American Journal of Ethnomedicine最新文献

{"title":"Evaluation of the Nutritional Compositions and Analgesic Effects of the Flavonoid Fraction of Eugenia uniflora Ripe Fruit Pulp","authors":"N. N. Onwudiwe, O. Njoku, Okwesilieze Fc Nwodo, J. E. Parker, M. Ogugofor","doi":"10.21767/2348-9502.100007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21767/2348-9502.100007","url":null,"abstract":"Objectives: This present study was carried out to determine the phytochemical compositions, proximate compositions, anti-nutrients content and analgesic activities of the flavonoid fraction from the ripe fruit pulp of Eugenia uniflora. Method: The phytochemical, proximate and anti nutrient compositions of the ripe fruit pulp of Eugenia uniflora and flavonoid extraction were determined using standard methods. The analgesic effect of the flavonoid fraction was evaluated using acetic acid-induced writhing and tail immersion test in mice. A dose 50 mg/ kg body weight of the flavonoid fraction was orally administered using cannula. The activity was compared with a standard reference drug 10 mg/kg diclofenac and normal control. Results: The different phytoconstituents of the fruit pulp include the alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, reducing sugar, tannins, terpenoids, saponins and steroids. The proximate showed moisture (90.35%), carbohydrate (4.68%), ash (3.05%), protein (1.31%), fat (0.63%) and fiber (0.11%) contents. The anti-nutrients present included oxalate (34.08%) and cyanogenic glycoside (0.16%). The fraction and the standard drug significantly lowered (p>0.05) the total number of writhes induced by acetic acid. The percentage inhibition decreased from 0% in the normal control to 57.78% at 50 mg/kg of the fraction. The fraction significantly increased (p<0.05) the pain reaction time (PRT) induced by tail immersion test compared to the standard drug and control groups. Conclusion: The fruit has adequate dietary nutrients and the concentration of the anti-nutrients will not be harmful to prevent the consumption of the fruit. It also suggests that E. uniflora fruit pulp possesses effective analgesic activity possibly mediated via both peripheral and central mechanism.","PeriodicalId":7497,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Ethnomedicine","volume":"12 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87240342","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ethnomedicinal Plants Used by Malayali and Narikuravar Communities in Erode District, Tamil Nadu, India","authors":"R. Silambarasan, J. Sureshkumar, M. Ayyanar","doi":"10.21767/2348-9502.1000015","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21767/2348-9502.1000015","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Traditional medicine plays an important role in primary healthcare of people reside in forest areas. We have reported the ethnomedicinal plants used by two ethnic communities in Western Ghats region of Erode district, Tamil Nadu, India. Aim of study: The aim of this study is to gather ethnomedicinal information from local people and herbalists and calculate the documented information with statistical parameters. Materials and methods: Semi structured questionnaire was used during the interview with Malayali and Narikuravar communities to document traditional knowledge on plants. The knowledge on medicinal plants used by informants to treat different types of ailments was analysed using the use value (UV) and frequency of citation (FC). Results: A total number of 69 species of medicinal plants belonging to 33 families have been reported to treat various illnesses. Most of the plants reported in this study were used to treat diabetes, joint pain, snake bite, kidney problems, uterine disorders, sexual and fertility problems, cough, indigestion and cancer. Moringa oleifera was reported with highest UV of 5.08. Conclusion: The present study revealed that, documentation of this knowledge will offer recognition of folk medicinal practices and could offer possible avenues for pharmacological analysis for a range of ailments. Keywords: Malayalis; Narikuravars; Ethnobotany; Tradi","PeriodicalId":7497,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Ethnomedicine","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73829288","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Folk Medicinal Use of Plants to Treat Skin Disorders in Chandpur District, Bangladesh","authors":"Nuzum Mahbub, S. Mazumder, Mohammed Zakaria Morshed, W. M. Haq, R. Jahan, M. S. Hossan, M. Rahmatullah","doi":"10.21767/2348-9502.1000019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21767/2348-9502.1000019","url":null,"abstract":"Title: Folk medicinal use of plants to treat skin disorders in Chandpur district, Bangladesh. Background: Folk medicinal practitioners (FMPs) possibly form the largest group of traditional medicinal practitioners in Bangladesh. FMPs essentially use plants for treatment of