Authors:Subhash R. Yende, Radha Kapgate, Sumit K. Arora, Sapan K. Shah, Keshav S. Moharir, Ankit Mishra Pages: 1 - 6 Abstract: Marine macroalgae or seaweeds have created a favourable implication in the area of biomedical sciences, due to the present of potential bioactive substances. Extensive studies are reported on neuropharmacological effects of terrestrial plants and their constituents but there is inadequate information on the potential application of marine macroalgae for behavioural and neurological disorders. This review will emphasize on recent studies and/or updates on bioactive compounds or extracts from marine macroalgae and their potential toward CNS disorders. PubDate: 2022-03-29 DOI: 10.25081/jmhe.2022.v8.7282
Authors:M. Magendiran, K. K. Vijayakumar Pages: 7 - 11 Abstract: An ethnobotanical survey was carried out to collect information from the Malayali tribes of Jawadhu hills, Thiruvannamalai district, Tamilnadu, India from August 2016 to July 2017. A total of 63 plant species belonging to 32 families were distributed into 55 genera, which were commonly used by the local Malayali tribes for the treatment of various diseases such as headaches, fevers, asthma, coughs, colds, wounds, snake bites, piles, stomach disorders, skin diseases, gastric ulcers, kidney stones, urinary infection, diabetes, jaundice, inflammation etc. In the present study, Acanthaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Amaranthaceae, and Asclepiadaceae are the most dominant families used in the treatment of various ailments. Generally, leaves are used to prepare herbal medicine. The ethnomedicinal plants used by the Malayali tribes were arranged alphabetically followed by botanical name, family, local name, medicinal uses and mode of administration. PubDate: 2022-05-31 DOI: 10.25081/jmhe.2022.v8.7711
Authors:Catherine Kiconco, Clement Olusoji Ajayi, Kamatenesi Maud Mugisha, Ogwang Patrick Engeu Pages: 12 - 15 Abstract: Rhipicephalus (boophilus) decoloratus (ticks) are causing great economic loss among the cattle rearers from cattle mortalities and costs during the treatments. Synthetic acaricides have been used for a long time in the management of ticks, however chemical resistance from multiple uses of acaricides as well as contamination of dairy products from these acaricides has caused the urgent need for alternative herbal drugs. This study evaluated in vitro activity of the combination of Phytolacca dodecandra L’Her and Azardirachta indica A. Juss against R. (boophilus) decoloratus (ticks) with a view to developing active, less toxic and non-resistant acaricides. P. dodecandra and A. indica were collected, dried after authentication, pulverised mechanically and extracted with cold water. Ticks were treated with the herbal extracts singly and then in combination with concentrations ranging between 50-100mg/mL of distilled water. The anti-tick activity of P. dodecandra and A. indica was compared with Duodip and Ametix which are synthetic acaricides currently being used by farmers in Western Uganda. Results showed that P. dodecandra extract gave the highest mortality of ticks (65%) compared with A. indica (50%), Duodip (40%) and Ametix (5%) within a period of 12– 48 hours after exposure to the treatment. A combination of the two medicinal plant extracts (50%) did not show any significant difference in tick mortality compared to P. dodecandra. Phytolacca dodecandra has potential benefits thus may be used to obtain a natural eco-friendly acaricide for the management of ticks, however, a combination of the two medicinal herbal extracts has little synergistic effect compared to when P. dodecandra is used alone. PubDate: 2022-09-27 DOI: 10.25081/jmhe.2022.v8.7417
Authors:Mejda Selmi, Latifa Lassoued, Chahra Chbili, Maha Ben Fredj, Ridha Charfeddin Pages: 16 - 20 Abstract: This work is an informative study investigated the nutrient contents and the antioxidant activity of Mentha pulegium L. and Artemisia abrotanum L. two plants largely used in North African traditional medicine as well as in pharmaceutical and agro-alimentary industries. These plants have been used as herbal tea, or powder in herbal remedies, to treat painful menstruation, and gastrointestinal disorders. Recently they were extensively used during the pandemic of Covid-19. Results revealed that both plants were not, only, a good source of essential minerals, like Calcium, Iron, and Magnesium. But they were also rich sources of crude fibre and protein. Vitamin C amount was found 180.94 ±3.01 mg/g100g, with an IC50 value 54.45±25.53 μg/mL 10-1 in M. pulegium and 171.64±3.0 mg/100g with IC50 value 60.61± 19.71 μg/mL 10-1 in A. abrotanum. The antioxidant study showed a high activity that paves the way for the possibility of new health-related uses. PubDate: 2022-10-12 DOI: 10.25081/jmhe.2022.v8.7559
Authors:Antoine Renard, Giorgia Tresca, Luigi Menghini, Rebecca Lazarou, Gary Saucedo Rojas, Fabio Friso, Matteo Politi Pages: 21 - 28 Abstract: Western medicine and psychotherapy have historically overlooked the potential of engaging the sense of smell for therapeutic purposes. However, in other medical traditions, such as that of the Peruvian Amazon, specific therapeutic interventions based on the use of aromatic plants are commonly performed in conjunction with other healing modalities. Traditional specialized healers locally known as perfumeros conduct such healing sessions. This research describes how this kind of traditional Amazonian aromatherapy is used in the context of Takiwasi center, a therapeutic community specialized in the treatment of substance use disorders. Participant observation was carried out by shadowing the healers in charge of specific aromatherapy sessions including the so-called plant baths, sahumerio, and saunas. Additionally, semi structured interviews were conducted with several members of Takiwasi’s therapeutic staff, and non-peer reviewed publications and audio-video materials present in the Takiwasi archive were consulted and used as original data for this research. Data on users that received a plant bath from July 2019 to February 2021, were also acquired and discussed. The cosmology beyond this kind of traditional aromatherapy includes concepts such as “energetic body” and “spiritual entities”, opening the discussion on something beyond the mere materialistic aspect of aromatic chemistry and pharmacology. PubDate: 2022-10-17 DOI: 10.25081/jmhe.2022.v8.7539
Authors:Elizabeth Finbarrs-Bello, Okamkpa Chikezie Jude, Okoro Gabriel Ekene Pages: 29 - 32 Abstract: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurological episode associated with the senescence process characterized by neuronal cell death in brain regions and loss of cognition. The study investigate the neuroprotective potentials of Moringa oleifera leaf extract and Neostigmine in a rat model of Alzheimer’s disease induced by Aluminium chloride (AlCl3). A total number of 20 rats weighing 180-240 kg were used for this study and they were grouped into 5 with 4 rats in each group (n=4) labelled A-E. Group A control, received 0.1 mL normal saline (placebo), Group B, received 100 mg/kg of Aluminium chloride, Group C was given Aluminium chloride 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg, Group D experimental animals received Aluminium chloride 100 mg/kg and were treated with 400 mg/kg of the extract orally for 21 days, while Group E received the same dose of Alcl3 and 2 mg/kg Neostigmine given intraperitoneal (IP). Thereafter, the rats were sacrificed, and the hippocampi were harvested for histology and histochemical analysis. Our findings revealed visible protective changes in the group treated with the M. oleifera and Neostigmine as the pyramidal cells of CA3 and neurofibrillary tangles which were prominent in the positive control group were resolved. At the end of this study, it was proven that the toxicity induced by Aluminium chloride was reduced by M. oleifera leaf extract and Neostigmine. M. oleifera is a commonly consumed plant therefore the intake should be encouraged. PubDate: 2022-12-10 DOI: 10.25081/jmhe.2022.v8.7597
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