Journal of ethnopharmacology
-
Boswellia serrata Roxb. ex Colebr. is a multiple-use tree species used for fodder, timber and is tapped for an oleo-resin known internationally as Indian frankincense or Indian olibanum. The main commercial uses of B. serrata oleo-resin are medicinal, religious, and in cosmetics and perfumery. B. serrata, like other frankincense species, is an important source of boswellic acid used in the pharmaceutical industry. India is the only producer of B. serrata oleo-resin, mainly from the states of Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Jharkhand. Market demands, harvesting and managing practices have pressured Indian frankincense populations into imminent decline and start to affect populations of African frankincense as buyers turn to look for substitutions. ⋯ In conclusion, not only sustainable harvesting and management practices, but also establishing sustainable supply chains are needed to protect this species from overexploitation and thus endangerment.
-
The genus Salvia is one of the largest genera of the Lamiaceae family. In China, about 40 Salvia species have been used as medicinal plants for treatment of various diseases, specifically hepatic and renal diseases and those of the cardiovascular and immune systems. ⋯ This review summarizes the results from current studies about basic properties of medicinal Salvia species in China, such as active constituents and their mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, underlying molecular mechanisms, toxicology, and efficacy, which are still being studied and explored to achieve integration into medical practice.
-
This is the first study of global trade in fruits of the widely used traditional medicine, Helicteres isora L. It is used in Ayurvedic, Siddha, Unani medical systems and/or local folk traditional medicines in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. The roots are used in Traditional Chinese Medicines in China and the fruits in jamu products in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. In addition, H. isora fruits are also used in "traditional" medical systems far beyond the natural distribution of this species, for example in Zulu herbal medicine (South Africa) and Kurdish herbal medicines (Iraq). ⋯ India is the major exporter of whole dried H. isora fruits, including to countries where this species has never been in traditional use. In Indonesia, H. isora fruit extracts are used in the cosmetic industry as well as in jamu herbal medicines, including "Tolak Angin", the country's most popular commercial "jamu" preparation. Indonesia also is the major importer of H. isora fruits from India. In eastern Indonesia, improved income to local villagers from the H. isora fruit trade could come from improved H. isora fruit quality due to better drying techniques. This would also reduce health risks along the supply chain from to mycotoxins that have been recorded on poorly dried H. isora fruits. There also is an opportunity for cultivation of H. isora in small-holder teak plantations in Indonesia, with harvest of H. isora fruits as well as the medicinal bark.
-
Review Meta Analysis
Efficacy and safety of Xuebijing injection (a Chinese patent) for sepsis: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Xuebijing injection (XBJ), a Chinese patent medicine that was approved for treating sepsis in China in 2004, consists of Carthamus tinctorius L. (Carthami Flos, hong hua), Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (Paeoniae Radix Rubra, chi shao), Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. (Chuanxiong Rhizoma, chuan xiong), Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma, dan shen) and Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, dang gui). ⋯ This study suggested that supplementation with XBJ in addition to regular treatment may improve the 28-day mortality rate, APACHE Ⅱ scores, WBC count and body temperature of sepsis patients without serious adverse events, but it may not reduce mortality during treatment, revealing a specific, remote effect of traditional Chinese medicine. However, given the high risk of bias and the low quality of the included trials, we may be unable to draw any conclusions about its routine use. Rigorously designed, multicentre, large-scale, methodologically sound trials are warranted.
-
Trichosanthis Fructus (ripe fruits of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. and Trichosanthes rosthornii Harms) is an essential traditional Chinese medicine to treat thoracic obstruction, angina, cardiac failure, myocardial infarction, pulmonary heart disease, some cerebral ischaemic diseases, etc. The present report reviews the advancements in research on the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Trichosanthis Fructus. Finally, perspectives on future research and its possible directions are discussed. ⋯ Trichosanthis Fructus is an essential traditional Chinese medicine with pharmacological activities that mainly affect the cardiovascular system. This review summarises its botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology. Future research is needed to clarify the different uses of the seeds, pericarps and fruits. Quality control of investigations of the fruits should be improved, and the potential uses of the flesh, leaves and twigs should be further explored.