medicinal & Aromatic plants Research Papers (original) (raw)

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- Sociology, Ethnobotany, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Biology
- by Busani Moyo
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- Ethnopharmacology, Linear models, South Africa, Animals

Although the majority of serious cases in the world are concerned with snake bite envenomation, but those which are caused by scorpion stings are also famous for causing extreme pain. The present view is an attempt to enlist scientifically ignored medicinal plants of Pakistan exhibiting anti-scorpion venom activity. In this review data of 35 medicinal plants is collected with their families, parts used, distribution in Pakistan, and major constituents present in plant. Amaranthaceae, Astraceae and Euphorbiaceae represent 3 species. Anacardiaceae, Asclepidaceae and Liliaceae represent 2 species. Araceae, Capparidaceae, Ceasalpinaceae, Cyperaceae, Labiatae, Lamiaceae, Meliaceae, Menispermaceae, Oleaceae, Oxalidaceae, Pinaceae, Polygonaceae, Rhamnaceae, Rubiaceae, Solanaceae, Valerianaceae and Zingiberaceae represented single medicinal plant with anti scorpion potential. According to literature, all parts are used in anti scorpion envenomination. Leaves exhibit 30%, whole plant 9%, fru...

- by ashif sajjad
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- Ethnobotany, Traditional Medicine, Pakistan, Medicinal Plants

Guggul - an oleo-resin gum of immense medicinal value is tapped from a bushy shrub Commiphora wightii (Arnott) Bhandari distributed in semi-arid and rocky regions in Indian sub continent. C. wightii is an IUCN data deficient plant. Increase in the annual demand of guggul gum to the tune of 1000 metric ton, there is an increase in destructive tapping of C. wightii, which is a serious concern. Generally guggul gum from the site of its tapping to the site of processing or value addition being distantly far off, improper post harvest handling, storage and transport results in qualitative loss of its crucial bio-active compounds. Among the four containers (earthen clay pot, plastic jar, polythene bag and jute bag) evaluated for long term storage of guggul the earthen clay pot was the best in terms of Total Guggulsterone (TG) content. In earthen clay pot the TG of guggul gum was maintained over 1% for four months while Total Volatile Oils (TVO) 1% for nine months. In jute bag TG rapidly d...

- by Niraj Tripathi
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- Chemical Engineering, Plant Ecology, Medicinal Chemistry, Ayurvedic Medicine

Increased bacterial resistance towards commonly used antibiotics has become a debated issue all over the world in a last few decades. Due to this, consumer demand towards natural anti-microbial agents is increasing day by day. Natural anti-microbial agents have gained enormous attention as an alternative therapeutic agent in pharmaceutical industry. Current study is an effort to explore and identify a bactericidal potential of various solvent extracts of Calotropis procera flower. Flowers of C. procera were extracted with hexane, butanol, ethyl acetate and aqua to evaluate the antibacterial activity by agar well diffusion method against the various human pathogens. The microorganisms used in this study includes Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli (O157:H7), Micrococcus luteus KIBGE-IB20 (Gen Bank accession: JQ250612) and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) KIBGE-IB23 (Gen Bank accession: KC465400). Zones of inhibition were observed against all four pathogenic strains. ...

- by Asma Ansari (KIBGE)
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- Biology, Medicinal Plants, Medicine, Phytotherapy

Adaptogens are medicinal plants that augment resistance to stress, and increase concentration, performance and endurance during fatigue. Experiments were curried out with BALB/c mice taking ADAPT-232 forte, a fixed combination of three genuine (native) extracts of Eleutherococcus senticocus, Schisandra chinensis and Rhodiola rosea, characterised for the content of active markers eleutherosides, schisandrins, salidroside, tyrosol and rosavin and in doses of about 30, 90 and 180 mg/kg for seven consecutive days followed by forced swimming test to exhaustion. ADAPT-232 forte strongly augments endurance of mice, increasing the time taken to exhaustion (TTE) in a dose-dependent manner from 3.0±0.5 to 21.1±1.7 min, approximately seven fold. Serum Hsp72 was measured by EIA both in normal and stressful conditions before and after swimming test. Repeated administration of adaptogen dose dependently increases basal level of Hsp72 in serum of mice from 0.8–1.5 to 5.5–6.3 pg/ml. This effect is ...

