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

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

Editorial.(Editorial)
January 1, 2004... Ten years after the foundation of Phytomedicine, a new phase of the journals' development will begin with volume 11 (2004). This event coincides with the transition of Urban & Fischer Verlag to Elsevier, a Dutch publisher which manages about...

The effects of a herbal medicine (Mao-to) in patients with chronic hepatitis C after injection of IFN-[beta].
January 1, 2004... Summary We found that a herbal medicine (Mao-to) relieves the side effects of interferon (IFN)-[beta] and the combination therapy improves the biochemical response rate. However, the exact mechanism by which Mao-to is effective remains to...

Flavonoid supplement improves leg health and reduces fluid retention in pre-menopausal women in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
January 1, 2004... Summary Flavonoid extracts derived from plant foods have been shown to benefit certain types of fluid retention. However, no studies have investigated these compounds for use in premenstrual fluid retention, a complaint common among women...

Isolation of linoleic acid as an estrogenic compound from the fruits of Vitex agnus-castus L. (chaste-berry).
January 1, 2004... Summary A methanol extract of chaste-tree berry (Vitex agnus-castus L.) was tested for its ability to displace radiolabeled estradiol from the binding site of estrogen receptors alpha (ER[alpha]) and beta (ER[beta]). The extract at 46 [+...

The effect of garlic on arteriosclerotic nanoplaque formation and size.
January 1, 2004... Summary Objective: In an in vitro biosensor model (PCT/EP 97/05212), the interplay between different lipoproteins in arteriosclerotic nanoplaque formation, as well as aqueous garlic extract (0.2-5.0 g/l from LI 111 powder) as a possible...

Characteristics, clinical effect profile and tolerability of a nasal spray preparation of Artemisia abrotanum L. for allergic rhinitis.
January 1, 2004... Summary A nasal spray formulation containing an extract of Artemisia abrotanum L. was developed for therapeutic use in patients with allergic rhinitis and other upper airway disorders. The nasal spray preparation used contains a mixture of...

The herbal medicine Toki-shakuyaku-san improves the hypertension and intrauterine growth retardation in preeclampsia rats induced by [N.sub.[omega]]-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester.
January 1, 2004... Summary The chronic inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis with [N.sub.[omega]]-nitro-[.sub.L]-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) induces a preeclampsia-like syndrome including hypertension and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) in...

Nitric oxide-mediated vasorelaxation by Rhizoma Ligustici wallichii in isolated rat thoracic aorta.
January 1, 2004... Summary The vasorelaxant effect of Rhizoma Ligustici wallichii and its possible mechanism of action on the vasomotor tone of the rat thoracic aortic rings were examined in an organ bath. Chloroform extracts of Rhizoma Ligustici wallichii...

Anticonvulsant effects of thymoquinone, the major constituent of Nigella sativa seeds, in mice.
January 1, 2004... Summary The anticonvulsant effects of thymoquinone, the major constituent of Nigella sativa seeds, were investigated using pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)- and maximal electroshock (MES)-induced seizure models. We also studied the effect of...

Histaminergic effect of crude papaya latex on isolated guinea pig ileal strips.
January 1, 2004... Summary In the present study, we investigated the effect of the crude latex of Carica papaya L. (CPX) on isolated guinea pig ileal strips. CPX (0.5-512 [micro]g/ml) caused concentration-dependent contraction of ileal strips suspended in...

Studies on the acute and sub-chronic toxicity of the essential oil of Ocimum gratissimum L. leaf.
January 1, 2004... Summary Oral and intra-peritoneal acute toxicity and the sub-chronic intra-peritoneal toxicity of the essential oil of Ocimum gratissimum Linn, Lamiaceae (Ocimum oil), was investigated. The acute toxicity test involved the oral and...

Action of different monoterpenic compounds against Anisakis simplex s.l. L3 larvae.
January 1, 2004... Summary Different natural monoterpenes (geraniol, citronellol, citral, carvacrol, cuminaldehyde and eugenol) are studied in vitro against Anisakis simplex s.l. L3 larvae, employing perillaldehyde as a reference substance. Final...

Acute cholestatic hepatitis caused by Teucrium polium L.(Short Communication)
January 1, 2004... Key words: cholestatic hepatitis, hepatotoxicity, herbal medicine, Teucrium polium ********** The use of herbal remedies can pose serious direct and indirect health risks (De Smet, 2002). The plant Teucrium polium (family Lamiaceae),...

Modulatory effect of piperine on mitochondrial antioxidant system in Benzo(a)pyrene-induced experimental lung carcinogenesis.(Short Communication)
January 1, 2004... Summary Chemoprevention has emerged as a very effective preventive measure against carcinogenesis. Many bioactive compounds present in edible as well in herbal plants have revealed their cancer chemopreventive potential. In the present...

Pharmacognosy: Phytochemistry, medicinal plants.(Book Review)(Book Review)
January 1, 2004... Bruneton, J: Pharmacognosy: Phytochemistry, medicinal plants 2nd Edition, 1119 p. Intercept, London, Paris and New York, 1999. Price: $218.75. ISBN 1-898298-63-7 (HC) The thorough work of Jean Bruneton, professor of...