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Mazzei R, Genovese C, Magariello A, Patitucci A, Russo G, Tagarelli G. Plants in Menstrual Diseases: A Systematic Study from Italian Folk Medicine on Current Approaches. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:589. [PMID: 38475436 DOI: 10.3390/plants13050589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Background: Plant-based remedies have been used since antiquity to treat menstrual-related diseases (MD). From the late nineteenth to the early to mid-twentieth century, Italian folk remedies to treat "women's diseases" were documented in a vast corpus of literature sources. Aim: The purpose of this paper is to bring to light the plant-based treatments utilized by Italian folk medicine to heal clinical manifestations of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea and menstrual disorders in an attempt to discuss these remedies from a modern pharmacological point of view. Moreover, we compare the medical applications described by Hippocrates with those utilized by Italian folk medicine to check if they result from a sort of continuity of use by over two thousand years. Results: Out of the 54 plants employed in Italian folk medicine, 25 (46.3%) were already documented in the pharmacopoeia of the Corpus Hippocraticum for treating MD. Subsequently, a detailed search of scientific data banks such as Medline and Scopus was undertaken to uncover recent results concerning bioactivities of the plant extracts to treat MD. About 26% of the plants used by Italian folk medicine, nowadays, have undergone human trials to assess their actual efficacy. At the same time, about 41% of these herbal remedies come back to in different countries. Conclusions: Active principles extracted from plants used by Italian folk healers could be a promising source of knowledge and represent strength candidates for future drug discovery for the management of MD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalucia Mazzei
- Institute for Agricultural and Forest Systems in the Mediterranean, National Research Council, Via Cavour 4-6, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Claudia Genovese
- Institute for Agricultural and Forest Systems in the Mediterranean, National Research Council, Via Empedocle, 58, 95128 Catania, Italy
| | - Angela Magariello
- Institute for Agricultural and Forest Systems in the Mediterranean, National Research Council, Via Cavour 4-6, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Alessandra Patitucci
- Institute for Agricultural and Forest Systems in the Mediterranean, National Research Council, Via Cavour 4-6, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Tagarelli
- Institute for Agricultural and Forest Systems in the Mediterranean, National Research Council, Via Cavour 4-6, 87036 Rende, Italy
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Ancuceanu R, Hovaneț MV, Miron A, Anghel AI, Dinu M. Phytochemistry, Biological, and Pharmacological Properties of Abies alba Mill. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:2860. [PMID: 37571016 PMCID: PMC10421038 DOI: 10.3390/plants12152860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Abies alba Mill. (Pinaceae), silver fir, is a widespread gymnosperm species in Europe, important for its ecological, economic, social, and cultural significance, as well as for its use for food and bioremediation purposes. The various parts of the plant (leaves, branches, cones, wood, bark) are also of pharmaceutical interest due to their composition of active compounds. In the last three decades, an impressive amount of research has been dedicated to this species. The variability of the chemical composition of essential oils (whether they come from leaves, oleoresin from branches, or other parts of the plant) is impressive, even in the case of specimens collected from the same geographical area. For essential oils prepared from needles or twigs and branches, limonene, β-pinene, α-pinene, camphene, β-phellandrene, and bornyl acetate are the leading compounds, although their wide variations seem to correspond to multiple chemotypes. Both bark and wood are rich in lignans and phenolic compounds. Matairesinol is apparently the dominant lignan in bark, and secoisolariciresinol and lariciresinol are the dominant ones in wood samples. Pharmacological studies with promising results have evaluated the antioxidant effect (mainly due to essential oils), but also the antimicrobial, antitumor, probiotic, antidiabetic, anti-steatosis, and anti-psoriatic activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Ancuceanu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020956 Bucharest, Romania; (A.I.A.); (M.D.)
| | - Marilena Viorica Hovaneț
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020956 Bucharest, Romania; (A.I.A.); (M.D.)
| | - Anca Miron
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Adriana Iuliana Anghel
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020956 Bucharest, Romania; (A.I.A.); (M.D.)
| | - Mihaela Dinu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020956 Bucharest, Romania; (A.I.A.); (M.D.)
