Effect of aqueous leaf extracts of Leptadenia hastata Pers (Decne) on spermiogram and testicular histology in albino rats (Wistar strain)
April 2018
This study was designed to determine the effects of prolonged oral administration of aqueous leaf extract of Leptadenia hastata Pers (Decne) on sperm concentration, sperm motility and testicular histology in Wistar rats. Rats were given graded doses (200, 400, 600 and 800 mg kg-1) of aqueous leaf extract of L. hastata orally for 28 days. Weekly changes in sperm concentration and motility as well as testicular...
Isolation, characterization and biological activity of organic extractives from Calodendrum capense (L.f.) Thunb.(Rutaceae)
April 2018
A novel prenylfuroquinoline alkaloid capensenin (1), an alkaloid confusameline (2), two furanocoumarins psolaren (3) and bergapten (4), were isolated from hexane and dichloromethane crude extracts of stem bark, leaves and fruit pericarp of Calodendrum capense. Limonin (5) was also isolated from the stem bark, while limonin diosphenol (6) was isolated from the seeds. Capensenin (1) showed weak antimicrobial activity...
Characterization and antioxidant properties of crude water soluble polysaccharides from three edible mushrooms
March 2018
In the present study three species of mushrooms, Auricularia auricula (AAP), Lentinus edodes (LDP, Shiitake mushroom) and Poria cocos (PCP) were isolated water soluble polysaccharides, and their antioxidant properties and chemical characteristics were evaluated. Fourier Transform-infrared analysis demonstrated that three polysaccharides were composed of β-glycoside linkages 3304 to 1000 cm-1, and continued until...
Bioefficacy of Duranta erecta leaf extract on yellow fever and dengue vector, Aedes aegypti Linn. in Nigeria
March 2018
Mosquitoes are considered as a major problem in public health. Control measures mainly by chemical insecticides, have led to several environmental and health problems in addition to development of resistance. The bioefficacy of aqueous extract of leaves of Duranta erecta against the yellow fever and dengue vector, Aedes aegypti was evaluated as a step towards developing a safe and eco-friendly agent to combat the...
Pharmaceutical topical gel containing proanthocyanidin polymers-rich fraction from Stryphnodendron adstringens
March 2018
The stem bark of Stryphnodendron adstringens, popularly known in Brazil as "barbatimão", has many biological activities, including antifungal activity. Considering the increasing interest of using "barbatimão" extract in the treatment of vaginal candidiasis, the aim of this study was to propose a pharmaceutical topical gel containing a proanthocyanidin polymers-rich fraction for use as...
In vitro antiviral activity of Brazilian Cerrado plant extracts against animal and human herpesviruses
March 2018
The Brazilian savanna known as “Cerrado” is very rich in medicinal plants that are used by the local population for treatment of several illnesses. The herpesvirus is a serious problem worldwide, and affects both animal and human health. This work aimed to study the antiviral activity of eight extracts from plants natives of “Cerrado” region against human (HSV-1), equine (EqHV-1) and swine...
Acute toxicity and gastric anti-ulcer activity of an aqueous extract of the leaves of Macaranga barteri Müll.Arg (Euphorbiaceae) on rat models
March 2018
Gastro-duodenal ulcers are diseases that constitute a major public health problem all over the world and particularly in Côte d'Ivoire. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute toxicity and gastric anti-ulcer activity of an aqueous extract of the leaves of Macaranga barteri (AEMb). Acute toxicity was carried out using the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines 420. The...
Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of the constituents of the fixed oils obtained from the barks, leaves and stems of Spondias tuberosa Arruda (Anacardiaceae)
February 2018
Spondias tuberosa Arruda (Anacardiaceae) is an endemic tree in the Caatinga Brazilian Biome, known locally as "umbuzeiro" and used for various purposes, especially as food and folk medicine. In this study, it was realized for the first time, the extraction and characterization by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) of the fixed oils of barks, leaves and stems of S. tuberosa. The constituents of the...
