Chemical constituents of the essential oil in above-ground and root of Bupleurum malconense and root of B. chinense were investigated by GC-MS compiled with automated mass spectral deconvolution and identification system (AMDIS) and retention index. The results showd that the components of essential oil in B. malconense have some similarities with the one in B. chinense, and both of them have the higher content of caryophyllene oxide which is an active component of anti-inflammatory and analgesic. These results suggested that as a local substitute, B. malconense has a certain scientific basis of the treatment for cold fever.
Bupleurum ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Fever ; drug therapy ; Mass Spectrometry ; Oils, Volatile ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry

Danshen, the dried root or rhizome of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge., is a traditional and folk medicine in Asian countries, especially in China and Japan. In this review, we summarized the recent researches of Danshen in traditional uses and preparations, chemical constituents, pharmacological activities and side effects. A total of 201 compounds from Danshen have been reported, including lipophilic diterpenoids, water-soluble phenolic acids, and other constituents, which have showed various pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, anti-tumor, anti-atherogenesis, and anti-diabetes. This article intends to provide novel insight information for further development of Danshen, which could be of great value to its improvement of utilization.
Diterpenes ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Hydroxybenzoates ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Oils, Volatile ; chemistry ; Phytochemicals ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo discuss the optimum extraction process of compound Nanxing pain-relieving cataplasm through orthogonal design and pharmacodynamic experiment

METHODThe orthogonal experiment method was adopted to optimize the ethanol extraction process with Angelica dahurica, Ligusticum chuanxiong and other herbs. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of extracts from volatile oil in such herbs as syzygium aromaticum with different extraction processes were compared by tail pain tenderness test and food-pad swelling in mice, in order to optimize the extraction process of extracts from volatile oil in such herbs as syzygium aromaticum.

RESULTThe optimum extraction process of A. dahurica, L. chuanxiong and other herbs for compound Nanxing pain-relieving cataplasm were as follows: adding 8-fold amount of 70% alcohol, extracting for 2 times with 1.5 h each time. The 95% ethnol extracts of syzygium aromaticum and other herbs had more effect in the increasing the threshold of pain and the inhibition of toe swelling of mice than volatile oil obtained from steam distillation as well as volatile oil and water decoction obtained from steam distillation.

CONCLUSIONThe method is simple and reliable that it can provide technical reference for the development of modern preparations of compound Nanxing pain-relieving cataplasm.

Analgesics ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Chemical Fractionation ; methods ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Ethanol ; chemistry ; Mice ; Oils, Volatile ; chemistry ; Pain ; drug therapy

AIM: To evaluate the effect of Cocus nucifera L. flowers in reducing the major multiple symptoms of letrozole-induced polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) in female rats. METHOD: Female, virgin Wistar rats were treated with letrozole (1 mg/kg body wt) to induce PCOD, and after 21 days of induction rats were administered orally with 100 and 200 mg·kg(-1) of Cocus nucifera flower aqueous extract, respectively. Estrus cycle and blood sugar were monitored once a week throughout the study. After scarification, various biochemical parameters, such as antioxidant status (superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GSH)) of the uterus homogenate, lipid profile (total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides (TG)) of the serum were determined. Weights of the uterus and ovaries were separately monitored. The characteristics of changes in the ovary were evaluated by histopathological studies. RESULTS: GC-MS analysis of the aqueous extract showed the presence of volatile and pharmacologically active phytoconstituents. C. nucifera flower extract-treated groups showed estrus cyclicity and increased uterus weight which indicates the estrogenic effect. The improved blood sugar level, ideal lipid profile, good antioxidant status, and histopathology results revealed the recovery from poly cystic ovaries. CONCLUSION The results indicate that C. nucifera flower is a potential medicine for the treatment of PCOD and this study supports the traditional uses of C. nucifera flower.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Cocos ; chemistry ; Estrus ; drug effects ; Female ; Flowers ; chemistry ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Letrozole ; Lipids ; blood ; Nitriles ; Oils, Volatile ; analysis ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Ovary ; drug effects ; pathology ; Phytoestrogens ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; blood ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Rats, Wistar ; Triazoles ; Uterus ; drug effects

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of essential oil on oxidative stress, immunity, and skin condition in atopic dermatitis (AD) induced mice. METHODS: This study was a 3x3 factorial design. Factors were oil type (Lavender, Thyme, and 2:1 mixture of lavender and thyme oil [blending oil]) and treatment period (0 day, 7 days, and 21 days). The samples were 45 mice with AD and randomly assigned to nine groups of five mice per group. The dependent variables such as superoxide radical, IgE, degranulated mast cells, and epidermal thickness were measured. Data were collected from February to April in 2014. Descriptive statistics, One-way ANOVA, Two-way ANOVA, and Tukey's HSD test were performed using the SPSS WIN 20.0 program. RESULTS: Dependent variables were not statistically significantly different by the three oil types (p >.05). Essential oils such as lavender, thyme, and blending oil were all effective in reducing AD symptoms and especially 2:1 blending oil were most effective. There were statistically significant differences by the three treatment periods in all dependent variables (p <.001). There were statistically significant interactions between oil types and treatment periods in all dependent variables (p <.01). For decreasing superoxide radical, degranulated mast cells, and epidermal thickness, 2:1 mixed oil should be applied for at least 21 days. Otherwise to reduce IgE, 2:1 mixed oil should be used for at least 7 days. CONCLUSION: These findings provide bases for developing effective interventions for AD patients to manage their AD symptoms.
Animals ; Dermatitis, Atopic/chemically induced/*drug therapy/pathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; *Immunity/drug effects ; Immunoglobulin E/blood ; Lavandula/*chemistry/metabolism ; Mast Cells/cytology/metabolism ; Mice ; Oils, Volatile/chemistry/pharmacology/therapeutic use ; *Oxidative Stress/drug effects ; Picryl Chloride/toxicity ; Plant Oils/chemistry/pharmacology/*therapeutic use ; Singlet Oxygen/metabolism ; Skin/drug effects/pathology ; Thymus Plant/*chemistry/metabolism

