Medicinal plants as a source of future anti-pruritic drugs: A comprehensive review

Pruritus is a distressing sensation of the skin that provokes the desire to scratch. Medicinal plants have been proposed as a worthful source for identifying new bioactive molecules. The aim of this study was to evaluate some medicinal plants and their phytochemicals used in the management of pruritus. Medicinal plants including Avena sativa, Borago officinalis, Capsicum frutescens, Curcuma longa, Fumaria spp., Mentha x piperita and Oenothera biennis showed the promising anti-pruritic activity in human studies. In experimental studies, Angelica sinensis, Betula platyphylla, Matricaria chamomilla, Rumex Japonicus, Saururus chinensis and Vaccinium myrtillus are among the best medicinal plants for management of pruritus. Essential oils, alkaloids, saponins, sterols, terpens, phenolic compounds, and fatty acids were the bioactive constituents of herbs which exhibited their anti-pruritic activity through different mechanisms. The most predominant mechanisms involved in activity of plant-derived molecules in pruritis include reducing serum IgE and proinflammatory cytokines, stabilizing mast cells, suppressing the Th2 cellular response, suppressing the expression of substance P and NF- κB, inhibiting prostaglandin E2 production, and activating receptors involved in itch sensation. Overall, several medicinal plants and its bioactive compounds have shown marked activity in the management of pruritus and therefore can be considered as an alternative source of treatment. Pruritus is a distressing sensation of the skin that provokes the desire to scratch. Medicinal plants have been proposed as a worthful source for identifying new bioactive molecules. The aim of this study was to evaluate some medicinal plants and their phytochemicals used in the management of pruritus. Medicinal plants including Avena sativa, Borago officinalis, Capsicum frutescens, Curcuma longa, Fumaria spp., Mentha x piperita and Oenothera biennis showed the promising anti-pruritic activity in human studies. In experimental studies, Angelica sinensis, Betula platyphylla, Matricaria chamomilla, Rumex Japonicus, Saururus chinensis and Vaccinium myrtillus are among the best medicinal plants for management of pruritus. Essential oils, alkaloids, saponins, sterols, terpens, phenolic compounds, and fatty acids were the bioactive constituents of herbs which exhibited their anti-pruritic activity through different mechanisms. The most predominant mechanisms involved in activity of plant-derived molecules in pruritis include reducing serum IgE and proinflammatory cytokines, stabilizing mast cells, suppressing the Th2 cellular response, suppressing the expression of substance P and NF- κB, inhibiting prostaglandin E2 production, and activating receptors involved in itch sensation. Overall, several medicinal plants and its bioactive compounds have shown marked activity in the management of pruritus and therefore can be considered as an alternative source of treatment

Management of Multiple sclerosis complications with herbal medicines in clinic: a review

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory chronic neurological disease, which affects young and middle aged adults, leading to demyelination, neuronal and axonal damage and finally atrophy of the brain, the spinal cord, and the retina in most patients. MS can cause sensory, motor and visual defects, lack of coordination and cognitive disabilities resulting in quality of life reduction. The aim of the present article was to review the clinical evidence related to medicinal plants in the treatment of symptoms associated with MS patients. Methods and Results: Electronic databases, including the Pubmed, Scopus and Cochrane Library were searched for clinical studies that evaluated the positive effects of medicinal plants in MS. The searched keywords were ‘multiple sclerosis’ in the title/abstract, and ‘plant’, ‘herb’, and ‘phytochemical’ in the whole text. To ensure a better comparison between trials, the Jadad score was used to assess the methodological quality of trials. Findings of the study revealed significant effects of different medicinal plants on MS. This plants are including Andrographis paniculata (King of bitters), Boswellia papyrifera (Bitter frankincense), Cannabis sativa (Hemp), Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgo), Aloysia citrodora (Lemon verbena), Ruta graveolens (Rue) and Panax ginseng (Korean ginseng). C. sativa had the highest level of clinical evidence, supporting its efficacy in MS symptoms. The main complications of MS in which natural drugs were effective include spasticity, fatigue, scotoma, incontinence, urinary urgency, nocturia, memory performance, functional performance, and tremor. Conclusions: Further well-designed human studies with a large sample size and longer follow-up period are recommended to confirm the role of medicinal plants and their metabolites in the management of MS

Medicinal plants and their natural components as future drugs for the treatment of burn wounds: an integrative review

