Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oils of five Scrophularia L. Species from Turkey

The essential oils of the five Scrophularia species; Scrophularia chrysantha Jaub. et Spach, Scrophularia kotschyana Benth., Scrophularia olympica Boiss., Scrophularia cinerascens Boiss. and Scrophularia zuvandica Grossh. were obtained by hydrodistillation (HD) with a range of 0.10% to 0.16% yield and analazsed by GC-FID/MS. In the meantime, the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of S. chrysantha, S. kotschyana, S. olympica, S. cinerascens and S. zuvandica were also identified with the technique of SPME GCFID/MS and the phytochemical results were evaluated. The experimental results of this study showed that the major compounds of essential oils which were taken by the hydrodistillation were carvacrol (52.4%), 2pentadecanone (26.7%), 2-pentadecanone (12.2%), (Z)-2-nonenal (11.2%) and carvacrol (69.1%) respectively. Isovaleraldehyde (37.1%, 27.9%), eucalyptol (13.8%), 2-ethyl furan (14.8%) and 3(Z)-hexenol (91.3%) were respectively found as the main constituents of the five Scrophularia species with SPME method. Also antimicrobial activities of the essential oils of the five Scrophularia species were screened by using agar well diffusion method. It was identified that S. olympica, S.chrysantha, and S. kotschyana, have anti-tuberculosis activity, whereas, the essential oils gained from S. zuvandica and S. cinerascens have anti-fungal activit

Phytochemical Analysis and Various Biological Activities of the Aerial Parts of Scrophularia Atropatana Growing in Iran

Scrophularia atropatana (S. atropatana), an Iranian plant belonging to the family of Scrophulariaceae, was assigned for its chemical compositions and biological activities of essential oil (EO) and extracts of the aerial parts of the plant during the flowering stage. Combination of GC-MS and GC-FID was assessed for analyzing the chemical compositions of the EO from the aerial parts of S. atropatana. Furthermore, Brine shrimp lethality test and DPPH assay were performed to evaluate general toxicity and free-radical-scavenging properties, respectively. Furthermore, anti-proliferative and antimicrobial activities were assessed by MTT assay and disc diffusion methods correspondingly. Additionally, all the potent samples (extracts) and its fractions in the MTT assay were further studied for the presence of various compounds by GC-MS apparatus. MeOH extract and 40% sep-pak fraction indicated high amounts of total phenolic (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant properties. In the case of general toxicity, among the extracts, dichloromethane (DCM) extract showed noticeable effect. Furthermore, DCM extract was indicated potent ability to eliminate breast tumor cells and minimum efficacy on normal cells. Anti-microbial activity of all samples was ignorable. The potent extracts and fractions which had more anti-proliferative activity were further elucidated by GC-MS and showed high amounts of Alkanes and fatty acids. In the case of EO constituents, non-terpenoids were the major compounds. To sum up, it seems BSLT could be a good preliminary approach for evaluating the cytotoxicity in MCF-7 cell line. Additionally, antioxidant activity, TPC, and TFC contents of all samples were in consistent with each other

Evaluation of herbs as potential alternatives for bear bile and rhino horn used in traditional Chinese medicines: chemical and biological analysis.