- by Lisa Andreeva
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- Chemistry, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Plant Biology, Medicine

The known flavone, chrysin (1) and the known flavone glycoside, chrysin -7-O-(β-D-glucopyranoside) (2) to- gether with vomifoliol, loliode and cinnamic acid have been isolated for the first time from the leaves and flowers of Ca- lycotome spinosa (L.). Lamk, theirs structures were esta blished on the basis of spectroscopic technical; 1 H-, 13 C-NMR, 2D NMR and MS (I.E).

- by Samir Benayache
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- Chemistry, medicinal & Aromatic plants

Plants are the major source of therapeutic ingredients in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). However, species adulteration in traded medicinal plant raw drugs threatens the reliability and safety of CAM. Since morphological features of medicinal plants are often not intact in the raw drugs, DNA barcoding was employed for species identification. Adulteration in 112 traded raw drugs was tested after creating a reference DNA barcode library consisting of 1452 rbcL and matK barcodes from 521 medicinal plant species. Species resolution of this library was 74.4%, 90.2%, and 93.0% for rbcL, matK, and rbcL + matK, respectively. DNA barcoding revealed adulteration in about 20% of the raw drugs, and at least 6% of them were derived from plants with completely different medicinal or toxic properties. Raw drugs in the form of dried roots, powders, and whole plants were found to be more prone to adulteration than rhizomes, fruits, and seeds. Morphological resemblance, co-occurrence, m...

- by Kornkanok Ingkaninan
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- Surveys, medicinal & Aromatic plants, Enzyme activity

Context: One of the world's most widespread and frequent liver diseases is the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Aims: To evaluate the preventives activities of Ruzu herbal bitters (RHB), which is an anti-obesity therapeutic concoction used widely in Nigeria on high-fat diet (HFD) induced NAFLD in albino Wistar rats. Methods: A total number of twenty-five rats were isolated and divided equally into five groups. Group 1, the normal control group was placed on normal rat diet and normal saline (1 mL/kg body weight daily) for twelve weeks. The remaining four groups 2-5 were placed on HFD for twelve weeks; adding to the following treatment schedules by oral gavage: group 2 received pioglitazone 4 mg/kg daily, group 3 received RHB 0.6 mL/kg daily, group 4 received normal saline 1 mL/kg daily and group 5 received fenofibrate 10 mg/kg daily (s.c). The animals were sacrificed and biochemical markers of liver function, lipid profile, glycemic index, and histopathological assessment of the liver of the rats were determined. Results: Rat treated with RHB and other treated groups significantly (p<0.05) reduced the liver index, fasting blood glucose, and activities and concentrations of liver function enzymes and molecules when compared to untreated NAFLD group. Scoring of hepatic steatosis also showed the ameliorative role of the treatment on NAFLD. Conclusions: This study reveals that RHB and other treatment options assessed could prevent HFD-induced NAFLD and could be explored as another therapeutic approach to fenofibrate and pioglitazone in NAFLD management.

