Objective: This study aimed to determine the antiviral activity of ten Philippine medicinal plants against Zika virus (ZIKV). Methods: Lyophilized aqueous plant extracts were used for cell cytotoxicity and virus inhibition assays. The therapeutic index was computed from the 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50) and 50% effective concentration (EC50) values. Plant metabolites were also identified using mass spectroscopy. An in-silico screening of these metabolites was done using ZIKV enzymes and the Axl protein in human microglial cells as target proteins, followed by the ranking of binding energy scores to generate a hypothesis on the possible mechanism of antiviral action. Results: The plants that demonstrated the highest therapeutic index were Momordica charantia, Psidium guajava, Vitex negundo, and Blumea balsamifera. The majority of the metabolites present in the aqueous extracts were saponin, terpenes and terpenoids, and anthocyanin. Further, in-silico docking results showed a higher binding affinity for viral replication proteins compared to the viral envelope protein. Conclusion The crude aqueous extracts of M. charantia, P. guajava, V. negundo, and B. balsamifera were the most potent candidate antiviral therapies against ZIKV among the ten plants tested. Meanwhile, the in-silico results suggested that the metabolites possibly employ an intracellular mechanism for the observed antiviral activity.
Herbal Medicine

Herbal Medicine

Ginseng has been a precious traditional remedy, used to invigorate primodial “qi”, to tonify the blood and promote the secretion of body fluid, and relieve mental stress. The main constituents of Ginseng, which were attributable to biological activities, were saponins, including 13 ginsenosides. Ginseng was proved to have the following effects: Promoting both excitatory and inhibitory process of the nervous system, rehabilitating the balance, therefore reversing nervous disorders associated with mental stress; Fighting against fatigue, raising the ability of intellectual and physical works; Enhancing the potential body respondence to harmful stimulations; Acting on the endocrinal system, such as pituitary gland, adrenal cortex, genital gland; Influencing on the metabolism of glucid, lipid, protid; Regulating the cardiac functions, blood vessels and blood pressure; Protecting the kidney; Broad antibacterial spectrum
Medicine, Traditional ; Therapeutics ; Medicine, Herbal

No abstract available.
Herbal Medicine* ; Nausea* ; Vomiting*

Background: AH product is a herbal remedy containing of twelve plant extracts, which has a good hepatoprotective effect in two models inducing acute liver injury by carbon tetraclorid (CCl4) and paracetamol. Objective: To evaluate antioxidant activity in vitro and in vivo of AH product. Subjects and methods: Evaluation of antioxidant activity through a reduction of anion superoxide level in vitro and MDA concentration in liver tissue in vitro and in vivo. Results: AH product reduced anion superoxide level, IC50 was 26.60\xb5g/ml. In vitro, AH product at concentration of 125\xb5g/ml reduced formation of MDA 53.70%. The higher the concentration, the stronger the inhibition. In vivo, models of acute liver injuries induced by CCI4 and PAR in mice, AH product at two different doses (4.8 tablets/kg and 9.6 tablets/kg) reduced MDA concentration in liver tissue (33,9 - 36,6 % in CCI4 model and 21,4 - 25,3 % in PAR model) in comparison with group which used hepatotoxins but didn't use any drug. Conclusions: AH product containing many remedies was demonstrated having antioxidant activity which contributed to mechanism of hepatoprotection of this product. \r\n", u'\r\n', u'
Antioxidants ; Herbal Medicine ;

The study given an insight on the similarity in dyslipidemia syndrome between Western medicine and East medicine. 60 patients with dyslipidemia examined from December 1997 to July 1998 were investigated. Results suggested that the herb extract combination was an effect treatment for wind-phlegm form of dyslipidemia. It reduced triglycerid level by 31.5%, total cholesterol by 16%, LDL-C by 20.2% and apoprotein B by 16.7%, increased HDL-C by 19.8% and apoprotein by 14.1%.
Dyslipidemias ; Medicine, Herbal

On rat, among 4 these herbal medicine plants, only Rehmania flutinosa does not decrease significantly the blood sugar level with the oral doses of 1000-1500 mg/kg body weight and with intraperitoneal doses of 200-300mg/kg. Oral use of Anemarrhena asphodeloides and Angiopteris evecta decreases blood sugar at the doses of 100-1.500mg/kg. Intraperitoneal use of the doses of 200-300mg/kg Anemarrhena asphodeloides, Angiopteris evecta and gynoitema pentaphyllum lower glycemia by above 25% in comparison with the pretreated level.
Hypoglycemic Agents ; Medicine, Herbal

Herbal Medicine ; Plants, Medicinal

Given the expansion of herbal medicine, the overall quality, safety and efficacy must be subjected to critical examination if the intention is to safeguard public health. There are quality concerns on the products already in the market. Adulteration of contents, ingredients differing from label and unsupported or misleading claims are reported in several studies. This article proposes three areas that can be standardized to ensure quality, safety and efficacy of herbal medicines. The first is ensuring good agriculture and harvesting practices for the plant raw materials. Second is good manufacturing practice of producing medicinal preparation (liquid or solid form) from the raw materials. Third, develop a standardized and acceptable clinical trial design to demonstrate safety and efficacy. The regulatory agencies of some developed countries have published guidelines to ensure the quality of herbal medicines. Example of these guidelines are the botanical drug product guidance of the US FDA, the evidence for quality of finished natural health products guidance of the Health Canada and the guideline on quality of herbal medicinal products by the EMA. They specify different registration pathways. Registration pathways in Europe are traditional herbal registration (THR) or conventional marketing authorization (CMA). In the USA, it can be registered as dietary supplement (DS) or botanical drug (BD). In the Philippines herbal medicines taken orally can be registered as herbal medicine (HM), traditional use herbal product (TUHP) and dietary supplement (DS). Requirements for registration in the three regions compared include quality control and good manufacturing practices, evidence of safety and toxicologic studies and evidence of efficacy or clinical trials, but it all depends on the product to be registered or the chosen pathway for registration. After approval for marketing, there must be a methodological approach for post-marketing safety based on sales data and information on adverse drug reactions of newly introduced herbal medicinal products in the market.
Herbal Medicine ; Safety

Objective: This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial property of oregano (Plectranthus amboinicus) crude leaf extract against pathogens that infect the throat, specifically Streptococcus pyogenes and Candida albicans using the broth and checkerboard dilution methods.

Methods: This study employed an experimental study design using broth dilution method for the determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) against Streptococcus pyogenes ATCC 19615, and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) against Candida albicans ATCC 14053 of P. amboinicus crude extract (PA extract). Checkerboard dilution method was then used for determination of the synergy between PA extract and the standard antimicrobials.

Results: In vitro growth inhibition of S. pyogenes (MIC 0.13 g/mL) and C. albicans (MIC 0.03 g/mL) was exhibited by the PA extract. The highest concentration of PA extract used in this study was not sufficient to demonstrate bactericidal and fungicidal activity (MBC >0.25 g/mL, MFC >0.25 g/mL). Results of checkerboard dilution method revealed that PA extract when combined with either penicillin (for S. pyogenes) or nystatin (for C. albicans) demonstrated indifference.

Conclusion: The crude extract of Plectranthus amboinicus has the capability to inhibit the growth of both S. pyogenes and C. albicans. This demonstrates its potential use in the treatment of throat infections caused by these organisms.

Key Words: Plectranthus amboinicus, oregano, antimicrobial, throat infections, herbal medicine