There is currently an unsustainable rate of exploitation of certain species of plants and animals for use in traditional medicines. Bear bile and rhino horn are derived from endangered species and are traditionally combined with medicinal herbs as anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory agents. This study was designed to assess herbs for use as possible alternatives for these two products. Herbs were selected based on their traditional use as antiinflammatory and anti-bacterial agents. Chemical methods were used to confirm the plant species of the herbs and to measure concentrations of metals and pesticide residues as a means for assessing their quality. Antibacterial activities were determined using a direct bioautography technique. Anti-inflammatory activities of the herb extracts and isolated compounds were ascertained using an in vitro nuclear factor kappaB (NF-KB) activity, as assessed by IL-6 luciferase gene reporter assay. A novel assay was developed to estimate drug-herb interactions by measuring the effects of selected herbs and drugs on the production of eicosatrienoic acids from hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP450) metabolism of arachidonic acid. In addition, CYP3A4 enzyme assays were conducted. The pesticide residue and heavy metal concentrations of the tested herbs was found not to exceed the existing legally permitted concentrations in foodstuffs, but the rhino horn sample contained elevated levels of Cd, Pb, Hg and Zn. Rhino horn was not found to be an effective anti-bacterial or anti-inflammatory agent In the assays used in this study. Seventeen herbs demonstrated anti-bacterial activity. Also, nine herbs demonstrated inhibitory NF-KB activity. Preliminary results indicate that co-administration of Scutel/aria baicalensis, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Rehmann/a glutinosa or Coptidis Rhizoma with drugs metabolised by CYP3A4, could lead to possible drug-herb interactions. Based on the Information obtained in these studies nine herbs are proposed as alternatives to rhino horn; eight herbs and two Kampo medicines are proposed as alternatives to bear bile

Analytische, phytochemische und zellbiologische Untersuchungen zu Scrophulariae radix (Scrophularia ningpoensis HEMSL.) und Xanthii fructus (Xanthium sibiricum PATR.)

