Journal of Herbal Medicine Research

Background: Oxidative stress is a situation where the cell no longer controls the excessive presence of toxic oxygen radicals. Many human diseases have a strong relationship with oxidative stress due to an imbalance between antioxidants and pro-oxidants. The objective of this study is to evaluate the in vivo antioxidant capacity of Theobroma cacao (T.cacao) beans extract and its acute toxicity. Methods: T. cacao beans were collected in the Obala locality (Center Cameroon) and then subjected to hydroethanolic extraction (70:30) at pH 3. The in vivo oxidative stress induction was done using naphthalene at 110 mg / kg and different doses of extracts (50 mg / kg, 100 mg / kg, and 200 mg / kg) were orally administered to rats. Some oxidative stress parameters helped to evaluate the antioxidant potential of the extract (superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA)). In addition, the acute toxicity of T. cacao was evaluated by the methods recommended by the ODCE. Test groups received respectively the extract at different doses (5000 mg / kg and 2000 mg / kg) against 10% of DMSO and distilled water as neutral controls. Hepatic function was assessed using transaminase assays (ASAT, ALAT), proteins and histological sections. Also the blood count allowed to explore the haematological function. Results: The administration of different doses of extracts or vitamin C as standard significantly increased GSH levels as well as antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT) and a significant decrease in MDA in studied organs and serum of animals compared to pro-oxidant control. ALAT and ASAT activities did not significantly vary in rats compared to neutral controls. No deaths and hepatic injuries were observed at different doses of the extracts. Conclusion: The extract of T. cacao beans possess in vivo antioxidant capacities capable of protecting tissues against oxidative stress and toxicity in…

Synthetic drugs available for the treatment of chronic and infectious diseases are very expensive and some of them have become less effective due to the emergence of antibiotic resistance. Researchers are now focused on natural sources including plants and plant parts for the development of novel therapeutic agents. Therefore, this study evaluated in vitro anti-bacterial activity and phytochemical composition of aqueous and methanolic root extracts of Sri Lankan medicinal plant Heteropogon contortus against clinically significant pathogens, Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923). Agar well diffusion method and standard chemical tests were performed to evaluate anti-bacterial effect and phytochemical profile of the root extracts, respectively. The results revealed that each crude root extract exhibited anti-bacterial activity against both E. coli and S. aureus. The largest zones of inhibition against both E. coli and S. aureus were detected from the methanolic root extract at a concentration of 200 mg/mL and this is a novel finding. Phytochemical analysis of roots revealed the presence of bioactive constituents that account for the anti-bacterial potential, such as alkaloids, phenols and flavonoids. Thereby, root of H. contortus is a reliable source to develop potent, cheap and natural anti-bacterial agents. Future research focusing on high concentrations of different root extracts is recommended to further understand the anti-bacterial capability of H. contortus.

Cancer is a disease characterized by the multiplication and spread out of control in the form of anomalous cells. A normal cell becomes cancerous cells as a result of one or more mutations of DNA. Marine algae are a rich source of bioactive compounds, some of which are precursors of pharmacological tools and potentially useful substances for the development of new drugs. The present study aims to evaluate the antitumor activity of Caulerpa taxifolia front of Sarcoma 180 in albino mice (Mus musculus). The transplanted animals with sarcoma 180 (n = 24), were divided into four groups (n = 6) treated with two extracts: the MeOH extract (T1) and from hydroalcoholic C. taxifolia (T2) at a dose of 50 mg/kg ip. The control group (S1) received saline for the same route of administration. The default group (S2) received the reference drug to the tumor lineage. The data revealed that the S3 and S4 group responded to treatment with reduction of 63.6 and 42, 0 % respectively, as compared to EN/PA, when compared with the control group. The activities of extracts were higher than those of the reference drug for the Sarcoma 180.

To proceed this study, corn seeds (Coca-sr variety) and rice (Nerica L.56) were germinated over period of 240 hours. Flours and raw extracts produced were used to prepare fermented maize gruels (17.5% of DM) and the flow rates were evaluated using the Botswick consistometer. We noticed from these analyses that the germinated corn Coca-sr variety, in the form of ARF and its extracts presented an optimum fluidification power at 120 h of germination. As for the ARF of Nerica L.56, an optimum fluidification level was observed for the extract at 168 h contrarily to 72 h for the flour. The use of ARF and extracts from corn (Coca-sr) and rice (Nerica L.56) at 2 % and 2.5 mL resulted in a reduction of their consistency (gruels). Coca-sr ARF at a rate of 2 % fluidifies the gruel of fermented corn hence multipliying the energy density and nutritional value (3.57) more than with its extract and the different forms of the incorporation of rice.

The Jammu and Kashmir state is covered by lofty mountains hang dense forests everywhere consists of three divisions i.e., Jammu division, Kashmir division and Ladakh division, and the state is further divided into 22 districts. Kashmir division consists of 10 districts each whereas Ladakh division consists of 2 districts. Srinagar is the summer capital of J&K state. Plants have been traditionally used for hundreds of years throughout globe as a source of medicine. Forest resources in the state of Jammu and Kashmir have played the most significant role in the economy of the state. The present study was conducted to know the attitude of women towards use of medicinal plants in Kashmir valley. In this paper, a well designed and validated questionnaire was used to collect the information from a sample of 400 women who visited unani hospitals selected randomly from Srinagar district of Kashmir valley. The results of our study showed that women show positive attitude towards the use of medicinal plants during illness. The women’s under study further revealed that due to less expenditure and side effect of modern medicines they are encouraged by elders to use medicinal plants for treatment. It is concluded from our study that there is an urgent need of giving mass awareness on importance of forests and medicinal plants to the women of Kashmir valley. Finally, in this paper, we discuss the importance of medicinal plants and suggestions were given which definitely help in conservation of the fast eroding precious medicinal plants of the Kashmir valley.