Quantitative proteomic analysis of Isorhamnetin treatment in human liver cancer cells
February 2018
Isorhamnetin (Iso) exhibits antitumor effects in promyelotic leukemia and lung cancers. However, its effect in liver cancer is not clear. This study explored the effects of Iso in human liver cancer cells and profiled the differential proteins upon Iso treatment, which contributes to a better understanding of its anticancer mechanisms. Stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture-mass spectrometry:...
The antiulcer and antioxidant mechanisms of the butanolic fraction extract obtained from Bauhinia forficata leaves: A medicinal plant frequently used in Brazilian folk medicine
February 2018
The objectives of this work were to evaluate the antiulcer activity, antioxidant mechanisms, phytochemical analysis and ecotoxicological risk of the butanolic fraction (ButFr) obtained from the leaf extracts of Bauhinia forficata. In an ischemia-reperfusion (IR), gastric ulcer model with doses 12.5 and 6.25 mg kg-1 promoted significant decreases in the ulcerative lesion area (ULA) by 50% (p<0.001) and 46%...
Antibacterial activity of Ethiopian Lepidium sativum L. against pathogenic bacteria
February 2018
Lepidium sativum is commonly known as “fetto” in Ethiopia, and a popular herbal plant which is widely used in folk medicine. The objective of this study is to investigate the potential of three different crude solvent extracts from seed of Lepidium sativum (ethanol, methanol and chloroform) against human pathogenic bacterial strains: Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC-27736),...
Effect of Combretum molle (Combretaceae) seed extract on hematological and biochemical parameters
February 2018
Combretum molle (Combretaceae) is widely used traditional medicinal plant for treatment of different illnesses in most parts of Africa. However, its in vivo toxic effect is not evaluated yet. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate cytotoxic effect of C. molle seed extract on biochemical and hematological parameters using mice. Accordingly, effect of seed extract of the plant on hematological and biochemical...
In vitro thrombolytic activity, antioxidant and cytotoxic properties of fruit extracts of Ficus erecta (Thunb.)
January 2018
The aim of the study was to evaluate different biological properties of fruits extracts of Ficus erecta (Thunb.). The concentrated methanolic extracts and Kupchan partitions were screened for thrombolytic activity, whereas streptokinase was used as standard antioxidant property by evaluating free radical scavenging effect and determining total phenolic content and cytotoxic activity by brine shrimp lethality bioassay....
Evaluation of essential oils from 22 Guatemalan medicinal plants for in vitro activity against cancer and established cell lines
January 2018
Plant species which produce essential oils are important in the healthcare of rural Guatemalans. Steam distilled essential oils from 22 medicinal plant species were analyzed for activity against tongue, skin, and stomach cancer cell lines using a neutral red assay, Vero C1008 cells to assess cytotoxicity, and [3H]-thymidine incorporation assay to assess inhibition of cancer cell proliferation. IC50, CC50, and...
Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used to manage HIV/AIDS opportunistic infections in Rungwe, Mbeya Region, Tanzania
January 2018
The current ethnobotanical study identified medicinal plant species used to manage HIV/AIDS opportunistic infections by the communities in Rungwe District, Tanzania. Data were collected using questionnaires (n=193), interviews (n=9) and field observations. A total of 31 plant species from 23 families are used in managing HIV/AIDS opportunistic infections. Compositae and Rosaceae were predominantly used in disease...
Woody species from the Mozambican Miombo woodlands: A review on their ethnomedicinal uses and pharmacological potential
January 2018
Miombo woodlands cover about two thirds of Mozambique national territory. They provide a wide collection of goods and services to the formal and informal economies. A review on the traditional uses of 15 Miombo tree species in human and animal health, as well as the status of research towards the identification of bioactive compounds is presented. Among the 15 species selected, 12 have been screened for their biological...
A novel anti-triple negative breast cancer compound isolated from medicinal herb Myrothamnus flabellifolius
January 2018
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a disease that impacts millions of people around the world. There is an urgent need to find new therapies, specific to triple negative cancer cells with minimal effect on normal cells. This study explores the use of Myrothamnus flabellifolius as an anti-TNBC. Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography, the extract was fractionated and each fraction was tested against TNBC cells...