Das wachsende Interesse und der aktuelle Zuspruch für pflanzliche Drogen aus dem Bereich der TCM führte dazu, dass im Oktober 2005 die DAB-Kommission den Beschluss fasste, dass für insgesamt 19 Drogen nationale Monographien erarbeitet werden sollten. Vorrangig wurde dabei toxikologisch bedenkliches Pflanzenmaterial, z.B. bei dem es zu Verwechslungen mit Aristolochiasäurehaltigen Drogen kommen könnte, ausgewählt. (DAB-Kommission: Monographien für TCM-Drogen, 2005; Auszug des Protokolls der DAB-Kommission 2005, 2005) Astragali radix, Coptidis rhizoma und Bupleuri radix zählten unter anderem zu der Liste an TCM-Drogen, die für die ersten Monographievorschläge ausgewählt wurden (Auszug des Protokolls der DAB-Kommission 2005, 2005). Sechs Arzneidrogen wurden bereits in vorhergehenden Arbeiten an der Universität Regensburg (Brem, 2010; Scherübl, 2014) untersucht und als Monographievorschläge für das DAB eingereicht und implementiert. Im Rahmen der vorliegenden Arbeit sollte das pflanzliche Drogenmaterial von Scrophulariae radix und Xanthii fructus qualitativen und quantitativen analytischen Untersuchungen, mit dem Ziel eines Monographievorschlages, unterzogen werden. Verwendung fand dabei verfügbares Drogenmaterial von TCM-Importeuren (z.B. Chinamedica, Sinophyto und Herbasinica) und im Falle von Scrophulariae radix, zusätzliches Drogenmaterial aus deutschem Versuchsanbau der Bayerischen Landesanstalt für Landwirstschaft (Heuberger et al., 2010). In den zu erarbeitenden Monographien setzt sich die Defintion des Drogenmaterials aus der Stammpflanze, der Droge, bzw. deren Gewinnung und dem ermittelten Gehalt zusammen. Bei der Gewinnung der Droge, insbesondere dem „processing“ oder der Vorbehandlung, die auch mit einer Fermentation einhergehen kann, war es nicht uneingeschränkt möglich, die Vorschriften des ChP zu übernehmen. Angaben wie „dried in the sun or baked to be half-dried“ (Scrophulariae Radix, 2010) konnten aufgrund fehlender Präzision und Standardisierung der Methoden, was längst ein bekanntest Problem darstellt (Wu et al., 2018), nicht übernommen werden. Die makroskopische und mikroskopische Untersuchung (Prüfung auf Identität A und B) des Drogenmaterials wurde ausgehend vom ChP (Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China, 2015; Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China, 2010), deren deutscher Übersetzung (Arzneibuch der Chinesischen Medizin, 2005, 2010 und 2015) und geeigneter Literatur anhand der vorhandenen Drogenproben überprüft und gegebenfalls angepasst. Für die weitere Identitätsbestimmung wurde eine zeitsparende DC/HPTLC Methode (Identität C) unter Vermeidung toxikologisch bedenklicher Fließmittel gefunden bzw. entwickelt, mittels derer das Drogenmaterial eindeutig anhand zweier Marker identifiziert werden konnte (European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare, 2007; International conference on harmonisation of technical requirements for registration of pharmaceuticals for human use, 2016). Für Scrophulariae radix wurden die Marker Harpagid, Harpagosid und für Xanthii fructus Chlorogensäure und 1,5-Dicaffeoylchinasäure gewählt und die entsprechende Methode validiert (Reich and Schibli, 2007). Reinheitsuntersuchungen, wie beispielsweise Trocknungsverlust und Asche wurden, wie nach ChP gefordert, aber entsprechend der Vorschriften aus dem Ph.Eur. (Europäisches Arzneibuch, 2017) durchgeführt und deren Grenzwerte gegebenenfalls abweichenden Analysenergebnissen angepasst. \ud Eine Gehaltsbestimmung sollte primär mittels HPLC-DAD durchgeführt werden. Dafür wurden ebenfalls bestehende Vorschriften evaluiert, optimiert und in Anlehnung an die ICH Guidelines (International conference on harmonisation of technical requirements for registration of pharmaceuticals for human use, 2005) validiert. Im Falle von Scrophulariae radix wurde zusätzlich eine densitometrische Gehalstbestimmungsmethode (HPLTC) neu entwickelt, diese aber aufgrund der Diskrepanzen zu den ermittelten Gehalten per HPLC-DAD nicht weiterverfolgt. Im Zuge der Reinheitsbestimmung von Xanthii fructus sollte zudem eine Quantifizierungsmethode (HPLC-DAD) entwickelt werden, mittels derer beide toxikologisch relevanten Diterpene, CATR und ATR (Xue et al., 2014), detektiert werden können. Abweichend vom ChP (Xanthii Fructus, 2015), das zwischen unverarbeitetem (Quantifizierung von CATR) und verarbeitetem (processed) Drogematerial (Quantifizierung von ATR) unterscheidet, sollte eine Methode für den Monographievorschlag entwickelt werden, die beide Analyten in einem Lauf quantifiziert. Da nur CATR kommerziell erhältlich war, musste das zweite Diterpen ATR, anhand verschiedener Trenn- und Aufarbeitungsverfahren aus Drogenmaterial isoliert und anhand von Literaturdaten charakterisiert werden, um für die Methodenentwicklung als Marker verwendet werden zu können. Eine Validierung der Methode war ledigich für CATR möglich, aufgrund der fehlenden kommerziellen Verfügbarkeit des ATRs konnte die Methode nicht für den Monographievorschlag übernommen werden (European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare, 2007). Zusätzlich zu den analytischen und phytochemischen Untersuchungen zu Xanthii fructus wurden zellbiologische in vitro Testungen der beiden Diterpene inklusive wässriger pflanzlicher Extrakte (Dekokte) mit Hilfe dreier verschiedener Zellreihen am Modell des MTT-Assays, zur Abschätzung der mitchondrialen Aktivität, durchgeführt. Überraschenderweise kam es erst in hohen Konzentrationen der Substanzen zu einer deutlichen Abnahme der Viabilität. Zudem konnte die aus der Literatur beschriebene deutlich stärkere Toxizität des CATRs im Gegensatz zum ATR (Luciani et al., 1978; Luciani et al., 1971) nicht bestätigt werden

Evaluation of herbs as potential alternatives for bear bile and rhino horn used in traditional Chinese medicines : chemical and biological analysis

There is currently an unsustainable rate of exploitation of certain species of plants and animals for use in traditional medicines. Bear bile and rhino horn are derived from endangered species and are traditionally combined with medicinal herbs as anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory agents. This study was designed to assess herbs for use as possible alternatives for these two products. Herbs were selected based on their traditional use as antiinflammatory and anti-bacterial agents. Chemical methods were used to confirm the plant species of the herbs and to measure concentrations of metals and pesticide residues as a means for assessing their quality. Antibacterial activities were determined using a direct bioautography technique. Anti-inflammatory activities of the herb extracts and isolated compounds were ascertained using an in vitro nuclear factor kappaB (NF-KB) activity, as assessed by IL-6 luciferase gene reporter assay. A novel assay was developed to estimate drug-herb interactions by measuring the effects of selected herbs and drugs on the production of eicosatrienoic acids from hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP450) metabolism of arachidonic acid. In addition, CYP3A4 enzyme assays were conducted. The pesticide residue and heavy metal concentrations of the tested herbs was found not to exceed the existing legally permitted concentrations in foodstuffs, but the rhino horn sample contained elevated levels of Cd, Pb, Hg and Zn. Rhino horn was not found to be an effective anti-bacterial or anti-inflammatory agent In the assays used in this study. Seventeen herbs demonstrated anti-bacterial activity. Also, nine herbs demonstrated inhibitory NF-KB activity. Preliminary results indicate that co-administration of Scutel/aria baicalensis, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Rehmann/a glutinosa or Coptidis Rhizoma with drugs metabolised by CYP3A4, could lead to possible drug-herb interactions. Based on the Information obtained in these studies nine herbs are proposed as alternatives to rhino horn; eight herbs and two Kampo medicines are proposed as alternatives to bear bile.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Chemical and biological characterisation of extracts from forgotten or underutilised medicinal and aromatic plants from Midi-Pyrénées (France) and Chongqing (China) regions

In both Midi-Pyrénées region (France) and Chongqing region (China), there are rich and underutilized medicinal and aromatic plants (MAP). Aiming at fully exploiting different molecules in these plants, the concept of MAP-refinery was developed and applied to several underutilized medicinal and aromatic plants in these two regions. Several water-based green extraction technologies of natural products (e.g. hydrodistillation, steam distillation and subcritical water extraction) were also investigated to look at their effects on essential oil composition and antioxidants recovery from selected plants. Firstly, lists of forgotten or underutilized medicinal and aromatic plants in both regions were established according to the rules of selection. From the lists, six plants in the Midi-Pyrénées region (Tussilago farfara L., Calendula arvensis L., Robinia pseudoacacia L., Geranium robertianum L., Cytisus scoparius L. and Spartium junceum L.) and three plants in the Chongqing region (Tussilago farfara L., Citrum aurantium L. and Saussurea costus) were finally selected for investigations. Then the MAP-refinery was applied to the selected plants in two regions in order to realise their global valorisation. Volatile extracts composition in the roots of Tussilago farfara L. and Calendula arvensis L., as well as flower buds of Spartium junceum L. were firstly investigated. The main chemical compounds in volatile extract from Tussilago farfara L. roots were sesquiterpene hydrocarbons and aliphatic compounds while main chemical compounds in volatile extract from Calendula arvensis L. roots were oxygenated sesquiterpenes, oxygenated monoterpenes and oxygenated diterpenes. The volatile extract from flower buds of Spartium junceum L. was mainly composed of aliphatic compounds. Antioxidant capacity evaluation results (by DPPH, ABTS, FRAC, ORAC and Folin-Ciocalteu tests) showed that several plant samples like Cytisus scoparius L., Tussilago farfara L., Citrum aurantium L. and Robinia pseudoacacia L. could be potential sources of natural antioxidants. Comparisons of hydrodistillation (HD), steam distillation (SD) and subcritical water extraction (SWE) showed that HD and SD had limited effects on essential oil composition but HD, SD and SWE had significant impacts on the recovery of antioxidants. Hydrodistillation seemed to be a better method for recovery of antioxidant compounds from residues of distillation than steam distillation. However, SWE appeared to be a more efficient method for direct extraction of antioxidant molecules (or phenolic compounds) from plants. In the hydrodistillation process, mineral contents in water were found to have very limited effects on yields of extracts but calcium and bicarbonate ions, had significant decreasing effects on antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content of both aqueous and methanolic extracts. Finally, an improved MAP-refinery was developed. Subcritical water was used for further extraction of antioxidant compounds from residues in original MAP-refinery. In this way, five parts could be obtained from plant materials: volatile extract, aqueous extract, methanolic extract, subcritical water extract and the final residue. The results showed that the improved MAP-refinery significantly increased the recovery of antioxidants compared with original MAP-refinery. This promising process will also allow a better valorisation of the final solid residue due to the lower content of residual water