- by Journal Pharmacy Pharmacognosy Res JPPRes and +1
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- Obesity, Fat Studies, Medicinal Plants, Liver diseases

The study examine the antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of the ethanolic and aqueous leaf extracts of ten selected Indian medicinal plants namely, Psidium guajava, Mangifera indica, Polyalthia longifolia, Allium cepa, Phyllanthus amarus, Thespesia populnea, Ricinus communis, Physalis angulata, Ixora coccinea, and Vinca rosea using 2, 2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging assay, total phenol content (TPC) and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP) methods. In DPPH scavenging assay, the highest radical scavenging effect was found in ethanolic extract of Psidium guajava (94.48±0.07) and the least in ethanolic extract of Physalis angulata (9.58±0.65). The TPC and FRAP value followed similar trend with highest found in Ixora coccinea ethanolic extract (427.25±0.86), (554.93±2.37) and lowest in Vinca rosea aqueous extract (41.04±1.58) and Physalis angulata ethanolic extract (111.94±6.34) respectively. All the plant extracts showed strong scavenging and reducing power...

- by Femi John Fawole
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- Chemistry, Traditional Medicine, Biology, Medicinal Plants

This study was carried out to explore the survival and growth performance of stevia cutting under different growing media at CIMAP, Research Centre Purara, Uttarakhand. Results indicate that vermicompost + soil + FYM in ratio 1:1:1 had recorded highest survival of cutting (74.51 %), number of branches (12), plant height (17.14 cm), number of leaves/plant (35), fresh weight/plant (7.74 g), dry weight/plant (1.92 g), number of root/plant (20) and root length (14.34 cm). Finally concluded that growing media significantly influenced the survival rate of cutting, growth and development parameter of stevia sapling in which media vermicompost + soil + FYM was best media since the survival of cutting and development parameters were higher than those on the other media, therefore this result suggested that vermicompost + soil + FYM should be used as a growing media.

- by Prawal Psv
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- medicinal & Aromatic plants

The aim of our research work was to quantify total flavonoid contents in the leaves of 13 plant species family Asteraceae, 8 representatives of family Lamiaceae and 9 plant species belonging to family Rosaceae, using the multiplex fluorimetric sensor. Fluorescence was measured using optical fluorescence apparatus Multiplex(R) 3 (Force-A, France) for non-destructive flavonoids estimation. The content of total flavonoids was estimated by FLAV index (expressed in relative units), that is deduced from flavonoids UV absorbing properties. Among observed plant species, the highest amount of total flavonoids has been found in leaves of Helianthus multiflorus (1.65 RU) and Echinops ritro (1.27 RU), Rudbeckia fulgida (1.13 RU) belonging to the family Asteraceae. Lowest flavonoid content has been observed in the leaves of marigold (Calendula officinalis) (0.14 RU) also belonging to family Asteraceae. The highest content of flavonoids among experimental plants of family Rosaceae has been estima...

- by Oksana Sytar
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- Sensors and Sensing, Biology, Medicinal Plants, Flavonoids
- by Hisashi Matsuda
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- Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Saponins, Blood Glucose, Tea

In the present work, preliminary phytochemical screening tests were performed on extracts of Creston apple seeds.
Extraction was performed using two methods, which are serial Soxhlet extraction and kinetic maceration utilizing water,
methanol, chloroform, and n-hexane as extraction solvents. Three coumarin derivatives acquired from chloroform
extract in the order of increasing polarity were isolated via column chromatography and one of them was chemically
modified by esterification, Fries rearrangement, and methylation afforded three semisynthetic derivatives. Detection
of physicochemical properties and analysis of FTIR, 1
H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectra of the natural and semisynthetic
coumarins were used to identify their structures. In vitro cytotoxic activity of the aforementioned coumarin derivatives
was studied on three cancer cell lines, which are MCF-7, AMN3, and HeLa using MTT assay. The results indicated
that compounds N3, S4, S5 and S6 have IC50 values lower than that of 5- fluorouracil against MCF-7 cell line and all
compounds have higher IC50 values than that of 5-fluorouracil against AMN3 and HeLa cell lines.