Abstract Burn wound healing is a complicated process including inflammation, re-epithelialization, granulation, neovascularization and wound contraction. Several biochemicals are involved in burn healing process including antioxidants, cytokines and liver and kidney damage biomarkers. Although several preparations are available for the management of burn wound, there is still a necessity of researching for efficacious medicine. The aim of the present study was to evaluate herbal preparations and their phytochemical constituents for burn wound management. For this purpose, electronic databases including Pubmed, Scirus, Scopus and Cochrane library were searched from 1966 to July 2013 for in vitro, in vivo or clinical studies which examined the effect of any herbal preparation on different types of burn wound. Only 3 human studies were found to include in this review. In contrast, there were 62 in vivo and in vitro studies that show the need for more clinical trials to prove the plant's potential to cure burn wound. Among single herbal preparations, Allium sativum, Aloe vera, Centella asiatica and Hippophae rhamnoides showed the best burn wound healing activity. Flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins and phenolic compounds were active constituents present in different herbs facilitating wound closure. Glycosides including madecassoside and asiaticoside and proteolytic enzymes were among the main active components. Phytochemicals represented positive activity at different stages of burn wound healing process by various mechanisms including antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, antioxidant, collagen synthesis stimulation, cell proliferative and angiogenic effect. Overall, several herbal medicaments have shown marked activity in the management of wounds-especially burn wounds-and therefore can be considered as an alternative source of treatment. Furthermore, various natural compounds with verified burn-induced wound healing potential can be assumed as future natural drugs

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF ESSENTIAL OIL AND EVALUATION OF ACUTE AND SUB-ACUTE TOXICITY OF DOREMA AMMONIACUM D. DON. OLEO-GUM-RESIN IN RATS

Background: Dorema Ammoniacum is a perennial herb which has been used in Persian Traditional Medicine for different indications, including gastrointestinal disorders and sciatica. Despite numerous medicinal uses, there is a lack of toxicological studies on Dorema Ammoniacum; therefore, the aim of the present study is to investigate its possible toxic effects as well as the determining chemical composition of its essential oil. Materials and Methods: Acute toxicity study was performed by administration of single increasing geometric doses of oleo-gum-resin solution (1250, 2500, and 5000 mg/kg) to Wistar rats. For sub-acute toxicity study, repeated doses of oleo-gum-resin solution (100, 200 and 500 mg/kg) were administered orally to rats for 4 weeks. At the end of the treatment, histopathological studies, hematological assessments, and biochemical parameters were performed. Results: GC-MS was performed to determine the chemical composition of the essential oil. Acute toxicity results demonstrated no mortality, and the Median Lethal Dose (LD50) was greater than 5000 mg/kg. Sub-acute treatment did not show any significant changes in biochemical and hematological parameters at any doses compared to the control group. Histopathological analysis of the organs revealed varying effects. At the level of the liver, vacuolar degeneration and mild inflammation at 200 and 500 mg/kg doses were observed. At the level of kidney, congestion of glomeruli and a widening of the urinary space at 500mg/kg were observed compared to the control group. The principle components of the essential oil were Cuperene (14.31%) and β-Funebrene (12.74%). Conclusion: The results suggest that the acute administration of the oleo-gum-resin of D. Ammoniacum is not accompanied with signs of toxicity; however, its administration over the long term might associate with renal toxicity and hepatotoxicity

Five Pistacia

Pistacia, a genus of flowering plants from the family Anacardiaceae, contains about twenty species, among them five are more popular including P. vera, P. atlantica, P. terebinthus, P. khinjuk, and P. lentiscus. Different parts of these species have been used in traditional medicine for various purposes like tonic, aphrodisiac, antiseptic, antihypertensive and management of dental, gastrointestinal, liver, urinary tract, and respiratory tract disorders. Scientific findings also revealed the wide pharmacological activities from various parts of these species, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, anticholinesterase, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antidiabetic, antitumor, antihyperlipidemic, antiatherosclerotic, and hepatoprotective activities and also their beneficial effects in gastrointestinal disorders. Various types of phytochemical constituents like terpenoids, phenolic compounds, fatty acids, and sterols have also been isolated and identified from different parts of Pistacia species. The present review summarizes comprehensive information concerning ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of the five mentioned Pistacia species

PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF IRIS GERMANICA L. IN Β-AMYLOID-INDUCED ANIMAL MODEL OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia that is an irretrievable chronic neurodegenerative disease. In the current study, we have examined the therapeutic effects of Iris germanica extract on Amyloid β (Aβ) induced memory impairment. Materials and Methods: Wistar rats were divided into five groups of 8 per each. Groups were as followed: control group which were normal rats without induction of AD, Aβ group which received Aβ (50 ng/side), iris 100 group which received Aβ + Iris (100 mg/kg), iris 200 group which received Aβ + Iris (200 mg/kg), and iris 400 group which received Aβ + Iris (400 mg/kg). AD was established by intrahippocampal injection of 50 ng/μl/side Aβ1-42. The day after surgery, animals in treatment groups received different doses of the aqueous extract of Iris by gavage for 30 days. Morris water maze test (MWM) was performed to assess the effects of I. germanica on learning and memory of rats with Aβ induced AD. Results: Data from MWM tests, including escape latency and traveled distance, demonstrated that I. germanica extract could markedly improve spatial memory in comparison to control. Moreover, the plant had a significantly better effect on the performance of AD rats in the probe test. Conclusion: I. germanica extract can successfully reverse spatial learning dysfunction in an experimental model of AD. Further neuro psyco-pharmacological studies are mandatory to reveal the mechanism of action of this natural remedy in the management of AD symptoms

