NOPR Collection:

HYSSOP and POLIUM could help to prevent COVID-19 in high-risk population: The results of a parallel randomized placebo-controlled field trial

2022-05-04T11:04:22Z

Title: HYSSOP and POLIUM could help to prevent COVID-19 in high-risk population: The results of a parallel randomized placebo-controlled field trial Authors: Fazlju, Seyyed Mohammad Bagher; Heris, Javad Ahmadian; Farshbaf-Khalili, Azizeh; Khodadadi, Khodadad; Mohammadi, Ahad Banagozar; Shahabi, Parviz; Dorosti, Abbasali; Hamishekar, Hamed; Naghipour, Bahman; Pourfathi, Hojjat; Zahednia, Mohammad; Valizadeh, Einollah; Ranjbari, Yones; Zarei, Ahad; Sakaki, Ehsan; Ghassab-Abdollahi, Nafiseh; Salehi-Pourmehr, Hanieh; Safiri, Saeid Abstract: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of HYSSOP (composed of Hyssopus officinalis L., Echium amoenum Fisch & C. A. Mey and Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) and POLIUM (contained Teucrium polium L., Cuscuta epithymum Murr and Cichorium intybus L.) combined distilled herbal medicines compared to placebo in the prevention of COVID-19. This is a double-blind parallel placebo-controlled field trial conducted on 751 asymptomatic individuals whose one of the family members recently had a positive RT-PCR test for COVID-19. They were divided into three groups including POLIUM, HYSSOP and placebo using random blocks with a 1:1:1 allocation ratio. Participants received daily 5 cc (under 12 years) or 10 cc (over 12 years) of allocated oral medications for 20 days. The primary outcome was the frequency of positive RT-PCR test among participants who became symptomatic. The mean age of participants was 36.6. Nineteen participants get infected by COVID-19 during the intervention; fifteen of them belonged to the placebo and four to the POLIUM group. Fisher's exact test indicated significant differences between HYSSOP and placebo (p<0.001) as well as POLIUM and placebo (p=0.009) groups in terms of COVID-19 confirmed by PCR tests. Cox regression model adjusted for confounders illustrated that the hazard of getting infection by COVID-19 in POLIUM and HYSSOP groups decreased by 66% (OR (95% CI): 0.34 (0.12 to 0.94); p=0.038) and 93% (OR (95% CI): 0.07 (0.01to 0.56); p=0.012) respectively, compared to placebo .Oral administration of HYSSOP and POLIUM with the other supportive health care could decrease the risk of getting COVID-19 . Page(s): 243-253

Ethnobotanical and ethnoveterinary survey in Paraguay: Medicinal plants used for deworming

2022-05-04T10:59:50Z

Title: Ethnobotanical and ethnoveterinary survey in Paraguay: Medicinal plants used for deworming Authors: Ocampos, Griselda Asunción Meza; Ñumbay, Miguel Torres; Alvarenga, Nelson; Sühsner, Claudia Pereira; Delmás, Gloria; Hoste, Hervé Abstract: Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) infections, commonly called ―worms‖, affect both humans and animals. In veterinary medicine, the search for alternatives to control GIN is now considered a priority because of increasing resistances to commercial anthelmintics. The use of bioactive plants and related secondary metabolites is one of these alternatives. This study aimed to collect data on the use of medicinal plants (MPs) for humans and veterinary practices and at listing plant species with potential anthelmintic properties to select some plant species for further studies following three criteria (availability, originality and popularity). A cross sectional survey was conducted with a total of 384 participants, using semi-structured face-to-face interviews and a free list. To evaluate quantitative data of MPs, two ethnobotanical indices were calculated, the Salience index (SI) and the Use Value (UV). The importance and use of MPs in the population of study was high, 98% (372/383) of participants reported use MPs and 86% (321/384) mentioned knowledge of MPs used against GIN. The transmission of knowledge is not limited to the family environment. Sixteen plant species were listed belonging to 10 botanical families. The Asteraceae was the most popular botanical family. Six plants species were indicated for veterinary use. The four MPs selected for furthers studies were, namely: Kyllinga odorata Valh. (Cyperaceae), Cassia occidentalis L. (Fabaceae), Artemisia absinthium L. (Asteraceae), Verbena litoralis Kunth. (Verbenaceae). Evaluation of those MPs based on in vitro and in vivo assays are planned to validate the traditional local knowledge of these 4 plants. Page(s): 254-262