diseases; however, the selection of plants can differ widely among FMPs even within the same region. The objective of the present study was to document the phytotherapeutic practices of several FMPs in Chandpur district, who treated various types of skin disorders. Methods and findings: Interviews of the FMPs regarding their phytotherapeutic practices were carried out with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire and the guided field-walk method between 2016-2017. The FMPs used a total of 10 plants distributed into 10 families in their 9 formulations. Conclusions: Skin diseases are common in Bangladesh, particularly among the rural and urban slum people. These people most often cannot afford a visit to allopathic doctors. As such, the medicinal plants of the FMPs can prove useful in the treatment of skin disorders.","PeriodicalId":7497,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Ethnomedicine","volume":"61 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84676754","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Licorice constituents activate the in vitro fertilization","authors":"Y. Shoyama","doi":"10.21767/2348-9502-C1-001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21767/2348-9502-C1-001","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7497,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Ethnomedicine","volume":"49 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85862475","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Traditional Medicinal Plant Diversity of Penusilanarasimha Wild Life Sanctuary, Eastern Ghats, Andhra Pradesh","authors":"Basha Skm, P. Sivakumarreddy, A. IndiraPriyaDarsini.","doi":"10.21767/2348-9502.100003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21767/2348-9502.100003","url":null,"abstract":"Wildlife Sanctuary is climax forests and is the only representatives of natural or near-natural vegetation. These are dedicated to deities or ancestral spirits worshipped by local tribes along with surrounding plants and trees. These are ecosystems by themselves and perform all the ecological functions. The Present study deals with certain Medicinal Plants used by the local people who live in and around the Sri Penusilanarasimha Wild life Sanctuary. 308 species belonging to 92 families are enumerated. Out of 308 species Trees are 118 (38%), Herbs 87 (28%), Shrubs 58 (19%), Climbers 39 (13%), Straglers6 (2%). Fabaceae is the dominant family in the study area with 20 species (16%) and then Rubiaceae occupies second with 18 species (15%). Euphorbiaceae occupies third with 15 species (12%), Caesalpiniaceae occupies with fourth 13 species (11%) and Asteraceae occupies fifth with 10 species (8%).","PeriodicalId":7497,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Ethnomedicine","volume":"2 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82832369","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Utilization Pattern of Medicinal Plants by Different Tribes of Garo Hills of Meghalaya,North-East India","authors":"S. Uk","doi":"10.21767/2348-9502.100001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21767/2348-9502.100001","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Hyperlipidemia is one of the leading causes of death in developed as well as in developing countries like Bangladesh. Hyperlipidemia is a major risk factor for early development of atherosclerosis and its cardiovascular complications. The objective of the study was to evaluate antihyperlipidemic, antiathersclerotic and cardio-protective activities of the leaves (LE) and aerial root (AR) extracts of Heritiera fomes (Family: Malvaceae, local name: Sundari) which is a common species in the world’s largest mangrove forest, Sundarbans, major part of which is located in Bangladesh. Methods and findings: Extracts of the powdered LE and AR of Heritiera fomes were obtained using methanol, and the extracts were applied at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg of body weight, to treat the diabetic rats. Alloxan Monohydrate was used to induce diabetic condition in Sprague dawley rats. Metformin Hydrochloride was also used as a standard drug to treat the diabetic rats in order to compare the efficacy of the plant extracts with that of the standard drug. After 21 days of treatment, the animals were sacrificed and lipid profiles were estimated. The lipid levels were elevated in alloxan-induced diabetic rats as compared to the control rats. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and VLDL were increased in diabetic rats and the HDL level was significantly (P<0.001) decreased. After treatment with Heritiera fomes (LE and AR), the lipid levels of diabetic rats were returned to normal level and this reduction was dose-dependent, whereas HDL level was significantly (P<0.001) increased. LE and AR extracts also reduced atherosclerotic index and increased cardio-protective index as compared to the diabetic rats. Conclusion: Conventional drugs available for the treatment of hyperlipidemia carry the risks that may lead to many adverse effects such as weight loss, hypoglycemia, muscle pain, muscle damage, liver damage etc. So, medicinal plants having antihyperlipidemic, antiathersclerotic and cardio-protective properties should be given importance to avoid the adverse effects associated with modern allopathic lipid-lowering drugs. This study demonstrated that Heritiera fomes can be an excellent medicinal plant for the treatment of hyperlipidaemia, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular complications.","PeriodicalId":7497,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Ethnomedicine","volume":"29 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88345884","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Matthew Effect in Science is an Eponym Error","authors":"W. Onuigbo","doi":"10.21767/2348-9502.100006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21767/2348-9502.100006","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Cnidoscolus tehuacanensis (Euphorbiaceae) is a endemic plant known as \"bad woman\"; and is localized inside the Tehuacan-Cuicatlan Biosphere Reserve. It is used to counteract the effects of scorpion sting and to treat rheumatism, arthritis and hemorrhoids, but the ethnobotanical information of this plant is very scant. As well as, the chemical and biological research of this medicinal plant is very scarce. Objective: In view of the scarce chemical-pharmacological surveys available on Cnidoscolus tehuacanensis, the present study attempted to support popular knowledge about the medicinal benefits that this endemic plant offers. Material and methods: The aerial parts of C. tehuacanensis was extracted with CHCl3:MeOH and fractionated by CC-NP on silica gel. The study was centered on the chemical composition and the in vivo anti-inflammatory activity, it was determined in two model (topic and systemic), as well as the in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, and acute toxicological properties of the crude extract and fractions was determined. Results: Pentacyclic terpenes lupeol acetate and β-amyrin acetate were the main compounds identified in the leaves; lupeol, lupenone, β-amyrin, β-amyrenone, and betulin are minor compounds that were detected, and some polyphenols such as isoorientin and amentoflavone were detected by HPLC in the organic extract. Primary fractions containing lupeol acetate and β-amyrin acetate as main components showed significant anti-inflammatory activity. C. tehuacanensis samples did not reveal an important effect against the bacterial strains tested; in addition, the crude extract and the polar fractions demonstrated a negligible antioxidant effect. Conclusions: Lupeol acetate and β-amyrin acetate, together with the polyphenols, are responsible for the anti-inflammatory effect C. tehuacanensis leaves, an assumption that supports the popular use of this plant. The current study explored the chemical-pharmacological knowledge of a Mexican plant that to our knowledge had been, to date, scarcely reviewed.","PeriodicalId":7497,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Ethnomedicine","volume":"32 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74290447","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ayurvedic Influences and Novel Combination of Phytotherapy and Zootherapy by a Folk Medicinal Practitioner of Domar Upazila in Nilphamari District, Bangladesh","authors":"S. Nahar, Be-nazir Farzana, R. Jahan, Taufiq Rahman, S. Hossan, C. Wiart, M. Rahmatullah","doi":"10.21767/2348-9502.1000017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21767/2348-9502.1000017","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Bangladesh is possibly unique in that many different traditional medicinal systems are present like Ayurveda, Unani, homeopathy, and folk medicine. The objective of the present study was to document the novel therapeutic practices of a folk medicinal practitioner (FMP) in Nilphamari district, who used a combination of phytotherapy and zootherapy practices, and whose formulations further included his own modifications of standard Ayurvedic formulations. Methods and findings: Interviews of the FMP regarding his ethnomedicinal practices were carried out with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire and the guided field-walk method from August 2016 till February 2017. The FMP used a total of 44 plants distributed into 29 families in his formulations. The total number of formulations used was 25 for treatment of a diverse group of ailments like respiratory tract disorders, eye disorders, filariasis, diabetes, weakening of immune system, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, tuberculosis, heart disorders, puerperal fever, and jaundice. The FMP also used parts from seven animals (fish, insect, bird – all are classified as animal) alone or in conjunction with