Cape aloes—A review of the phytochemistry,pharmacology and commercialisation of Aloe ferox

Aloe ferox Mill. (= A. candelabrum A. Berger), commonly known as the bitter aloe or Cape aloe, is a polymorphic species indigenous to South Africa. The plant has been used since ancient times as a generic chemopreventive and anti-tumour remedy in folk medicine and it has a well-documented history of use as a laxative. In addition to the plethora of traditional medicinal uses, A. ferox has recently gained popularity as an ingredient in cosmetic formulations and food supplements. Anti-oxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antimalarial activities, etc. have been reported. In addition, the ability of Cape aloes to enhance the transport of poorly permeable drugs has enjoyed recent research interest. Due to its medicinal and commercial importance it has been a popular research topic for natural product scientists who have isolated several chromones and anthrones from the leaf exudate and finished product (bitters). A summary of the historical and modern day uses, commercialisation, chemical composition and biological properties of this coveted ethnomedicinally and commercially important species is presented.     

磷对海水胁迫下芦荟幼苗离子分布的影响

研究了磷对海水胁迫下库拉索芦荟(A loe vera)幼苗干物质积累、植株含水量、在器官和组织水平上离子分布的影响。增磷显著缓解海水胁迫对芦荟生长的抑制,明显提高海水胁迫下芦荟幼苗的干物质积累和含水量。器官离子含量和X射线微区分析结果都表明,30%浓度海水胁迫下,外源磷水平的提高能显著降低芦荟幼苗根系N a 、C l-的吸收,增强K 、C a2 向地上部的运输和分配,从而维持叶片较高的K /N a 、C a2 /N a 比率,而这很可能是增磷提高芦荟对海水胁迫抗性的主要原因之一。     

Effect of crosslinking in chitosan/aloe vera-based membranes for biomedical applications

The positive interaction between polysaccharides with active phytochemicals found in medicinal plants may represent a strategy to create active wound dressing materials useful for skin repair. In the present work, blended membranes composed of chitosan (Cht) and aloe vera gel were prepared through the solvent casting, and were crosslinked with genipin to improve their properties. Topography, swelling, wettability, mechanical properties and in vitro cellular response of the membranes were investigated. With the incorporation of aloe vera gel into chitosan solution, the developed chitosan/aloe-based membranes displayed increased roughness and wettability; while the genipin crosslinking promoted the formation of stiffer membranes in comparison to those of the non-modified membranes. Moreover, in vitro cell culture studies evidenced that the L929 cells have high cell viability, confirmed by MTS test and calcein-AM staining. The findings suggested that both blend compositions and crosslinking affected the physico-chemical properties and cellular behavior of the developed membranes.     

Bergenia crassifolia (L.) Fritsch – Pharmacology and phytochemistry

PurposeBergenia crassifolia (L.) Fritsch, a species in the Bergenia genus belongs to the family Saxifragaceae, is valuated for its medicinal application. The review focuses on the medicinal uses, phytochemistry, and the biological activities of B. crassifolia to explore its benefits and potential uses.MethodsIn this review, we summarized data, published in Russia and in other countries related to B. crassifolia.ResultsRhizomes and leaves of this plant are in use as traditional remedies for the treatment of different disorders in the folk medicine systems of Russia and Asia. The plant is a potential source of tannins, benzanoids, flavonoids, polysaccharides and other active compounds. Due to the presence of a multitude of bioactives, a wide array of pharmacological activities have been ascribed to different parts of this herb and individual compounds, which include adaptogenic, antiinflammatory, antihypertensive, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiobesity, antitussive, cerebro-protective, hepatoprotective, immunomodulating, and diuretic.ConclusionThe review highlights the potential of B. crassifolia for further development of herbal medicines on its base.     

遮荫对库拉索芦荟蒽醌类物质的影响

采用高效液相色谱技术,研究了遮荫65%处理6个月对库拉索芦荟叶片中主要有效成分蒽醌类物质的影响,以探讨遮荫导致芦荟有效成分变化的原因.结果显示:(1)遮荫使芦荟叶中总蒽醌、芦荟素和芦荟大黄素含量分别比自然光下显著减少了39.22%、18.65%和40.96%.(2)遮荫处理下芦荟叶片中大部分物质含量较对照减少,且化学成分种类也明显减少,但在24、46 min两个时间遮荫处理出现的物质含量明显高于对照.(3)遮荫使芦荟叶中可溶性蛋白和可溶性糖含量较自然光下分别显著减少33.33%和73.05%,MDA含量显著减少48.78%.研究表明,遮荫使芦荟叶片中可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白含量下降,致使同化产物合成效率降低,次生代谢物合成前体减少,最终影响总蒽醌、芦荟素和芦荟大黄素的合成和积累.     

Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) roxb. (Bahera) in health and disease: A systematic and comprehensive review

BackgroundTerminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb. is one of the oldest medicinal herbs of India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka as well as South-East Asia. Its medicinal utility has been described in the different traditional medicinal systems, such as Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and traditional Chinese medicine.PurposeThe present study is aimed at providing a comprehensive overview on the traditional medicinal use, major phytoconstituents, biological and pharmacological activities and related mechanisms of actions and clinical studies of T. bellirica. Another objective is to describe current limitations and future direction of T. bellirica-related research.MethodsPubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and EBOSCO host databases were selected to explore literature published between 1980 and 2020 (till March). Keywords used in various combinations comprised of Terminalia bellirica, phytoconstituents, health effects, pharmacological activities, molecular targets, in vitro, in vivo, clinical studies, and disease prevention.ResultsA broad spectrum in vitro and in vivo studies suggested various biological and pharmacological effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, renoprotective, antidiabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic, and anticancer activities. Diverse bioactivities of T. bellirica have been ascribed to the presence of many bioactive phytochemicals, such as glucoside, tannins, gallic acid, corilagin, ellagic acid, ethyl gallate, galloyl glucose, chebulagic acid, and arjunolic acid.ConclusionPreclinical and clinical studies have suggested that T. bellirica plant and its phytoconstituents have immense potential for prevention and treatment of various diseases. Additional in vivo studies and clinical trials are warranted to realize the complete medicinal attributes of this plant.     

Phytochemical and pharmacological studies in genus Berberis

The genus Berberis is well known for its diversity and pharmacological uses in traditional medicine system since ancient time. Exploring this medicinal plant with more prominence is the need of present day medicinal system. The present review highlighted the phytochemical and pharmacological studies reported from genus Berberis over the last two decades.     

Mondia whitei (Apocynaceae): A review of its biological activities, conservation strategies and economic potential

Globally, the commercialisation of plants as observed in their uses by many industries such as the cosmeceutical, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical ones is gaining more interest and popularity. Mondia whitei is a popular medicinal plant which is endemic to Africa. Since antiquity, M. whitei has been used by African people to treat various ailments. The roots were used for the treatment of anorexia, stress, bilharzia and sexual dysfunction as well as for general aches and pains. Researchers have evaluated the efficacy of most of these claims by screening the M. whitei for biological activities such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anthelmintic as well as aphrodisiac efficacy. Furthermore, M. whitei has horticultural, nutritional and other socio-cultural values as reported in countries such as South Africa, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda and Malawi. As a result of its numerous uses across the African continent, we attempt to explore and assess the economic potential of M. whitei with emphasis on medicinal values. The root of M. whitei is the most popular organ used in traditional medicine; consequently, this has resulted in the species becoming rare or threatened with extinction in the wild. Several authors have suggested solutions such as plant or plant part substitution to overcome the over-harvesting problem. The application of biotechnology techniques such as micropropagation and hairy roots also remain viable options which are presently being utilised to a lesser extent. Nevertheless, the sustainable harvesting and feasible conservation strategy for the species remains a major challenge. It is strongly recommended that in as much as the economic potential of M. whitei should be exploited, more detailed attention and studies should be geared towards its conservation. In order to ensure sustainable use and to derive maximum economic benefits, it is necessary to have empirical information detailing its ethno-botanical values, conservation status and commercial potential.     

Nigella sativa L.: Uses in traditional and contemporary medicines – An overview

There are several wild and cultivated plants that offer excellent opportunities for being used as herbal and therapeutic agents. The identification of medicinal properties of plants and their effectiveness in treating diseases are important components in medicinal plant research and this can pave ways for further improvements in traditional drug use. Climatic conditions and phytogeography in Pakistan are ideal for naturally occurring diverse flora and managed cultivation of hundreds of plants of medicinal significance. Nigella sativa commonly known as the black seed is an important medicinal plant that has been widely used as a multipurpose medicinal agent in different countries since old times. The plant is abundantly cultivated in Pakistan for uses as condiment and medicines. It possesses important classes of bioactive compounds among which thymoquinone has attracted significant attention from the scientific community because of its active role in treating a diverse spectrum of diseases. The black seeds are used for reducing adverse effects of arthritis, asthma, inflammation, liver and gastro disorders besides their potential role in diabetes and cancers. The focus of this review is to highlight the medicinal significance of N. sativa in traditional medicine and opportunities for exploitation in contemporary medicine.     

