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Petran M, Dragoș D, Stoian I, Vlad A, Gilca M. Current use of medicinal plants for children's diseases among mothers in Southern Romania. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1377341. [PMID: 38841372 PMCID: PMC11150775 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1377341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
There is a limited number of studies focusing on ethnomedical practices in children, particularly in Eastern Europe. Romania has a rich history of using medicinal plants in ethnopediatric care, and our objective was to identify the medicinal plants currently employed in treating childhood illnesses in the southern region of the country. Material and methods Our investigation used structured interviews, focusing on respondent demographics, local names of therapeutically employed herbs, the specific plant part(s) utilized, methods of preparation and administration, and local folk indications of taxa. A total of 326 mothers with children aged 0 to 18, hospitalized in the "Grigore Alexandrescu" Children Emergency Hospital Bucharest and residing in Southern Romania, were enrolled in the study. Use Value Citation Index (UVc), Informant Consensus Factor (Fic), and Fidelity Level (FL) were calculated. Results Twenty-five plants were identified for treating children's diseases in Southern Romania. The majority of informants resided in urban areas, and mothers primarily acquired knowledge from family members and healthcare professionals. The herbs most frequently employed were Mentha spp. (UV = 0.509) for diarrhea, Matricaria spp. (UV = 0.301) for skin infections (Fic = 0.99) and digestive diseases (Fic = 0.98), and Calendula officinalis L. (UV = 0.365) for skin diseases (Fic = 0.99). Less utilized were Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. sativus (L.) Domin in respiratory diseases, Prunus avium (L.) L. stalks in urinary tract ailments, Helianthus annuus L. in ear infections, Allium sativum L. in intestinal parasitosis, Viola tricolor L. in hives, Triticum aestivum L. in dermatitis and Allium ursinum L. as a tonic. In 184 cases herbal treatment was used in conjunction with conventional medications. Education level correlated with the number of employed plants and the variety of treated ailments, while residency (rural vs. urban) did not. Both residency and education influenced plant procurement methods: rural background and, surprisingly, higher education were linked to a preference for harvesting rather than purchasing plants. Conclusion Botanical remedies are still commonly used in the treatment of pediatric diseases in Southern Romania, although the variety of taxa seems reduced compared to the past. Further exploration is essential to unlock the maximum benefits of ethnopediatric practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madalina Petran
- Department of Functional Sciences I/Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Dorin Dragoș
- Department of Medical Semiology, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
- First Internal Medicine Clinic, University Emergency Hospital Bucharest, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Irina Stoian
- Department of Functional Sciences I/Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Adelina Vlad
- Department of Functional Sciences I/Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Marilena Gilca
- Department of Functional Sciences I/Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
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Gavish L, Korchia G, Cohen S, Maor Y. A real-world evaluation of an herbal treatment for infantile colic reported by 1218 parents in Israel. J Pediatr Nurs 2022; 69:e39-e44. [PMID: 36528454 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2022.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Infantile colic (IC) or fussing and crying behavior of unknown cause, affects up to 20% of the infant population and is one of the major reasons for parents to seek medical advice. Therapeutic options are limited and the key component for IC management is parental support. Fennel-based herbal treatments were shown to significantly reduce crying time. The current study was designed to evaluate the parent perception of effectiveness of a fennel-based commercially-available herbal treatment for IC (BabyCalm, Hisunit Ltd., Israel) using a retrospective online survey. DESIGN AND METHODS This was a real-world observational, case-control retrospective study. Parents of babies with IC symptoms, who either used the herbal product for their baby or did not use any product were invited to participate in an online survey during August-December 2019. The primary outcome was the perceived level of treatment success and symptom improvement. RESULTS 1218 parents of IC babies (48% females, 90% up to 3 months of age, 58% exclusively breast-fed) responded to the survey of whom 771 used the treatment. Significantly fewer IC-related symptoms were reported by parents who used the product compared to those that did not. Parents perceived the treatment as successful in 65% of the cases, reporting meaningful improvements within 30 min for 69%-79% of the symptoms. CONCLUSIONS The majority of parents perceived the herbal treatment as effective in rapid symptom reduction suggesting that this may provide a satisfactory solution for IC in the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilach Gavish
- Institute for Research in Military Medicine (IRMM), Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps, Jerusalem, Israel; The Saul and Joyce Brandman Hub for Cardiovascular Research and the Department of Medical Neurobiology, Institute for Medical Research (IMRIC), Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.
