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Medicinal Use (medicinal + use)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	55%
Life Sciences	33%

Selected Abstracts

Ethnic differences in use value and use patterns of baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) in northern Benin

AFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY, Issue 3 2009
E. De Caluwé
Abstract The aim of this study was to combine qualitative and quantitative tools to evidence ethnic differences in use value and use patterns of baobab for the rural populations of northern Benin. The study was carried out in the municipalities of Boukoumbé and Karimama, focusing on Ottamari and Dendi ethnic groups, respectively, who have good knowledge on baobab uses. Ethnobotanical data were gathered through semi-structured individual interviews and processed by quantitative (multiple use curve, use value and fidelity level) and qualitative (flow chart) analytical and ethnobotanical methods. Leaves, fruit pulp and seeds of baobab were shown to be well-known for several food uses and were often the main ingredient in sauces, pastes, porridges and beverages. Medicinal uses were especially well-known for the bark, which was also used for making ropes. In both communities, a total of 38 different uses were mentioned for baobab products. There were significantly more uses known by the Ottamari than by the Dendi, with use values of 8 and 5, respectively. There were no differences detected in knowledge between sexes and age classes. As a result of its nutritional and high potential market value, preservation of ethnobotanical knowledge on baobab and exchange between communities is critical. Résumé Le but de cette étude était de combiner des outils qualitatifs et quantitatifs pour mettre en évidence des différences ethniques dans la valeur d'utilisation et dans les schémas d'utilisation du baobab chez les populations rurales du nord du Bénin. Cette étude fut réalisée dans les municipalités de Boukoumbé et de Karimama, spécifiquement chez les groupes ethniques Ottamari et Dendi, respectivement, qui ont une bonne connaissance des utilisations du baobab. Des données ethnobotaniques furent récoltées grâce à des interviews individuelles semi-structurées et elles furent traitées par des méthodes analytiques et ethnobotaniques quantitatives (courbe d'utilisation multiple, valeur d'utilisation et degré de fidélité) et qualitatives (graphique d'évolution). Les feuilles, la pulpe de fruits et les semences de baobab se sont avérées être bien connues pour plusieurs utilisations alimentaires et elles étaient souvent les ingrédients principaux dans des sauces, des pâtes, des bouillies et des boissons. Des utilisations médicinales étaient particulièrement bien connues pour l'écorce qui servait aussi pour fabriquer des cordes. Dans les deux communautés, un total de 38 utilisations différentes ont été mentionnées pour des produits du baobab. Il y avait significativement plus d'utilisations connues chez les Ottamari que chez les Dendi, avec des valeurs d'utilisation de 8 et de 5, respectivement. On n'a décelé aucune différence de connaissances en fonction de l'âge ni du sexe. Suite à sa valeur nutritionnelle et à sa haute valeur commerciale potentielle, la préservation des connaissances ethnobotaniques sur le baobab et des échanges entre communautés est critique. [source]

Protein folding and disulfide bond formation in the eukaryotic cell

FEBS JOURNAL, Issue 23 2009
Denmark), Disulfide Bond Formation 2009 (Elsinore, Meeting report based on the presentations at the European Network Meeting on Protein Folding
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) plays a critical role as a compartment for protein folding in eukaryotic cells. Defects in protein folding contribute to a growing list of diseases, and advances in our understanding of the molecular details of protein folding are helping to provide more efficient ways of producing recombinant proteins for industrial and medicinal use. Moreover, research performed in recent years has shown the importance of the ER as a signalling compartment that contributes to overall cellular homeostasis. Hamlet's castle provided a stunning backdrop for the latest European network meeting to discuss this subject matter in Elsinore, Denmark, from 3 to 5 June 2009. Organized by researchers at the Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, the meeting featured 20 talks by both established names and younger scientists, focusing on topics such as oxidative protein folding and maturation (in particular in the ER, but also in other compartments), cellular redox regulation, ER-associated degradation, and the unfolded protein response. Exciting new advances were presented, and the intimate setting with about 50 participants provided an excellent opportunity to discuss current key questions in the field. [source]

Gastrointestinal, selective airways and urinary bladder relaxant effects of Hyoscyamus niger are mediated through dual blockade of muscarinic receptors and Ca2+ channels

FUNDAMENTAL & CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 1 2008
Anwarul Hassan Gilani
Abstract This study describes the spasmolytic, antidiarrhoeal, antisecretory, bronchodilatory and urinary bladder relaxant properties of Hyoscyamus niger to rationalize some of its medicinal uses. The crude extract of H. niger seeds (Hn.Cr) caused a complete concentration-dependent relaxation of spontaneous contractions of rabbit jejunum, similar to that caused by verapamil, whereas atropine produced partial inhibition. Hn.Cr inhibited contractions induced by carbachol (1 ,m) and K+ (80 mm) in a pattern similar to that of dicyclomine, but different from verapamil and atropine. Hn.Cr shifted the Ca2+ concentration,response curves to the right, similar to that caused by verapamil and dicyclomine, suggesting a Ca2+ channel-blocking mechanism in addition to an anticholinergic effect. In the guinea-pig ileum, Hn.Cr produced a rightward parallel shift of the acetylcholine curves, followed by a non-parallel shift with suppression of the maximum response at a higher concentration, similar to that caused by dicyclomine, but different from that of verapamil and atropine. Hn.Cr exhibited antidiarrhoeal and antisecretory effects against castor oil-induced diarrhoea and intestinal fluid accumulation in mice. In guinea-pig trachea and rabbit urinary bladder tissues, Hn.Cr caused relaxation of carbachol (1 ,m) and K+ (80 mm) induced contractions at around 10 and 25 times lower concentrations than in gut, respectively, and shifted carbachol curves to the right. Only the organic fractions of the extract had a Ca2+ antagonist effect, whereas both organic and aqueous fractions had anticholinergic effect. A constituent, ,-sitosterol exhibited Ca2+ channel-blocking action. These results suggest that the antispasmodic effect of H. niger is mediated through a combination of anticholinergic and Ca2+ antagonist mechanisms. The relaxant effects of Hn.Cr occur at much lower concentrations in the trachea and bladder. This study offers explanations for the medicinal use of H. niger in treating gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders and bladder hyperactivity. [source]

The inhibition of paw oedema formation caused by the oil of Copaifera multijuga Hayne and its fractions

JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 10 2006
Valdir F. Veiga Junior
Two oils exuded from a Copaifera multijuga Hayne tree (Leguminosae-Caesalpinoideae), collected from the same plant, but in different periods of the year, and the hexanic, dichloromethanic and methanolic fractions of one of these oils were analysed by high-resolution gas chromatography (HRGC) and HRGC coupled with mass spectrometry (HRGC-MS). In addition, the in-vivo preliminary anti-oedematogenic actions of the oil and some fractions of it were assessed against carrageenan- and bradykinin-induced oedema formation in the rat paw. Twenty-seven sesquiterpenes and six diterpenes were identified, ,-caryophyllene, ,-copaene and copalic acid being the main components. The dichloromethanic and methanolic fractions obtained from C. multijuga oil given by the intraperitoneal route caused a significant inhibition of paw oedema caused by carrageenan with inhibition of 49 ± 13% and 64 ± 9 %, respectively. Likewise, dexamethasone (the positive control drug) also greatly inhibited carrageenan-induced paw oedema formation (60 ± 4% at 2 h). The hexanic fraction also significantly inhibited (50 ± 6%) the paw oedema formation caused by bradykinin. These results suggest the presence of still non-identified active terpene compounds in the oil of C. multijuga that exhibit anti-oedematogenic properties. Of note, the yield of these compounds and the pharmacological actions of the oil, exhibited great seasonal variations, a relevant aspect that should be carefully observed for the correct medicinal use of this plant by the population. [source]

