Journal of Medicinal Herbs
Volume:9 Issue: 4, Winter 2018

 Acorus calamus L. (Araceae) is an herb traditionally used in Indian and Chinees system of medicine. It is a perennial herb with long, cylindrical scented rhizomes which are creeping and extensively branched with the thickness up to 2.5 cm. The rhizomes are whitish internally and brownish externally in appearance. It is vernacularly known as Bach in India. The present investigation reveals the phytochemical screening and antioxidant activity of the rhizome and leaves methanolic extracts of A calamus from three different altitudes of Uttarakhand.

The extracts compositions of Acorus calamus rhizomes and leaves collected from three different altitudes of Uttarakhand Himalayas, India. The yield of extracts ranged from 0.3- 4.8% w/v, were analyzed by GC/MS and in-vitro antioxidant assay were done by different methods.

 Over 65 contributing 80.90-90.55 % in different extracts among all the accessions were identified. The major compounds identified were β-asarone (44.9-51.9%), shyobunone (1.1%- 5.3%), Z-methyl isoeugenol (0.1%-2.4%), leinoleic acid (6.4%-18.9%), α-asarone(0.1%-4.6%) and Z-isoelemicin (2.2%-15.8%). The amount of phenolics in rhizome extracts, ranged from 4.10 mg-4.80 mg GAE/g respectively, whereas in leaf extracts the amounts were 2.40-3.26mg GAE/g respectively. All the extracts exhibited good in vitro antioxidant activity with the IC50 values ranging from 0.3- 4.8 % w/v determined by different methods compared to standard antioxidant.Recommended applications/industries: Based on above observations it can be inferred that the herb may be a good source of bioactive compounds and can work as an antioxidant to prevent the oxidative deteriorative activity of food materials beside generation of database for its scientific and judicious in-situ exploitation.

Medicinal plants have been of immense therapeutic values to many communities, some traditional folklore places emphasis on collecting plants during the day for medicinal purpose. This study examined the effect of collection time on the phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of Azadirachta indica leaves. Experimental: Leaves samples were collected at six hour intervals between 6AM to 6PM, phytochemical quantification was done using standard methods; antioxidant assays were done after ethanol extraction via reducing power and nitric oxide scavenging assay (NO).

Saponin concentration ranged from 1.08-1.24%, Tannin 0.22-0.31%, Steroid 0.08-0.14%, Glycoside 0.090-0.104%, Alkaloids 3.88-4.27%, Flavonoids 0.050-0.080% and 1.16-1.32% for Phenolics in the leaves of A. indica collected at different time of the day. The effect of time of sample collection on the phytochemical constituents shows that phytochemicals such as saponin, tannin, glycoside, alkaloids and phenolics are significantly (p<0.05) more concentrated in the leaves in the evening time (6PM) compared to other time period while steroid and flavonoid are also significantly more concentrated in the noon time (12PM). Reducing power assay shows that leave samples collected at 12PM exhibited the highest reducing power which is comparable with the samples collected at 6PM. The early morning samples showed the least reducing power while the standard antioxidant had higher reducing power than the three sample extracts. The highest percentage NO inhibition was observed in leave samples collected at 12PM (72.40%), but this is less than the ascorbic acid (standard antioxidant) which shows 84.47% inhibition. Analysis of the IC50 revealed that the afternoon sample (12PM) had the least value (23.29 μg/ml) thus, possessing better antioxidant capacity with respect to the NO scavenging; this is to a lower extent than the IC50 value (12.71 μg/ml) of the standard antioxidant.Recommended applications/industries: From the foregoing, variation exists in daytime concentrations of phytochemical in A. indica leaves which may impact on its pharmacological actions.