| | | | - Shlomo Cohen
- Institute of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Yehoshua Maor
- Phytor Lab for Drug Development, Hadassah Medical Center Hebrew University Biotechnology Park (JBP), Jerusalem, Israel
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Fidianingsih I, Aryandono T, Widyarini S, Herwiyanti S, Sunarti. Arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea L.) as a new potential functional food: A scoping review. INTERNATIONAL FOOD RESEARCH JOURNAL 2022. [DOI: 10.47836/ifrj.29.6.02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Maranta arundinacea L. (MA) is a food that contains phytochemicals such as phenols, saponins, and flavanones that are beneficial to the body. Several studies have also reported that MA contains soluble fibre. These indicate its potential use to prevent and treat diseases. The present review explored the literature on the potential benefits of MA. Published MA-related studies were searched for up to October 2018 using the PubMed, ProQuest, EBSCO, and Scopus databases, as well as Google Scholar up to October 2020. The keywords used were ‘Maranta arundinacea’ OR ‘arrowroot’ OR ‘maranta’ OR ‘West Indian arrowroot’ OR ‘obedience plant’ OR ‘Bermuda arrowroot’ OR ‘araru’ OR ‘ararao’ OR ‘hulankeeriya’ OR ‘Marantaceae’ OR ‘garut’ OR ‘ararut’ OR ‘irut’. The present review included ten in vitro studies, nine of which involved experimental animals, and eight studies in humans. In vitro and in vivo studies in animals show that MA has antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, prebiotic, antibacterial, immunomodulatory, anti-ulcerative, anti-diarrhoeal, hypoglycaemic, hypocholesterolaemic, and antihypertensive properties. However, studies involving humans were quasi experimental, without control and non-randomised, with a small number of subjects. The results of human studies have not shown a significant change in health effects. In the future, MA may increase food diversity by serving as a functional foodstuff. However, additional human research must be conducted.
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Ethnomedical uses, chemical constituents, and evidence-based pharmacological properties of Chenopodium ambrosioides L.: extensive overview. FUTURE JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES 2021. [DOI: 10.1186/s43094-021-00306-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The Chenopodium genus is a plant family widely spread worldwide that includes various plant species reputed to possess several medicinal virtues in folk medicines. Chenopodium ambrosioides L. is among the most used plants in traditional medicines worldwide. This review aimed to highlight ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemical status, and pharmacological properties of C. ambrosioides L.
Main body of the abstract
The analysis of relevant data highlights various ethnomedicinal uses against human and veterinary diseases in forty countries. Most indications consisted of gastrointestinal tract dysfunctioning troubles and worms parasitemia. Around 330 chemical compounds have been identified in different plant parts, especially in its essential oil fractions (59.84%). However, only a few compounds—mainly monoterpenes and glycosides—have been isolated and characterized. Experimental pharmacological studies validated a large scale of significant health benefits. It appeared that many monoterpenes are antioxidant, insecticidal, trypanocidal, analgesic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, acaricidal, amoebicidal, anthelmintic, anticancer, antibacterial, antidiabetic, antidiarrheal, antifertility, antifungal, anti-leishmanial, antimalarial, antipyretic, antisickling, antischistosomal, antiulcer, anxiolytic, immunomodulatory, molluscicidal, and vasorelaxant agents.
Short conclusion
Thus, the Chenopodium ambrosioides species necessitates further chemical studies to isolate and characterize new bioactive secondary metabolites and pharmacological investigations to precise the mechanisms of action before clinical trials.
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Lambrechts IA, Lall N. Traditional usage and biological activity of Plectranthus madagascariensis and its varieties: A review. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 269:113663. [PMID: 33278544 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.113663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Plectranthus madagascariensis (Pers.) Benth. is an indigenous aromatic South African plant species that are traditionally used to treat various dermatological and respiratory ailments. AIM OF THE STUDY Three varieties of P. madagascariensis exist in South Africa, namely, Plectranthus aliciae (Codd) van Jaarsv. & T.J. Edwards, Plectranthus ramosior (Benth.) Van Jaarsv. and Plectranthus madagascariensis (Pers.) Benth var. madagascariensis. This article summarizes the documented ethnobotanical uses and research which has been conducted to date on the chemical constituents and biological effects of P. madagascariensis and its varieties. This review aimed to investigate and highlight the lack scientific reports of the potential activity of these varieties based on their traditional usage and to emphasise the need for further investigation of the benefits of P. madagascariensis and its varieties. MATERIALS AND METHODS Extensive database retrieval using platforms not limited to but including Google Scholar, ScienceDirect and PubMed, was performed by using keywords such as "Plectranthus madagascariensis" "Plectranthus madagascariensis var. aliciae", "Plectranthus aliciae", "Plectranthus ramosior", "Plectranthus madagascariensis var. ramosior" and "Plectranthus hirtus" In addition, relevant books and digital documentation were consulted to collect all available scientific literature to provide a comprehensive review. RESULTS Several studies have reported the traditional usage of P. madagascariensis for the treatment of diseases related to the respiratory system such as coughs, colds and asthma as well as dermatological disorders associated with wounds and inflammation. Whilst there are no reports on the traditional usage of P. madagascariensis varieties to treat other maladies, several other species within the genus are used in other traditional practices. Plectranthus ramosior is used as a toxin for fishing. In literature, seven major phytochemical compounds have been identified from P. madagascariensis. Its extract and essential oil contain polyphenols, abietane diterpenes and abietane diterpenes with a quinone moiety. The extracts and major chemical constituents of P. madagascariensis and its major phytochemicals have reported activity against several biological targets. Reports relating to the antibacterial activity of P. madagascariensis against microbes associated with tuberculosis and wound infections has been consistent and correlates with the documented traditional usage of the plant. Literature reported on the antibacterial activity of P. aliciae targeting bacteria associated with wound infections and lung cancer cells. No further literature reports of the biological activity of the other P. madagascariensis varieties have been found. Other noteworthy biological activities reported in the literature of P. madagascariensis and its compounds include their activities against targets of Alzheimer's disease and breast cancer, in particular. This activity is not related to the traditional usage of the plant. CONCLUSION Plectranthus madagascariensis and its compounds have been proven to be effective in treating a range of maladies. Based on the extensive literature on this plant, it can be concluded that numerous in vitro pharmacological activities of P. madagascariensis have been reported. However, there is a lack of information available for this species with regards to its in vivo data including both pre-clinical and clinical studies. Since the extract of P. madagascariensis and its isolated compounds have displayed noteworthy anticancer potential, we recommend further investigation of pharmacokinetic studies to be included in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isa Anina Lambrechts
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
| | - Namrita Lall
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa; School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States; College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, India.