Therapeutic and pharmaceutical benefits of native and modified plant pectin
January 2018
Plant pectin constitutes an important class of naturally occurring polysaccharides and are widely distributed in various fruits and vegetables consumed on a regular basis. These biomolecules are reported to exhibit a vast array of biological activities including effects on digestive system, chemo-preventive effect in colon cancer, regulation of blood cholesterol level and immune-potentiating effects. However, variation...
Preference analysis between the use of drugs and plants in pain management in a quilombola community of the state of Ceará, Brazil
December 2017
The objective of this study was to analyze the context of the management of people from traditional quilombola community, in relation to the use of plant species and allopathic drugs used in treatment of pain. Questionnaires were used to determine the socio-demographic profile and the interview-semi-structured method with participants adopted. The analysis of data was done by statistics for the socio-demographic...
Physicochemical properties and antimicrobial activities of soap formulations containing Senna alata and Eugenia uniflora leaf preparations
December 2017
Senna alata leaf extract demonstrates antimicrobial properties that promise utility for treatment of topical infections. Its combination with similarly bioactive Eugenia uniflora leaf extract in soap formulation could enhance anti-infective efficacy. The objective of this study was to develop potent antiseptic herbal soap formulations (HSFs) with the combined leaf extracts of the two plants. A soap base having suitable...
Phytochemical screening and In Vivo antimalarial activities of crude extracts of Lantana trifolia root and Premna oligotricha leaves in plasmodium berghei infected mice
December 2017
Resistance of malaria parasites to several antimalarial drugs mandates the need for new compounds from affordable sources. Thus the current study was conducted to justify the traditional usage of Lantana trifolia roots and Premna oligotricha leaves to combat malaria. The powdered roots of Lantana trifolia and leaves of Premna oligotricha were macerated using 70% ethanol. Secondary metabolites present...
Aqueous extract of Persea americana leaves ameliorates alloxan-induced hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia in rats
December 2017
Decoctions of Persea americana Mill (Lauraceae) leaves are employed to manage diabetes mellitus among the Ibo communities of Eastern Nigeria. In this study, we studied the ameliorative effects of the aqueous extract of P. americana leaves (AEPAL) on alloxan-induced hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia in Wistar rats. The oral median lethal dose (LD50) of AEPAL was determined in rats. The effects of extract on blood...
Medicinal value of Aptosimum albomarginatum (Marloth and Engl.), Albizia anthelmintica (A. Rich Brongn.) and Dicoma schinzii (O. Hoffm.) to a small community living at Gochas, southern Namibia
December 2017
Traditional medicine is widely used, but its effectiveness is often questioned. Biofilm-producing bacteria and fungi are important in difficult-to-treat persistent and recurrent infections. The present study investigated the anti-biofilm properties of crude methanolic extracts from three medicinal plants used in Namibia, namely Aptosimum albomarginatum (Marloth and Engl.), Albizia anthelmintica (A. Rich Brongn.) and...
Development of emulsion containing watermelon extract for skin aging
December 2017
Watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb) Matsum and Nakai] is rich in vitamins C and B complex, and the red color of its pulp is due to the presence of lycopene. Lycopene is an antioxidant component and it is able to neutralize free radicals especially responsible for skin aging. Thus, a formulation containing lycopene extracted from watermelon was developed, and its physical-chemical stability and in vitro antioxidant...
Phenolic profile and antioxidant capacity of Cnidoscolus chayamansa and Cnidoscolus aconitifolius: A review
December 2017
Research into ancient cultures has yielded a large body of evidence on the use of medicinal plants for preventive and/or therapeutic purposes. Such plants may have many metabolic activities and functions in the body-antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, platelet aggregation inhibitory and immunological and they can act at different molecular levels. This work offers a comprehensive review of research into the phenolic profile...