Ethnobotany,ethnopharmacology and toxicity of Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae): A review

Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae) is a multiple purpose plant with potential for biodiesel production and medicinal uses. It has been used for treatment of a wide spectrum of ailments related to skin, cancer, digestive, respiratory and infectious diseases. This review aims to provide an up-to-date survey of information available on botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicity of J. curcas. Establishing a scientific basis that explains its ethnopharmacological uses in order to facilitate and guide future research. The review covers literature available from 1960 to 2012 collected from scientific journals, books and electronic searches such as Google scholar, Web of Science and ScienceDirect. Ethnomedicinal uses of J. curcas have been reported from many countries in Africa, Asia, South America and the Middle East for almost 100 different types of ailments. The phytochemical studies have shown the presence of many secondary metabolites including diterpeniods, sesquiterpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, lignans, coumarins and cyclic peptides. Crude extracts and isolated compounds from J. curcas show a wide range of pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, anticancer, antidiabetic, anticoagulant, hepatoprotective, analgesic and abortifacient effects. J. curcas has been a widely used source of medicine for decades in many cultures. The present review reveals that J. curcas is a valuable source of medicinally important molecules and provides convincing support for its future use in modern medicine.     

Chemistry and pharmacology of Rhaponticum carthamoides: A review

Rhaponticum carthamoides (Willd.) Iljin is a perennial herb, commonly known as a maral root or Russian leuzea, which has been used for centuries in eastern parts of Russia for its marked medicinal properties. This review based on 117 literary sources, with many of them being originally published in non-English languages (mainly in Russian), discusses the current knowledge of traditional uses, chemistry, biological effects and toxicity of this species. Several different classes of compounds were previously isolated from various parts of R. carthamoides of which the main groups are steroids, particularly ecdysteroids, and phenolics (flavonoids and phenolic acids) accompanied with polyacetylenes, sesquiterpene lactones, triterpenoid glycosides and terpenes (essential oil). A comprehensive account of the chemical constituents is given in this review (figures of 120 structures are shown). Various types of preparations, extracts and individual compounds derived from this species have been found to possess a broad spectrum of pharmacological effects on several organs such as the brain, blood, cardiovascular and nervous systems as well as on different biochemical processes and physiological functions including proteosynthesis, work capacity, reproduction, and sexual function. Moreover, the extracts and preparations from the plant, which are hopefully safe, exhibited various additional biological effects e.g. antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anticancerogenic, antimicrobial, antiparasitic and insect antifeedant or repellent activities. The results of data analysis on the chemical, pharmacological and toxicological characteristics of R. carthamoides support the view that this species has beneficial therapeutic properties and indicate its potential as an effective adaptogenic herbal remedy. Finally, some suggestions for further research on chemical and pharmacological properties are given in this review.     

Dissecting the fungal biology of Bipolaris papendorfii: from phylogenetic to comparative genomic analysis

Bipolaris papendorfii has been reported as a fungal plant pathogen that rarely causes opportunistic infection in humans. Secondary metabolites isolated from this fungus possess medicinal and anticancer properties. However, its genetic fundamental and basic biology are largely unknown. In this study, we report the first draft genome sequence of B. papendorfii UM 226 isolated from the skin scraping of a patient. The assembled 33.4 Mb genome encodes 11,015 putative coding DNA sequences, of which, 2.49% are predicted transposable elements. Multilocus phylogenetic and phylogenomic analyses showed B. papendorfii UM 226 clustering with Curvularia species, apart from other plant pathogenic Bipolaris species. Its genomic features suggest that it is a heterothallic fungus with a putative unique gene encoding the LysM-containing protein which might be involved in fungal virulence on host plants, as well as a wide array of enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism, degradation of polysaccharides and lignin in the plant cell wall, secondary metabolite biosynthesis (including dimethylallyl tryptophan synthase, non-ribosomal peptide synthetase, polyketide synthase), the terpenoid pathway and the caffeine metabolism. This first genomic characterization of B. papendorfii provides the basis for further studies on its biology, pathogenicity and medicinal potential.     

Inhibitory effect of botanical extracts against Alternaria alternata of aloe vera dry rot

Aloe vera dry rot caused by Alternaria alternata, is one of the most serious fungal diseases affecting the commercial cultivation of aloe vera in North India. Control of this disease through chemical is quite expensive and not ecofriendly. The plant extracts as biopesticdes act as a vital components for the management of this disease. Evaluation of some plant extracts was carried out against A. alternata in laboratory conditions. The extracts were prepared at 5% and 10% concentration and were evaluated through inhibition in radial growth (food poison technique) and spores (conidia) germination (hanging drop technique) against A. alternata. Neem leaf extract gave 58.6% inhibition in radial growth and 56.5% in spore germination at 10% concentration followed by Ocimum sanctum which was found effective and gave 54.7% inhibition in radial growth and 50.4% in spore germination over control.     

Potentialities of plants with underground storage organs in the Egyptian desert flora

Plants with underground storage organs in the natural flora of Egypt appeared promising as raw materials for various economic uses. As basic information for any future industrial, pharmaceutical, or agricultural uses, we must understand their inorganic constituents in relation to variations of habitats and life cycle events. Fourteen species have been collected from different habitats along the Mediterranean coast and examined for their chemical element composition and correlated with the environmental conditions. One of these species,Asphodelus microcarpus Salzm. and Viv., has been critically studied to determine the uptake and distribution of the different mineral elements during its different phenophases. The importance of this study on the rational uses of the different parts of this plant is discussed.     

Before it disappeared: ethnobotanical study of fleagrass (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Adenosma buchneroides</Emphasis>), a traditional aromatic plant used by the Akha people

Background

Fleagrass, Adenosma buchneroides, is an aromatic perennial herb that occupies an important position in the life of the Akha people. They regard it as a tribal symbol and a gift of love. Fleagrass also has many medicinal uses, and there is considerable potential for its development as an insect repellent. Traditionally, Akha people plant it in swidden fields, but there are few swidden fields in China now. Therefore, the first question this study aims to answer is as follows: how is fleagrass planted and utilized now? At present, fleagrass is only reported to be used by Akha people in Mengla. We also try to understand the following questions: Is fleagrass used in nearby area? If so, how is fleagrass used in nearby area? Furthermore, why is fleagrass used in that way?

Methods

From August 2016 to July 2018, field surveys were conducted six times. The ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological uses of A. buchneroides in 13 Akha villages were investigated by means of semi-structured interviews. We assessed the responses of a total of 64 interviewees (32 men and 32 women; mean age, 58.6) from the Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China, and from Phongsaly Province, Laos. To explain the bases for the ethnobotanical uses of fleagrass, we used Google Scholar, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure to review the bioactivities of the chemical constituents of A. buchneroides.

Results

With the vanishing of swidden agriculture and the development of modern products, fleagrass cultivation is disappearing in China. However, most Akha people in Xishuangbanna still remember and yearn for its traditional uses, and Akha people in a nearby area (northern Laos) continue to plant and utilize it. We documented ten uses of A. buchneroides within five discrete categories. The whole plant of fleagrass has a distinct strong aroma, of which Akha villagers are particularly fond. Akha villagers mostly use this aromatic property as a decoration, perfume, and insect repellent. A. buchneroides is also used as a condiment and for medicinal and ritual purposes, including its use as a cure for insect bites, headaches, influenza, and diarrhoea, and as a part of pray ritual for a bumper harvest. From our literature review, we identified many major chemical compounds contained in the essential oil of A. buchneroides, including thymol, carvacrol, 3-carene, and p-cymene, which have insecticidal or insect-repellent, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Conclusion

Fleagrass is an aromatic plant that is widely used by Aka people. Its chemical composition also has a variety of biological activities. With the vanishing of swidden agriculture and the development of modern products, fleagrass utilization in China is disappearing and its cultural importance is reduced. However, its economic and medicinal value is assignable.

     

Effects of fermented aloe vera mixed diet on larval growth of Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis (Kolbe) (coleopteran:Cetoniidae) and protective effects of its extract against CCl4‐induced hepatotoxicity in Sprague–Dawley rats