Primates in traditional folk medicine: a world overview

MAMMAL REVIEW, Issue 2 2010
Rômulo R. N. ALVES
ABSTRACT 1Almost 50% of primate species are in danger of becoming extinct, according to the criteria of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. This is partly because of their consumption by humans. The reasons for hunting vary by region. One pretext is the medicinal or magical value of products derived from these animals. 2In this paper, we provide an overview of the global use of primates in traditional folk medicines as well as identifying the species used as remedies associated with folk beliefs. Some important questions relating to the conservation of primates are addressed. 3Our results revealed that at least 101 species of primates, which belong to 38 genera and 10 families, were used in traditional folk practices and in magic,religious rituals throughout the world. 4Of the 101 species of primates recorded in our review, 12 species were classified as Critically Endangered, 23 as Endangered, 22 as Vulnerable, seven as Near Threatened, 36 as Least Concern and one as Data Deficient in the IUCN Red List. All species were also included in The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Appendices I or II, although the reasons for their inclusion were not necessarily related to their medicinal use. 5The widespread utilization of primates in traditional medicine is evidence of the importance of understanding such uses in the context of primate conservation as well as the need for considering socio-cultural factors when establishing management plans concerning the sustainable use of these mammals. [source]

Gastrointestinal, selective airways and urinary bladder relaxant effects of Hyoscyamus niger are mediated through dual blockade of muscarinic receptors and Ca2+ channels

Medicinal plants of Erute county, Lira district, Uganda with particular reference to their conservation

AFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2010
Christine Oryema
Abstract A medicinal plant study was carried out in eighteen parishes and 54 villages of Erute county, Lira district, Uganda. Parishes and villages were selected using stratified random sampling techniques. Questionnaires, interviews and discussions with the local people were used to obtain information on the names of the plants, their medicinal uses and conservation methods. The number of the medicinal plants species used was 180 belonging to 144 genera and 57 families of flowering plants. The major families recorded for medicinal purpose included Fabaceae (37 species), Asteraceae (26 species), Euphorbiaceae (eleven species), Vitaceae (eight species), Verbenaceae (seven species), Poaceae (six species), Solanaceae (five species), and Rubiaceae (four species). There is a need for putting in place measures to conserve these plants. Unfortunately, most of the healers or users were not interested in cultivation of the plants. The situation could worsen with the social changes and demand for land for agriculture in the district. Résumé Nous avons réalisé une étude des plantes médicinales dans 18 paroisses et 54 villages du Comté d'Erute, dans le district de Lira, en Ouganda. Paroisses et villages furent sélectionnés au moyen de techniques d'échantillonnage au hasard stratifié. On a eu recours à des questionnaires, des interviews et des discussions avec les populations locales pour obtenir des informations sur le nom des plantes, leur utilisation médicinale et les méthodes de conservation. Il y avait 180 plantes médicinales appartenant à 144 genres et à 57 familles de plantes à fleurs. Les principales familles rapportées dans le domaine médicinal comprenaient les Fabaceae (37 espèces), les Asteraceae (26 espèces), les Euphorbiaceae (11 espèces), les Vitaceae (8 espèces), les Verbenaceae (7 espèces), les Poaceae (6 espèces), les Solanaceae (5 espèces), et les Rubiaceae (4 espèces). Il faut instaurer des mesures pour conserver ces plantes. Malheureusement, la plupart des guérisseurs ou des utilisateurs n'étaient pas intéressés par la culture de ces plantes. La situation pourrait empirer en raison des changements sociaux et de la demande de terres pour l'agriculture dans ce district. [source]

Moringa oleifera: a food plant with multiple medicinal uses

PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 1 2007
Farooq Anwar
Abstract Moringa oleifera Lam (Moringaceae) is a highly valued plant, distributed in many countries of the tropics and subtropics. It has an impressive range of medicinal uses with high nutritional value. Different parts of this plant contain a profile of important minerals, and are a good source of protein, vitamins, , -carotene, amino acids and various phenolics. The Moringa plant provides a rich and rare combination of zeatin, quercetin, , -sitosterol, caffeoylquinic acid and kaempferol. In addition to its compelling water purifying powers and high nutritional value, M. oleifera is very important for its medicinal value. Various parts of this plant such as the leaves, roots, seed, bark, fruit, flowers and immature pods act as cardiac and circulatory stimulants, possess antitumor, antipyretic, antiepileptic, antiinflammatory, antiulcer, antispasmodic, diuretic, antihypertensive, cholesterol lowering, antioxidant, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antibacterial and antifungal activities, and are being employed for the treatment of different ailments in the indigenous system of medicine, particularly in South Asia. This review focuses on the detailed phytochemical composition, medicinal uses, along with pharmacological properties of different parts of this multipurpose tree. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]