Current Traditional Medicine - Volume 9, Issue 2, 2023

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a group of metabolic disorders associated with hyperglycemia due to deficient insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. In 2008, out of 36 million deaths due to non-communicable diseases, 1.3 million deaths alone were causative of DM, suggesting it to be a significant public health problem, reaching epidemic proportions globally. Diabetic Neuropathy is a common complication of DM. The pathophysiology of DN involves the interplay of metabolic and vascular factors, with the principal factor being hyperglycemia. Since DN is a prevalent, disabling condition associated with nerve injury, efficient treatments include glycaemic control and pain management. The ancient scriptures like Charak Samhita and modern pharmacology have corroborated the vast medicinal potential of herbal plants for achieving a more holistic treatment for several ailments. One of the primary objectives of the current review was to provide collective data on the available pharmacological evidence of selective herbal plants for future clinical translation. Also, the herbal extracts used in the studies need to be standardised according to standard protocols. This is important for understanding the complex effect of specific phytoconstituents at the biomolecular level and determining the clinical dose to make results more repeatable.

Hippophae salicifolia, belonging to the family Elaeagnaceae, is a thorny shrub, and shows actinorhizal habit. The species prefers a habitat of temperate regions in Europe and Asia. In India, it is distributed in the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and the North-Eastern parts. The oil, fruits, leaves, and bark of Hippophae species have a pronounced use in ethnomedicines, nutritional food, cosmetics, nitrogen-fixing in soil, water conservation and as a fuel source. The aim of this review is to provide updated, comprehensive, and classified information on the traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological and toxicological research carried out on H. salicifolia. This will help researchers to explore its therapeutic potential and examine future research possibilities. The chemical composition of this shrub comprises minerals, vitamins, flavonoids, flavonoids glycosides, polyunsaturated fatty acids, sugars, carotenoids, and nucleobases. Pharmacological studies demonstrated that the extracts prepared from leaves, barks, and berries along with fixed oil of this species are useful as anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-depressant, anti-microbial, adaptogenic, and wound healing agent. The results of the toxicity study of H. salicifolia extracts did not show any significant acute toxicity in experimental animals. The abundance of phenolic compounds, minerals, and fatty acids within the different parts of this plant prompted researchers to isolate and characterize the phytoconstituents which are responsible for its therapeutic uses.

Background: Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is an important industrial crop and the fourth major crop in the world which is a rich source of isofavones, including glycitein in the human diet. Soybean has been associated with beneficial effects in the prevention of cancer, osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases and menopausal symptoms. Isoflavones class phytochemicals have been extensively studied in the scientific fields due to their estrogenic potential. Methods: Scientific information on glycitin for its biological potential and therapeutic effects has been collected and analyzed in the present work. Scientific data on glycitin has been collected from the databases such as Google, Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, and Scopus in the present work and analyzed for their therapeutic potential using terms such as flavonoid and glycitin. Results: Scientific data analysis revealed the biological importance and therapeutic benefit of glycitin in medicine. Glycitin also called 4′-hydroxy-6-methoxyisoflavone-7-D-glucoside has been found to be present in the Soy products. Glycitin exhibits chemo-preventive, cardio-protective and anti-osteoporosis effects. Glycitin revealed beneficial effects on diabetes, acute lung injury, bone, cognitive performance, breast cancer, skin, immune system, enzymes, prostaglandin and taste receptors. However, its ligand binding assay, cytoprotective effect and pharmacokinetic parameters were also studied in the present work. Analytical data signified the importance of analytical tools for qualitative and quantitative analysis of glycitin in medicine. Conclusion: Scientific data analysis revealed the therapeutic effectiveness of glycitin in medicine.

Herbal medicines are closest to the customary treatment approach than some other conventional or elective medications. They have a few phytoconstituents known for their remedial impacts on the body and have been utilized for hundreds of years. When researchers used to grow new medications, regular items had their exceptional favorable circumstances, for example, plentiful clinical encounters and their one-of-a-kind assorted variety of chemical structures and organic exercises. Various molecules of herbal origin have been isolated, characterized, and evaluated for pharmacological activity by the investigators. However, phytomolecules must be appropriately formulated to facilitate their physiological target and give more precise results. This examination expects to audit the writing on natural preparations and investigate the potential ways to deliver them so that further development can be done on existing herbal molecules and new molecules.

Introduction: Clerodendrum colebrookianum Walp (Family, Verbenaceae) is one of the beneficial medicinal plants, used by the traditional people of this Northeast region of India due to its cardioprotective action and most widely known as “Nefafu” in Assam, “Arun” in Nagaland and “Phuinum” in Mizoram. Clerodendrum colebrookianum is found extensively in the South as well as Southeast Asia. The Mizo natives of the Northeast, India expanse of India claim that the hypertensive populace's minor occurrence in the middle of their society member is because of the habitual ingestion of this medicinal plant as vegetables. Aim: This review summarizes the ethnopharmacology, selected scientific evidence on the pharmacological properties and phytochemistry of Clerodendrum colebrookianum Walp. This plant is generally considered the most significant herbal variety practiced in the therapy of hypertension by various communities of Northeast India. Methods: The review covers literature about the evidence-based ethnopharmacology, therapeutic potential, and phytochemistry of Clerodendrum colebrookianum Walp. Literature was collected from non-English journals and English scientific databases via electronic search (Elsevier, Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Springer, Web of Science, Wiley online library) and Ph.D. thesis databases. Results: Evidence suggests that the extracts and some compounds from. Clerodendrum colebrookianum Walp cause abdominal pain, anthelmintic, antidote, blood purifier, colics in infants, cough, diabetes, diarrhea, and dysentery, gastric disorders. It also has cardioprotective potential, which is a valid scientific basis for consuming it for health benefits in the northeast region of India. Conclusion: Scientific evidence suggests Clerodendrum colebrookianum Walp's immense potential to treat diabetes, hypertension, and other chronic diseases.

Coronavirus disease COVID-19 is causing havoc globally, infecting millions of people and has led to the deaths of people in thousands. COVID-19 attacks persons with low immune systems, especially neonates and geriatrics. Hence, boosting immunity may be one of the best options during this pandemic. There is a need to explore the possible herbal drugs to boost the immunity of people as a result of the rising cases of deaths due to COVID-19. However, the rationale for the use of herbal drugs is that each herb has the possibility of treating many health conditions. A single herb could have antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Herbs may be one possible source of a true cure for COVID-19. Herbal drugs are from renewable sources and pose less danger of possible adverse effects compared to synthetic drugs. Because COVID-19 has no true cure presently, man should resort to herbal drugs given by nature. Herbal drugs are highly potent and efficacious; hence, the early men treated their ailments with herbs. However, their use has been limited by poor pharmaceutical design into dosage forms that would be acceptable to people. Herbal drugs could be formulated as teas, decoctions, infusions, and, more recently, tablets, capsules, microparticles, nanoparticles, and phytosomes, amongst others. Different herbal plants with possible immune booster effects will be discussed in this work, and how they can be formulated into stable and acceptable dosage forms will be explored.

Urolithiasis is a common problem worldwide manifested with recurrent intermittent pain episodes, which today is increasing due to changes in lifestyle patterns, including sedentary and consumption of protein, fat, and fiber-free foods, as well as stress. Today, the role of nutrition in the formation of kidney stones as well as in its prevention is recognized as a key factor. Dolichos biflorus is one of the most famous plants that are known as a useful food in the prevention and treatment of kidney stones. In this review study, electronic databases of PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, Google Scholar, and Web of science and Persian medicinal books such as Al- Hawi, Al-Shamel fi-Alsenaat Altebbiah, Makhzan-al-Advia, and Tohfat al Momenin were searched to identify all the studies reporting the effects of Dolichos biflorus on kidney stones. Dolichos biflorus seeds contain effective substances in preventing kidney stone formation. These substances include Citrate, Magnesium, Potassium, and Vitamin B6. A protein has been identified in Dolichos biflorus grain that has antiseptic and inhibitory stone formation properties. In several studies, the effect of Dolichos biflorus extract on the dissolution of kidney stones and their prevention has been investigated. Dolichos biflorus seeds can be used as a useful and effective food in patients with kidney stones, in addition to its nutritional role, as a harmless drug to prevent stone production.

Generally, Ayurvedic or herbal products are considered safe to use. According to a report, more than 50% of the global population depends upon herbal products. To meet the global demand for ayurvedic products, more and more herbal plants are analyzed for their active constituents and health benefits. Moringa oleifera is one such plant that is analyzed for its therapeutic benefits. Various parts of this plant, such as the leaves, roots, seed, bark, fruit, flowers, and immature pods, act as cardiac and circulatory stimulants with antipyretic, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antiepileptic, diuretic, antiulcer, antispasmodic, antihypertensive, cholesterol-lowering, antidiabetic, antioxidant, antibacterial, hepatoprotective, and antifungal activities. This review is about the chemical composition of this tree’s market preparation and its different applications.

Background: The plant species belonging to the genus Boerhavia (Nyctaginaceae) have been used extensively in ethnomedicine and Ayurveda in India. Rakta punarnava and Sveta punarnava are two of the species mentioned in various Ayurvedic formulations. Other species of Boerhavia, though not found in the Indian system of medicine, do hold importance in ethnomedicine systems in India and other countries. Objective: Boerhavia, a polymorphic genus, has been treated as a single genus encompassing species belonging to a morphologically related genus, Commicarpus. Owing to this taxonomic quandary with regard to the merger or separation of the two genera by different workers, there are different reports on the number of species belonging to this genus. This has further resulted in flawed reporting of ethnomedicinal as well as ethnopharmacological studies. The present review focuses on resolving any confusion regarding taxonomic treatment and highlighting the ethnomedicinal uses supported by ethnopharmacological data and the phytochemistry of Boerhavia and Commicarpus species found in India. Conclusion: In India, four species of Boerhavia and two species belonging to Commicarpus are found. The literature survey revealed that except for B. diffusa, no other species of Boerhavia has been explored in detail. This presents an opportunity to conduct research on Boerhavia species and find new phytochemicals with promising therapeutic effects.

Vitex negundo is a traditional herb known for its medicinal properties in Unani, Ayurveda, Siddha, Chinese, Roman, and other traditional systems of medicine. Traditionally, it is used as anthelminthic, antitoxin, aphrodisiac, contraceptive, antimalarial, analgesic, antiinflamatory, antiasthmatic, vermifuge, etc. All parts of V. negundo contain a number of phytoconstituents like alkaloids, fatty acids, flavonoids, glycosidic irridoids, lignans, phenols, steroids, tannins and di- and sesquiterpenes. Due to the presence of a variety of secondary metabolites, V. negundo is used in different types of diseases or disorders by traditional practitioners for the treatment of spermatorrhoea, stomachache, asthma, cold, diarrhoea, indigestion, gallstone, hernia, eye disorders, rheumatism, irritable bladder and dysmenorrhea, headache, migraine, kwashiorkor, neck gland sores, tubercular neck swelling, reddened, arthritis, jaundice, urticaria, eczema and liver disorders. It is most widely used for curing disorders of the reproductive system like vital power, depression, frail erection without libido, self-contempt for sexual abuse, stool containing prostatic fluid, and testicle pain. Facts were gathered from databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Springer, Scopus, and ScienceDirect, as well as literature found in books on medicinal plants. It has recently been reported to have cytotoxic properties against various types of cancer cells. It works by inducing apoptosis via the mitochondrial and TRIAL pathways and stopping the cell cycle. This review sheds light upon the ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, different extraction procedures, and pharmacology of V. negundo. In conclusion, it was found that this traditional herb had an emerging past, exciting present and promising future for the treatment of several diseases.

Background: Every living creature needs special Af‘āl (functions) to stay alive. Therefore, Af‘āl is the most important fundamental of the living body. Af‘āl is thought to be the principal target of an individual's existence. In terms of Af‘āl, the two states of the body, Sihhat and Mara#141; (health and sickness), are represented. All movements, voluntary or involuntary, sensations, thoughts and memories are included in Af‘āl Nafsāniyya. Some psychic attributes are unique to humans, whereas some higher species of animals exhibit others, and any brain function can be interfered with to cause disease. Methods: As much as literature was available regarding the same was collected, evaluated and summarised. Results: For the continuation and maintenance of life, all faculties play their role; none of the faculty can keep the body completely functional on its own. Af‘āl Nafsāniyya (psychic functions) are performed by Quwā Nafsāniyya (psychic faculty). Af‘āl Nafsāniyya equips the body and protects it from hazards, thus playing an important role in the survival of an individual. Conclusion: When Quwwat Nafsāniyya gets compromised, it affects Quwwat Haywāniyya (vital faculty) and Quwwat Tabī'iyya (natural faculty), making survival challenging and as a matter of fact, it may be stated that Af‘āl Nafsāniyya plays a crucial part in the survival of species directly and in continuation of species indirectly. This paper explores the importance of Af‘āl Nafsāniyya (psychological functions) in the survival of an individual.

One of the most common causes of joint pain and impairment is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a condition that affects people all over the world. Osteoarthritis is the second most prevalent and commonly diagnosed rheumatologic disease in India, with a prevalence of 22 to 39 %. Prior to the discovery of extraction and synthetic chemistry, musculoskeletal diseases were treated using medicinal plant compositions. When non-pharmacological therapy is insufficient, a variety of pharmacological therapies can be used to treat arthritis. Synthetic medication therapy, on the other hand, may have undesirable side effects and be expensive. As a result, researchers have been looking at alternative therapies. Herbal drugs have demonstrated the ability to control arthritis in a safe and effective manner. In this review, the safety and efficacy of traditionally used plants and their main chemical constituents to treat osteoarthritis are reported. After reviewing online databases, we found herbs used to treat osteoarthritis, such as Boswellia serrata, Alpinia galanga, Commiphora wightii, Harpagophytum procumbens, Salix alba, Ribes nigrum L., Filipendula ulmaria, Curcuma longa, Zingiber officinale, Capsicum annum, Urtica dioica L., Vitex negundo L., Syzygium aromaticum L. and Allium sativum L. These species are attributed with antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties, which help to reduce inflammation and tissue damage. The efficacy and safety of herbal medications for osteoarthritis symptoms are discussed here.

Hair-related problems are a global concern and an ever-increasing problem. Compared to chemicals, herbal ingredients are more preferred because of their easy availability and lesser side effects. Using novel medicinal plant ingredients in various formulations, such as hair tonics, hair gels, hair oils, and hair dyes, has proved to be more beneficial than formulations containing chemical components. These novel ingredients have helped enhance hair's beauty and treat various hair problems, such as dandruff, alopecia, and many more. Problems related to hair are a universal concern affecting both sexes. Herbal cosmetics are now an appropriate solution to the current problem. This review describes the use of some natural medicinal plants for hair growth and prevention of grey hair with a brief description of the plant parts and the active compounds responsible for using the herbal plants.