OBJECTIVEUlcerative colitis is a chronically recurrent inflammatory bowel disease of unknown origin. In the present study, the effect of ginger (rhizome of Zingiber officinale Roscoe) volatile oil on a rat model of colitis was evaluated.

METHODSVolatile oil of ginger with doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, prednisolone (4 mg/kg), or vehicle were administered orally to groups of male Wistar rats (n = 6) for 5 d. Animals were randomly divided into 6 groups, each group consisting of 6 rats. Colitis was induced by intracolonic instillation of 2 mL of 4% (v/v) acetic acid solution. All rats were sacrificed 24 h later and the tissue injuries were assessed macroscopically and histopathologically.

RESULTSGinger volatile oil with all doses reduced colon weight/length ratio (P < 0.01) and the effects were similar to the reference drugs. Higher oral doses of volatile oil (200 and 400 mg/kg) reduced ulcer severity (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01), ulcer area (P < 0.01) and ulcer index (P < 0.01). On the other hand, evaluation of microscopic scores showed that the dose of 400 mg/kg of volatile oil was effective to reduce inflammation severity (P < 0.01) and inflammation extent (P < 0.05) compared to the control group.

CONCLUSIONIt is concluded that ginger volatile oil could effectively reduce symptoms of experimental colitis in a dose-dependent manner.

Acetic Acid ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Colitis ; chemically induced ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Ginger ; chemistry ; Male ; Microscopy ; Oils, Volatile ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Plant Extracts ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Plant Oils ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Rhizome ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo review the progress in the study of chemical ingrediens, pharmacological effects and clinical application of Allium macrostemon Bunge.

METHODDocuments of experimental and clinical study on A. macrostemon in recent 10 years were consulted and summarized.

RESULTA. macrostemon had many active ingredients, pharmacology effects and wild clinical application.

CONCLUSIONThe results provide a rational foundation for the further development and utilization of A. macrostemon.

Allium ; chemistry ; Animals ; Anti-Asthmatic Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Oils, Volatile ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Phytotherapy ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Spearmint oil on inflammation, oxidative alteration and Nrf2 expression in rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).

METHODSCOPD model was induced by intratracheal instillation of Klebsiella pneumonia and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 12 weeks in rats, and COPD rats were treated with Spearmint oil for 3 weeks. After COPD was induced, the pathological changes, changes in leucocyte number in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), MDA in lung homogenate and Nrf2 expression were observed. The effects of Spearmint oil on these changes were determined.

RESULTSpearmint oil 100 mg*kg(-1)significantly reduced leucocyte numbers in BALF, and attenuated bronchiolitis, pulmonary interstitial inflammation and inflammation cell infiltration. Spearmint oil 30-300 mg*kg(-1)decreased the destruction of pulmonary alveolus and the thickness of bronchioles walls, and inhibited goblet cell proliferation. Spearmint oil significantly reduced MDA in lung homogenate, and decreased the expression of Nrf2 protein in lung tissues.

CONCLUSIONSpearmint oil has protective effect on lung injury in COPD rats, since it improves pulmonary inflammation,oxidative alteration, and enhances Nrf2 protein expression.

Animals ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Male ; Mentha spicata ; chemistry ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2 ; metabolism ; Oils, Volatile ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; drug therapy ; etiology ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

AIM: To examine the possible protective effect of Satureja khuzistanica essential oil (SKE) on antioxidant enzyme activity in alloxan-induced Type 1 diabetic rats. METHOD: Thirty Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into three groups randomly; group one as control, group two diabetic, with no treatment, and group three treatment with SKE at 500 ppm in drinking water, respectively. Diabetes was induced in the second and third groups by alloxan injection subcutaneously. After eight weeks, animals were anaesthetized. Blood samples were also collected before killing to measure antioxidant enzymes activity. RESULTS: SKE significantly increased the serum level of glutathione and the serum activity of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase in the treated group compared with the diabetic untreated group. CONCLUSION The findings showed that SKE exerts beneficial effects on the antioxidant enzymes activity in alloxan-induced Type 1 diabetic rats.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Catalase ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; Glutathione ; metabolism ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Male ; Oils, Volatile ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Satureja ; chemistry ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

This paper reviewed the phytochemical and pharmacological research progress in Leontopodium medicinal plants, including the resource distribution, the chemical constitutes, the pharmacological activities and clinical application. The review has provided some information for the study and development of Leontopodium medicinal plants in future.
Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids ; isolation & purification ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Asteraceae ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Flavanones ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Isoquinolines ; isolation & purification ; Nephritis ; drug therapy ; Oils, Volatile ; isolation & purification ; Phytotherapy ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry