BACKGROUND The glucuronidation process has been regarded as the key elimination process for toxic bile acids. UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A3 is one important metabolizing enzyme involved in this process. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the inhibition of UGT1A3 by scutellarein which is an important herbal ingredient using in vitro method, trying to indicate the possibility of toxicity due to the ...

The quality of traditional Chinese herbal medicine, which plays a very important role in the health system of China, is determined by the active substances produced by the plants. The type, content, and proportion of these substances may vary depending on ecological factors in areas where the plants are grown. Sinopodophyllum hexandrum (Royle) T.S. Ying, an endangered plant species with great m...

Acupuncture has been widely used in alternative medicine for pain relief but may have many complications due to lack of appropriate cares. Pharmacopuncture is a sort of acupuncture that injects a herbal ingredient through a thin tube for the purpose of combining the effects of the herb and acupuncture and it has many pitfalls. The agents used in pharmacopuncture are not refined for a desired ef...

Traditional Chinese herbal formulae Liu wei di huang (LW) (six-ingredient pill with Rehmannia) and Jin gui shen qi wan (JG) (kidney Qi pill from the golden cabinet) were analysed for Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn, Na, K and Zn at different decoction intervals by atomic absorption spectroscopy. LW and JG were used to improve the kidney function. JG was higher in all elements than LW. K (1691.29 – 2372.71 mg l)...

Nutraceutical is a food or à food ingredient that provides medical and health benefits. Polyphenols play an important role in the maintenance of health and prevention of diseases. Among polyphenols, the most widely used substance Curcumin. Curcumin derived from the herbal remedy and dietary spice turmeric. It possesses wide range of beneficial properties includes anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant...

Skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) has been widely used as a dietary ingredient and traditional herbal medicine owing to its anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. In this study, we investigated the anti-allergic effects of skullcap and its active compounds, focusing on T cell-mediated responses ex vivo and in vivo. Splenocytes from mice sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) were isolated for a...

BACKGROUND Asian traditional herbal preparations are frequently considered for the contamination with undeclared toxic or hazardous substances. The aim of this study was to determine the toxic heavy metals, pesticides and sulfur dioxide in decoctions that is a common form of final utilization in Korea. METHODS A total of 155 decoctions composed of multi-ingredient traditional herbs were rando...

Herbal products demand is growing exponentially throughout the world and various pharmaceutical sectors are currently conducting extensive research on plant materials for their potential medicinal value. Cyperus scariosus have been widely used as anti-inflammatory, astringent, antimicrobial, hypotensive, stimulant of central nervous system, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, analgesic. It contains...

The present work was carried out to evaluate the molluscicidal activity of active ingredient Taraxerol with the acetone extract of Euphorbia tirucalli against Lymnaea acuminata snail. The (fecundity, hatchability and survivability) of snail L. acuminata exposed to this extract was studied. The effects of the tested extracts on life-history traits of harmful snail L. acuminata have also been eva...

Hoodia gordonii, a popular appetite suppressant, is widely used as an ingredient in many food supplements despite the fact that supporting scientific evidence is scarce. Recently alarming side effects of H. gordonii products (increased blood pressure and elevated pulse rate) have been reported. The aim of our study was to elucidate the underlying mechanism of these symptoms. A H. gordonii-conta...