Indian traditional medicine

Howes MJR, Houghton PJ, Plants used in Chinese and Indian traditional medicine for improvement of memory and cognitive function, Pharm Biochem Behavior7527, 2003. 

Semecarpus anacardium L. (seed) I-2,3-II-2,3-Tetrahydroamentoflavone (47). Widely used in Indian traditional medicine Ayurveda and Sidha, for treatment of inflammatory disorders and gout. Tetrahydroamentoflavone (47) is a potent xanthine oxidase inhibitor (ICso = 92 nM Ki = 0.982 pM). Arimboor et al., 2011[107]. 

De Smet PAGM (2000) Severe gastrointestinal symptoms due to lead poisoning from Indian traditional medicine. Am J Gastroenterol 95 1591-1592. 

Bacopa monniera Wettst, popularly known as Brahmi is widely used as a nervine tonic for memory improvement, cardio tonic and diuretic in Indian traditional medicine [63]. The alcoholic leaf extract of the plant was reported to improve the performance of rats in various learning experiments as manifested by better acquisition, consolidation and retention of newly acquired behavioural responses [64-66]. The activities... 

Activity P. acts as a bronchodiiator and stimulates respiration, it was a lead structure for the development of secretolytically active substances of the ambroxol and bromohexine types. This confirms the Indian traditional medicinal use of corresponding phytopreparations as expectorants and secretolytic agents. Biosynth. Anthranilic acid is most certainly one of the starting materials for the biosynthesis of P. and structurally related alkaloids but the nature of the other reaction partner is still unknown. 

Among these compounds, of particular interest is forskolin (Scheme 102.8) whose third ring is heterocyclic rather than carbocyclic. It has been isolated from Coleus for skohlii a plant used in Indian traditional medicine as hypothensive and in reducing spasm of the intestine. Forskolin (11), whose biosynthesis is... 

Our thanks to Dr. Vaishali Joshi, National Center for Natural Products Research, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, for botanical description and help with monograph preparation and literature searching. In addition. Dr. Joshi s major contribution to the Indian Traditional Medicine chapter cannot go... 

Annatto seeds have long been used by the South American Indians as a traditional medicine for healing of wounds, skin eruptions, healing of bums, and... 

The popular western herbalism discussed in this chapter is one of many philosophical systems of herbal treatment. It is also sometimes described as eclectic, since it has drawn on many other traditions, including the native American and Chinese. Chinese traditional medicine. Ayurvedic (Indian), and Tibetan traditions use complex herbal recipes and nutrition to achieve balance in the ill patient. Although these practices are most commonly found in ethnic populations, they are also becoming popular in some western complementary and alternative circles. 

Latorre, D. L. and F. A. Latorre. Plants used by the Mexican Kickapoo Indians. Econ Bot 1977 31 340—357. Yesilada, E., G. Honda, E. Sezike, M. Tabata, T. Fujita, T. Tanaka, Y. Takeda and Y. Takaishi. Traditional medicine in Turkey. V. Folk medicine in the inner Taurus Mountains. J Ethnopharmacol 1995 46(3) 133-152. Loewenthal, R. and J. Pe er. Traditional methods used in the treatment of ophthalmic diseases among the Turkana tribe in North West Kenya. J Ethnopharmacol 1991 33(3) 227-229. Klauss, V. and H. S. Adala. Traditional herbal eye medicine in Kenya. World Health Forum 1994 15(9) 138-143. Wasuwat, S. A list of Thai medicinal plants, ASRCT, Bangkok, Report No. 1 on Res. Project. 17. Res Report,... 

CN049 Singh, Y. N. Traditional medicine in Fiji some herbal folk cures used by Fiji Indians. J Ethnopharmacol 1986 CN060... 

SOI 17 Anis, M., and M. Iqbal. Antipyretic utility of some Indian plants in traditional medicine. Fitoterapia 1986 ... 

The most important manoyl oxide derivative is forskolin (9), Fig. (7), (7p-acetoxy-8, 13-epoxy-la, 6p, 9a-trihydroxylabd-14-en-ll-one) [151-153]. It belongs to the labdane series of diterpenes and was isolated from the Indian herb Coleus forskohlii (Willd.) Briq. (Labiatae). Since ancient times it has been used in Hindu and Ayurvedic traditional medicine [154]. The plant Coleus forskohlii (Willd.) Briq. has been extensively studied, and from its extracted roots a group of diterpenoids, with the basic skeleton of 11-oxo-manoyl oxide, have been isolated. The main compound, forskolin, presented remarkable chemical and biological properties [155]. Analogues of forskolin were then prepared by semisynthesis [156] or obtained by microbial transformations [157]. New analogues, more soluble than forskolin have shown activities comparable to and even higher than forskolin [158]. 

An interesting thiosugar, salacinol 45, containing sulfur atoms in two different oxidation states was isolated and found to be the active principle of the Indian plant Salacia reticulata which is used in local traditional medicine for treatment of diabetes [96]. The compound was shown to be a potent inhibitor of intestinal a-glucosidases comparable in its activity with the powerful aminosugar derivative acarbose [97]. Kotalanol (46), a chain-extended homolog of salacinol, was discovered around the same time [98]. 

The widest use in tradition medicine comes from the baobab bark as a substitute for quinine in case of fever or as a prophylactic. A decoction of the bark deteriorates rapidly due to the mucilaginous substances present. This process can be prevented by adding alcohol or a small quantity of sulphuric acid to the decoction (Kings, 2002, cited in (77)). Baobab bark is used in Europe as a febrifuge (antipyretic). In the Gold Coast (Ghana), the bark is used instead of quinine for curing fever (8). In Indian medicine, baobab bark is used internally... 

Plant parts have a widespread use in traditional medicine (such as Indian ayurvedic medicine and Chinese herbal remedies), providing clues to bioactive principles with novel health and nutritional benefits that will contribute to resources for metabolic engineering. The small fraction of plants so far surveyed (<15%i of terrestrial plants) has revealed an astonishing potential for the biosynthesis of small (<1000 Da) molecules, with over 100,000 of these phytochemicals already described. These phytochemicals accumulate largely as a consequence of biotic and abiotic interactions of plants with their environment, and are mainly derived from what has been classically known as secondary... 

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