Nobelprize 2015 for Phytomedicine

Letter to Editor Phytomedicine

Phytomedicine research in Germany.

In Germany since 1980, more than 300 clinical studies have been carried out with standardized phytopharmaceuticals, including Crataegus, Silybum, Ginkgo, Hypericum, Sabal, Urtica, Kava-Kava, Allium sativum, Valeriana, Aesculus, Echinacea, and Viscum drugs. These studies assessed the efficacy of phytopharmaceuticals for the treatment of moderate or moderately severe diseases and prevention. Seve...

Phytomedicine in Joint Disorders

Chronic joint inflammatory disorders such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis have in common an upsurge of inflammation, and oxidative stress, resulting in progressive histological alterations and disabling symptoms. Currently used conventional medication (ranging from pain-killers to biological agents) is potent, but frequently associated with serious, even life-threatening side effects...

Eugenol: a Versatile Phytomedicine

Eugenol (1-allyl-4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzene) is the phenolic component of essential oil and the main constituent of Eugenia caryophyllata, Ocimmum gratissimum and several others medicinal plant. In view of its non-mutagenic and non-carcinogenic properties, eugenol is generally regarded as safe by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. Eugenol has been recently shown to be...

Anti-Respiratory Syncytial Virus Agents from Phytomedicine

Although the global importance of RSV as a respiratory pathogen has been recognized for over 40 years, suitable prophylactic and therapeutic interventions have not been truly available. Vaccine development, unfortunately, has been fraught with spectacular failure and with difficult obstacles, and there are only limited therapeutic options for treatment of this disease. Currently, the only appro...