Bioactivity of bizzy nut extract in prostate cancer cells
December 2017
Cola acuminate is one of the three edible forms of bizzy nut that has been used for medicinal and therapeutic purposes. However, the precise compound responsible for its biological effects has not been completely identified. Using sequential solid--liquid extraction of bizzy nut coupled with bioactive screening, ether extract was obtained (Biz-2) and it possesses tumor inhibitory activity specific for prostate cancer...
Valeriana officinalis and melatonin: Evaluation of the effects in Drosophila melanogaster rapid iterative negative geotaxis (RING) test
November 2017
The rapid iterative negative geotaxis (RING) assay is a commonly used behavioral test in Drosophila based on digital imaging of flies and requires minimal equipment and space. Larval mobility can be used to reliably determine the effect of drugs on locomotion in Drosophila larvae. The effects of Valeriana officinalis extract (VoE) and melatonin (ME) were tested in Drosophila melanogaster flies and larvae. In the RING...
Effects of Tinospora crispa aqueous extract in regulating cholesterol metabolism in human hepatoma cancer cell line (Hep G2)
November 2017
In this study, the ability of Tinospora crispa aqueous extract (TCAE) to regulate cholesterol metabolism in human hepatoma cancer cell line (Hep G2) was determined. Cytotoxic study was performed by exposing hepatoma cell (Hep G2) towards TCAE with concentration ranging from 0.002 to 20 mg/ml for 24 h at 37°C and with 5% CO2 atmosphere. Result revealed that TCAE was not toxic to the cell. The ability of TCAE to...
Antimicrobial evaluation of endophytic fungi extracts isolated from Casearia sylvestris
November 2017
Due to widespread bacterial resistance to commercial antibiotics, the search for capable substances to combating these microorganisms became a priority. In this context, the endophytic fungi gained prominence as potential producers of bioactive substances with pharmacological interest. It is considering that endophytes are still poorly studied, especially in tropical species. The antibacterial and antifungal potential...
Effect of Ephedra foeminea active compounds on cell viability and actin structures in cancer cell lines
November 2017
Ephedra is likely one of the oldest medicinal plants still currently in use. In folk medicine, extracts of Ephedra foeminea are commonly used to treat cancer patients. In relation to its traditional use, the aim of the present study was to determine the cytotoxic activity in vitro of E. foeminea extracts on cancer and non-cancer cells. Cell viability was determined using XTT assay, induction of apoptosis by cell sorting...
Anti-proliferative and cytotoxic effects of methanol extract of the leaves of Momordica charantia L. (Cucurbitaceae) on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and HT-29 cell lines
November 2017
Momordica charantia has been used traditionally for the treatment of several ailments. Some natural plant products are known to exhibit cytotoxic or anti-proliferative effects on cancer cell lines, such plants offer a promising therapeutic approach as an anti-tumor agent. In this study, the anti-proliferative effects of graded concentrations of methanol leaf extract of M. charantia (MEMC) at different point time was...
Phytochemical composition, acute toxicity and phytohormonal activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Pentadesma butyracea (Clusiaceae Sabine (1824)) seeds
November 2017
Pentadesma butyracea is a rainforest species of Clusiaceae family with multi-values for human healthcare according to previous ethnobotanical survey. In spite of this traditional use of P. butyracea, there is a lack of scientific knowledge of its biological activities. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the major phytochemical compounds of P. butyracea hydroalcoholic seeds extract and to assess...
Effect of auxin and cytokinin on phenolic content of Baccharis myriocephala DC. (Asteraceae) produced in vitro
November 2017
A protocol for large-scale in vitro production of Baccharis myriocephala was developed. Total phenolic content was analyzed in plants cultured on MS + 1.0 mg.L-1 of indoleacetic acid (IAA), benzyladenine (BA) or kinetin (KIN). Nodal segments obtained from seeds germinated in vitro on Murashige and Skoog basal medium (MS) were subcultured on MS basal medium, hormone-free or with different growth regulators added: IAA, BA...
