Medicinal plants of the Argentine Yungas plants of the Las Yungas biosphere reserve, Northwest of Argentina, used in health care

We have compared the species richness of medicinal plants and the differential patterns of use amongst settlements in the Andean communities of Northwest Argentina which have differing levels of isolation. About 259 ethnoespecies, belonging to 74 plant families, were included, representing between 70 and 80% of the total estimate. The results indicate that Coronopus didymus is the most relevant and important species. The method of use of medicinal plants and the ailments treated by rural doctors compared to those of the layperson is different. Native and exotic plants are used differently according to the body system treated. There are some relationships between internal and external use and body systems and recipes. The greater medicinal species richness found in the less isolated locations is due to external enriching cultural influences.     

西北产6种药用柴胡营养器官的比较解剖学研究

柴胡是伞形科柴胡属植物,据报道,全世界有150种左右,主要分布在北半球及亚热带地区,初步统计我国有30余种。据我们在西北五省调查,药用种类有21种之多,药用主流种类有柴胡Bupleurum chinesis DC.、狭叶柴胡B. scorzonerifolium Willd.、银州柴胡B. yinchowense Shan et Y. Li、小叶黑柴胡B. smithii Wolff. var. parvi-     

In vitro testing of the biological activity ofRubia cordifolia leaves on primateStrongyloides species

ChimpanzeesPan troglodytes in Kibale National Park, Uganda occasionally swallow entire leaves ofRubia cordifolia (Rubiaceae) without chewing them. The leaves are subsequently egested with minimal damage and no sign of any significant digestion. Similar behavior reported elsewhere has been proposed to have medicinal effects. Here we test the hypothesis that chemical components in swallowed leaves have negative effects on intestinal nematodes. We used anin vitro assay to detect the effects of methanol extracts ofR. cordifolia leaves on nematodes,Strongyloides spp., cultured from feces. Control extracts were distilled water, methanol solution, and methanol extracts of food items that were chewed, rather than swallowed, by chimpanzees. Effects of experimental or control solutions were assayed by nematode motility. There was no difference in nematode motility among control and experimental extracts. This study therefore did not support the hypothesis of pharmacological self-medication via leaf swallowing.     

使用MUG培养基定量检测植物药中大肠杆菌时荧光猝灭现象的发生与克服方法

实验中观察到,用ＭＵＧ培养基对植物药中的大肠杆菌定量时多发生荧光猝灭现象,影响检测结果。本文对此现象产生的原因与克服方法进行了系统的考察,发现以一种简便的转接方法可排除植物药介质对菌检的干扰。该方法由两组检验系列构成,当怀疑正常稀释系列（第一系列）４０ｈ培养液的荧光结果可能因猝灭现象呈假阴性时,立即分别将该系列的１—３号管培养液以０．５ｍｌ的接种量转接入新鲜的ＭＵＧ培养基（第二系列）,重新培养２４ｈ,荧光猝灭现象即可克服。综合两系列的荧光、产气和吲哚三项生化特征得出检品中大肠杆菌含量。实际应用表明,此法能显著提高使用该培养基时菌检结果的可靠性。     

Amplified somatic embryogenesis from male flowers of triploid banana and plantain cultivars (Musa spp.)

Summary Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration of banana and plantain cultivars (Musa spp.) were obtained by culturing young male flowers. Multiplication and maintenance of embryogenic cultures were achieved by culturing somatic embryos in a temporary immersion system (SIT). A multiplication rate of 40 allowed us to obtain more than 6000 somatic embryos after 6 mo. of subculture. Plant recovery frequencies were 60 to 70%. This method was expanded to different banana and plantain genomic groups.     

Immune-Enhancing Activity Screening on Extracts from Two Crickets, Gryllus bimaculatus and Teleogryllus emma

This study was performed to explore novel and valuable uses of insect resources, important subjects of the natural compound used in bio‐industries. The whole bodies of two crickets, Gryllus bimaculatus and Teleogryllus emma, selected from medicinal insect species, were carefully ground and treated with 80% EtOH. The insect extracts were solubilized and separated by hexane, butanol, and D.W according to their polarities. Three types of extracts, a D.W fraction (G1) and a boiling extract (G2) of an introduced cricket, G. bimaculatus, and a D.W fraction (T1) of a Korean local cricket, T. emma, were prepared to assay immune stimulating activity of cricket originated compounds. The all of three treated cricket extracts showed to increase IL‐4, IFN‐, and TNF‐α. Among those extract, extract G2, boiled extract from G. bimaculatus, was the best immune–enhancing fraction. The results of this study could be fundamental information for further works to use insects as natural resources having plenty of potentials and varieties.     

Release of arachidonate from diglyceride in human platelets requires the sequential action of a diglyceride lipase and a monoglyceride lipase

Release of arachidonate from 2-arachidonyl diglyceride by human platelet microsomes was investigated. Diglycerides labeled with ¹⁴C-stearate at sn-1 and with ³H-arachidonate at sn-2 were used as a substrate for microsomal diglyceride lipase. Diglyceride was deacylated first at sn-1 as evidenced by the accumulation of 2-arachidonyl monoglyceride but not of 1-stearoyl monoglyceride. Subsequent release of arachidonate from monoglyceride required the action of a monoglyceride lipase. Studies on substrate specificity indicated that diglyceride lipase utilized 2-arachidonyl diglyceride as the best substrate.     

Honey: Single food stuff comprises many drugs

Honey is a natural food item produced by honey bees. Ancient civilizations considered honey as a God gifted prestigious product. Therefore, a huge literature is available regarding honey importance in almost all religions. Physically, honey is a viscous and jelly material having no specific color. Chemically, honey is a complex blend of many organic and inorganic compounds such as sugars, proteins, organic acids, pigments, minerals, and many other elements. Honey use as a therapeutic agent is as old as human civilization itself. Prior to the appearance of present day drugs, honey was conventionally used for treating many diseases. At this instant, the modern research has proven the medicinal importance of honey. It has broad spectrum anti-biotic, anti-viral and anti-fungal activities. Honey prevents and kills microbes through different mechanism such as elevated pH and enzyme activities. Till now, no synthetic compound that works as anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal drugs has been reported in honey yet it works against bacteria, viruses and fungi while no anti-protozoal activity has been reported. Potent anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancerous activities of honey have been reported. Honey is not only significant as anti-inflammatory drug that relieve inflammation but also protect liver by degenerative effects of synthetic anti-inflammatory drugs. This article reviews physico-chemical properties, traditional use of honey as medicine and mechanism of action of honey in the light of modern scientific medicinal knowledge.