- by Dr. Naveen Gaurav
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- Pharmacology, Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Agricultural Biotechnology
- by Sarabeth Brockley
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- Historical Archaeology, Climate Change, Ethnobotany, Conservation Biology
- by Anna Blázovics
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- Medicinal Plants, Flavonoids, Antioxidants, Antioxidant Activity

Influenza infection remains a major health threat for animals and humans which crucially requires effective antiviral remedies. The usage of herbal medications as readily available alternatives for their compatibility with the body and fewer side effects compared to synthetic chemical treatments has become popular globally. The aim of this study was to investigate and screen in vitro anti-influenza activity of extracts of five South African medicinal plants, namely Tabernaemontana ventricosa, Cussonia spicata, Rapanea melanophloeos, Pittosporum viridiflorum and Clerodendrum glabrum, species which are used traditionally for the treatment of several diseases such as inflammatory and respiratory diseases. Methanol, ethanol (100% and 30%), acetone, hot and cold water extracts of the powdered plants leaves were obtained by standard methods. The cytotoxicity was determined by the MTT colorimetric assay on MDCK cells. The concentrations below CC values were tested for antiviral activity ag...

- by behrokh farahmand
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- Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Medicinal Plants, Dogs, South Africa

The purpose of this article is to study and to verify the therapeutic effects and margin of safety of traditional medicines used by the tribal community for treating various diseases as described in ancient literature found in our country. Herbs have been important contributors to the quality of human life for thousands of years. Herbal medicine is the oldest and most widely used form of medicine in the world today. Throughout history plants have served humankind as valuable components of seasonings, teas, cosmetics, dyes, and medicines. Medicinal plants have a traditionally important position in the socio-cultural, spiritual, and medicinal arena of rural and tribal lives throughout the world; India is rich in indigenous herbal resources due to its diverse climatic and soil conditions and multiple ecological regions. In Himalayan region of India, more than 2000 medicinal plant species exist. Although medicinal plants have been used since long, their scientific substantiation has recently been initiated. Looking into the steady expansion in the global population and prevalence of various diseases, such studies are the need of time to ensure availability of drugs in sustainable manner from natural sources for future generations. Based on the therapeutic and commercial importance of medicinal plants, the Cyperus rotundus has been undertaken to evaluate various ethnopharmacological parameters, as it has been used by number of tribal communities in Central part and Southern part of India. According to the WHO estimates about 80% of the of the world's population (mostly in developing countries) rely on traditional medicine, almost plant-based drugs, for their primary healthcare needs. Plants products also play an important role in the health-care systems of the remaining 20% of the population residing in developed countries. Currently, at least 122 phytoconstituents, derived from 94 plant species, can be considered as important drugs that are in use in one or more countries as therapeutic agents.

- by Dr. Pushpendra Kumar Jain
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- Pharmacology, Pharmacy, Traditional Medicine, Ethnopharmacology

Stevia is a recently cultivated kitchen garden as vegetables and on a large scale by entrepreneurs in Ethiopia for herbal production due to its potential uses as the sweetener (250-330 times sweeter than table sugar). The demand for Stevia currently increased due to its low calories and medicinal values. However, there is no such information about their Nutritional profile evaluation in dried form and its infusion in Ethiopia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate of dried Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana bertoni) Leaf and its infusion Nutritional profile. The dried Stevia leaf had 5.5 g/100 g moisture, 8.2 g/100 g ash,16.2 g/100 g crude protein, 3.8 g/100 g crude fat, 7.9 g/100 g crude fiber, 58.8 g/100 g carbohydrate,359.6 mg/100 g Ca, 102.9 mg/100 g Na,347.4 mg/100 g K, 324.1 mg/100 g Mg, 297.9 mg/100 g Fe, 3.7 mg/100 g Zn, 1.1 mg/100 g Cu and 9.4 mg/100 g Mn, 5.3 mg GAE*/g Total Phenolic Content (TPC), 28.6 mg CE/g Total Flavonoid Content (TFC), 4.6 mg CE/g Condensed Tannin Content...