Caractérisations chimiques et biologiques d’extraits de plantes aromatiques et médicinales oubliées ou sous-utilisées de Midi-Pyrénées (France) et de Chongqing (Chine)

Les régions de Midi-Pyrénées (France) et de Chongqing (Chine) sont riches en plantes aromatiques et médicinales dites oubliées (ou médiévales). Afin de valoriser pleinement les différentes bio-molécules extractibles de ces plantes, le concept de MAP-raffinerie a été créé et appliqué à une sélection de plantes issues de ces deux régions. Plusieurs technologies d’extraction utilisant l’eau comme solvant vert (hydrodistillation, distillation à la vapeur et extraction par eau sub-critique) ont ainsi été employées et leur impact tant sur la composition des huiles essentielles que sur la récupération des molécules anti-oxydantes a été évalué. Dans un premier temps, une liste de plantes aromatiques et médicinales oubliées, voire sous-utilisées dans les deux régions a été établie selon des règles de sélection prédéfinies. Six plantes modèles de la région de Midi-Pyrénées (Tussilago farfara L., Calendula arvensis L., Robinia pseudoacacia L., Geranium robertianum L., Cytisus scoparius L. et Spartium junceum L.) et trois plantes de la région de Chongqing (Tussilago farfara L., Citrus aurantium L. et Saussurea costus) ont finalement été retenues. Puis, le concept de MAP-raffinerie a été appliqué à ces plantes afin d’étudier leur possible valorisation globale. L’étude des compositions chimiques des extraits volatils des racines de Tussilago farfara L. et de Calendula arvensis L., ainsi que des boutons de fleurs de Spartium junceum L. a été réalisée par GC et GC-MS pour la première fois. Les principaux composés chimiques dans l’extrait volatil de racines de Tussilago farfara L. étaient des hydrocarbures sesquiterpéniques et des composés aliphatiques tandis que les principaux composés chimiques dans l’extrait volatil de racines de Calendula arvensis L. étaient des sesquiterpènes oxygénés, des monoterpènes oxygénés et des diterpènes oxygénés. L’extrait volatil de boutons de fleurs de Spartium junceum L. était principalement composé de composés aliphatiques. Par ailleurs, les résultats de l’évaluation des capacités anti-oxydantes des extraits (par les tests DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, ORAC et Folin-Ciocalteu) ont montrés que plusieurs plantes comme Cytisus scoparius L., Tussilago farfara L., Citrus aurantium L. ou Robinia pseudoacacia L. pourraient être des sources potentielles d’anti-oxydants naturels. D’un point de vue technologique, les comparaisons de l’utilisation de l’hydrodistillation (HD), de la distillation à la vapeur (SD) et de l’extraction par eau sub-critique (SWE) ont montrées que si la HD et la SD ont des effets limités sur la composition des huiles essentielles, la HD semble être une méthode plus efficace pour la récupération des composés anti-oxydants à partir des résidus de distillation que la SD tandis que la SWE s’avère être une technologie prometteuse pour l’extraction directe de ces molécules à partir des plantes. Si la composition minérale de l’eau lors de l’hydrodistillation n’a que des effets très limités sur les rendements d’extraction, les teneurs en ions calcium et bicarbonate des eaux ont par contre des effets décroissants significatifs sur la capacité anti-oxydante et sur la teneur phénolique totale des extraits aqueux et méthanoliques. Au vue de ces résultats, un concept amélioré de MAP-raffinerie a été développé en intégrant une extraction à l’eau sub-critique pour l’extraction des composés anti-oxydants des résidus d’extraction primaire. Selon ce nouveau concept, cinq extraits peuvent être obtenus à partir des matières végétales: un extrait volatil, un extrait aqueux, un extrait méthanolique, un extrait à l’eau sub-critique et in fine un résidu