Anti-allergic Activity of Stem Bark of Myrica esculenta Buch.-Ham. (Myricaceae)

Therapeutic opportunities of edible antiviral plants for COVID-19

The pandemic of Serious Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) that produces corona virus disease (COVID-19) has challenged the entire mankind by rapidly spreading globally in 210 countries affecting over 25 million people and about 1 million deaths worldwide. It continues to spread, afflicting the health system globally. So far there is no remedy for the ailment and the available antiviral regimens have been unsatisfactory for the clinical outcomes and the mode of treatment has been mainly supportive for the prevention of COVID-19-induced morbidity and mortality. From the time immortal the traditional plant-based ethno-medicines have provided the leads for the treatment of infectious diseases. Phytopharmaceuticals have provided potential and less toxic antiviral drugs as compared to conventional modern therapeutics which are associated with severe toxicities. The ethnopharmacological knowledge about plants has provided food supplements and nutraceuticals as a promise for prevention and treatment of the current pandemic. In this review article, we have attempted to comprehend the information about the edible medicinal plant materials with potential antiviral activity specifically against RNA virus which additionally possess property to improve immunity along with external and internal respiration and exhibit anti-inflammatory properties for the prevention and treatment of the disease. This will open an arena for the development of novel nutraceutical herbal formulations as an alternative therapy that can be used for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

Neuroprotective potential of Myrica esulenta in Haloperidol induced Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND

Myrica esculenta is a notable therapeutic plant widely utilized in Indian system of medicine. Ayurvedic literature reported fruit and bark of this plant is used in gulma, jvara, arsa, grahani, pandu roga, hrillasa, mukha roga, kasa, svasa, agnimandhya, aruchi, meha, and kantharoga.

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective potential of "Himalayan Bayberry" (Myrica esculenta Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don) leaves methanol extract in Parkinson's disease induced by haloperidol.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present investigation was completed in wistar rats, in which Parkinson's disease (PD) was induced with haloperidol 1 mg/kg, intraperitoneally. The rats were randomly divided into six gatherings and the test animals received the methanolic extract of M. esculenta (MEME) at a dose of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, orally for one week. Various behavioural, biochemical and histopathological parameters were estimated in haloperidol exposed rats.

RESULTS

MEME demonstrated significant and dose-dependent increment in behavioural activity and improved muscle coordination. The significant diminution in malonaldehyde level while improved the level of antioxidant enzymes like catalase, superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione in extract treated group were observed as compared to the control group. Histopathological changes revealed MEME significantly reduced haloperidol-induced damage in the substantia nigra and there was very little neuronal atrophy.

CONCLUSION

The outcomes showed the defensive role of M. esculenta against PD. The mechanism of protection may be due to an escalation of cellular antioxidants.

Myrica esculenta Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don: A Natural Source for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

Myrica esculenta (Myricaceae) is a popular medicinal plant most commonly found in the sub-tropical Himalayas. It is widely used in folk medicine to treat several ailments such as asthma, cough, chronic bronchitis, ulcers, inflammation, anemia, fever, diarrhea, and ear, nose, and throat disorders. Due to its multidimensional pharmacological and therapeutic effects, it is well recognized in the ayurvedic pharmacopeia. However, the recent upsurge in M. esculenta use and demand has led to illicit harvesting by the horticultural trade and habitat loss, pushing the plant to the brink of extinction. Thus, the present review aims to provide updated information on M. esculenta botany, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological effects, toxicity, and conservation methods, as well as also highlight prospective for future research. Particular emphasis is also given to its antioxidant potential in health promotion. In-depth literature was probed by searching several sources via online databases, texts, websites, and thesis. About 57 compounds were isolated and identified from M. esculenta, and the available reports on physicochemical parameters, nutritional and high-performance thin-layer chromatography analysis of bioactive plant parts are portrayed in a comparative manner. Friendly holistic conservation approaches offered by plant biotechnology applications, such as micropropagation, germplasm preservation, synthetic seed production, and hairy root technologies are also discussed. Nonetheless, further studies are needed to propose the mechanistic role of crude extracts and other bioactives, and even to explore the structure–function relationship of active components.

Diarylheptanoids as nutraceutical: A review

Phenolic compounds are naturally occurring compounds present ubiquitously in plants. They have potential health benefits and substantiate evidence for their nutraceutical applications. Diarylheptanoids are part of the broad class of plant phenolics with structurally divergent compounds. They have been used in traditional medicines and homemade remedies to treat various ailments, as organoleptic additives in foods, and also for aesthetic purposes. With their potential therapeutic and organoleptic characteristics, diarylhepatanoids can be rightly termed as nutraceuticals. This review summarizes the wide range of pharmacological activities of diarylhepatanoids and nutraceutical formulations, with relevance to human health.

Pharmacognostic characterization of Myrica esculenta leaves

Background

Myrica esculenta (Family: Myricaceae) commonly known as Kaiphala or Katphala is a widely used medicinal plant in Ayurveda. In spite of its numerous medicinal attributes, no published work is available till date on pharmacognostical characterization and HPTLC analysis of its leaves.

Objectives

To investigate the pharmacognostical, physicochemical, and HPTLC profiles of M. esculenta leaves.

Materials and methods

The measures taken for pharmacognostical characterization were organoleptic study, macroscopy, microscopy, powder microscopy, leaf constant, fluorescence analysis, preliminary phytochemical screening and HPTLC spectra profile.

Results

Organoleptic and macroscopic studies found that leaves are lancoelate, thin, spirally arranged, dark green in color, with an astringent taste and acute apex. In transverse section, cuticularised epidermis having polygonal cells were found. Mesophyll cells were differentiated into single layered palisade cells on each surface and 2–3 layered spongy parenchyma, unicellular and uniseriate hollow trichomes, anomocytic stomata and bowl shaped vascular bundle in mid rib portion containing xylem and phloem tissues. Alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, glycosides, phenolic compounds and tannins were found present. Analysis on the leaf constants, powder microscopy, fluorescence characteristics and physical parameters resulted a valuable data to establish standards for the plant. HPTLC profile provides number of constituents present in the extracts with their respective Retention Factor (R_f).

Conclusion

Present report on pharmacognostical characterization and HPTLC analysis of M. esculenta leaves provides a vital diagnostic tool for identification, authentication and development of quality parameters of the species. Data obtained by present study may be considered as standard for future studies.

Evaluation for substitution of stem bark with small branches of Myrica esculenta for medicinal use - A comparative phytochemical study

Background

Over exploitation of many traditional medicinal plants like Myrica esculenta has become a threat and in the near future, many medicinal plants may be unavailable for use of industry.

Objective

Present study outlines the concept of plant part substitution. Stem bark and small branches of M. esculenta are compared on the basis of physicochemical analysis, phytochemical analysis, total phenolic contents, total flavonoid contents and high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) to evaluate the possibilities of using small branches in place of stem bark.

Material and methods

Physicochemical parameters and preliminary phytochemical screening were carried out using standard methods. Total phenolic and total flavonoid contents were estimated spectrophotometrically using Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride method, respectively. CAMAG HPTLC system equipped with semi-automatic applicator was used for HPTLC profiling. n-Hexane, ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts of stem bark and small branches were developed in suitable mobile phase using standard procedures and visualized in UV 254 and 366 nm and in white light after derivatization within anisaldehyde-sulphuric acid reagent.

Results

Phytochemical analysis and HPTLC profile of different extracts showed the presence of almost similar phytochemicals in both stem bark and small branches.

Conclusion

Similarities in phytochemical analysis and HPTLC profile of various extracts suggests that small branches may be used in place of stem bark. The study provides the base for further study to use small branches as a substitute of stem bark of M. esculenta.

Some medicinal plants with antiasthmatic potential: a current status

Asthma is a common disease that is rising in prevalence worldwide with the highest prevalence in industrialized countries. Asthma affects about 300 million people worldwide and it has been estimated that a further 100 million will be affected by 2025. Since the ancient times, plants have been exemplary sources of medicine. Current asthma therapy lack satisfactory success due to adverse effect, hence patients are seeking complementary and alternative medicine to treat their asthma. Ayurveda and other Indian literature mention the use of plants in various human ailments. India has about 45,000 plant species and among them several thousand are claimed to possess medicinal properties. Researches conducted in the last few decades on the plants mentioned in ancient literature or used traditionally for asthma have shown antiasthmatic, antihistaminic and antiallergic activity. This review reveals that some plants and their extract have antiasthmatic, antihistaminic, anticholinergic and antiallergic activity.