CR smells sweet and bitter. It has the effect of soothing the liver and relieving depression, regulating qi, regulating meridian and relieving pain. It can be used to treat liver qi stagnation, chest pain, spleen and stomach qi stagnation, hernia pain, irregular menstruation and other diseases. At present, the main chemical constituents isolated from CR are volatile oil, flavonoids and terpenes. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that CR has a wide range of pharmacological activities, including antidepressant, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic effects. In this paper, the botany, traditional application, phytochemistry, pharmacological effects, processing and other aspects of CR are reviewed. At the same time, the shortcomings of current research of CR are discussed in depth, and the possible solutions are put forward in order to find a breakthrough point for future research of CR.

Sauropus androgynus (L.) Merr.: a multipurpose plant with multiple uses in traditional ethnic culinary and ethnomedicinal preparations

Various plants form the basis of multiple traditional ethnic cuisines and ethnomedicinal practices across the globe. The ethnic cuisines cater to the nutritional, dietary and medicinal requirements of the tribal and rural communities even today. Using literature from various scholarly databases, this study was conducted to consolidate a comprehensive review on the use of Sauropus androgynus (L.) Merr. in various traditional ethnic cuisines and ethnomedicinal preparations across the globe. The survey shows that it is used in multiple ethnic cuisines and is variously known in different countries and among the communities. Further, it possesses multiple nutritional and ethnomedicinal properties. Considering its importance in ethnic foods and ethnomedicinal preparations, it is important to investigate the nutritional composition, phytochemical constitution and pharmacological basis of ethnomedicinal uses. Therefore, we further compiled this information and found that it is a rich source of both micro- and macronutrients and packed with several bioactive compounds. Survey of pharmacological studies on its traditional medicinal uses supports its ethnomedicinal properties. Despite its importance in traditional food and ethnomedicinal systems, it remains underexplored. Limited information on the toxicity of its various extracts shows that further studies should be conducted to understand its safety aspects. Further clinical studies to prospect possible drug candidates from it should be attempted.

Anthelmintic activity of praziquantel and Spilanthes acmella extract on an intestinal cestode parasite

Spilanthes acmella Murr., popularised as toothache plant, is a well-known culinary and medicinal plant for different purposes, but its use as an anthelmintic is apparently exclusive to the Mizo people of India and Myanmar. A chloroform extract of Spilanthes acmella Murr. was analysed in a single quadrupole GC-MS system, from which it was found that the major compound was an alkylamide, N-isobutyl-(2E,4Z,8Z,10E)-dodecatetraenamide. A comparative study was performed on the anthelmintic activity of the plant extract and praziquantel (PZQ) against an intestinal cestode, Raillietina echinobothrida. In terms of efficacy, PZQ was more potent, but the plant extract was also effective at all concentrations tested. PZQ caused severe shrinkage and folds of the tegument, constriction of the suckers, dislocation of spines and erosion of microtriches. The plant extract caused shrinkage and folds on the main body but not on the scolex. Damage on the suckers is more pronounced than in PZQ-treated cestodes. The spines were completely removed. The current findings indicate that S. acmella is a good source of compounds with anthelmintic activity.

Ethnomedicinal Knowledge of Traditional Healers in Roi Et, Thailand

Traditional healers in Thailand are a primary source of health care for the Thai people. Highly experienced traditional healers are generally older people and they continue to pass away without recording or passing on their knowledge. Consequently, the cumulative knowledge held by traditional healers regarding the use of medicinal plants is being eroded and could be lost. In this study, we aimed to identify and document the medicinal plants and associated ethnobotanical knowledge held by traditional healers in Roi Et in northeastern Thailand. Data and plant specimens were collected from four traditional healers of the Phu Tai people. They were selected by purposive sampling and questioned using a semi-structured interview. The interviews covered their training, the ailments treated, treatment techniques, method of preparation and in addition, several healing sessions were observed. During field walks, we searched for the medicinal plants with the healers to review and document the availability of medicinal plants at each locality and in different habitats around the villages. Use values (UV) were calculated to estimate the importance of each medicinal plant and informant agreement ratios (IAR) were calculated to understand how widely known the uses were. The four Phu Tai traditional healers knew 162 medicinal plant species in 141 genera and 63 families. The family with the most medicinal plants was Leguminosae with 15 species. The plant part that they used most commonly was the stem, which was used for 82 species (49%). The most common preparation method was decoction, which was done for 124 species (75%). The most important and widely used medicinal plants were Rothmannia wittii, which had the highest use value (UV = 1.7). Most medicinal plants were used for treating tonic (34 species (21%)). Jaundice had the highest informant agreement ratio (IAR = 0.5). The most common life form among the medicinal plants was trees (56 species (34%)). The medicinal plants were mostly collected in community forests (81 species (49%)). Considering the richness of the healer's pharmacopeia, and the fact that their profession is not being perpetuated, this study points to the urgent need to document the traditional knowledge from the old herbalists before it disappears with the last practitioners from rural communities in Thailand.

