September 2013

Spasmolytic activity of Hyptis macrostachys Benth. (Lamiaceae)

Hyptis is a worldwide genus cited by its medicinal uses. Hyptis macrostachys Benth., a species popularly known in Brazil as “alfavaca-brava” and “hortelã‑do‑mato”, is used in folk medicine to relief asthma, cough and bronchitis symptoms. Thus, this study investigated a possible spasmolytic effect of the aerial parts ethanol extract from H. macrostachys Benth....

Author(s): Iara Leão Luna de Souza, Gislaine Alves de Oliveira, Rafael de Almeida Travassos,Luiz Henrique César Vasconcelos, Ana Carolina de Carvalho Correia, Italo Rossi Roseno Martins, Massilon da Silva Moreira dos Santos Júnior, Vicente Carlos de Oliveira Costa, Josean Fechine Tavares, Marcelo Sobral da Silva, and Bagnólia Araújo da Silva,

September 2013

Antioxidant and antifungal activity of selected plant species used in traditional medicine

In vitro antifungal activity of acetone, methanol, hexane and dichloromethane leaf extracts of six plant species (Bucida buceras, Breonadia salicina, Harpephyllum caffrum, Olinia ventosa, Vangueria infausta and Xylotheca kraussiana) was determined using a serial dilution assay against Aspergillus fumigatus. These plant species were selected from 600 evaluated, inter alia, against two...

Author(s): S. M. Mahlo, H. R. Chauke , L. J. McGaw, J. N. Eloff

September 2013

Inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of cyclooxygenase-2 by Zingiber cassumunar Roxb. constituents in human dental pulp cells

Dental pulp inflammation expresses many pro-inflammatory cytokines; interleukins, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Inflammatory reduction and promoting regeneration of dental pulp cells are advantage for dental pulp healing. Zingiber cassumunar Roxb. (Phlai) has anti-inflammatory activity which may be applied to decrease inflammation in dental pulp tissues. The present study had aimed...

Author(s): Visakha Aupaphong, Thaweephol Dechatiwongse Na Ayudhya, and Sittichai Koontongkaew,

September 2013

Using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint distinguish producing area and grown years of Shanxi Astragalus

So far, there has been no advanced method to assure the quality control for Astragalus. However, this paper summarizes a fingerprinting approach, which based on developed high performance liquid chromatography to provide reference for the scientific evaluation of the intrinsic quality of Astragalus. To assess the chemical content of Astragalus in different years and different producing areas, we determined 22 batches of...

Author(s): Huihui Zhao, Yang Liu, Chenglong Zheng, Shuwen Guo, Baosheng Zhao, Na Hou, Gang Wu, Yangqing Liu and Wei Wang

September 2013

Effect of ethanol extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. calyx on Streptococcus sanguinis viability in vitro biofilm based on crystal violet

Most dental and gingival pathology were triggered by oral biofilm which consisted ofStreptococcus sanguinis as an early colonizer. S. sanguinis could elicit some pathological events such as dental caries, periodontal diseases. One of the strategies to achieve such result is with antimicrobial therapy. The widely known gold standard is the utilization of chlorhexidine which has also been known to discolor...

Author(s): Trijani Suwandi, Dewi Fatma Suniarti and Siti Wuryan Prayitno

September 2013

Antibacterial, antioxidant, cytotoxic activities and preliminary phytochemical screening of extracts from Combretum schumannii Engl.

Combretum schumannii Engl. is a plant documented in traditional medicine system for treatment of headache, oedema and pneumonia in some areas of North Eastern Tanzania. In the present study, extracts from parts of this plant were assessed for antibacterial, antioxidant capacity and cytotoxic activities to establish rationale for its use in traditional medicine. Dried leaves, fruits, stem bark and roots...

Author(s): Zakaria H. Mbwambo, Novatus F. Mushi, Ramadhani S. O. Nondo, Abdul W. Kidukuli and Denis T. Mwangomo