The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of fermented aloe vera mixed diet on larval growth of Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis (Kolbe) (coleopteran: Cetoniidae) and protective effects of extract of larvae of P. brevitarsis seulensis fed fermented aloe vera mixed diet against Carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)‐induced hepatotoxicity in Sprague–Dawley rats. To determine whether different diets can affect the larval growth of P. brevitarsis seulensis, six different diets were investigated in the experiment, and the results exhibited that 15% fermented aloe vera with 85% fermented oakwood sawdust was the best diet for larval growth of this insect, followed by 9% fermented aloe vera with 91% fermented oakwood sawdust. Adult male Sprague–Dawley rats (n= 30) were separated into five groups of six each, as follows: control group; CCl₄ group; CCl₄ plus larval extract group (without fermented aloe vera); CCl₄ plus 9% and 15% larval extract groups (with fermented aloe vera). All extract groups were fed with 30 mg/kg extracts of fermented oakwood sawdust only and fermented oakwood sawdust plus 9% and 15% fermented aloe vera, respectively, once every consecutive day, with administration of CCl₄ (1.5 mL/kg, 20% CCl₄ in olive oil) twice a week for 3 weeks. Administration of CCl₄ increased the serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotranseferase and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance levels in rats and reduced levels of glutathione in the liver. Treatment with extract of larval‐fed fermented aloe vera mixed diet significantly alleviated these changes to nearly normal levels. The histopathological changes induced by CCl₄ were also significantly attenuated by extract of larval‐fed fermented aloe vera mixed diet treatment. The results suggest that the beneficial effect of fermented aloe vera mixed diet on larval growth may be to stimulate the larval life cycle, and 15% larval‐fed fermented aloe vera mixed diet exhibits potent hepatoprotective effects on CCl₄‐induced liver injury in rats, likely due to increased glutathione contents and the inhibition of lipid peroxidation.     

Investigation of some bioactive Thai medicinal plants

It has been estimated that plants are the most important source of medicine for more than 80% of the world’s population. Medicinal plants are a vital source of medication in developing countries. Despite the wealth of human experience and folklore concerning the medicinal uses of plants, proper scientific investigation has only been applied to a small fraction of the world’s plants. This is a cause of grave concern as plant species continue to disappear. A rapid response to this situation is urgently needed to prevent the disappearance of the plant species and the ethnopharmacological knowledge that accompanies them. In this review, recent work on the investigation of selected bioactive Thai medicinal plants is presented. Their biological activities against infectious diseases including antimalarial and anti-HIV, are highlighted, as well as their anticancer, antiulcer and anti-inflammatory properties. The chemical transformations of some selected compounds are discussed. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

An ATP Binding Cassette Transporter Is Required for Cuticular Wax Deposition and Desiccation Tolerance in the Moss Physcomitrella patens

The plant cuticle is thought to be a critical evolutionary adaptation that allowed the first plants to colonize land, because of its key roles in regulating plant water status and providing protection from biotic and abiotic stresses. Much has been learned about cuticle composition and structure through genetic and biochemical studies of angiosperms, as well as underlying genetic pathways, but little is known about the cuticles of early diverging plant lineages. Here, we demonstrate that the moss Physcomitrella patens, an extant relative of the earliest terrestrial plants, has a cuticle that is analogous in both structure and chemical composition to those of angiosperms. To test whether the underlying cuticle biosynthetic pathways were also shared among distant plant lineages, we generated a genetic knockout of the moss ATP binding cassette subfamily G (ABCG) transporter Pp-ABCG7, a putative ortholog of Arabidopsis thaliana ABCG transporters involved in cuticle precursor trafficking. We show that this mutant is severely deficient in cuticular wax accumulation and has a reduced tolerance of desiccation stress compared with the wild type. This work provides evidence that the cuticle was an adaptive feature present in the first terrestrial plants and that the genes involved in their formation have been functionally conserved for over 450 million years.     

Novel bioactive maloyl glucans from aloe vera gel: isolation, structure elucidation and in vitro bioassays

In this study, three novel maloyl glucans were isolated at temperatures below 15 degrees C from aloe vera gel (Aloe barbadensis Miller). These compounds were characterized using NMR spectroscopy, ESIMS, MALDITOF-MS and capillary electrophoresis. The compounds were characterized as 6-O-(1-L-maloyl)-alpha-,beta-D-Glcp (veracylglucan A), alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->4)-6-O-(1-L-maloyl)-alpha,-beta,-D-Glcp (veracylglucan B) and alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->4)-tetra-[6-O-(1-L-maloyl)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->4)]-6-O-(1-L-maloyl)-alpha,-beta-D-Glcp (veracylglucan C). These unusual malic acid acylated carbohydrates were then tested in vitro for effects on cell proliferation and gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines, IL-6, IL-8 and ICAM-1, using RT-PCR. Veracylglucan B demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative effects, while Veracylglucan C, on the other hand, exhibited significant cell proliferative and anti-inflammatory activities. Veracylglucan A could only be isolated in smaller quantities, and it proved to be very unstable. Thus no biological effects could be observed in this respect. The in vitro bioassays also indicated that Veracylglucan B and C are antagonistic and competitive in their effects on cell proliferation. The results of this work represent a major step forward in the research on aloe vera gel. This is the first time that two fully chemically characterized compounds are shown to be responsible for known biological activities of aloe vera gel.