Effects of Satureja khuzestanica on Serum Glucose, Lipids and Markers of Oxidative Stress in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Satureja khuzestanica is an endemic plant of Iran that is widely distributed in the Southern part of the country. It has antioxidant properties and thus it seems to be useful in diseases related to oxidative stress such as diabetes and hyperlipidemia. The present study investigates the effect of S. khuzestanica supplement in metabolic parameters of hyperlipidemic patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Twenty-one hyperlipidemic patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were randomized in a double blind, placebo controlled clinical trial to receive either S. khuzestanica (tablets contain 250 mg dried leaves) or placebo once a day for 60 days. Blood samples were obtained at baseline and at the end of the study. Samples were analyzed for levels of glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, creatinine, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) as marker of lipid peroxidation and ferric reducing ability (total antioxidant power, TAP). Treatment of patients by S. khuzestanica for 60 days induced significant decrease in total cholesterol (P = 0.008) and LDL-cholesterol (P = 0.03) while increased HDL-cholesterol (P = 0.02) and TAP (P = 0.007) in comparison with the baseline values. S. khuzestanica did not alter blood glucose, triglyceride, creatinin and TBARS levels. In comparison with baseline values, no significant change was observed in blood glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, creatinine, TBARS and TAP in placebo-treated group. Usage of S. khuzestanica as a supplement to drug regimen of diabetic type 2 patients with hyperlipidemia is recommended

Standardization of Tragopogon graminifolius DC. Extract Based on Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity

Tragopogon graminifolius DC. (TG), Compositae family, is traditionally used for the treatment of various diseases like gastrointestinal and hepatic disorders. The aim of the present study is to standardize extracts from TG used for preparation of different dosage forms in traditional Iranian medicine (TIM) based on phenolic compounds. For this purpose, total phenolic content and some phenolic compounds were determined in ethanolic extracts from aerial part and root of TG by HPLC method. Furthermore, antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH-HPLC methods. Caffeic acid, gallic acid, -coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and catechin were detected in root and aerial part of TG. -Coumaric acid (6.357 ± 0.014 mg⋅g −1 ) was dominant phenolic compound in aerial part followed by ferulic acid (1.24 ± 0.018 mg⋅g −1 ). Also, -coumaric acid (2.685 ± 0.031 mg⋅g −1 ) was highly abundant in root, followed by catechin (2.067 ± 0.021 mg⋅g −1 ). Antioxidant activity of root extract (460.45 ± 0.78 g Vit.E.E⋅mL −1 ) was better than that of aerial part. Generally, phenolic compounds are one of the major constituents of TG and could be used as markers for standardization of dosage forms prepared from this plant. Also, TG demonstrated significant antioxidant activity using DPPH-HPLC method. Phenolic compounds of TG may be responsible for its marked antioxidant properties

Beneficial Effects of Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague on Rat Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Background and objective: Trachyspermum ammi (T. ammi) has been used for the treatment of various digestive disorders with considerable therapeutic effects such as anticholinergic and anti-oxidant activities.This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the hydro-alcoholic extract of the fruits of T. ammi in an experimental model of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Methods: The rats were classified into seven groups, including sham (no stress), control (saline recipients), loperamide and fluoxetine (10 mg/kg/day) (positive controls), and the plant groups at the doses of 150, 250 and 500 mg/kg/day for 5 days under restrictive stress, 2 days before receiving the treatment. All medicines were given as gavage. The effect of the plant extract on gastric emptying and the transit of the small intestine was evaluated. The levels of the inflammatory and oxidative related biomarkers, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and lipid peroxidation (LPO), also the myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were measured. Results: The gastric emptying and the transit of the small intestine were significantly reduced in all T. ammi treated groups, and no significant difference was observed at the dose of 500 mg/kg/day compared with the loperamide group. The levels of TNF-α and MPO activities decreased in the treatment groups compared with the control, and the LPO level was decreased at the concentrations of 250 and 500 mg/kg/day compared to the control. The antioxidant levels significantly increased in the rats treated with T. ammi at the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg/day. Conclusions: The severity of stress-induced IBS was reduced in a dose-dependent manner by the hydro-alcoholic extract of the fruits of T. ammi, confirming the effectiveness of this plant in the management of IBS.  </strong