Caryopteris odorata is an aromatic shrub of family verbenaceae growing in tropical to subtropical regions. Various traditional applications of this plant have been documented guiding us to investigate the pharmacological activities and to further investigate the chemical composition. Experimental: Methanolic extract of aerial parts of Caryopteris odorata was investigated for antioxidant activity and the major phyto-constituents and total phenolic content were screened. The antioxidant activity was determined by measuring the scavenging activity using DPPH radical scavenging, NO radical scavenging, so radical scavenging activity, Metal chelating and reducing power assay. The antimicrobial efficacy was determined using agar well diffusion method against gram positive as well as gram negative bacteria. Sensitivity in terms of zones of inhibition and phytochemical composition of the extracts were also determined. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using albumin denaturation method. Diclofenec Sodium was used as a standard drug for the study of anti-inflammatory activity.

The results revealed that, methanolic extracts possess broad spectrum antibacterial activity against three microorganisms. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of diterpenes carbohydrates, glycosides, sterols and triterpenoids, aliphatic acids , tocopherols and phenolics. The methenolic extract exhibit strong antioxidant activity (IC50 values for DPPH assay 164.60 ±0.37 mg/ml, for metal chelating 280.30 ± 3.28 mg/ml, for reducing assay 80.38 ± 0.79 mg/ml, respectively). The extract also showed in vitro anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the heat induced albumin denaturation with IC50 value as 497.22 ± 1.34 mg/ml, respectively. From the result, it is concluded that the C.odorata possess a rich amount of different class of compounds and further the phytochemicals present in the C.odorata extract may be responsible for the antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Recommended applications/industries: The results obtained from various activities suggest Caryopteris odorata application as natural alternative antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial reagent.

Parquetina nigrescens is an important plant in the Southwestern part of Nigeria used as memory enhancer. This study aimed to investigate the memory enhancing effect of the methanol stem extract of P. nigrescens (MSEPN).  Experimental: Phytochemical screening was carried out on the extract and the oral median lethal dose (LD50) determined using the OECD 425 limit test. The effects of MPN (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) on learning and memory was evaluated in elevated plus maze (EPM), Barnes maze (BM) and novel object recognition test (NORT). The locomotive activity was studied using the open field test (OFT). The antiamnesic effect of the extract was assessed in EPM. 

The phytochemical constituents in MSEPN were tannins, saponins, phenolics, carbohydrates and unsaturated sterols. The LD50 was ≥ 5000mg/kg. Piracetam and the extract significantly (p≤0.05) decreased transfer latencies (TL) on day 1 and 2 in EPM. In the BM, the escape latencies and escape errors were decreased significantly (p≤ 0.05, p≤ 0.01) at 250 and 1000 mg/kg, respectively. The time spent in target quadrant (TSQ) was significantly (p≤ 0.01) increased at 250 and 500 mg/kg of extract. Piracetam significantly decreased escape latency (p≤ 0.05), escape errors (p ≤ 0.01) and increased TSQ. Discrimination index in the NORT was significantly (p ≤ 0.01) increased. The extract did not significantly alter the number of square cross (NSC) and rearing (NR) but significantly (p ≤ 0.05) decreased TL increased by diazepam on day 1. Piracetam increased NSC and NR and significantly (p≤ 0.01, p≤ 0.05) decreased TL on day 1 and 2 in EPM.  Recommended applications/industries: The memory enhancing potential of MSEPN can be applied in the treatment of amnesia.

The aim of the review is to study the bioactivity, chemoprevention and chemotherapy approach of flavonoids as the emerging therapeutic agents.

The quickest way of managing health challenges in the developing world is by the uses of herbs. These medicinal plants are known to contain phytochemicals that conferred on them these pharmacological potentials. Among these chemical constituents are the flavonoids which become the emergent therapeutic agents because of their vast pharmacological properties. Among reported activities of plants derived phytochemicals, flavonoids have shown various pharmacological activities. Many flavonoids have shown significant anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant activities. Therefore, researches have focused on developing potent bioactive flavonoids. Recent researchers have focused on the development of potent drugs with minimal toxicity for cancer chemoprevention and chemotherapy. The antibacterial activities of flavonoids against a wide range of microorganisms and their radical-scavenging ability are well known and reported. Therefore, one can conclude that flavonoids have actually become emerging therapeutic agents. Recommended applications/industries: In view of the pharmaceutical properties of various flavonoids such as anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant activities, they could be used in pharmaceutical industries.

The leaves, fruit pulp and seeds of Cucurbita pepo are widely consumed as vegetables, and as food additives. They are used as condiments in some part of the country and also for their medicinal properties. This study, however investigated the fruit shell of Cucurbita pepo for its proximate and mineral composition using standard analytical methods.

The fruit shell was separated from the pulp and seeds, washed, dried and homogenized. Proximate composition was determined using standard procedures; the sample was later digested with concentrated nitric acid and perchloric acid for mineral analysis.

The proximate composition showed that the fruit shell is rich in carbohydrates (44.60±0.06%) and crude fiber (28.53±0.08%). Protein, ash, moisture and fat were also present in considerable amounts. Minerals such as Na, K, P, Cu, Mg, Fe, Ca and Mn were present at varying concentrations while Zn and Cr were not detected. Findings from this study which correlate with previous works show that C. pepo fruit shell is a natural repository of nutrients which play a range of important roles in different metabolisms of the body.

The results showed that C. pepo fruit shell is nutritious and can be used in formulating feed for livestocks, hence its disposal should be discouraged.

Currently, the use of beneficial microorganisms with the hope to reduce the adverse effects of drought has been the focus of attention. In present study, the effects of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and drought stress on essential oil (EO) and physiological status of Thymus daenensis Celak, were investigated.

The experiment was arranged as a factorial pattern in a randomized complete design with three replications. Factors were four irrigation regimes included: well-watered (A: absence of stress), irrigation after depletion of 20-25% of field capacity (L: low stress), irrigation after depletion of the 35-40% of field capacity (M: mild stress) and irrigation after depletion of the 55-60% of field capacity (S: severe stress). Also, two PGPR treatments, non-inoculation (C: control) and inoculation with PGPR were conducted.

The results showed that drought stress reduced root and shoot dry weight, relative water content, photosynthetic pigments and gas change parameters but PGPR inoculation improved all of them. Proline, malondialdehyde, electrolyte leakage and stomatal resistance increased with increasing water stress, but PGPR inoculation ameliorate these increases in corresponding treatments. PGPR inoculation increased essential oil production although this increase was not statistically significant but water stress decreased it.

The results suggest that PGPR inoculation could be an excellent strategy to alleviate adverse effects of water stress in Thymus daenensis cultivation in drought stress conditions. Therefore, farmers in semiarid regions could produce T. daenensis by using of PGPR at low water stress for the highest economic amount of extracted essential oil.

 Throughout the past three decades, scientific attention has been increased in examining Unani drugs for a potential therapeutic or preventive agent in the management of a number of health disorders in general and skin disorder in particular. The purpose of this systematic review is to analyze and categorize the current state of scientific evidence from clinical studies regarding the efficacy of Unani drugs in skin diseases.

Electronic and non-electronic systematic searches were carried out to identify all relevant clinical research on Unani drugs. Reference lists of articles that met the inclusion criteria were searched. Only studies reported in English were reviewed. Studies on single Unani drugs and compound formulations in various skin diseases were included, in accordance with the PRISMA statement that included studies must measure a physiological and/or a behavioral outcome.

 The studies that met our inclusion criteria are effects of Unani drugs on Acne (n=5), Melasma (n=2), Pityriasis (n=1), Vitiligo (n=2), Urticaria (n=2), Ring worm (n=2), Psoriasis (n= 3), Eczema (n = 2), and Scabies (n = 1). The data from these studies support the efficacy of Unani drugs as compared to placebo and standard drugs in improving Acne, Melasma, Pityriasis, Vitiligo, Urticaria, Ring worm, Psoriasis, Eczema and Scabies.

Findings from initial clinical trials suggest that Unani drugs may improve the clinical manifestations of skin diseases. However, larger multi-site clinical trials are needed to extend these preliminary findings.