Phytomedicine: International Journal of Phytotherapy & Phytopharmacology articles from December 2008

Phytomedicine: International Journal of Phytotherapy & Phytopharmacology archives from December 2008

A comparative study of the therapeutic effects of the Zataria multiflora vaginal cream and metronidazole vaginal gel on bacterial vaginosis.(Clinical report)
December 1, 2008... Abstract Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is one of most prevalent complications among reproductive-aged women. Metromidazole prescription, which is considered as the first-line treatment of BV, is usually followed by a few side effects. Besides,...

Safety evaluation of saffron (Crocus sativus) tablets in healthy volunteers.(Report)
December 1, 2008... Abstract Saffron (Crocus sativus) stigma tablets were evaluated for short-term safety and tolerability in healthy adult volunteers. The study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled design consisting of a 1 week treatment of saffron...

Stimulatory effect of Crocus sativus (saffron) on [[beta].sub.2]-adrenoceptors of guinea pig tracheal chains.(Clinical report)
December 1, 2008... Abstract To study the mechanism(s) of the relaxant effects of Crocus sativus (Iridaceae), the stimulatory effect of aqueous-ethanolic extracts of this plant and one of its constituent, safranal was examined on [beta]-adrenoceptors in...

Danggui-Shaoyao-San, a traditional Chinese prescription, suppresses [PGF.sub.2.[alpha]] production in endometrial epithelial cells by inhibiting COX-2 expression and activity.(Cyclooxygenase-2)(Clinical report)
December 1, 2008... Abstract Danggui-Shaoyao-San, a famous traditional Chinese prescription, has been widely used in China for treating various gynecological inflammatory diseases including dysmenorrhea, but it is still poorly understood how it works on those...

Synergistic effect of silymarin and standardized extract of Phyllanthus amarus against [CCl.sub.4]-induced hepatotoxicity in Rattus norvegicus.(silymarin)(Clinical report)
December 1, 2008... Abstract In search of the effective and standardized hepatoprotective combination therapy, silymarin and standardized extract of Phyllanthus amarus has been evaluated against [CCl.sub.4]-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Eight groups of rats...

Enhancement of apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells through synergy of berberine and evodiamine.( alkaloids)(Clinical report)
December 1, 2008... Abstract Berberine and evodiamine, two kinds of alkaloids, have been reported to show many activities. In the present paper, inhibitory activities of the two compounds and their mixtures on human hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells...

The ovariectomized, mature rat model of postmenopausal osteoporosis: an assessment of the bone sparing effects of curcumin.(Clinical report)
December 1, 2008... Abstract Identification of natural health products that might benefit skeletal health could reduce the negative impact of osteoporotic bone fractures upon society. The objectives of his study were to evaluate an animal model of...

Novel leads from Heliotropium ovalifolium, 4, 7, 8-trimethoxy-naphthalene-2-carboxylic acid and 6-hydroxy-5, 7-dimethoxy-naphthalene-2-carbaldehyde show specific IL-6 inhibitory activity in THP-1 cells and primary human monocytes.(interleukin-6)(Report)
December 1, 2008... Abstract From our screening program, we identified the anti-inflammatory effects of the extracts of Heliotropium ovalifolium in its ability to inhibit specific cytokines. The H. ovalifolium extract was found to be moderately active with an...

Endothelium-dependent induction of vasorelaxation by Melissa officinalis L. ssp. officinalis in rat isolated thoracic aorta.(Clinical report)
December 1, 2008... Abstract In the current study, vasorelaxant effect produced by the aqueous extract of Melissa officinalis L. ssp. officinalis (MOO) (Lamiaceae) and its possible mechanism in isolated rat aortic rings precontracted with phenylephrine were...

Serotomide and safflomide modulate forskolin-stimulated cAMP formation via 5-HT1 receptor.(Cyclic adenosine monophosphate)(5-hydroxytryptamine 1 receptor)(Report)
December 1, 2008... Abstract Serotomide (trans-N-caffeoylserotonin) and safflomide (trans-N-caffeoyltryptamine) belong to serotonin-derived phenylpropenoid amides found in plants. In this paper, serotomide and safflomide were investigated to determine their...

Suppressive effects of bee venom on the immune responses in collagen-induced arthritis in rats.(Clinical report)
December 1, 2008... Abstract The effect of bee venom (BVA) on the development of type II collagen (CII)-induced arthritis (CIA) in rats has been studied. Male rats were immunized with an emulsion of 200 [mu]g of CII and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). The...

Efficacy of an aqueous pelargonium sidoides extract against herpesvirus.(Clinical report)
December 1, 2008... Abstract The compounds of an aqueous root extract of the African medicinal plant Pelargonium sidoides were analysed by LC MS spectroscopy and the antiviral effect of this extract against herpes simplex virus was examined in cell culture....

Effects of extracts and neferine from the embryo of Nelumbo nucifera seeds on the central nervous system.(Clinical report)
December 1, 2008... Abstract The effects of embryos of the seeds of Nelumbo nucifera on the central nervous system were studied in mice. MeOH extracts of embryos of Nelumbo nucifera seeds significantly inhibited locomotor activity in mice. The MeOH extract...

Inhibiting enoyl-ACP reductase (FabI) across pathogenic microorganisms by linear sesquiterpene lactones from Anthemis auriculata.(SHORT COMMUNICATION)(acyl-carrier-protein)(Clinical report)
December 1, 2008... Abstract Enoyl-ACP reductase (FabI) is a key enzyme of the type II fatty acid biosynthesis (FAS-II) pathway and validated antimicrobial target. In the current study, three linear sesquiterpene lactones obtained from Anthemis auriculata....

Antimalarial, antimycobacterial and cytotoxic limonoids from Chisocheton siamensis.(SHORT COMMUNICATION)(Report)
December 1, 2008... Abstract Five limonoids isolated from the seeds of Chisocheton siamensis were tested for their antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum, antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and cytotoxic activity...

Effects of the active constituents of Crocus sativus L., crocins, in an animal model of anxiety.(SHORT COMMUNICATION)(Clinical report)
December 1, 2008... Abstract Crocus sativus L. is a plant cultivated in various parts of the world. Crocins are among the active components of Crocus sativus L. The present study was designed to investigate in the rat whether or not crocins possess anxiolytic...

Saponins (ginsenosides) from stems and leaves of Panax quinquefolium prevented high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice.(SHORT COMMUNICATION)(Clinical report)
December 1, 2008... Abstract The present study was performed to clarify whether the crude saponins from stems and leaves of Panax quinquefolium inhibited lipase activity in vitro, and prevented obesity induced in mice by feeding a high-fat diet for 8 weeks....