Plantago: A plant for internists

Plantago belongs to the Plantaginaceae family, with two species known as Plantago ovate Forsk and Plantago psyllium L. In herbal medicine Plantago husk powder is commonly as laxative. Application of Psyllium husk as a hydrocolloid fiber has been almost confirmed in treatment of diabetes type 2. Recent researches on Plantago indicate the effect of its fibers on reducing cholesterol, blood lipid and blood glucose of people with diabetes and reducing the risk of colon cancer. There are no side effects reported for patients under treatment with Plantago fiber. Regarding the fact that Psyllium is widely used, different aspects of it is discussed in the present study

Aloe vera: An update on its phytomedicinal, pharmaceutical and therapeutic properties

Medicinal plants are a good source for preparation of new drugs. Aloe vera [L.] is one of the valuable medicinal plants native to hot and dry zones and is usually planted outdoors in hot areas. Currently, various products obtained from this plant are produced in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries all over the world. Various products from this plant including beverages and cosmetic products are available. Consideration of this species and development of its processing industries in these regions can be an important step in job creation and proper use of poor agricultural lands. In this paper we aim to present the updates on Aloe vera plant, focusing on, botany, the phytomedicinal compounds, structural properties of the leaves

Solubility of calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate crystallization in the presence of crude extract and fractions from Kelussia odoratissima Mozaff

Background and Aim: Urinary tract stones are the third common urinary tract disease that may lead to renal failure. Kelussia odoratissima is traditionally used in the treatment of kidney stones in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari region. This study was designed to investigate in vitro effect of crude extract and fractions of K. odoratissima on kidney stones (calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate). Materials and Methods: A total of 70% ethanolic extract of K. odoratissima was prepared by maceration method followed by liquid-liquid extraction with hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and saturated n-butanol to get four fractions. Calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate were synthesized and then were treated with hydroalcoholic extract and fractions. Their effects on the dissolution of generated stone were assayed by calcium kit. The stones were synthesized and confirmed by fourier-transform infrared technique. Results: Results showed that total extract and its fractions had significant potency to dissolve calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate crystals. The results indicate the higher potency of fractions containing nonpolar compounds to dissolve calcium phosphate and calcium oxalate stones compared to the fractions containing polar compounds. n-butanolic fraction had the least effect and hexane fraction had the greatest effect on the calcium phosphate stones. Furthermore, the total extract has less dissolution ability, compared to the fractions. Conclusion: The obtained results of this study exhibited that the use of K. odoratissima extract and its fractions could help to dissolve urinary stones. Therefore, it can be effective in prevention and treatment of kidney stones on people who are prone to the formation of calcium oxalate and phosphate stones. Abbreviations Used: Caox: Calcium Oxalate, Caph: Calcium Phosphate, K. odoratissima: Kelussia odoratissima Mozaff. © 2018 Pharmacognosy Research Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow