Journal of ethnopharmacology
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We recently reported the potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of umbelliferone 6-carboxylic acid (UMC) isolated from the whole plants of Angelica decursiva. In this study, we elucidated the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of UMC in vitro and in vivo. ⋯ The combined results of this study indicate that UMC is an important anti-inflammatory constituent of A. decursiva and its anti-inflammatory effect was due to its ability to inhibit the production of inflammatory mediators via inhibition of NF-κB activation pathway.
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Review Historical Article
Changing scenario for promotion and development of Ayurveda--way forward.
Ayurveda, derives from the Sanskrit words Ayus (life) and Veda (knowledge) is the most ancient system of traditional medicine of the world. It has been practiced in Indian peninsula since 5000 BC to offer natural ways to treat diseases and to promote healthcare. ⋯ Considering the widespread use and popularity of Ayurveda worldwide, administrative management and infrastructure facilities, indigenous practices and standards for quality control and it's evaluation have been highlighted. In India, all such efforts for integration of Ayurveda provide potential role in the health care benefits.
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Lilhocarpus polystachys Rehd. (Sweet Tea, ST) is a folk herbal medicine that has been traditionally used as a natural remedy for hypertension in China, whose mechanism remains unveiled. Flavonoid fraction is considered as the major active components in ST. This study aimed to provide experimental evidence for the anti-hypertension activity of flavonoid fraction of ST (ST-F) and investigate the underlying mechanism. The effect of ST-F on the blood pressure of normotensive rats was also to be determined. ⋯ ST-F had an antihypertensive effect on SHRs. The underlying mechanism could be related to modulation on the rennin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and antioxidation system, as well as regulation of skin microcirculation. Compared to its anti-hypertensive effect on SHRs, ST-F did not cause hypotension in normotensive rats. The results indicated that ST-F could potentially be used as natural drugs or functional foods for preventing hypertension.
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Inspite of tremendous advances made in allopathic medical practices, herbs still play an important role in the management of various liver diseases. A large number of plants and formulations have been claimed to have hepatoprotective activity. Jaundice is a symptom, indicative of the malfunctioning of the liver. This paper provides ethnomedicinal information on the plants used to treat jaundice by three important indigenous communities, i.e., nomadic Gujjars, Tharu and Bhoxa of Sub-Himalayan region, Uttarakhand, India. ⋯ The plants recorded in the present survey have also been discussed in relation to pharmacological studies and hepatoprotective phytoconstituents present in them. Most of the recorded plants have shown hepatoprotective effects on experimental animals in earlier studies but more studies are needed to assess hepatoprotective properties of some recorded medicinal plants viz., Averrhoa carambola L., Ehretia laevis Roxb., Holarrhena pubescens Wall., Mangifera indica L., Ocimum americanum L., Oroxylum indicum (L.) Kurz, Physalis divaricata D. Don, Solanum incanum L., Sphaeranthus senegalensis DC. and Tribulus terrestris L.. The plants enumerated in this study with high number of citations and wider distributions have given some useful leads for further biomedical research. Nevertheless more phytochemical, pharmaceutical and clinical studies are needed to evaluate hepatoprotective properties, efficacy and safety of all the claimed medicinal plants.
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Ophiopogon japonicus is a traditional Chinese medicine that might be helpful for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Recent studies have confirmed its beneficial properties, but not the mechanism of action. ⋯ These data indicate that MDG-1 has remarkable anti-diabetic activity through the InsR/IRS-1/PI3K/Akt/GSK-3/Glut-4 signaling pathway. We believe that MDG-1 is a promising anti-diabetic compound that will be helpful for the treatment of T2DM.