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Aumeeruddy M, Aumeeruddy-Elalfi Z, Neetoo H, Zengin G, Blom van Staden A, Fibrich B, Lambrechts I, Rademan S, Szuman K, Lall N, Mahomoodally F. Pharmacological activities, chemical profile, and physicochemical properties of raw and commercial honey. BIOCATALYSIS AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcab.2019.01.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Rajaram A, Vanaja GR, Vyakaranam P, Rachamallu A, Reddy GV, Anilkumar K, Arunasree KM, Dhyani A, Prasad NK, Sharma S, Chandra Joshi M, Kimothi GP, Brindavanam NB, Reddanna P. Anti-inflammatory profile of Aegle marmelos (L) Correa (Bilva) with special reference to young roots grown in different parts of India. J Ayurveda Integr Med 2017; 9:90-98. [PMID: 29239790 PMCID: PMC6034160 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaim.2017.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Revised: 02/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Aegle marmelos (Bilva) is being used in Ayurveda for the treatment of several inflammatory disorders. The plant is a member of a fixed dose combination of Dashamoola in Ayurveda. However, the usage of roots/root bark or stems is associated with sustainability concerns. Objectives The present study is aimed to compare the anti-inflammatory properties of different extracts of young roots (year wise) and mature parts of Bilva plants collected from different geographical locations in India, so as to identify a sustainable source for Ayurvedic formulation. Materials and methods A total of 191 extracts (petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, ethanol and aqueous) of roots, stems and leaves of A. marmelos (collected from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh region) were tested for anti-inflammatory effects in vitro on isolated target enzymes cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), lymphocyte proliferation assay (LPA), cytokine profiling in LPS induced mouse macrophage (RAW 264.7) cell line and in vivo carrageenan induced paw edema in mice. Results Of 191 extracts, 44 extracts showed COX-2 inhibition and 38 extracts showed COX-1 inhibition, while none showed 5-LOX inhibition. Cytokine analysis of the 44 extracts showing inhibition of COX-2 suggested that only 17 extracts modulated the cytokines by increasing the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-2 and reducing the pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-1β, MIP1-α and IL-6. The young (2 and 3 years) roots of Bilva plants from Gujarat and young (1 yr) roots from Odisha showed the most potent anti-inflammatory activity by suppressing the pro-inflammatory cytokines and inducing anti-inflammatory cytokines. These three extracts have also shown in vivo anti-inflammatory activity comparable to that in adult stem and root barks. Conclusion The present study reveals that young roots of Bilva plants from Gujarat and Odisha region could form a sustainable source for use in Ayurvedic formulations with anti-inflammatory activities. The present study also indicates that the region in which the plants are grown and the age of the plants play an important role in exhibiting the anti-inflammatory effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azad Rajaram
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046, India
| | - G R Vanaja
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046, India
| | - Preeti Vyakaranam
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046, India
| | - Aparna Rachamallu
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046, India
| | - Gorla V Reddy
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046, India
| | - Kotha Anilkumar
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046, India
| | - Kalle M Arunasree
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046, India
| | - Anurag Dhyani
- Dabur Research & Development Centre, 22, Site-IV, Sahibabad, Ghaziabad 201010, India
| | | | - Sakshee Sharma
- Dabur Research & Development Centre, 22, Site-IV, Sahibabad, Ghaziabad 201010, India
| | - Mahesh Chandra Joshi
- Dabur Research & Development Centre, 22, Site-IV, Sahibabad, Ghaziabad 201010, India
| | - Gaya Prasad Kimothi
- Dabur Research & Development Centre, 22, Site-IV, Sahibabad, Ghaziabad 201010, India
| | - N B Brindavanam
- Dabur Research & Development Centre, 22, Site-IV, Sahibabad, Ghaziabad 201010, India
| | - Pallu Reddanna
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046, India.
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