http://www.phcogrev.com/currentissue.asp Phcog Rev 2013 - 7(13) Pharmacognosy Reviews Medknow Publications0973-7847 Sabna Kotta Shahid H Ansari Javed Ali Review Article Pharmacognosy Reviews 2013 7(13):1-10doi:10.4103/0973-7847.112832 Pharmacognosy Reviews 10.4103/0973-7847.112832 http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/1/112832 http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/1/112832713 1 10 http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/1/112832 Sabna Kotta, Shahid H Ansari, Javed Ali

Pharmacognosy Reviews 2013 7(13):1-10

Procreation was an important moral and religious issue and aphrodisiacs were sought to ensure both male and female potency. Sexual dysfunction is an inability to achieve a normal sexual intercourse, including premature ejaculation, retrograded, retarded or inhibited ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, arousal difficulties (reduced libido), compulsive sexual behavior, orgasmic disorder, and failure of detumescence. The introduction of the first pharmacologically approved remedy for impotence, Viagra (sildenafil) in 1990s caused a wave of public attention, propelled in part by heavy advertising. The search for such substances dates back millennia. An aphrodisiac is an agent (food or drug) that arouses sexual desire. The hunt for natural supplement from medicinal plants is being intensified mainly because of its fewer side effects. In this review, we have mentioned the pharmacologically tested (either in man or animal or in both) aphrodisiac plants, which have claimed for its uses.]]> Sat,1 Jun 2013http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/1/112832 Ambrose Christina Varghese Christapher Subhash J Bhore Review Article Pharmacognosy Reviews 2013 7(13):11-16doi:10.4103/0973-7847.112833 Pharmacognosy Reviews 10.4103/0973-7847.112833 http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/11/112833 http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/11/112833713 11 16 http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/11/112833 Ambrose Christina, Varghese Christapher, Subhash J Bhore

Pharmacognosy Reviews 2013 7(13):11-16

World human population is increasing with an alarming rate; and a variety of new types of health issues are popping up. For instance, increase in number of drug-resistant bacteria is a cause of concern. Research on antibiotics and other microbial natural products is pivotal in the global fight against the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. It is necessary to find new antibiotics to tackle this problem. The use of therapeutic plant species in traditional medicine is as old as mankind; and currently, it is strongly believed that all types of plant species across the plant kingdom do harbour endophytic bacteria (EB). The natural therapeutic compounds produced by EB do have several potential applications in pharmaceutical industry. The EB derived natural products such as Ecomycins, Pseudomycins, Munumbicins and Xiamycins are antibacterial, antimycotic and antiplasmodial. Some of these natural products have been reported to possess even antiviral (including Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)) properties. Therefore, to deal with increasing number of drug-resistant pathogens EB could serve as a potential source of novel antibiotics.]]> Sat,1 Jun 2013http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/11/112833 Mohammad M Zarshenas Peyman Petramfar Ali Firoozabadi Mahmood Reza Moein Abdolali Mohagheghzadeh Review Article Pharmacognosy Reviews 2013 7(13):17-26doi:10.4103/0973-7847.112835 Pharmacognosy Reviews 10.4103/0973-7847.112835 http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/17/112835 http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/17/112835713 17 26 http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/17/112835 Mohammad M Zarshenas, Peyman Petramfar, Ali Firoozabadi, Mahmood Reza Moein, Abdolali Mohagheghzadeh

Pharmacognosy Reviews 2013 7(13):17-26

The history of headache, as a common neurological complication, goes back to almost 9000 years ago. Many ancient civilizations present references to headaches and the coherent treatment strategies. Accordingly, several documents comprising headache complications embodying precise medical information stem from Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM) that can provide useful opportunities for more comprehensive treatment. We conducted a survey on headache through original important pharmacopeias and other important medical manuscripts of TPM which were written during 9 th to 19 th centuries and have derived all headache categories and herbal remedies. An extensive search of scientific data banks, such as Medline and Scopus, has also been exercised to find results relating to the anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive, and analgesic effects of denoted medicinal herbs. The concept of headache and treatments in TPM covers over 20 various types of headache and more than 160 different medicinal plants administered for oral, topical, and nasal application according to 1000 years of the subject documents. Nearly, 60% of remarked medicinal herbs have related anti-inflammatory or analgesic effects and some current headache types have similarities and conformities to those of traditional types. Beside historical approaches, there are many possible and available strategies that can lead to development of new and effective headache treatment from medicinal plants so that this study can provide beneficial information on clinical remedies based on centuries of experience in the field of headache which can stand as a new candidate for further investigations.]]> Sat,1 Jun 2013http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/17/112835 Sayeed Ahmad Madhukar Garg Ennus Tajuddin Tamboli MZ Abdin SH Ansari Review Article Pharmacognosy Reviews 2013 7(13):27-33doi:10.4103/0973-7847.112837 Pharmacognosy Reviews 10.4103/0973-7847.112837 http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/27/112837 http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/27/112837713 27 33 http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/27/112837 Sayeed Ahmad, Madhukar Garg, Ennus Tajuddin Tamboli, MZ Abdin, SH Ansari

