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

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

Editorial 2008.(EDITORIAL)(Editorial)
January 1, 2008... As already announced in the Editorial of vol. 14, in the last 6 months a reorganization of the editorial structure of Phytomedicine has taken place. This action pertains to the management and processing of submitted papers as well as to efforts...

Extracts of Valeriana officinalis L. s.l. show anxiolytic and antidepressant effects but neither sedative nor myorelaxant properties.
January 1, 2008... Abstract Extracts of Valeriana officinalis L. s.l. are used for treating mild sleep disorders and nervous tension. Despite intensive research efforts, the pharmacological actions accounting for the clinical efficacy of valerian remain...

Lycopus europaeus (Gypsywort): effects on the thyroidal parameters and symptoms associated with thyroid function.
January 1, 2008... Abstract The aim of the prospective two-armed open study was to examine the effect of Lycopi europaei herba on thyroid function and on associated symptoms during a 3-month follow-up phase. The study population consisted of patients with a...

Enhanced antioxidant bioactivity of Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen) products prepared using nanotechnology.
January 1, 2008... Abstract The traditional Chinese medicine, Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen), promotes blood circulation and relieves blood stasis, also demonstrating good antioxidant activity. In the present study, therefore, the antioxidant activities of...

Comparison of the estrogenic potencies of standardized soy extracts by immature rat uterotrophic bioassay.
January 1, 2008... Abstract Soy phytoestrogens, isoflavones, are a primary class of plant-based estrogen alternatives being sold over the counter nowadays. Genistein, daidzein and glycitein are the major isoflavones found in soybeans, as aglycones and...

Correlation of antioxidant activity and major isoflavonoid contents of the phytoestrogen-rich Pueraria mirifica and Pueraria lobata tubers.
January 1, 2008... Abstract The antioxidant activity of wild Pueraria mirifica collected from 28 of the 76 provinces of Thailand and Pueraria lobata collected from China were assessed by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. P. mirifica tuberous...

The hormonal effects of Tribulus terrestris and its role in the management of male erectile dysfunction--an evaluation using primates, rabbit and rat.
January 1, 2008... Abstract Hormonal effects of Tribulus terrestris (TT) were evaluated in primates, rabbit and rat to identify its usefulness in the management of erectile dysfunction (ED). TT extract was administered intravenously, as a bolus dose of 7.5....

Effects of total flavonoids and flavonol glycosides from Epimedium koreanum Nakai on the proliferation and differentiation of primary osteoblasts.
January 1, 2008... Abstract In a bioassay-guided drug screening for anti-osteoporosis activity, eight flavonol glycosides were isolated from Epimedium koreanum Nakai, which is traditionally widely used in China for the treatment of impotence and...

Comparative in vitro study on the anti-herpetic effect of phytochemically characterized aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Salvia officinalis grown at two different locations.
January 1, 2008... Abstract Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Salvia officinalis (Lamiaceae) from two different locations (Garden and Swabian Mountains) were examined in vitro on RC-37 cells for their antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type 1...

Inhibitory effect of essential oils against herpes simplex virus type 2.
January 1, 2008... Abstract Essential oils from anise, hyssop, thyme, ginger, camomile and sandalwood were screened for their inhibitory effect against herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in vitro on RC-37 cells using a plaque reduction assay. Genital herpes...

Phytochemical analysis and in vitro evaluation of the biological activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) of Cedrus libani A. Rich.
January 1, 2008... Abstract Cedrus libani are widely used as traditional medicine in Lebanon for treatment of different infection diseases. In the present study we reported the phytochemical composition analyzed by GC-MS of wood essential oil and cones and...

Comparative study of Rhodiola preparations on behavioral despair of rats.
January 1, 2008... Abstract The antidepressant-like activity of an extract of the roots of Rhodiola rosea (RR), its combination with piperine containing extract (RPE), pure substances isolated from Rhodiola, such as rhodioloside, rosavin, rosin, rosarin,...

Inhibitory effect of Erigeron breviscapus extract and its flavonoid components on GABA shunt enzymes.
January 1, 2008... Abstract [gamma]-Aminobutyric acid (GABA), the major inhibitory neurotransmitter, is metabolized by the successive action of GABA transaminase (GABA-T) and succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH). Inhibition of both enzymes in brain...

Hypoglycemic effects of a sesquiterpene glycoside isolated from leaves of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl.).
January 1, 2008... Abstract Sesquiterpene glycoside, nerolidol-3-O-[alpha]-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1 [right arrow] 4)-[alpha]-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1 [right arrow] 2)-[[alpha]-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1 [right arrow] 6)]-[beta]-D-glucopyranoside was isolated from dried...

Umbelliprenin from Ferula szowitsiana inhibits the growth of human M4Beu metastatic pigmented malignant melanoma cells through cell-cycle arrest in G1 and induction of caspase-dependent apoptosis.
January 1, 2008... Abstract Metastatic malignant melanoma have a bad prognosis (median survival: 6-8 months) mainly due to the development of lung, hepatic and brain metastases. In this study we have used the resazurin reduction test and FACS analysis to...

Taspine isolated from Radix et Rhizoma Leonticis inhibits growth of human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) by inducing its apoptosis.
January 1, 2008... Abstract The present study was to evaluate the effects of taspine isolated from Radix et Rhizoma Leonticsi on the growth and apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) line by MTT and flow cytometer, respectively. At the...

Hepatocellular toxicity of kava leaf and root extracts.
January 1, 2008... Abstract Kava extracts are used widely for different purposes and were thought to be safe. Recently, several cases of hepatotoxicity have been published. To explore possible mechanisms of kava hepatotoxicity, we prepared and analyzed three...

Plants of the American continent with antiulcer activity.
January 1, 2008... Abstract Peptic ulcer is a chronic and appalling disease. Today, it is dominant among the diseases that affect the world's population. The principal factors causing this disease are inadequate dietetic habits, prolonged use of...

Apoptotic effect of hesperidin through caspase3 activation in human colon cancer cells, SNU-C4.
January 1, 2008... Abstract Hesperidin, a known flavonoid constituent of citrus, reduces the proliferation of many cancer cells. The apoptotic effects of hesperidin on human colon cancer cells, SNU-C4, were determined at concentrations of 1-100 [micro]M. At...

Ethnopharmacology of Medicinal Plants: Asia and the Pacific, C. Wiart.(Book review)
January 1, 2008... Ethnopharmacology of Medicinal Plants: Asia and the Pacific, C. Wiart. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ (2006). 228pp., US$160.00, Hardcover This book presents several aspects of the pharmacology, chemistry, botany and folkloric use of selected...