Development of a rich fraction in phenolic compounds with high antioxidant and antimicrobial activity in Amburana cearensis seeds extracts
November 2017
Amburana cearensis is a medicinal plant widely used in folk medicine. The purpose of this study was to identify the more appropriate extraction solvent for maximum antioxidant and antimicrobial effect. The extraction of A. cearensis seeds were carried out gradually to obtain the highest yields and constituents of the extracts using as solvent hexane, methanol, 80% alcohol and water in this sequence. Phytochemical...
Revisiting the linkage between ethnomedical use and development of new medicines: A novel plant collection strategy towards the discovery of anticancer agents
October 2017
The Vietnam-Laos International Cooperative Biodiversity Group (ICBG) based at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) catalyzed a country-wide network of medicinal plant preserves (MPP) and medicinal biodiversity preserves (MBP) now established in ten provinces of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), which are relied upon as protected sources of ethnomedicines for local villagers and traditional...
In vitro antimicrobial activity and fatty acid composition through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) of ethanol extracts of Mauritia flexuosa (Buriti) fruits
October 2017
In this study, the chemical composition of the peel and pulp of Mauritia flexuosa fruits were analyzed and the antimicrobial activity of ethanolic extracts from these fruits was evaluated using in vitro tests. Chemical composition analysis with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) indicated the presence of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. The peel extracts (ECBU) presented 54.41% and the pulp (EPBU)...
Immunoregulatory activity of root bark of Cassia sieberiana D.C. in a modified adjuvant-induced arthritis in rat
October 2017
The present study seeks to evaluate the immunoregulatory effects of extracts of the root bark of Cassia sieberiana, a plant used in Ghana for various painful inflammatory conditions, in a modified adjuvant arthritis model induced by administration of very low dose of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MT) – carrageenan mixture in the rat. A volume of 0.1 mg kg-1 heat killed MT in paraffin oil was mixed with equal volume...
Gastroprotective effect of the aqueous fraction of hydroacetonic leaf extract of Eugenia uniflora L. (Myrtaceae) (pitanga) against several gastric ulcer models in mice
October 2017
Eugenia uniflora L. (Myrtaceae) is popularly known in Brazil as pitanga or ibitanga. The infusion of E. uniflora leaves is being used in folk medicine as anti-diarrheal. The present study sought to evaluate the gastroprotective potential of the aqueous fraction of hydroacetonic leaf extract of pitanga (AFHP). The leaf powder of pitanga was extracted with 50% acetone using an overhead stirrer apparatus at room...
Chemical composition, antibacterial and antimycoplasma activities of four Eugenia species growing in Brazil
October 2017
The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of four unexplored Eugenia species: Eugenia brevistyla, Eugenia handroana, Eugenia catharinae and Eugenia stigmatosa. Eight extracts and eighteen fractions were screened for their antibacterial activity against some selected bacteria including Mycoplasma. Phytochemical screening revealed that the plants were rich in terpenes and...
Methoxy-flavones identified from Ageratum conyzoides induce capase -3 and -7 activations in Jurkat cells
October 2017
New therapies for leukemia are urgently needed due to adverse side effects, tumor resistance and lack of selectivity of many chemotherapeutic agents in clinical use. Ageratum conyzoides has been used in folklore medicine for managing leukemia and other cancers. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of fractions, sub-fractions and purified compounds from the ethanol leaf extracts of A. conyzoides against...
The antibacterial and antifungal analysis of crude extracts from the leaves and bark of Pimenta species found in Jamaica
October 2017
Due to the rapid increase in the number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, medicinal plants are being studied as new and promising alternatives to conventional antibiotic treatment. The crude hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts from Pimenta dioica, Pimenta jamaicensis and Pimenta racemosa were quantitatively assessed to determine their antimicrobial susceptibility and potency using zones of inhibition methods,...