- by Tesfu Bekele
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- Chemistry, medicinal & Aromatic plants

Dans ce papier nous relatons les principales conclusions retenues des visites d'un nombre d'unités de recherche sur les substances naturelles d'une part et de discussions menées avec des chercheurs éminents sur les PAM à J'échelle nationale d'autre part. Confrontées aux résultats du Premier Carrefour Recherche/Industrie, tenu à l'Université Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdel!ah (USMBA), Fès (EL MESKAOUI ET AL. 2005), ces conclusions nous permettent de découler sur des orientations stratégiques relatives à ce secteur.

Context: Pithecellobium dulce (PD) is an annual herbaceous plant commonly used in African traditional medicine as a purgative, antipyretic, anti-ulcer and wound dressing agent. Aims: To evaluate the acute and sub-acute toxicity of P. dulce stem bark hydroethanolic extract in Wistar rats. Methods: In the acute test, a single dose of 5 g/kg body weight was administered to Wistar rats afterwards they were observed individually 4 hours post-dosing, and at least once daily for 14 consecutive days. The sub-acute toxicity was evaluated by daily oral administration of 0.5 and 1 g/kg extract, for 28 days. Biochemical and hematological parameters assessment as well as body and organ weights of the rats were carried out. Results: The limit dose of 5 g/kg did not cause any mortality or signs of acute toxicity on the rats during the experimentation period. In the sub-acute test, uterus-ovary-trompe (UOT) weight decreased dose-dependently: Control group (0.82 ± 0.03 g); Extract 0.5 g/kg (0.57 ± 0.06 g); Extract 1g/kg (0.48 ± 0.01 g) (p ˂ 0.01). Extract lowered urea values in female group treated with 1 g/kg (p < 0.01). Lymphocytes percentage was dose dependently increased in treated male groups: Control group (53.00 ± 0.58%); extract 0.5 g/kg (58.67 ± 0.67%) and extract 1 g/kg (60.67 ± 2.41%). Conclusions: These findings suggest that PD is relatively safe when administered orally in rats but is slightly atrophic for female reproductive organs.

Aswagandha (Withania somnifera) is an ornamental and medicinal plant. It is used as a medicinal plant from the ancestor era. Parts of this plant used as a medicine for curing different diseases. Aurveda describes its medicinal use for human beings. The Sanskrit name " ashva " meaning horse and " gandha " meaning smelling was given to this plant due to the smell of the roots resembling a sweating horse. [1] Currently around 200 traditional medicinal formulae are prepared in Ayurveda, Sid-dha and Unani systems using this plant. All the plant parts are credited with medicinal properties. [2] Parts of plant used for curing different types of diseases. Property of curing a disease is depending upon the phytochemical/active compound composition of plant part. Different plant parts contain different types of active compounds. As a medicine all parts of this plant are used. Withanaloid is major active compound of Withania somnifera. This active compound show different types of pharmacological effect. Withanaloid is a lipid compound and show maximum medicinal activity against different types of diseases and disorders. This plant used for diuretic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anti-stress agent. It is also used for increasing body energy, so it is now days used in food supplements for increasing body energy. Ashwagandha is taken for treating cold and coughs,

- by Dr. Naveen Gaurav
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- Biotechnology, Plant Tissue Culture, Medicinal Plants, Medicine
- by Monique Simmonds
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- Phytochemistry, Plant Cell Culture, Biological Sciences, Lamiaceae

Medicinal plants are traditionally used worldwide for primary healthcare. Documentation of such traditional ethnomedicinal knowledge is essential because it might be lost after the loss of knowledgeable people. This study was conducted to document the traditional uses of locally available medicinal plants in the Bardiya district of Nepal during March and April 2021. Questionnaire survey method was used to collect the information about uses, local names, and parts used of the medicinal plant species found in the study area. Secondary data were collected through online portals like Google Scholar and Researchgate. Data were pooled and analyzed in Excel software. The data were presented in tables, graphs, and pie-chart. A total of 63 species of medicinal plants from 59 genera and 39 families were found to be used to treat 51 types of diseases. Fabaceae family represented the maximum number of plant species used (n=8). Herbs were used most frequently (n=29) among the different habits of plants. Similarly, the leaf was used most frequently (n=26) to cure diseases. The finding of the present study would be the baseline for further exploration of medicinal plants in the study area.