solide. Les premiers résultats ont montrés que la "MAP-raffinerie améliorée" augmente de manière significative la récupération des antioxydants par rapport à la MAP-raffinerie originale et permet d’envisager une valorisation plus facile du résidu solide en agro-matériaux du fait de sa faible teneur en eau résiduelle. ABSTRACT : In both Midi-Pyrénées region (France) and Chongqing region (China), there are rich and underutilized medicinal and aromatic plants (MAP). Aiming at fully exploiting different molecules in these plants, the concept of MAP-refinery was developed and applied to several underutilized medicinal and aromatic plants in these two regions. Several water-based green extraction technologies of natural products (e.g. hydrodistillation, steam distillation and subcritical water extraction) were also investigated to look at their effects on essential oil composition and antioxidants recovery from selected plants. Firstly, lists of forgotten or underutilized medicinal and aromatic plants in both regions were established according to the rules of selection. From the lists, six plants in the Midi-Pyrénées region (Tussilago farfara L., Calendula arvensis L., Robinia pseudoacacia L., Geranium robertianum L., Cytisus scoparius L. and Spartium junceum L.) and three plants in the Chongqing region (Tussilago farfara L., Citrum aurantium L. and Saussurea costus) were finally selected for investigations. Then the MAP-refinery was applied to the selected plants in two regions in order to realise their global valorisation. Volatile extracts composition in the roots of Tussilago farfara L. and Calendula arvensis L., as well as flower buds of Spartium junceum L. were firstly investigated. The main chemical compounds in volatile extract from Tussilago farfara L. roots were sesquiterpene hydrocarbons and aliphatic compounds while main chemical compounds in volatile extract from Calendula arvensis L. roots were oxygenated sesquiterpenes, oxygenated monoterpenes and oxygenated diterpenes. The volatile extract from flower buds of Spartium junceum L. was mainly composed of aliphatic compounds. Antioxidant capacity evaluation results (by DPPH, ABTS, FRAC, ORAC and Folin-Ciocalteu tests) showed that several plant samples like Cytisus scoparius L., Tussilago farfara L., Citrum aurantium L. and Robinia pseudoacacia L. could be potential sources of natural antioxidants. Comparisons of hydrodistillation (HD), steam distillation (SD) and subcritical water extraction (SWE) showed that HD and SD had limited effects on essential oil composition but HD, SD and SWE had significant impacts on the recovery of antioxidants. Hydrodistillation seemed to be a better method for recovery of antioxidant compounds from residues of distillation than steam distillation. However, SWE appeared to be a more efficient method for direct extraction of antioxidant molecules (or phenolic compounds) from plants. In the hydrodistillation process, mineral contents in water were found to have very limited effects on yields of extracts but calcium and bicarbonate ions, had significant decreasing effects on antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content of both aqueous and methanolic extracts. Finally, an improved MAP-refinery was developed. Subcritical water was used for further extraction of antioxidant compounds from residues in original MAP-refinery. In this way, five parts could be obtained from plant materials: volatile extract, aqueous extract, methanolic extract, subcritical water extract and the final residue. The results showed that the improved MAP-refinery significantly increased the recovery of antioxidants compared with original MAP-refinery. This promising process will also allow a better valorisation of the final solid residue due to the lower content of residual water