plants in his treatment. Conclusions: The FMP used a number of plants in his treatment, the ethnomedicinal uses of which plants being hitherto not reported from Bangladesh. The combination of phytotherapy and zootherapy is unique as well as modifications of Ayurvedic formulations, and if scientifically validated, may prove useful for treatment of a number of diseases. Overall, the FMP’s treatment methods merit further scientific attention especially towards development of an effective method to treat diabetes, hypertension, and filariasis.","PeriodicalId":7497,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Ethnomedicine","volume":"4 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82409919","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Vasodilatory Effects of Aqueous Extract from Harungana madagascariensis Stem Bark in Isolated Rat Aorta: The Roles of Endothelium and K+ Channels","authors":"E. Tom, Justin Rodrigue Billong Mimb, Nyemb Nyunai, Yannick Fouda Bekono, F. Longo, S. K. Fogue, T. Dimo","doi":"10.21767/2348-9502.100008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21767/2348-9502.100008","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Hypertension is the most modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases worlwide. It is one of the leading causes for mortality, as it may be asymptomatic but a lot of complications will develop rapidly and leading to death. Prevention and control of hypertension decreases mortality, and heart failure. The aim of this study was to investigate the vascular activity of aqueous extract obtained from stem bark of Harungana madagascariensis (Hypericaceae) and to determine the pharmacological mechanisms of the extract on rat aorta in vitro. Methods and Findings: The activity of different concentrations of H. madagascariensis aqueous extract (HMAE) was evaluated on contractile responses of isolated aorta to phenylephrine (PE, 1 μM) and potassium chloride (KCl, 60 mM). Then, various pharmacological agents were used to assess the involved vascular mechanisms. The extract (10-3- 8.10-1 mg/mL and 6.10-1-1 mg/mL) induced a concentration dependent relaxation respectively in aortic rings precontracted by PE and KCl. The effect on PE-preconstricted aortic rings was significantly reduced after endothelium removal, whereas it was enhanced on KCl-preconstricted rings. L-NAME, methylene blue and indomethacin as well as tetraethylammonium and barium chloride reduced significantly this vasorelaxation after PE-induced contraction. The vasorelaxant effect of sodium nitroprusside was not modified in the presence of HMAE. Conclusions: The involvement of NO-cGMP as well as prostacyclin-cAMP pathways contributes to the endothelium-dependent relaxant effects of HMAE after PEinduced contraction. Contribution of Ca2+-activated K+ channels, voltage-activated K+ channels and K+ inward rectifier channels as endothelium-independent mechanisms could also explain its vasorelaxants effects. The observed data suggest that HMAE has potential effects as phytoalternative treatment for hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases.","PeriodicalId":7497,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Ethnomedicine","volume":"58 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87886440","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Histochemical Localization of Crystals and their Taxonomic Significance in Five Species of the Subfamily Papilioniodeae","authors":"Abubacker Mn, S. Gurunathan, G. Ganapathy, M. Prince","doi":"10.21767/2348-9502.100004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21767/2348-9502.100004","url":null,"abstract":"An investigation into the histochemical localization of crystals and their taxonomic significance in five species of the subfamily Papilioniodeae was carried out. The result showed the presence of rhomboidal type of crystals in the leaf of M. aboensis and L. cyanescens; stellate type in C.pubescens but absent of crystals in C.retusa and I. spicata. The petiole of M. aboensis has stellate, rhomboidal and styloid types of crystals; I. spicata has crystal sand type; C. pubescens has both stellate and rhomboidal types; L. cyanescens has stellate but absence of all these types in C. retusa. At stem of these species, M. aboensis has stellate, rhomboidal and crystal sand crystals; I. spicata has rhomboidal; C. pubescens has stellate, rhomboidal and crystal sand crystals; L. cyanescens has only crystal sand type while C. retusa has none. There is absence of crystals at the root of these species. These results showed that M. aboensis and C. pubescens are closely related in terms of crystal types while C. retusa can be distinguished from the rest of the taxa investigated.","PeriodicalId":7497,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Ethnomedicine","volume":"4 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75717970","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}