- by Mahamad Sayab Miya
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- Botany, Forestry, Ethnobotany, Pharmacognosy

Rakta Chandana (Pterocarpus santalinus L.) is important tree medicinal plant grown in tropical region of the world and it is endemic to India. The inner bark when injured or cut or damaged, it oozes red colored 'santolin' dye. The IUCN listed this Rakta Chandana as an endangered species due to over exploitation. Natural regeneration is less due to low germination percent. Hence, the present study entitled "Effect of pre sowing seed treatment on seed germination and growth in Pterocarpus santalinus L.f. An Endangered medicinal plant which belongs to Fabaceae has been carried out at College of Horticulture, Mudigere with an aim to enhance the germination and seedling growth by different scarification methods. The per cent germination in P. santalinus is very less in control condition. Hence, this experiment was planned to treat the seeds which helps to break dormancy with acid scarification (KNO3, HCL, H2SO4) and chemical scarification (GA3, NAA, Cytokinin) and soaking of seeds in organic solutions (cow urine, cow dung slurry, hot water treatment). It was found that, the higher germination percentage (47.50), seedling length (32.45 cm), collar girth (3.24 mm) and seedling dry weight (6.57 g) was found in seed treatment with cow dung slurry while control showed poor germination and growth. The results clearly indicate that soaking P. santalinus seeds for 48 hours in cow dung slurry results in good germination and better seedling growth. This could be of great use for raising quality seedlings of P. santalinus.

- by Sadashiv V Nadukeri
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- medicinal & Aromatic plants

Context: In some extreme environments such as dune cordon in the region of Djelfa, the ability of species to adapt to extreme conditions, especially climatic stresses, appears to be highly developed. Notwithstanding this importance from an ecophysiological point of view, the plant genetic resources of the Algerian steppe are very little known and especially poorly valued. Aims: To inventorying the spontaneous species in an extreme "dune cordon" environment of the Algerian steppe and to collect information on the ancestral know-how of the local populations in terms of therapeutic use of these species. Methods: Foremost, a herbarium has been made which includes all species inventoried in dune cordon, then an ethnobotanical survey materialized by a direct questionnaire was conducted with different actors involved in the field of medicinal plants. It concerns the traditional use of these species. Results: Seventeen plants (20%) of the listed plant species have been recognized and identified as medicinal species. These plants belong to 13 families of which the Lamiaceae family is the most represented, followed by Asteraceae and Poaceae. Several diseases are treated by these species by local populations, some have a definite therapeutic use while others are used in the treatment of several diseases. The most incriminated pathologies concern rheumatism, diabetes, dental pain, fever and renal function. Leaves are most used with decoction as the most used mode. Conclusions: Results of the study showed that dune cordon contains a wide variety of spontaneous plants, which have a beneficial interest. It also indicated the link between natural resources and humans and the therapeutic use of these species for profit by local population. The rich ethno-pharmacological knowledge of this population must be preserved and valued. A phytochemical screening and biological investigation are needed to test this ancestral know-how.

This creative nonfiction essay describes a personal oddessy of training in the therapeutic use of essential oils, going in one year from knowing absolutely zero on this topic to 'expert' level. Personal anecdotes are interspersed with technical information, and a case is made for 'aromatic medicine' being the 'medicine of the future'. Includes a discussion of the differences between the 'aromatherapy' of the English-speaking world and the 'aromatic medicine' of France, as practiced by medical doctors as a specialty of medicine.