Efficacy of hydro-methanolic extract of Neolamarckia cadamba bark over hematological & biochemical parameters of Wistar albino rats and against microorganisms

2022-05-04T10:57:10Z

Title: Efficacy of hydro-methanolic extract of Neolamarckia cadamba bark over hematological & biochemical parameters of Wistar albino rats and against microorganisms Authors: Khandelwal, Vishal; Choudhary, Pradeep Kumar Abstract: Activity of the hydro-methanolic (HM) extract of Neolamarckia cadamba bark was studied over hematological and biochemical parameters of Wistar albino rats as well as its antimicrobial potential was tested against certain bacterial (Gram positive: S. aureus & B. subtilis, Gram negative: E. coli & P. aeruginosa) and fungal strains (A. niger & C. albicans). Efficacy of HM extract of N. cadamba bark over hematological and biochemical parameters was carried out using four groups containing six Wistar albino rats: Gp-I as control (without fed), Gp-II, Gp-III and Gp-IV were orally fed with HM extract of N. cadamba bark with different concentrations of 125 mg/Kg, 250 mg/Kg and 500 mg/Kg bwt, respectively. Study revealed significant increase (p<0.01) in level of red blood cells (RBC), haemoglobin (Hb), total leukocyte count (TLC) and packed cell volume (PCV) of Gp-II, III and IV when compared to control (Gp-I). Dose dependent progression in hematological indices values was observed. TLC values of animals of Gp-IV were found to be more increased in comparison with other hematological values of animals of other groups. Dose dependent significant decrease (p<0.01) in glucose and total cholesterol value of treated groups was found with respect to control. Concentration of two liver enzymes ALT/SGPT (alanine amino transferase), AST/SGOT (aspartate amino transferase) and amount of albumin, urea, creatinine and bilirubin of treated groups was not significantly different from control. Study suggested significant (p<0.01) antimicrobial activity towards C. albicans, A. niger, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, B. subtilis & S. aureus. Study revealed the synergistic efficacy of phytochemicals present in hydro-methanolic extract of N. cadamba bark for health benefits. Page(s): 263-268

In vitro anticancer activity of medicinal plants of Himalayan region

2022-05-04T10:55:38Z

Title: In vitro anticancer activity of medicinal plants of Himalayan region Authors: Bhardwaj, Pallavi; Thakur, Shraya Abstract: Plant-derived products have great potential to develop novel cancer preventive and therapeutic agents. Himalayan region is known for its vast reserve of natural resources. The present study was planned with the objective to explore the anticancer potential of plants of Himalayan region. Total twenty lyophilized plant extracts were prepared after extraction with 70% ethanol. All plant extracts were evaluated for percent cytotoxicity against LC-540 Leydig Cell Testicular Tumor cell line (rats) at various concentration levels (20, 50, 100 and 200 μg/mL) and at different exposure time (24, 48, 72 h). The results revealed that the aqua-ethanolic extract of leaves of Camellia sinensis exhibited maximum anticancer activity among all twenty extracts screened, with 42.74±4.63% and 68±1.74% cytotoxicity at 100 and 200 μg/mL concentration respectively, followed by Lantana camara, Tinospora cordifolia and Cedrus deodara. Further exploration of in vivo antineoplastic effects and probable mechanism of action of its potent phyto-constituents could be highly useful in developing an effective herbal formulation in cancer therapeutics. Page(s): 269-275