Ghrelin is a stomach-derived peptide that has been identified as the only circulating hunger hormone that exerts a potent orexigenic effect via activation of its receptor, the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a). Hence, the ghrelinergic system represents a promising target to treat obesity and obesity-related diseases. In this study we analysed the GHS-R1a receptor activating potenti...

Harpagophytum procumbens (H. procumbens), also known as Devil's Claw, has been used to treat a wide range of pathological conditions, including pain, arthritis and inflammation. Inflammatory mediators, released at the site of injury, can sensitize nociceptive terminals and are responsible for allodynia and hyperalgesia. Carbon monoxide (CO), produced in a reaction catalyzed by the enzyme heme o...

We tested a mixture of Tridax procumbens, known for its direct action against Leishmania mexicana, and Allium sativum, known for its immunomodulatory effect, as an alternative to treat cutaneous leishmaniasis. Acute oral toxicity was tested with the Up-and-Down Procedure (UDP) using a group of healthy mice administered with either T. procumbens or A. sativum extracts and compared with a control...

Previous phytochemical analysis of methanolic extract of C. procumbens L. has indicated the presence of steroid, flavonoid and terpenoid types of compounds. Since these compounds are of pharmacological interest, coupled with the use of this plant in traditional medicine, prompted us to check C. procumbens L for possible antioxidant activity by DPPH, total antioxidant, total phenolic and reducin...

Calotropis gigantea Linn and Tridax procumbens Linn, are well documented medicinal plants distributed in Asia and Africa and are useful for many ailments. The anti-inflammatory activity of low dose of the aqueous extract of T. procumbens and ethanolic extract of C.gigantea were assessed on carrageenan induced paw edema and compared with standard drug Ibuprofen. The oral administration of 400mg/...

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Gynura procumbens is commonly used as a traditional medicinal plant in Malaysia for treatment of many diseases. To investigate the chemopreventive properties of Gynura procumbens on azoxymethane (AOM)-induced aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in rats. METHODS Five groups of adult male rats were used in this experiment. Normal/control group; the rats were injected subcut...

Kidney stones are from dietary minerals in the urine and there is no suitable drug to use in clinical therapy. Traditionally it is known that Tridax procumbens leaf juice possess antilithiatic property. Calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystal nucleation was significantly inhibited by the presence of Tridax procumbens extract, when compared to control. The effect of leaf extract on crystal growth assay p...

Phylogenetic relationships among genera of the subtribes Sonchinae (11 genera and ca. 130 species) and Dendroseridinae (2 genera and 12 species) sensu Bremer were assessed with ITS and matK gene sequences. The Sonchinae is strongly supported as paraphyletic, and subtribal rank of Dendroseridinae is poorly supported. This study re-delimits Sonchinae, which now includes 14 genera and ca. 146 spec...

Essential oil from Gaultheria procumbens is mainly composed of methylsalicylate (MeSA) (>96%), a compound which can be metabolized in plant tissues to salicylic acid, a phytohormone inducing plant immunity against microbial pathogens. The potential use of G. procumbens essential oil as a biocontrol agent was evaluated on the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Expression of a selection of defense...