Journal of ethnopharmacology
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Sinomenine, an alkaloid isolated from the root of Sinomenium acutum, has been used to alleviate the symptoms of rheumatic diseases. Liang Miao San (LMS), composed of the herbs Rhizoma Atractylodis (Cangzhu) and Cotex Phellodendri (Huangbai), is another traditional Chinese medicine formula for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment. Although numerous studies have demonstrated the potential anti-inflammatory activities of sinomenine and LMS, the underlying intracellular mechanisms regulating the anti-inflammatory activities of sinomenine and LMS on human primary fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) from RA patients and normal control subjects have not been elucidated. ⋯ Our results therefore provide a new insight into the differential anti-inflammatory activities of sinomenine and LMS through the suppression of TNF-α-activated FLS by modulating distinct intracellular signaling pathways in RA.
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Herbal drugs are gaining worldwide prominence due to their distinct advantages. Developing countries have started exploring the ethnopharmacological approach of drug discovery and have begun to file patents on herbal drugs. The expansion of R&D in Indian herbal research organizations and presence of manufacturing units at non-Indian sites is an indication of the capability to develop new products and processes. The present study attempts to identify innovations in the Indian herbal drug sector by analyzing the patenting trends in India, US and EU. ⋯ A majority of the herbal patents applications and grants in India are with individual inventors. Claim analysis indicates that these patents include novel multi-herb compositions with synergistic action. Indian research organizations are more active than companies in filing for patents. CSIR has maximum numbers of applications not only in India but also in the US and EU. Patents by research organizations and herbal companies are on development of new processes for active compound isolation and standardization of such components in addition to new compositions for therapeutic use. Pharmaceutical companies such as Ranbaxy, Lupin and Panacea Biotec are increasingly patenting on herbal drugs. There is increased patenting activity related to diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, asthma and arthritis in India and abroad.
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Traditional healers in Nigeria employ a range of plant preparations as wound healing agents. Despite the use of local plants in wound healing, there is only scant literature on the wound healing properties of these plants to support the continued therapeutic application of these herbal remedies. ⋯ Traditional use of many wound-healing plants from Nigeria can be rationalised by activity determined in relevant in vitro investigations of ethanol and aqueous extracts. These results support the traditional selection of these plants in South-western Nigeria for wound healing.
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SuHeXiang Wan (SHXW), a Chinese traditional medicine has been used orally for the treatment of seizures, infantile convulsion, stroke and so forth. Previously, we reported the effects of modified SHXW essential oil mixture of the fragrance containing herbs on the sedative effect, anticonvulsant property and antioxidative activity after fragrance inhalation. ⋯ The present study suggests that KSOP1009 may develop as a therapeutic drug for treatment of AD patients.
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Aloysia gratissima (Gill. et Hook) Tronc. (Verbenaceae) is used traditionally for the treatment of headache, bronchitis, and nervous systems disorders including depression. ⋯ The present study provides convincing evidence of neuroprotection and the involvement of the l-arginine-NO-cGMP pathway in the antidepressant-like effect of AE. Therefore, AE could be of potential interest for the treatment of depressive disorders and neurological conditions associated with glutamate excitotoxicity.