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Sadeghi Z, Yang JL, Venditti A, Moridi Farimani M. A review of the phytochemistry, ethnopharmacology and biological activities of Teucrium genus (Germander). Nat Prod Res 2022; 36:5647-5664. [PMID: 34986708 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2021.2022669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Teucrium L (Lamiaceae) is mainly distributed in the Mediterranean area. A comprehensive survey in the electronic databases (during 2000-2020 years) with keywords of 'Teucrium' and 'Germander' showed that chemical analyses are available for 27 species, with sesquiterpenoids, iridoids, di and triterpenoids, and phenolic compounds as identified structures. The neo-clerodane diterpenoids as potential chemotaxonomic markers were the main compounds of this genus. As a result, Italy and Turkey have good attempts at phytochemical analysis. The pharmacological activities of different species including antioxidant, cytotoxic activity, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anti-insect have been summarized. Teucrium polium and Teucrium chamaedrys mainly have been used in digestive problems and diabetes in traditional medicine. Evidence-based clinical trials are needed to confirm the therapeutic properties of this genus. As well to the popularity of Asian and Anatolian species as ingredients in contemporary medicines and products, further research is required in comparison to European species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Sadeghi
- Department of Production and Utilization of Medicinal Plants, Faculty of Agricultural and Natural Resources, Higher Educational Complex of Saravan, Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran
| | - Jun-Li Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Chemistry of Northwestern Plant Resources and Key Laboratory for Natural Medicine of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics (LICP), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | | | - Mahdi Moridi Farimani
- Department of Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants and Drugs Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Evin, Tehran, Iran
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Traditional Herbal Remedies Used for Managing Anxiety and Insomnia in Italy: An Ethnopharmacological Overview. HORTICULTURAE 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/horticulturae7120523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Anxiety and insomnia are among the most common mental health disorders and are a major cause of disability around the world. Traditional herbal medicines are receiving significant attention in global health debates. Several Italian regions maintain rural traditions and are among the most extensively studied areas of Europe regarding medicinal plant uses. The present overview aims to highlight the use of wild and cultivated plants, specifically as sedatives and for insomnia treatment in Italy, and to collect, analyze, and summarize the available literature about their pharmacological activity as well as clinical and pre-clinical studies concerning the most cited plants. In total, 106 wild taxa are used in Italy for sedative purposes. The plant species belong to 76 genera and 32 families, of which the most cited are Asteraceae (24.2%) and Lamiaceae (21.1%). Leaves (29%) and flowers (27%) are the plant parts mostly used as infusion (70%) and decoction (25%). Out of 106 taxa documented, only the most cited are analyzed in this overview (A. arvensis L., C. nepeta L., C. monogyna Jacq., H. lupulus L., L. nobilis L., L. angustifolia Mill., M. sylvestris L., M. chamomilla L., M. officinalis L., O. basilicum L., P. rhoeas L., P. somniferum L., R. officinalis L., T. platyphyllus Scop., and V. officinalis L.). Among the fifteen species selected, only seven have been studied for their pharmacological activity as hypnotic-sedatives. Future pre-clinical and clinical studies are needed to better clarify the mechanism of action of bioactive compounds and confirm the potential of these alternative therapies.
