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

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

Clinical trial of Cecropia obtusifolia and Marrubium vulgare leaf extracts on blood glucose and serum lipids in type 2 diabetics.
November 1, 2004... Abstract Cecropia obtusifolia and Marrubium vulgare have been widely used in Mexican traditional medicine for the control of type 2 diabetes. In order to evaluate the clinical effect produced by the aqueous extract from these species on...

Soy protein may alleviate osteoarthritis symptoms.
November 1, 2004... Abstract Alternative and complementary therapeutic approaches, such as the use of a wide array of herbal, nutritional, and physical manipulations, are becoming popular for relieving symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA). The present study...

The role of Coptidis Rhizoma extract in a renal ischemia-reperfusion model.
November 1, 2004... Abstract The effect of Coptidis Rhizoma extract on ischemia-reperfusion in rats was examined. The blood levels of urea nitrogen and creatinine increased significantly more in rats subjected to 24-h reperfusion than those subjected to 6-h...

Downregulation of iNOS expression in rat mesangial cells by special extracts of Harpagophytum procumbens derives from harpagoside-dependent and independent effects**.
November 1, 2004... Abstract Special extracts from the roots of Harpagophytum procumbens (Devil's Claw) are used in the supportive treatment of inflammatory diseases, and the iridoid derivative harpagoside is thought to be the active principle. To...

Novel antiplatelet and antithrombotic activities of essential oil from Lavandula hybrida Reverchon "Grosso".
November 1, 2004... Abstract Lavender extracts are known to produce several mild effects at central and peripheral level. However, no studies are so far available about the potential effects of lavender essential oil on the hemostatic system. In this work, we...

Anti-proliferative lichen compounds with inhibitory activity on 12(S)-HETE production in human platelets.
November 1, 2004... Abstract Several lichen compounds, i.e. lobaric acid (1), a [beta]-orcinol depsidone from Stereocaulon alpinum L., (+)-protolichesterinic acid (2), an aliphatic [alpha]-methylene-[gamma]-lactone from Cetraria islandica Laur....

Spinacia oleracea L. protects against gamma radiations: a study on glutathione and lipid peroxidation in mouse liver.
November 1, 2004... Abstract The present study deals with the protective effect of Spinacia oleracea L. against radiation-induced oxidative stress, which is evaluated in terms of lipid peroxidation (LPO) product and tissue levels of glutathione. Swiss albino...

Pharmacological study of Stachytarpheta cayennensis Vahl in rodents.
November 1, 2004... Abstract Freeze-dried aqueous extracts (AEs, 0.1-1 g/kg body wt., p.o.) obtained from entire or selected parts of Stachytarpheta cayennensis were tested for their effects on gastric secretion, gastric motility, inflammation and pain in...

Effect of Wen-Pi-Tang extract on lung damage by influenza virus infection.
November 1, 2004... Abstract The effect of Wen-Pi-Tang extract on influenza virus infection in mice was investigated. The administration of Wen-Pi-Tang extract at a dose of 100 mg/kg body wt. for 8 consecutive days to influenza virus-infected mice reversed...

In vitro binding experiments with a Valerian, Hops and their fixed combination extract (Ze91019) to selected central nervous system receptors.
November 1, 2004... Abstract The fixed valerian-hops extract combination Ze91019 is used as a sleep aid. Although its exact mechanism of action is not well understood, earlier studies indicate that the CNS effect of valerian might occur through interaction...

Long-term feeding effects of Catha edulis leaves on blood constituents in animals.
November 1, 2004... Abstract In this study, the long-term (6 months) biochemical effects of varying levels of Catha edulis leaves on the plasma concentration of glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, total protein, albumin, uric acid, urea and...

Novel antioxidants isolated from plants of the genera Ferula, Inula, Prangos and Rheum collected in Uzbekistan.
November 1, 2004... Abstract We examined the effects of 48 compounds isolated from Ferula pallida, F. penninervis, Inula macrophylla, Prangos pabularia, P. tschimganica and Rheum maximowiczii collected in Uzbekistan on ADP/[Fe.sup.2+]-induced lipid...

Aldose reductase inhibitors from the leaves of Myrciaria dubia (H. B. & K.) McVaugh.
November 1, 2004... Abstract Ellagic acid (1) and its two derivatives, 4-O-methylellagic acid (2) and 4-([alpha]-rhamnopyranosyl)ellagic acid (3) were isolated as inhibitors of aldose reductase (AR) from Myrciaria dubia (H. B. & K.) McVaugh. Compound 2 was...