- by Peter Archer
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- Aromatic Molecules, Healthcare, Essential Oil, Essential oils
- by Ernani Lins
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- Ethnobotany, Cultural Heritage, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Plant Biology

The Conspectus of the vascular flora of Bulgaria fourth revised and enlarged edition contains information about 4102 species of plants, with distribution maps according to the floristic regions, vertical range of distribution,... more

- by Boris Assyov
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- Botany, Landscape Ecology, Climate Change, Ethnobotany
- by Peter Borschberg
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- Economic History, Pharmacology, Medical Sciences, Pharmacy

The aims of the current research were to evaluate and to compare the antioxidant activity and the content of total phenolic, flavonoids and fructan content in infusions and microwave-assisted extracts from eight herbs: rosehip (Rosa canina L.), peppermint (Mentha piperita L.), thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara L.), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Web.), elecampane (Inula helenium L.), great burdock (Arctium lappa L.) and echinacea (Echinacea purpurea Moench.). The total phenolic contents, total flavonoids and antioxidant activity were evaluated by Folin-Ciocalteau, Al(NO3)3 methods and DPPH assays. The total fructans and sugars were determined by resorcinol and HPLC-RID methods. Infusion and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) were evaluated as efficient methods for preparation of herbal drinks. The highest values of biologically active substances and antioxidant activity were found in MAE herbal extracts. Coltsfoot, thyme and great burdock extracts demonstrated the highest content of total phenolic and flavonoids. Coltsfoot and thyme extracts showed the highest antioxidant activity (334 mM TEg-1 and 287 mM TEg-1 dw, respectively). Fructans were found in coltsfoot (4.6%) and echinacea (3.9 %) leaves, in great burdock, dandelion and elecampane roots-14 %, 34% and 44% dw, respectively. Elecampane and dandelion roots were evaluated as sources of prebiotic inulin.

- by Ivan Ivanov
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- Food Science, Phytochemistry, Food and Nutrition, Food Chemistry

A field experiment was conducted during 2011-2012 to assess the performance of 42 Isabgol genotypes for commercial cultivation under Uttar Pradesh conditions. Among all 42 genotypes, a few genotypes like PP-10-4 gained the maximum plant height (33.35 cm) followed by Gummary (33.3 cm) whereas; the genotype Plampur-2 produced profuse tillers (7.0). The genotype HI-32 showed the earliest spike emergence (60.3 days) and 50% flowering (70.4 days) as compared to other one. As for as suitability of particular genotypes is concern, the maximum number of spikes per plant in Gummary (38.8), maximum test weight (2.415g/1000 seeds) in DM-11, highest seed yield per plant in Palampur-2 (5.650 g) followed by MPI 1 (5.141gm), Gummary (4.814g), DM-11 (4.659g), DM 10 (4.436gm) and GI2 (4.413g) was recorded. The highest swelling factor was observed in HI-5 (11.90 cc per g seed husk) while the lowest in PB-17 (10.14 cc g of seed husk). On the basis of this field trail in terms of seed yield the genotypes Palampur-2, MPI-1, Gummary, DM-11, DM-10 and GI-2 can be chosen for commercial cultivation in U.P. conditions.

- by Sachin Tyagi
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- Botany, Agronomy, Horticulture, Ecology

Sin duda, la conquista de América por parte de España durante el siglo XVI fue un período violento y de gran cambio político y social para las civilizaciones de este continente, que culminó en la imposición de una forma de gobierno totalmente nueva, así como una jerarquía racial que desplazó a los indígenas al peldaño más bajo junto con los esclavos africanos traídos por los conquistadores. Como es bien sabido, las autoridades católicas enviadas a América se dieron a la tarea principalmente de estudiar el lenguaje y las creencias de cada civilización con el fin de convertir al catolicismo a todos los indígenas; como era de esperarse, existió resistencia por parte de los nativos americanos, por lo que los encomendados católicos comenzaron a destruir documentos y monolitos que hicieran alusión a las deidades adoradas. Esto trajo consigo la pérdida significativa de los conocimientos que las civilizaciones prehispánicas ya tenían respecto a las ciencias. No obstante, a pesar de los esfuerzos de las autoridades eclesiásticas españolas, el conocimiento de los indígenas fue heredado de generación en generación, incluyendo la experiencia en medicina tradicional. A pesar de lo anterior, existieron documentos elaborados en el período poscontacto, cuyos contenidos abarcan conocimientos ancestrales de las civilizaciones antiguas de América. Entre ellos destaca el Libellus de medicinalibus indorum herbis, mejor conocido como el Códice Martín de la Cruz.