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da Cruz Albino R, Braz MM, Bizzo HR, Santana da Silva RV, Leitão SG, Ribeiro de Oliveira D. Amazonian medicinal smokes: Chemical analysis of Burseraceae pitch (breu) oleoresin smokes and insights into their use on headache. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 276:114165. [PMID: 33932517 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE In Latin American Traditional Medicine, the use of Burseraceae oleoresins for headache relief is widespread. In the quilombola (maroon) communities of the municipality of Oriximiná, Pará State, Brazil, Burseraceae oleoresins are burned as incenses to treat headache; an effect attained by inhaling the smokes. AIM OF THE STUDY This study was designed to investigate the scientific rationale behind the use of Burseraceae pitch oleoresin smokes on headache by identifying its chemical constituents and discussing whether they could be beneficial for headache treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two samples of pitch oleoresins were purchased from Amazonian public markets; one of them marketed as "breu preto" (black pitch), and the other as "breu branco" (white pitch). The smoke headspaces produced upon burning these oleoresins were collected and analysed by GC-MS. For comparative purposes, the triterpenoid fingerprints of the oleoresins' dichloromethane extracts and profiles of the essential oils were also obtained by GC-MS - and GC-FID, in the case of the essential oils. RESULTS A total of 32 compounds were detected in black and white pitch oleoresin smokes. All smoke headspaces of the pitch oleoresins shared the presence of volatile terpenoids (e.g., α-terpineol) and triterpenoids (e.g., α-amyrin, β-amyrin, α-amyrone, and β-amyrone). These compounds were also present in the crude resins and could potentially be responsible for anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and analgesic effects on headache. CONCLUSIONS The pharmacological data on the terpenoids detected in the Burseraceae pitch smokes strongly support their traditional use for headache, but their actual effects upon inhalation have yet to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rayane da Cruz Albino
- Laboratory of Bioprospection and Applied Ethnopharmacology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Marcelle Magalhães Braz
- Laboratory of Bioprospection and Applied Ethnopharmacology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | | | - Raquel Vieira Santana da Silva
- Laboratory of Molecular and Environmental Organic Geochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, 21941-598, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Suzana Guimarães Leitão
- Laboratório de Fitoquímica e Farmacognosia, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Danilo Ribeiro de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Bioprospection and Applied Ethnopharmacology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Kahromi S, Khara J. Chitosan stimulates secondary metabolite production and nutrient uptake in medicinal plant Dracocephalum kotschyi. JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 2021; 101:3898-3907. [PMID: 33348431 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.11030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A wide variety of secondary metabolites are synthesized from primary metabolites by plants which have a vast range in pharmaceutical, food additive and industrial applications. In recent years, the use of elicitors has opened a novel approach for the production of secondary metabolite compounds. Dracocephalum kotschyi is a valuable herb due to pharmaceutical compounds like rosmarinic acid, quercetin and apigenin. In the current study, foliar application of chitosan (0, 100, 400 mg L-1 ) as an elicitor was used. RESULTS After chitosan treatment, the amounts of hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) increased and the plant was able to increase the activities of enzymatic (guaiacol peroxidase, catalase and phenylalanine ammonium lyase) and non-enzymatic (total phenols and flavonoids) defensive metabolites. Also, foliar spray of chitosan promoted nutrient absorption which led to the accumulation of macroelements in the plant. CONCLUSIONS Chitosan was found to be a very effective elicitor for improving rosmarinic acid and quercetin content (up to 13-fold). Also, the content of apigenin (anticancer flavonoid) showed 16-fold enhancement compared to the control. Therefore, the treatment of D. kotschyi leaves with chitosan caused a very large increase in the induction and production of important pharmaceutical compounds such as rosmarinic acid and quercetin. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samaneh Kahromi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
| | - Jalil Khara
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
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Oladeji OS, Oyebamiji AK. Stellaria media (L.) Vill.- A plant with immense therapeutic potentials: phytochemistry and pharmacology. Heliyon 2020; 6:e04150. [PMID: 32548330 PMCID: PMC7284062 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Stellaria media Vill. is a representative of Caryophyllaceae family. The plant is widely dispersed all over the world and has been used as therapeutic substance since time immemorial. This review is aimed at exploring the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of S. media. The findings revealed important secondary metabolites such as flavonoid, oligosaccharide stellariose, anthraquinone derivatives, fatty acid, steroid saponins and phenolic compounds. These bioactive metabolites displayed diverse pharmacological activities such as anti-obesity, antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antidiabetic and anxiolytic activities. All findings revealed that S. media is a major species of Caryophyllaceae family. However, bioactive constituents and pharmacological potential of are not well appraised. Hence, extracts with established pharmacological activities should be subjected to bioassay guided isolation so as to obtain compounds with novel structural moieties prior to toxicogenetic appraisals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwole Solomon Oladeji
- Natural Products Research Unit, Department of Physical Sciences, Industrial Chemistry Programme, College of Pure and Applied Sciences, Landmark University, PMB 1001, Omu-Aran, Nigeria