Structural and Functional Analysis of Extracts in Plants

Structural and Functional Analysis of Extracts in Plants collects 1 editorial, 3 reviews, and 26 research articles reporting recent research findings which cover several aspects of plant-derived bioactive compounds, to correlate extraction techniques with the chemical composition of extracts and their bioactivity for identifying molecules that might be used as active substances in a wide variety of areas.This book is a valuable resource for members of the scientific community wishing to further explore plants and the therapeutic applications of their bioactive compounds. It will appeal to scholars, teachers and scientists involved in plant product research, and facilitate the development of innovative new drugs

Chinese herbal medicine for psoriasis: evaluation of clinical evidence and investigation of the anti-psoriatic effects of specific Chinese medicinal herbs

Psoriasis is a chronic and recurrent skin disease that affects 1-5% of the population. Conventional medical treatments can have significant side effects. There is, as yet, no curative regimen for the disease. Around half of psoriasis patients use complementary and alternative medicine including herbal medicine (HM). Consequently, the efficacy and safety of these HMs needs to be systematically evaluated. The project aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of HM for psoriasis, identify the promising herbs for psoriasis, investigate the anti-psoriatic actions of the most promising herbs, and develop an in silico method for investigating their biological targets and pathways. Study quality assessments, systematic reviews and meta-analyses were undertaken in the first component of the project. This component firstly analysed clinical trials of HMs used internally and the second part focussed on topical HMs. Due to the diversity of topical HMs, the second part was further divided into three sections based on their intervention types: single herb, multi-ingredient herbal formula, and HM plus anti-psoriatic pharmacotherapy (APP). Based on 39 studies, 12 herbs were selected as promising for psoriasis: Oldenlandia, Rehmannia, Salvia, Aloe, Indigo, Camptotheca, Mahonia, Sophora, Lithospermum, Cnidium, Dictamnus and borneol. The second component of the study focussed on the likely mechanisms of action of the identified herbs. Firstly, for each of the main herbs, their relevant biological properties were reviewed. This identified evidence for anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, anti-angiogenic, wound healing/skin repair and/or anti-pruritic actions for extracts of the plants and/or their bioactive constituents. Then, 482 compounds contained in the short-listed herbs and their associated species were identified using Encyclopaedia of TCM and other sources. Then 350 biological targets were located with HIT database for these compounds. 70 targets of APPs were identified from the DrugBank database from 20 APPs approved by FDA. They mainly included NR3C1, COX (1, 2), RAR (α, β, γ-1), RXR-α & RXR-β, CD2, TNF and VDR. The 350 biological targets were filtered by the 70 APP targets. Ten targets were common to the APPs and the herbs. After excluding the Cytochrome family of enzymes, 9 APP-like herbs were identified: Oldenlandia, Rehmannia, Salvia, Aloe, Indigo, Camptotheca, Mahonia, Sophora, Lithospermum. The database PANTHER was used to identify biological processes and pathways that involved targets of the four identified herbs: Salvia, Rehmannia, Indigo and Camptotheca. The main pathways were Apoptosis signalling pathway, Angiogenesis, Gonadotropin releasing hormone receptor pathway, Inflammation mediated by chemokine and cytokine signalling pathway, and Interleukin signalling pathway, which are primarily related to inflammation, proliferation and angiogenesis. The project identified promising herbs for psoriasis which showed potential APP-like actions and identified their likely mechanisms of action. The in silico rapid identification approach which was based on the results of meta-analyses of clinical trial outcomes was proposed as a more general method for adding value to the results of systematic reviews of herbal medicines and as an large-scale analysis solution to identifying directions for clinical trials and drug discovery