Journal of ethnopharmacology
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The present study was designed to investigate the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of the water extract (WE) and crude polysaccharides (CPs) obtained from the tuberous root of Liriope spicata (Thund.) var. prolifera Y. T. Ma, which is widely used in prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. ⋯ The results suggest that WE and CPs may have hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic potential for the type 2 diabetes and support the traditional use of the tuberous root of Liriope spicata var. prolifera as a hypoglycemic agent.
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Ilex paraguariensis St. Hilaire (Aquifoliaceae) is a plant widely cultivated in South America that is used to prepare a tea-like beverage with a reputation to improve cognitive function, a response that has been attributed to the constituents of the leaves, especially caffeine. Our previous study indicated that the hydroalcoholic extract of Ilex paraguariensis presents an antiparkinsonian profile in reserpine- and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine hydrochloride (MPTP)-treated rodents. ⋯ These results partly substantiate the traditional use of mate tea for improvement of cognition indicating that acute administration of hydroalcoholic extract of Ilex paraguariensis differentially modulates short- and long-term learning and memory in rats probably through its antagonist's action on adenosine receptors.
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Antrodia camphorata, a precious folkloric medicinal mushroom, has been used to treat tumorigenic diseases in Taiwan. This study was to investigate the innate immunity augmentation effects of different fractions prepared from hot water extracts of submerged cultured Antrodia camphorata (AC). ⋯ These results provide evidences that Antrodia camphorata can modulate innate immunity and may serve as an adjuvant for tumor treatment.
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Comparative Study
Evaluation of anti-tussive activity of Chamaedorea tepejilote.
Evaluate the potential inhibition of cough in a mouse model induced by sulfur dioxide gas of methanol and chloroform extracts of aerial parts of Chamaedorea tepejilote. ⋯ Both extracts exhibited significant antitussive activity, and the effect of the chloroform extract was dose dependent. The antitussive activity of this extract was comparable to that of theobromine. The effect of chloroform extract on the trachea was also tested; it did not relax pre-contractions in guinea pig trachealis induced KCl, carbachol or histamine.
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Comparative Study
Comparative pharmacokinetic study of paeoniflorin after oral administration of decoction of Radix Paeoniae Rubra and Radix Paeoniae Alba in rats.
An investigation was designed and conducted to compare the pharmacokinetics difference of paeoniflorin after oral administration of the extracts of Radix Paeoniae Rubra and Radix Paeoniae Alba to rats on separate occasions. Quantification of paeoniflorin in rat plasma was achieved using a simple and rapid HPLC method for pharmacokinetic study. ⋯ There were statistically significant differences in pharmacokinetic parameters of paeoniflorin including the t(max), C(max), AUC, t(1/2), CL, and V(d) among the animals orally administered the decoctions of Radix Paeoniae Rubra and Radix Paeoniae Alba. In particular, the parameters of t(max), C(max), and AUC of paeoniflorin were remarkably increased (P<0.05, P<0.001) when oral administering paeoniflorin in the decoctions of Radix Paeoniae Rubra, but t(1/2), V(d), and CL were decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01), in comparison of the decoction of Radix Paeoniae Alba.