| | - Abel Kolawole Oyebamiji
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Adeleke University, Ede, Nigeria
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria
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Mazzei R, Leonti M, Spadafora S, Patitucci A, Tagarelli G. A review of the antimicrobial potential of herbal drugs used in popular Italian medicine (1850s-1950s) to treat bacterial skin diseases. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2020; 250:112443. [PMID: 31790819 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.112443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Revised: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Before the advent of modern antibiotics, microbial infections were treated with herbal medicine or cauterization. Literature from the latter half of the nineteenth to the early mid-twentieth century, when antibiotics became widely available, arguably holds the most progressive information about herbal remedies to treat bacterial skin diseases. The corpus of literature produced in Italy during that period is not easily accessible and mostly out of print. MATERIAL AND METHODS Plant-based remedies utilized in popular Italian medicine to treat anthrax, boils, erysipelas, impetigo, pustules, and whitlow were sourced from literature indexed in and available through the National Library Service website of the Italian Libraries Network. The remedies are assessed for their antimicrobial potential based on a detailed search of the herbal drug species in scientific databases. RESULTS A considerable part of the reviewed recipes included specific excipients (41 out of 139) and others were produced with fresh plant material (48 out of 139). Out of the 52 identified herbal drug species used in popular Italian medicine against dermatologic infections, extracts of 43 were shown to have moderate in vitro activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. CONCLUSION The antibacterial activity of the extracts and pure compounds as reported in the reviewed literature is mostly based on in vitro assays and generally does not encourage follow up studies. The effectiveness of the reported recipes, which include fresh plant material and excipients can only be assessed through in vivo studies. Those remedies including herbal drugs with reported antimicrobial activity might have the potential as complementary therapies. The reviewed plant based antimicrobial recipes might serve as inspirations in the search for alternative topical antibacterial strategies and the search for their synergistic and potentiating ingredients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalucia Mazzei
- Institute for Agricultural and Forest Systems in the Mediterranean, National Research Council, Via Cavour 4-6, 87036, Rende, CS, Italy
| | - Marco Leonti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Via Ospedale 72, 09124, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Santo Spadafora
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Dermatologia -Azienda Ospedaliera di Cosenza, Italy
| | - Alessandra Patitucci
- Institute for Agricultural and Forest Systems in the Mediterranean, National Research Council, Via Cavour 4-6, 87036, Rende, CS, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Tagarelli
- Institute for Agricultural and Forest Systems in the Mediterranean, National Research Council, Via Cavour 4-6, 87036, Rende, CS, Italy.
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Singh B, Sharma RA. Indian Morinda species: A review. Phytother Res 2019; 34:924-1007. [PMID: 31840355 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Morinda is a largest genus of Rubiaceae family, and its 11 species are found in India. In India, plant species are known by several common names as great morinda, Indian mulberry, noni, beach mulberry and cheese fruit. Various Morinda products (capsules, tablets, skin products and fruit juices) are available in the market, used by people for treatment of several health complaints. A diversity of phytochemicals including iridoids, flavonoids, flavonoid glycosides, anthraquinones, coumarins, lignanas, noniosides, phenolics and triterpenoids have been reported from Morinda species. Morinda species are used in the treatment of inflammation, cancer, diabetes, psyquiatric disorders, and bacterial and viral infections. The noni fruit juice (Morinda citrifolia) and its products are used clinically in the treatment of cancer, hypertension and cervical spondylosis affecting patients. M. citrifolia fuit juice, with different doses, is used in the maintaining blood pressure and reducing of superoxides, HDL and LDL levels. Similarly, oligosaccharide capsules and tablets of root extract of M. officinalis are recommended as medicine for the treatment of kidney problems and sexual dysfunctions of patients. The toxicological studies revealed that higher doses of fruit juice (4,000 or 5,000 mg/kg) of M. citrifolia for 2 or more months cause toxic effects on liver and kidneys. M. officinalis root extracts (ethanolic and aqueous) are found fully safe during treatment of diseases. A large number of reviews are available on M. citrifolia but very few studies are conducted on other Indian Morinda species. This review reports the comprehensive knowledge on state-wise distribution, botany, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, clinical applications and toxicological evaluations of 11 species of Morinda found in India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bharat Singh
- Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Rajasthan, Jaipur, India
| | - Ram A Sharma
- Department of Botany, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, India
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Islam MT. Phytochemical information and pharmacological activities of Okra (
Abelmoschus esculentus
): A literature‐based review. Phytother Res 2018; 33:72-80. [DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Revised: 08/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Torequl Islam
- Department for Management of Science and Technology Development Ton Duc Thang University Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam
- Faculty of Pharmacy Ton Duc Thang University Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam
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