Pharmacognosy Reviews 2013 7(13):27-33

The wide diversity of plant secondary metabolites is largely used for the production of various pharmaceutical compounds. In vitro cell tissue or organ culture has been employed as a possible alternative to produce such industrial compounds. Tissue culture techniques provide continuous, reliable, and renewable source of valuable plant pharmaceuticals and might be used for the large-scale culture of the plant cells from which these secondary metabolites can be extracted. Alkaloids are one of the most important secondary metabolites known to play a vital role in various pharmaceutical applications leading to an increased commercial importance in recent years. The tissue culture techniques may be utilized to improve their production of alkaloids via somaclonal variations and genetic transformations. The focus of this review is toward the application of different tissue culture methods/techniques employed for the in vitro production of alkaloids with a systematic approach to improve their production.]]> Sat,1 Jun 2013http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/27/112837 Ana Maria G Brito Derivaldo dos Santos Sheyla A Rodrigues Renan G Brito Lauro Xavier-Filho Review Article Pharmacognosy Reviews 2013 7(13):34-41doi:10.4103/0973-7847.112840 Pharmacognosy Reviews 10.4103/0973-7847.112840 http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/34/112840 http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/34/112840713 34 41 http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/34/112840 Ana Maria G Brito, Derivaldo dos Santos, Sheyla A Rodrigues, Renan G Brito, Lauro Xavier-Filho

Pharmacognosy Reviews 2013 7(13):34-41

The search for more effective new drugs to treat Leishmaniasis is undoubtedly relevant. Our objective in this study was to investigate research publications addressing plants with anti-Leishmaniasis activity. An integrative review of the literature from 2000 to 2011 was carried out in the databases such as Latin-American and Caribbean Health Sciences (LILACS), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), and Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE). In the initial search, 150 articles were found, with 25 based in LILACS, 68 in SciELO, and 46 in MEDLINE. From these data, after reading the abstracts that were available online, we excluded 12 from LILACS, 39 from SciELO, and 28 from MEDLINE for presenting article duplications. This left 61 articles to be read; however, only 18 of them answered the research questions and determined the final sample of this review. The results showed that research involving the search for new drugs against Leishmaniasis should be intensified, especially for the amastigote form, and studies with in vivo tests could become a great strategy for successfully finding new treatments for Leishmaniasis. It is believed that it is extremely important and urgent to conduct more trials in search of new effective drugs against Leishmaniasis that possess minimal adverse effects and that are easily accessible to the public.]]> Sat,1 Jun 2013http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/34/112840 Santosh Kumar Yadav Ajit Kumar Sah Rajesh Kumar Jha Phoolgen Sah Dev Kumar Shah Review Article Pharmacognosy Reviews 2013 7(13):42-46doi:10.4103/0973-7847.112843 Pharmacognosy Reviews 10.4103/0973-7847.112843 http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/42/112843 http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/42/112843713 42 46 http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/42/112843 Santosh Kumar Yadav, Ajit Kumar Sah, Rajesh Kumar Jha, Phoolgen Sah, Dev Kumar Shah