Chemical variability of wild bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) populations in northern part of Albania
October 2017
The objective of this study was to evaluate the content of anthocyanin and total phenols, in some wild bilberry populations, grown in natural conditions in northern Albania. This study aimed at identifying the wild bilberry populations, whose fruits are rich in anthocyanin and as such, can be selected and cultivated for production in the future. Thirteen bilberry fruit (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) samples were collected...
Ethno-botanical survey of medicinal plants used for the management of depression by Hausa tribes of Kaduna State, Nigeria
September 2017
The objective of this study is to conduct an ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used in management of depression among Hausa tribes in order to establish an informational data base. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted in December 2015 in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Data were collected based on an oral interview with the aid of semi structured questionnaire. Only data from willing respondents were obtained...
Phytochemical standardization of hydroalcoholic extracts of ishpingo, Ocotea quixos (Lam.) Kosterm
September 2017
Investigations have proved the presence of components such as cinamaldehyde, cinamyl acetate and phenolic compounds in Ocotea quixos, these components have been attributed to antimicrobial disinfectants, antifungal and healing activities. It is important to point out that, to evaluate any biological activity, it is necessary to have standardized extracts to obtain reliable and reproducible results. The present...
Diversity of medicinal plants used in the treatment of skin diseases in Tabuk region, Saudi Arabia
September 2017
Saudi Arabia has a unique floral diversity due to its remarkable diversity in the ecological habitats. Many plant species are widely applied in traditional medicine to treat several diseases. In the present study, ethnobotanical survey of plant species in Tabuk Region (Saudi Arabia) was carried out describing their uses in treating skin diseases. The results showed that a total of 51 plants species belonging to 40...
Ethnomedicinal practices and phytochemical assessment of Uraria lagopoides (L.) DC. around Mayurjharna Reserve, Eastern India
September 2017
Plants have been used from ancient times in India for various systems of medicine like ayurveda, unani, homoeopathy, allopathy, siddha, ethnic, etc., to attempt cares for diseases and to relieve physical and mental sufferings. The aim of the study was to ascertain multiple usages of Uraria lagopoides in the outskirts of Mayurjharna and presence of phytochemicals in leaves and roots through standard tests for metabolites...
Preliminary phytochemical analysis and the effect of Agave sisalana on body weight and defensive behaviours in ovariectomized rats
September 2017
Agave sisalana is a plant belonging to the Agavaceae family. Sisal juice is constituted of steroidic saponins which are precursor molecules of many pharmacologically active steroids. These precursor molecules can act in brain structures that are related to the modulation of emotional disorders. They can act on energy metabolism or directly on the absorptive process of fats. The objective of this research was to identify...
The genus Calea L.: A review of isolated compounds and biological activities
September 2017
The approximately 125 species of the genus Calea L. (Asteraceae) are distributed throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. Some species have medicinal properties. Based on popular knowledge, different phytochemical and pharmacological activities have been the focus of research. This review aims to provide an overview of the current state of knowledge of medicinal uses, chemical constituents, and...
Chemical composition of the essential oil of Viola serpens from Bageshwar (Shama), Uttarakhad, India
August 2017
The families Violaceae (alternatively known as Alsodeiace or Leoniaceae or Retrosepalaceae) comprise twenty genera and about 800 species. Viola serpens belongs to family Violaceae and commonly known as “Banafsa”. It is a small glabrous, perennial herb, which is found throughout India in moist woods and hilly districts. The essential oil of aerial parts of V. serpens, were extracted by steam distillation. The...
In vitro anti-infective and antioxidant activities of Garcinia cola Heckel and Morinda lucida Benth
August 2017
Garcinia cola also known as “bitter cola” (Guttiferae) is a plant with a wide usage of its parts for various medicinal purposes. The seeds are chewed as aphrodisiac and for the treatment of coughs, dysentery and liver inflammation. Morinda lucida (Rubiaceae) commonly called “great morinda” has been shown to have antimalarial and anti-pyretic activities. This study aimed at evaluating the...
Page 7 of 77, showing 50 records out of 3838 total, starting on record 301, ending on 350