Sauropus androgynus L. Merr.-A phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Sauropus androgynus L. Merr is an underexploited perennial shrub traditionally used as a medicinal plant in South Asia and Southeast Asia. The plant is regarded as not just a green vegetable for diet, but as a traditional herb for certain aliments. For instance, it has traditionally been used to relieve fever, to treat ulcers and diabetes, to promote lactation and eyesight, and to reduce obesity.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This paper aims to review the botany, phytochemistry, ethnopharmacology, and pharmacological activities of S. androgynus, and discuss the known chemical constituents at work in S. androgynus-induced bronchiolitis obliterans for providing new ideas to the mechanism of the disease and pharmacology research of the plant.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The data presented in this review were collected from published literatures as well as the electronic databases of PubMed, CNKI, Web of Science, SCI finder, ACS, Science Direct, Wiley, Springer, Taylor, Google Scholar, and a number of unpublished resources, (e.g. books, and Ph.D. and M.Sc. dissertations).

RESULTS

The scientific literature indicates that S. androgynus is a valuable and popular herbal medicine whose nutritional value is also higher than that of other commonly used vegetables. Phytochemical analyses identified high content of fatty acids, flavonoids, and polyphenols as the major bioactive components in S. androgynus. Crude extracts and phytochemical compounds isolated from S. androgynus show a wide spectrum of in vitro and in vivo pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, skin whitening, anti-diabetic, and immunoregulatory activities. The traditional use, such as increasing lactation, treating ulcers and diabetes, and reducing obesity, have been evaluated and studied with various methods. Numerous reports have revealed the unusual link between the consumption of S. androgynus and the induction of a chronic and irreversible obstructive disease (namely, bronchiolitis obliterans), indicating that the toxicity and side effects of this plant that is presently used in health care and medicine are a major area of concern.

CONCLUSION

Though little importance was attached to this green plant, S. androgynus has notable phytochemical constituents and various pharmacological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity activities. Studies have firmly established the association between excessive consumption of the uncooked S. androgynus juice over a period of time and the occurrence of bronchiolitis obliterans. It is inadvisable to ingest excessive amounts of S. androgynus before fully understanding the pathogenesis and induction mechanism of this fatal disease. The phytochemistry of S. androgynus, its pharmacology for traditional use, S. androgynus-induced bronchiolitis obliterans still need further investigation.

Medicinal plants for gastrointestinal diseases among the Kuki-Chin ethnolinguistic groups across Bangladesh, India, and Myanmar: A comparative and network analysis study

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The Kuki-Chin is a composite ethnolinguistic group made up of many distinct groups and subgroups that are linked by a common history, culture, and population distribution in the Kuki-Chin region, shared geopolitically by Bangladesh, India, and Myanmar. This region is shown to be in a hotspot of digestive disease activity based on official reports and in concordance with data from related ethnopharmacological field surveys. Our work provides a comparative analysis of medicinal plant knowledge for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases (GAS-Ds) among the Kuki-Chin ethnic groups found across the three countries.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The objectives were (1) to identify the medicinal plants and herbal therapies for the treatment of GAS-Ds reported in related Kuki-Chin ethnobotanical publications, (2) to find the similarities and differences in medicinal plant knowledge among the country-affiliated groups by comparing plant and disease information, and (3) to determine significant plant taxa and their pattern(s) of use as digestive disease herbal remedies by analyzing disease-plant networks.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Secondary data were gathered from 34 related studies through internet search of ethnobotanical information from field studies published in journals, reports, books, and dissertations/theses. These data represented 22 Kuki-Chin ethnolinguistic groups inhabiting 23 districts across six states comprising the Kuki-Chin region: the Chittagong Division (Bangladesh); Mizoram, Assam, Manipur, and Tripura States (India); and Chin State (Myanmar). Scientific names of plants and digestive diseases collated from secondary sources were validated and standardized following the Plant List and the International Classification of Primary Care Second Edition, respectively.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A total of 482 species in 330 genera and 118 families of vascular plants were recorded for the treatment of 29 standardized GAS-Ds. On the basis of the number of use-reports, regional native species Phyllanthus emblica, Centella asiatica, and Aegle marmelos, as well as the non-natives Carica papaya, Portulaca oleracea, and Psidium guajava were found to be the most preferred. Comparative analysis of medicinal species showed that groups in India revealed the highest number of medicinal plant taxa, followed by those in Bangladesh and Myanmar. The most prevalent GAS-Ds were shown to be abdominal pain epigastric, gastroenteritis presumed infections, and diarrhoea, as supported by the number of use-reports and medicinal taxa used for their treatment, and their informant consensus factor values. Analyses of disease-plant networks graphically showed both GAS-Ds distribution patterns in the region and potential medicinal plant (group) candidates for further studies.

