Phytomedicine: International Journal of Phytotherapy & Phytopharmacology articles from April 2004

Phytomedicine: International Journal of Phytotherapy & Phytopharmacology archives from April 2004

Flavonoids from Radix Scutellariae as potential stroke therapeutic agents by targeting the second postsynaptic density 95 (PSD-95)/disc large/zonula occludens-1 (PDZ) domain of PSD-95.
April 1, 2004... Summary Excessive activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) and subsequent production of nitric oxide by neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) contribute to neuronal damage resulting from hypoxic and ischemic insults. NMDARs...

Effects of Kava (Kava-kava, 'Awa, Yaqona, Piper methysticum) on c-DNA-expressed cytochrome P450 enzymes and human cryopreserved hepatocytes.
April 1, 2004... Summary The effects of the herbal product kava (Kava kava, 'Awa, Yaqona, Piper methysticum) on human P450 isoforms were studied in vitro using both cDNA-expressed human enzymes and cryopreserved human hepatocytes. Increasing concentrations...

Involvement of NF-[kappa]B and c-myc signaling pathways in the apoptosis of HL-60 cells induced by alkaloids of Tripterygium hypoglaucum (levl.) Hutch.
April 1, 2004... Summary Tripterygium hypoglaucum (levl.) Hutch (Celastraceae) (THH) root is a Chinese medicinal herb commonly used for treating autoimmune diseases. In the present study, alkaloids of THH were prepared and their cytotoxicity against the...

Soy isoflavones prevent the ovarian hormone deficiency-associated rise in leukocytes in rats.
April 1, 2004... Summary Recent reports indicate that ovariectomy (ovx) increases lymphopoiesis. Ipriflavone, a synthetic isoflavone, has been reported to reduce lymphocytes in postmenopausal women. The aim of this study was to investigate whether...

Protective role of Apigenin on the status of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defense against hepatocarcinogenesis in Wistar albino rats.
April 1, 2004... Summary Apigenin, a dietary plant derived flavone subclass of flavonoid is expected to play a role in cancer chemoprevention and cancer chemotherapy. Here we designed our experiment to establish whether treatment of apigenin (25 mg/kg body...

Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of a fraction rich in oncocalyxone A isolated from Auxemma oncocalyx.
April 1, 2004... Summary In the present work we studied the antinociceptive and antiedematogenic effects of a quinone fraction (QF) isolated from the heartwood of Auxemma oncocalyx Taub. The major constituent of QF, which represented around 80% of this...

Evaluation of antipyretic potential of Clitoria ternatea L. extract in rats.
April 1, 2004... Summary The methanol extract of Clitoria ternatea L. root (MECTR) blue flowered variety (Family: Fabaceae), was evaluated for its anti-pyretic potential on normal body temperature and yeast-induced pyrexia in albino rats. Yeast suspension...

Effect of Calotropis procera latex on isoproterenol induced myocardial infarction in albino rats.
April 1, 2004... Summary The alcoholic extract of the latex obtained from Calotropis procera (Asclepidaceae) was evaluated for protection against isoproterenol (20 mg/100g body wt., s.c.)-induced myocardial infarction in albino rats. The heart damage...

Antibacterial properties of a new isoflavonoid from Erythrina poeppigiana against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
April 1, 2004... Summary A new isoflavonoid, together with four known isoflavonoids, was isolated from the roots of Erythrina poeppigiana. The chemical structure was determined by extensive spectroscopic studies, and then its antibacterial activity against...

Studies on medicinal plants of Ivory Coast: investigation of Sida acuta for in vitro antiplasmodial activities and identification of an active constituent.
April 1, 2004... Summary Sida acuta Burm. (Malvaceae) originating from Ivory Coast was selected after an ethnobotanical survey: traditional healers of malaria commonly used this plant for the treatment. Extracts were tested on two strains of Plasmodium...

A 13-week subchronic intravaginal toxicity study of pokeweed antiviral protein in mice.
April 1, 2004... Summary Pokeweed antiviral protein (PAP), a 29-k Da plant-derived protein isolated from Phytolacca americana, is a broad-spectrum antiviral agent. PAP shows unique clinical potential to become the active ingredient of a non-spermicidal...

Is Berlina grandiflora (Leguminosae) toxic in rats?
April 1, 2004... Summary The toxicity profile of the aqueous methanolic extract of Berlina grandiflora (BG) stem bark was studied in rats. The rats were administered graded doses (125-500 mg/kg p.o) of the extract daily for 21 days and the effects on body...

Preliminary immunomodulatory activities of methanol extracts of Eclipta alba and Centella asiatica.
April 1, 2004... Summary An attempt has been made to assess the immunomodulatory activity of methanol extracts of whole plant of E. alba (1.6% wedelolactone) and C. asiatica (0.18% of asiaticoside) at five dose levels (dose-response relationship) ranging...

Flavonoids from Achyrocline satureioides with relaxant effects on the smooth muscle of Guinea pig corpus cavernosum.(Short Communication)
April 1, 2004... Summary Ethanol extract of the aerial parts of Achyrocline satureioides (Lam.) DC. (Asteraceae) showed a significant, does dependent, relaxant effect on the smooth muscle of corpus cavernosum strips, obtained from Guinea pig (65.5 [+ or -]...

Quantification the bioactivity of plant extracts during screening and bioassay guided fractionation.(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2004... Our research group is involved in the screening of plants for antimicrobial and anti-oxidative activity and isolation of compounds responsible for these activities by bioassay guided fractionation. In some cases, we are following up on...