Introduction: The lack of medical care, pharmaceutical and economic crisis, such as information on the use of medicinal plants, developing an empirical knowledge about the use of nature. A Brazilian popular medicine reflects the knowledge transmitted as generations that spread their knowledge about a medicinal flora, becoming as medicinal plants tools in pharmaceutical care. Ceará is rich in medicinal species endemic to the region, traditionally inhabited by the population, but little explored by pharmacology. Objective: To evaluate how plants in folk medicine and diverse forms of application by the communities of the municipality of Milagres in Ceará. Methodology: The research was carried out in the municipality of Milagres-CE, between November and December, through the questionnaire applied in several points of the city and rural area for consumers and raizeiros. Results: The most common plants in this community are: Lemon grass, Anise, Lemon balm, Spearmint and Eucalyptus. Reports of the interviewees showed that the treatment with medicinal plants resulted in the improvement up to 100% of the pathology. Conclusion: The population makes use of listed species treatment of pathologies indiscriminately. A study is needed on the use of medicinal plants in this region and a transmission of knowledge to a population.

The present investigation was carried out during January 2016 to December 2016 for the documentation of medicinal uses of Pteridophytes by indigenous people of Ahobilam reserve forest of Nallamalais forest of Eastern Ghats of Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh,India. Ethnomedicinal information n was gathered through questionnaire from the tribal and non-tribal people. We have reported 8 species of medicinally important Pteridophytes belonging to 6 families distributed in 7 genera. Our study concluded that, the wealth of indigenous ethnomedicinal knowledge of Pteridophytes may also points to a great potential for research in the discovery of new drugs to fight diseases and other new uses. Their conservation is urgently required.

The review article focus on Gangrene and its associated amputations are clinically challenging, but Homoeopathy offers therapy options. In this case are presented, in which the homoeopathic treatment prevented amputation of a body part. Homoeopathy stimulates the body’s ability to heal through its immune mechanisms; consequently, it achieves wound healing and establishes circulation to the gangrenous part. Instead of focusing on the local phenomena of gangrene pathology, treatment focuses on the general indications of the immune system, stressing the important role of the immune system as a whole. The aim was to show, through case reports, that homoeopathic therapy can treat gangrene without amputing the gangrenous part, and hence has a strong substitution for consideration in treating gangrene.

Background: Shigru (Moringa Oleifera Lam.) is a well known drug in Ayurveda used for its Krimighna activity (ability to kill the pathogens). Acharya Charaka had mentioned Shigru in Krimighna Mahakashaya1. Nighantus had specifically mentioned Krimighna activity of Shigru Patra viz. Kaiyadeva Nighantu2, Raj Nighantu3 and Shaligram4 Nighantu. Therefore Patra churna (powder of leaves) is selected for evaluation of anti bacterial activity on the strains which affects a large number of population. Methods : Shigru Patra churna at different concentrations viz. 5µl, 10µl, 25µl, 50µl and 75µl were tested for anti bacterial activity by Disc Diffusion method for 2 strains of Gram positive and 2 strains of Gram negative bacteria each, with DMSo (Dimethyl Sulphoxide) a neutral solvent. Zone of Inhibition was calculated. Result : Shigru Patra inhibits growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas auringinosa and Escheria coli at higher concentrations of 50µl and 75µl and is resistant to Streptococcus mutans at all concentrations. Zone of inhibition was 13mm for Staphylococcus aureus, 12mm for Pseudomonas auringinosa and 15mm for Escheria coli and activity index were 0.86, 0.40 and 0.50 respectively. Conclusion : Shigru Patra possess good anti bacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas auringinosa and Escheria coli.

Epilepsy, a common chronic neurological disorder characterized by repeated, spontaneous seizures, also known as seizure disorder. Seizure related neuronal injury has been assumed to be mediated by glutamate, the excitatory amino acid, in the central nervous system that causes a sudden imbalance between the inhibitory and excitatory signals in the brain with glutamate, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), noradrenaline, serotonin, and dopamine. Since long term usage of antiepileptic drugs cause high incidence of pharmacoresistence and untoward side effects, attention has been paid in recent years to screen bioactive compounds from natural medicinal plants for treatment of several neurological disorders including Epilepsy. Keeping in view of relative importance of natural medicinal plants, the present study is mainly focused to characterize the anti-convulsant effect of Bacopa monnieri (BM), an Indian herb which is being extensively used in Ayurvedic treatments related to neurological complications. The present study is designed to assess the neurotoxicity of Pentylene tetrazole (PTZ), an epileptic compounds, on the Glutamate metabolism and Amino transferases in different brain regions (Cerebral cortex, Cerebellum, Pons medulla and Hippocampus) of rat and to explore the possible antiepileptic effect of different extracts (Ethanol, n-Hexane, Chloroform, Ethyl acetate, n-Butanol and Aqueous extracts) of BM in comparison with Diazepam (DZ) (Reference control). The activities of glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), glutamine synthetase (GS) and glutamine content were decreased in different regions of brain during PTZ induced epilepsy which were increased in epileptic rats pretreated with different extracts of Bacopa monnieri except EAE and AE. Glutaminase activity was increased in PTZ induced epilepsy and decreased on pretreatment with all the extracts of BM except AE. In addition aspartate (AAT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) activity levels were increased during PTZ induced epilepsy when compared with normal control and levels were reversed on pretreatment with different extracts of BM. Recoveries of these parameters during…