CONCLUSION

Overall, this study revealed an astonishingly rich diversity of medicinal plants used to treat digestive diseases among the Kuki-Chin. A comparative analysis showed variations and remarkable distinctions in medicinal plant knowledge among country-affiliated groups, as likely influenced by external sociocultural factors and geopolitical barriers, as well as the availability of ethnobotanical data. The use of network analysis reflected not only shared common affinities and patterns of plant use based on the taxonomic composition and species selection, but also disease prevalence and distribution patterns. The information found here can hopefully spur interest among future researchers and policy makers to better improve both the (ethno) medicinal research capacity and healthcare system in the region.

Acmella oleracea for pain management

Despite advances in medicine and numerous agents that counteract pain, millions of patients continue to suffer. Attention has been given to identify novel botanical interventions that produce analgesia by interacting with nociceptive-transducing channels. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the actual knowledge of Acmella oleracea (L.) and its activities, particularly those that are anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and painkiller. These activities are attributed to numerous bioactive compounds, such as phytosterols, phenolic compounds and N-alkylamides (spilanthol, responsible for many activities, primarily anesthetic). This review includes 99 eligible studies to consider the anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and painkiller of Acmella. Studies reported in this review confirmed anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities of Acmella, postulating that transcription factors of the nuclear factor-κB family (NF-κB) trigger the transcription iNOS and COX-2 and several other pro-inflammatory mediators, such as IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α. The antinociceptive effects has been demonstrated and have been related to different processes, including inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis, activation of opioidergic, serotoninergic and GABAergic systems, and anesthetic activity through blockage of voltage-gated Na Channels. acmella oleracea represents a promise for pain management, particularly in chronic degenerative diseases, where pain is a significant critical issue.

Phytochemistry and neuroprotective effects of Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk

Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk. or Eclipta prostrata (Linn.) or Eclipta erecta (Linn.) is an herbaceous plant well known in Asian as African traditional medicines. These extracts are used in traditional medicine for treatment of microbial diseases and certain metabolic disorders. This review aimed to investigate phytochemical profile and neuroprotective effects of E. alba (L.) Hassk. Several compounds belonging to the families of phenolics, alkaloids, terpenoids and polysaccharides have been isolated, identified or characterized from E. alba extracts. This plant has a diverse neuropharmacological profile. Thus, its extract improves cognitive deficits and also attenuated epileptic seizures. Phytomolecules implicated in these potentials are Eclalbasaponin II and luteolin, respectively. This document updates isolated and identified organic compounds from the extracts of E. alba and reviews their neuropharmacological activities.

Use of Some Asteraceae Plants for the Treatment of Wounds: From Ethnopharmacological Studies to Scientific Evidences

Severe wounds result in large lesions and/or loss of function of the affected areas. The treatment of wounds has challenged health professionals due to its complexity, especially in patients with chronic diseases (such as diabetes), and the presence of pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Taking this into consideration, the development of new therapies for wound healing requires immediate attention. Ethnopharmacological studies performed in different countries have shown the use of several plants from the Asteraceae family as wound-healing agents. Evidences gained from the traditional medicine have opened new ways for the development of novel and more efficient therapies based on the pharmacological properties of these plants. In this article, we discuss the literature data on the use of Asteraceae plants for the treatment of wounds, based on the ethnopharmacological relevance of each plant. Special attention was given to studies showing the mechanisms of action of Asteraceae-derived compounds and clinical trials. Ageratina pichinchensis (Kunth) R.M. King and H. Rob. and Calendula officinalis L. preparations/compounds were found to show good efficacy when assessed in clinical trials of complicated wounds, including venous leg ulcers and foot ulcers of diabetic patients. The compounds silibinin [from Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.] and jaceosidin (from Artemisia princeps Pamp.) were identified as promising compounds for the treatment of wounds. Overall, we suggest that Asteraceae plants represent important sources of compounds that may act as new and efficient healing products.

Melanogenesis-Inhibitory and Cytotoxic Activities of Chemical Constituents from the Leaves of Sauropus androgynus L. Merr. (Euphorbiaceae)

A new steroid, 20-hydroxyisofucosterol (stigmasta-5,24(28)-diene-3β,20β-diol) (7), along with six known compounds 1 - 6 were isolated from the MeOH extract of the leaves of Sauropus androgynus L. Merr. (Euphorbiaceae). The structure of new steroid was determined by HR-APCI-MS and various NMR techniques in combination with literature data. Subsequently, their anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic activities against five human cell lines, as well as inhibitory activities against the α-MSH induced melanogenesis on the B16 cell line were evaluated. As the results, steroid compounds, 6 and 7 exhibited moderate cytotoxic to HL60, AZ521, SKBR3, and A549 tumor cell lines (IC₅₀ 26.9 - 45.1 μm) with high tumor selectivity for A549 relative to WI38 cell lines (SI 2.6 and 3.0, resp.). And, flavonoid compounds, 4 and 5 exhibited superior inhibitory activities against melanogenesis (67.0 - 94.7% melanin content), even with no or low toxicity to the cells (90.1 - 99.6% cell viability) at the concentrations from 10 to 100 μm. Furthermore, Western blot analysis suggested that compound 5 could inhibit melanogenesis by suppressing the protein expressions of MITF, TRP-1, TRP-2, and tyrosinase.