Ginkgo biloba extracts have long been used in Chinese traditional medicine for hundreds of years. The most significant extract obtained from Ginkgo biloba leaves has been EGb 761, a widely used phytopharmaceutical product in Europe. EGb 761 is a well-defined mixture of active compounds, which contains two main active substances: flavonoid glycosides (24-26%) and terpene lactones (6-8%). These c...

BACKGROUND Mikania laevigata leaves are commonly used in Brazil as a medicinal plant. OBJECTIVE To obtain hydroalcoholic dried extract by nebulization and evaluate its antiulcerogenic potential. MATERIALS AND METHODS Plant material and hydroalcoholic extract were processed and analyzed for their physicochemical characteristics. A method using HPLC was validated to quantify coumarin and o-co...

This work aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory and the antioxidant activities of the hydroalcolic extract (HAEs) from aerial parts (stems and leaves separately) of an Algerianmedicinal plantCytisustriflorusL’Hérit. The anti-inflammatory activity is evaluated by the carrageenan induced mice hind paw edema model. Oral administration of HAEs tested at the dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weigh...

Christia vespertilionis (L.f.) Bakh. f. is an ornamental plant with unique butterfly-shaped leaves, hence its vernacular name “butterfly wing” or “rerama” in Malay. In Malaysia, the green-leafed variety of this has gained popularity recent years due to testimonial reports by local consumers medicinal uses, which include treatment for cancer. Despite these popular there very limited information ...

The pharmacological activity of neuroactive phytochemicals on recombinant human glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (hGAD65) was investigated. GAD catalyzes the conversion of glutamic acid to γ -aminobutyric acid (GABA), which acts as an important inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS). We describe an improved method in which recombinant hGAD65 was expressed at high levels u...

This work evaluated the physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity of spray dried extracts (SDE) from Psidium guajava L. leaves. Different drying carriers, namely, maltodextrin, colloidal silicon dioxide, Arabic gum, and β -cyclodextrin at concentrations of 40 and 80% relative to solids content, were added to drying composition. SDE were characterized through determination of the total...

The metallic elements concentrations of medicinal plants (coriander, dill, Echinacea, lavender, chamomile, mint, and plantain, used for phytopharmaceutical products), cultivated in unpolluted region, were analyzed by neutron activation analysis. The essential nutrients, macro-, micro-, and trace elements (K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Mn, Rb, Sr, and Zn), potentially toxic elements (Al, As, Ba, Co, Sb, Cr...

One important plant of the Rosaceae family which is commonly used as phytopharmaceutical in Europe and North America is Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna). The fruits, the leaves together with their extracts are applied in patients suffering mild cardiac disorders or nervosity. Since the leaves as well as the berries act as diuretics a sufficient micronutrient supply has to be guaranteed. On the oth...

Dr. Ethan Russo, MD, is a board-certified neurologist, psychopharmacology researcher, and Medical Director of PHYTECS, a biotechnology company researching and developing innovative approaches targeting the human endocannabinoid system. Previously, from 2003 to 2014, he served as Senior Medical Advisor and study physician to GW Pharmaceuticals for three Phase III clinical trials of Sativex® for ...

BACKGROUND The extract of Serenoa repens is the phytopharmaceutical product most often used for the treatment of urological symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Several extracts are commercially available but extraction processes vary between manufacturers and thus not all these products are equivalent in terms of active ingredient content and composition of preparations...