Pharmacognosy Reviews 2013 7(13):42-46

The purpose of this review is to summarize the pertinent literature published in the present era regarding the antiulcerogenic property of curcumin against the pathological changes in response to ulcer effectors (Helicobacter pylori infection, chronic ingestion of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and exogenous substances). The gastrointestinal problems caused by different etiologies was observed to be associated with the alterations of various physiologic parameters such as reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide synthase, lipid peroxidation, and secretion of excessive gastric acid. Gastrointestinal ulcer results probably due to imbalance between the aggressive and the defensive factors. In 80% of the cases, gastric ulcer is caused primarily due to the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory category of drug, 10% by H. pylori, and about 8-10% by the intake of very spicy and fast food. Although a number of antiulcer drugs and cytoprotectants are available, all these drugs have side effects and limitations. In the recent years a widespread search has been launched to identify new antiulcer drugs from synthetic and natural resources. An Indian dietary derivative (curcumin), a yellow pigment found in the rhizome of Curcuma longa, has been widely used for the treatment of several diseases. Epidemiologically, it was suggested that curcumin might reduce the risk of inflammatory disorders, such as cancer and ulcer. These biological effects are attributed to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. It can, therefore, be reported from the literature that curcumin prevents gastrointestinal-induced ulcer and can be recommended as a novel drug for ulcer treatment.]]> Sat,1 Jun 2013http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/42/112843 Zihan Zeng Jianhua Zhu Lili Chen Wei Wen Rongming Yu Review Article Pharmacognosy Reviews 2013 7(13):47-52doi:10.4103/0973-7847.112848 Pharmacognosy Reviews 10.4103/0973-7847.112848 http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/47/112848 http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/47/112848713 47 52 http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/47/112848 Zihan Zeng, Jianhua Zhu, Lili Chen, Wei Wen, Rongming Yu

Pharmacognosy Reviews 2013 7(13):47-52

The ginkgolides, acting as anti-platelet-activating factors, have been studied for many years. The biosynthetic pathway of ginkgolides is still far away from unveiling at the level of molecular genetics and biochemistry. There are at least 11 kinds of enzymes having been cloned from Ginkgo biloba L., which catalyze the formation of ginkgolides via a series of reactions. Some researchers have indicated that the addition of precursors and elicitors can influence the accumulation of ginkgolides in the suspension cell cultures of G. biloba. There are also other factors that can influence the production of ginkgolides. This review focuses on the aforementioned aspects to discuss the biosynthetic pathways of the ginkgolides.]]> Sat,1 Jun 2013http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/47/112848 Bisnu Prasad Dash Y Archana Nibarana Satapathy Soumendra Kumar Naik Review Article Pharmacognosy Reviews 2013 7(13):53-60doi:10.4103/0973-7847.112849 Pharmacognosy Reviews 10.4103/0973-7847.112849 http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/53/112849 http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/53/112849713 53 60 http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/53/112849 Bisnu Prasad Dash, Y Archana, Nibarana Satapathy, Soumendra Kumar Naik

Pharmacognosy Reviews 2013 7(13):53-60

The sickle cell disease is fatal in nature. Thousands of children are dying off due to this health problem throughout the globe. Due to the rapid development of diagnosis and clinical managements such patients are living up to a respectable age. But as there is no permanent cure the patients are suffering from bone and joint pain, jaundice, hepato-splenomegaly, chronic infections etc. The main physiological complicacy is due to the polymerization of sickle hemoglobin (HbS), (sickling process) inside the red blood cell (RBC) of these patients during deoxygenating state. The change of RBC from spherical to sickle shape is due to the polymerization of mutant hemoglobin (HbS) inside the RBC and membrane distortion during anoxic condition. The mechanism and the process of sickling are very complex and multifactor in nature. To get rid from such complicacies it is necessary to suitably and accurately stop the sickling of RBC of the patients. The potential anti-sickling agents either from natural sources and/or synthetic molecules may be helpful for reducing the clinical morbidity of the patients. A lot of natural compounds from plant extracts have been tried by several workers in recent past. Most of the studies are based on in vitro red cell sickling studies and their mode of action has not been properly understood. Although, few studies have been in vivo in nature pertaining to transgenic sickle animal model, there is paucity of data on the human studies. The result of such studies although has shown some degree of success, a promising anti-sickling agent is yet to be established.]]> Sat,1 Jun 2013http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/53/112849 Ahmad Reza Gohari Soodabeh Saeidnia Mahdie Kourepaz Mahmoodabadi Plant Review Pharmacognosy Reviews 2013 7(13):61-66doi:10.4103/0973-7847.112850 Pharmacognosy Reviews 10.4103/0973-7847.112850 http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/61/112850 http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/61/112850713 61 66 http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/61/112850 Ahmad Reza Gohari, Soodabeh Saeidnia, Mahdie Kourepaz Mahmoodabadi

Pharmacognosy Reviews 2013 7(13):61-66

Saffron is the most valuable medicinal food product because of its importance in Iran's agricultural economy. The dried stigmas of the plant Crocus sativus (Iridaceae) are processing to produce saffron as a well-known spice which has some other importance in pharmaceutics, cosmetics, perfumery, and textile dye-producing industries. Recently, reports about the pharmacological activity of this plant increase its importance in the world. The world's annual saffron production is estimated around 300 tons per year (Iran produces 76% of total) and also saffron is considered to be the most expensive spice in the world; hence, there are efforts for its artificial production or defraud. Therefore, the quality conservation of saffron needs to certify in the international trade market following international ISO or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) criteria and standards. In this paper, the recent (or sometimes less documented) reports on phytochemistry, pharmacology, and standard methods for quality evaluation of saffron, as a medicinal food spice, from field cultivation to market are reviewed.]]> Sat,1 Jun 2013http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/61/112850 Michael Buenor Adinortey Isaac K Galyuon Nicholas Oteng Asamoah Plant Review Pharmacognosy Reviews 2013 7(13):67-72doi:10.4103/0973-7847.112852 Pharmacognosy Reviews 10.4103/0973-7847.112852 http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/67/112852 http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/67/112852713 67 72 http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/67/112852 Michael Buenor Adinortey, Isaac K Galyuon, Nicholas Oteng Asamoah

Pharmacognosy Reviews 2013 7(13):67-72

Medicinal plants are used by traditional practitioners to treat several ailments. Ethnomedicinal studies on Trema orientalis Linn. Blume (Ulmaceae) have shown that it is used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, respiratory diseases, oliguria, and malaria. This article is aimed at providing comprehensive information on the medicinal uses, biology, phytochemical constituents, and pharmacological data available on T. orientalis. This has been done to explore its therapeutic potential for future research opportunities. This review was compiled with information obtained from databases such as Medline, Elsevier, Springer, Science Direct, Pubmed, Google Scholar, and a library search for articles published in peer-reviewed journals. Compounds present in the plant include tannins, saponins, flavanoids, triterpenes, phytosterols, and several constituents of xanthones. Some pharmacological research done on the plant has focused on, hypoglycemic activity, analgesic, anti-inflammatory activities, anti-plasmodial activity, diuretic activity, laxativity effect, anti-convulsant activity, anti-helmintic activity, anti-sickling effect, anti-oxidant, and anti-bacterial activity. This compilation strongly supports the view that T. orientalis has beneficial therapeutic properties, and indicates its potential as an effective herbal remedy for several diseases. The promising results from several research works could be further substantiated by clinical trials.]]> Sat,1 Jun 2013http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/67/112852 Rabia Altaf Mohammad Zaini Bin Asmawi Aidiahmad Dewa Amirin Sadikun Muhammad Ihtisham Umar Plant Review Pharmacognosy Reviews 2013 7(13):73-80doi:10.4103/0973-7847.112853 Pharmacognosy Reviews 10.4103/0973-7847.112853 http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/73/112853 http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/73/112853713 73 80 http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/73/112853 Rabia Altaf, Mohammad Zaini Bin Asmawi, Aidiahmad Dewa, Amirin Sadikun, Muhammad Ihtisham Umar

Pharmacognosy Reviews 2013 7(13):73-80

Phaleria macrocarpa, commonly known as Mahkota dewa is a medicinal plant that is indigenous to Indonesia and Malaysia. Extracts of P. macrocarpa have been used since years in traditional medicine that are evaluated scientifically as well. The extracts are reported for a number of valuable medicinal properties such as anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-oxidant and vasorelaxant effect. The constituents isolated from different parts of P. macrocarpa include Phalerin, gallic acid, Icaricide C, magniferin, mahkoside A, dodecanoic acid, palmitic acid, des-acetylflavicordin-A, flavicordin-A, flavicordin-D, flavicordin-A glucoside, ethyl stearate, lignans, alkaloids andsaponins. The present review is an up-to-date summary of occurrence, botanical description, ethnopharmacology, bioactivity and toxicological studies related to P. macrocarpa.]]> Sat,1 Jun 2013http://www.phcogrev.com/text.asp?2013/7/13/73/112853