Antiviral activity of the volatile oils of Melissa officinalis L. against Herpes simplex virus type-2.
November 1, 2004... Abstract Melissa officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) has been used in a variety of practical applications in medical science. Our objective in the current study was to determine the effects of the volatile oil components of M. officinalis on Herpes...

Evaluation of the trypanocidal and leishmanicidal in vitro activity of the crude hydroalcoholic extract of Pfaffia glomerata (Amarathanceae) roots.
November 1, 2004... Abstract Three different concentrations (1, 10 and 50 [micro]g/ml) of lyophilized hydroalcoholic crude extract of Pfaffia glomerata roots were assayed in vitro against strains of Trypanosoma cruzi (Y) and Leishmania braziliensis. It was...

Antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity of 18 prenylated flavonoids isolated from medicinal plants: Morus alba L., Morus mongolica Schneider, Broussnetia papyrifera (L.) Vent, Sophora flavescens Ait and Echinosophora koreensis Nakai.
November 1, 2004... Abstract Antimicrobial activity of the 18 prenylated flavonoids, which were purified from five different medicinal plants, was evaluated by determination of MIC using the broth microdilution methods against four bacterial and two fungal...

Triterpenoid cynarasaponins from Cynara cardunculus L. reduce chemically induced mutagenesis in vitro.
November 1, 2004... Abstract Saponins, steroid or triterpene glycosides, are known to have a broad spectrum of biological and pharmacological activities. Three different triterpenoid saponins, marked here as 1s, 2s and 3s, from involucral bracts of Cynara...

Mechanisms of the contractile effect of the alcoholic extract of Aegle marmelos Corr. on isolated guinea pig ileum and tracheal chain.
November 1, 2004... Abstract In the present work, the effect of the alcoholic extract of the leaves of Aegle marmelos Corr. on guinea pig isolated ileum and tracheal chain was investigated, as this plant is used traditionally to treat asthma and related...

Distinction of water-soluble constituents between natural and cultured Cordyceps by capillary electrophoresis.
November 1, 2004... Abstract Cordyceps is an expensive traditional Chinese medicine, which has anti-tumor activity and significant effects on the immune system. In Southeast Asia, Cordyceps is commonly sold in capsule form as a health food product. Most of...

Addendum to the ESCOP monograph on Harpagophytum procumbens**.(Letter to the Editor)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2004... Constituents New co-active constituents have been identified (Boje, 2002; Munkombwe, 2003). The constituent 6-acetylacetoside allows the two Harpagophytum species to be distinguished (being present in the procumbens and absent in the...

Addendum to the ESCOP monograph on Harpagophytum procumbens: reply from ESCOP.(Letter to the Editor)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2004... Dear Sir, Dr. Chrubasik's letter provides an interesting academic review of some recent (and early) research on Harpagophytum. However, apart from the most recent clinical findings, it would add little of importance to the Harpagophyti...

Antibacterial constituents from the berries of Piper nigrum.(SHORT COMMUNICATION)
November 1, 2004... Abstract Piper nigrum finds an extensive application in antibacterial preparations belonging to Ayurvedic system of medicine. A bioguided extraction and fractionation of the petroleum ether extract of the berries of P. nigrum afforded 2E,...

Antimicrobial activity of Securidaca longipedunculata.(SHORT COMMUNICATION)
November 1, 2004... Abstract The folk herbal uses of Securidaca longipedunculata in the treatment of diarrhea, boils, gonorrhea, and cough prompted phytochemical analyses and antimicrobial activity screening of extracts of the root. Some flavonoids isolated...

Medicinal and aromatic plants--industrial profiles, Vol 27: Geranium and Pelargonium.(Book Review)
November 1, 2004... Medicinal and aromatic plants--industrial profiles, Vol 27: Geranium and Pelargonium M. Lis-Balchin (Ed.); Taylor & Francis, London, 2002, 318 p., ISBN 0-415-28487-2 (HC) The volume 27 of the series Medicinal and aromatic...

Erratum.(Correction Notice)
November 1, 2004... We are sorry about publishing incorrect instructions to authors in this issue, page 706-707. Kindly note the following actual reference style for Phytomedicine: Literature citations should appear parenthetically in the text as the last...