- by Fernando M D . Padilla-Santamaría
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- History, Medicinal Plants, Medicine, Historia

Context: Flaxseed constituents provide to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and wound healing benefits. Aims: To systematically review the experimental evidence on the wound healing ability of flaxseed extracts and formulations. Methods: Comprehensive searches in six databases (Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar and Dimensions) were carried out from the beginning of databases until December 2020, according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol. The terms used in searches were (Linum usitatissimum L., flaxseed, linseed, flax) AND (extract) AND (wound heal, heal, heal type, wound) for collection of articles, with only articles in English and research articles were included. Transgenic term were excluded. AXIS tool was chosen to assess the quality and risk of bias. The data were then categorised in term of extracts, laboratory formulation, and wound healing. Results: In total, 999 articles were collected and screened based on the predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Finally, 10 articles were included in the review. The majority of publications reported significant findings of flaxseed oil on wound healing regardless of extraction method and formulation. Healing parameters on excision, incision, and burn wound models were studied. Lack of laboratory formulation mentioned in the collected articles gave limitation impact on this study. Conclusions: Flaxseed oil formulation appears to exert a positive effect on wound healing. Therefore, extensive studies needed to evaluate the transportation of flaxseed phytochemicals into skin dermis by advanced drug formulation.

Aromatic plants are considered sources of antioxidants, antimicrobial and flavouring agents. Four aromatic plants (Thymus vulgaris L., Foeniculum vulgare, Pimpinella anisum L. and Trigonellafoenum-graecum L.) were analysed in the study. Yoghurt was used to produce a low calorie pie. Chemical and rheological parameters, baking performance, staling rate and sensory properties of the pie were investigated. Volatile aroma compounds were analysed with GC and GC/ MS, and antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH and β-carotene assays. The incorporation of yoghurt and some aromatic plants in the pie improved protein, fat, fibre, ash, and minerals contents and allowed achieving about 19% reduction in calories. Sensory evaluation of pie containing the mixture of aromatic plants showed it superior sensory quality. In addition, it could be concluded that aromatic plants were able to inhibit the growth of yeast, mould and bacteria and to prolong the storage periods of pie compared with the control.

- by Joanna Molga
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- Food Rheology, Bakery Products, Food Sensory Analysis, Antioxidants

Constant exposure to various stressors, such as immune pressure, rapidly increasing population, deleterious changes in the ecosystem, climate change, infection with emerging and re-emerging pathogens, and fast-paced lifestyle, is a critical factor in the globally increasing incidences of immunocompromising health conditions, as well as stress. Synthetic chemotherapeutic agents, which are widely available in the commercial market, may be highly efficacious, but most are immunosuppressive and exert many side effects. Undoubtedly, the pivotal characteristics of immunostimulants and immunomodulators in the maintenance of the health and productivity of humans, as well as animals, cannot be overlooked. Numerous herbs used in ethnoveterinary medicine can be successfully employed as adjuvant rehabilitators to negate the deleterious effects of chemotherapeutics. The sources of these medicinal remedies are part of long traditions in different regions of the world, such as Indian Ayurveda and ...

- by Hafiz Iqbal
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- Ayurvedic Medicine, Medicinal Plants, Medicine, Phytotherapy
- by LAISE ANDRADE
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- Climate Change, Ethnobotany, Conservation Biology, Taxonomy