Journal of ethnopharmacology
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Comparative Study
Antinociceptive and hypnotic properties of Celastrus orbiculatus.
Celastrus orbiculatus, a woody vine of the Celastraceae family, has been widely used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of many diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and odontalgia. In this study, we assessed the sedative and antinociceptive activities of the methanolic extract of Celastrus orbiculatus (MCO). ⋯ In the present study, MCO showed potent antinociceptive and sedative activities. Based on these results, MCO may be considered a valuable anti-nociceptive and hypnotic agent for the treatment of various diseases.
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Ginkgolide B (GB) is one of the ginkgolides that have been isolated from leaves and root bark of the Chinese tree Ginkgo biloba L. (Ginkgoaceae), and is a specific and potent antagonist of platelet activating factor. There is a large body of data showing that GB possesses a markedly neuroprotective property against ischemia-induced impairment in vivo and in vitro. Recently it has been found that GB can inhibit the inflammation in the rat brain tissues with ischemia/reperfusion injury and in the astrocytes treated with lipopolysaccharide, as well as protect neurons against beta-amyloid 25-35 and ischemia-induced apoptosis. However, there have been few reports on the influence of GB on intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). This study was to investigate the effects of intraperitoneal GB on neuronal cell apoptosis, inflammatory cytokines and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway after ICH. ⋯ GB may inhibit TLR4/NF-κB-dependent inflammatory responses, and furthermore lessen neuronal cell apoptosis after ICH, which may support the use of G. biloba extracts for the treatment of ICH.
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Tong Luo Jiu Nao (TLJN) is a modern Chinese formula based on Traditional Chinese Medicine theory that has been used to treat ischemic cerebral stroke and vascular dementia. TLJN belongs to the ethnopharmacological family of medicines. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of the TLJN effect on Alzheimer's disease (AD). ⋯ TLJN can improve learning and memory, up-regulate insulin-degrading enzyme and neprilysin levels, promote the degrading of Aβ and clear amyloid plaque from the AD rat brain. In future, TLJN may have significant therapeutic potential in the treatment of AD patients.
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Sinomenine, an alkaloid isolated from the root of Sinomenium acutum, has been used to alleviate the symptoms of rheumatic diseases. Liang Miao San (LMS), composed of the herbs Rhizoma Atractylodis (Cangzhu) and Cotex Phellodendri (Huangbai), is another traditional Chinese medicine formula for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment. Although numerous studies have demonstrated the potential anti-inflammatory activities of sinomenine and LMS, the underlying intracellular mechanisms regulating the anti-inflammatory activities of sinomenine and LMS on human primary fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) from RA patients and normal control subjects have not been elucidated. ⋯ Our results therefore provide a new insight into the differential anti-inflammatory activities of sinomenine and LMS through the suppression of TNF-α-activated FLS by modulating distinct intracellular signaling pathways in RA.
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Herbal drugs are gaining worldwide prominence due to their distinct advantages. Developing countries have started exploring the ethnopharmacological approach of drug discovery and have begun to file patents on herbal drugs. The expansion of R&D in Indian herbal research organizations and presence of manufacturing units at non-Indian sites is an indication of the capability to develop new products and processes. The present study attempts to identify innovations in the Indian herbal drug sector by analyzing the patenting trends in India, US and EU. ⋯ A majority of the herbal patents applications and grants in India are with individual inventors. Claim analysis indicates that these patents include novel multi-herb compositions with synergistic action. Indian research organizations are more active than companies in filing for patents. CSIR has maximum numbers of applications not only in India but also in the US and EU. Patents by research organizations and herbal companies are on development of new processes for active compound isolation and standardization of such components in addition to new compositions for therapeutic use. Pharmaceutical companies such as Ranbaxy, Lupin and Panacea Biotec are increasingly patenting on herbal drugs. There is increased patenting activity related to diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, asthma and arthritis in India and abroad.