Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common metabolicendocrine and multi-faceted gynecological disorders for reproductive-aged women.This condition has multiple undesirable effects with psychological, reproductive, andmetabolic evidence. Multi-systemic adverse effects and conditions in PCOS causeirregular menstrual cycles, hirsutism, infertility, insulin resistance, diabetes,cardiovascular diseases, anxiety, depression, sexual dysfunctions, and eating disorders.PCOS symptoms are multi-faceted and alterable for each person, leading to differenttreatment methods evaluated from different perspectives. There are no definitive andideal treatments for hormonal disorders-related clinical symptoms. Alternativetherapies are also considered instead of commercially available drugs. In addition,alternative treatment methods have increased tremendously in recent years due to theirminimal side effects. Since the therapies for PCOS require a multidisciplinary approachto understanding all aspects of this condition, medicinal plants should also beconsidered. The role of medicinal plants, including spices and their bioactivecomponents, has been encouraged to prevent and treat PCOS, with new treatmentstrategies yielding promising results. Therefore, in this review, a general evaluation ofthe plants and herbal products in PCOS has been compiled from the preclinical andclinical point of view, with the current publications based on in vitro, preclinical, andclinical studies as a new perspective. Moreover, traditional usages of the plants, basedon the ethnopharmacological aspects of PCOS, have been evaluated. The effects andunderlying mechanisms of herbal medicines used as a remedy for PCOS were alsoreviewed with the expectation of herbs-spices and new herbal-based products that areeffective on PCOS for future treatments.

Abstract

Arthritis is the medical term for swelling or inflammation of one or morejoints, ligaments, and surrounding tissues. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is aninflammatory autoimmune arthritis that is one of the 100 forms of arthritis. Currently,this autoimmune inflammatory arthritis is incurable. Still, treatment is done on anindividual basis of symptoms with the primary goal of minimising joint discomfort andinflammation, improving joint performance, and preventing cartilage damage anddistortion. Pharmacotherapy of Rheumatoid arthritis includes nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (paracetamol, naproxen sodium, ketoprofen, diclofenac), biologicalagents (rituximab, adalimumab, tocilizumab), and disease-modifying anti-rheumaticdrugs (penicillamine, sulfasalazine, gold), immunosuppressants (methotrexate,cyclophosphamide), and corticosteroids (prednisolone and methylprednisolone) alongwith physical therapy. The inability to achieve complete remission from chronicdiseases, as well as the expensive cost of new treatments, and the long-term side effectsand risks of modern medicine, have all contributed to a rise in public interest inalternative medicine in recent years and different approaches to treating arthritis arecontinually being researched. Dietary changes, nutritional supplements, and the use ofbotanicals and phytochemicals are some of the more popular alternative treatmentoptions for RA. Dietary phenolic compounds, terpenoids, saponins, flavonoids,carotenoids, and alkaloids have effectively slowed the progression of arthritic diseasebecause of their ability to alter pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory pathways. In additionto whole herbs and spices and their extract, many isolated phytoconstituents have beendiscovered to have healing capability in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Thesecompounds include aconite, brucine, kaempferol, tamaractam, andrographolide,artemisinin, asiaticoside A, bufalin, hecogenin, curcumin, swertiamarin, resveratrol, cardamonin celastrol, lapachol, brazilin, thymoquinone, asperosaponin VI, liquiritin, βelemene, oleanolic acid acetate, ellipticine, hesperidin, and sinomenime. The currentreview outlines the role of medicinal plants, herbs, dietary supplements, and isolatedbioactive compounds from plants in the treatment and management of rheumatoidarthritis, as well as their mechanism of pharmacological action.

Abstract

Orchidaceae is the highest-evolved family in the plant kingdom and thelargest among the monocotyledons. The members of this family are considered notonly for their aesthetic beauty but also for their medicinal values.Vanilla sp. is one ofthe members of the family known as the perennial climbing orchid and is a native ofMexico. It is also cultivated in other countries,viz. Madagascar, Indonesia, Comoro &Reunion islands, and India (Karnataka, Kerala, Tamilnadu, and Andaman & NicobarIslands). The major cultivated members of Vanilla areVanilla planifolia (Mexican),V.pompona (Indian), and V. tahitensis (Tahitian). The present study revealed its multipleusages, such as in the food, perfume, and pharmaceutical industries.Vanillin andvanillic acid are the main bioactive components of vanilla flavor, with other (~200-250) components, including p-hydroxybenzoic acid,p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, phydroxybenzyl alcohol, anise alcohol, vanillyl alcohol,etc. Local communities knowits therapeutic value in curing various diseases like fever, spasms, dysmenorrheal,blood clotting, and gastrointestinal distress. Different biosynthetic and biotechnologicalapproaches to this compound were elaborately discussed. This chapter could be amedium to conduct further investigations for specific bioactive compounds that willincrease remedial, technical, and scientific knowledge.

Abstract

Silymarin is obtained from the seeds of the herbSilybum marianum (milkthistle) belonging to the family Carduus marianum. The herb is traditionally used as aliver tonic and in biliary tract disease treatment, dysmenorrhea, and varicose veins. Themajor bioactive constituents of Silymarin are silychristin, silybin A, silybin B,isosilybin A, and isosilybin B, while other flavonolignans such as neosilyhermin,silyhermin, and silydianin are also present. Due to its cytoprotective anti-inflammatory,and antifibrotic action, it is the most acceptable and safe natural compound in thetreatment of hepatic diseases like jaundice, liver cirrhosis, and chronic viral hepatitis.Silymarin functions as a free radical scavenger and modifies the activity of enzymesthat cause cellular damage, fibrosis, and cirrhosis to occur. In the present book chapter,the author will explore the potential of the herb in the treatment of hepatic diseases.

Abstract

Hygrophila spinosa T. Anders also known as Indian cuckoo is found inmoist places and is widely distributed throughout India. Different plant parts are usedfor disease treatment. The plant contains a variety of secondary metabolites.Furthermore, the plant has pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, antitumor,anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, erythropoietic, hepatoprotective,antimicrobial, diuretic, antiosteoporotic, antidiabetic, CNS, androgenic and anabolic,neuroprotective and nephroprotective activities. Here, we have compiled the traditionaluses, phytoconstituents, and pharmacological potentials of H. spinosa, which wouldhelp researchers in further exploration of the plant.

Abstract

Ocimumis a well-known genus accepted for various ethnopharmacologicalbenefits worldwide. The Tulsi plant is abundant globally; and falls under the Ocimumspecies. Earlier, numerous species relevant to the Ocimum genus have been identifiedand cultivated in various parts of the world. Leaves of Ocimum contain 0.1% ofessential oils, which are composed of eugenol, citral, ursolic acid, carvacrol, linalool,limatrol, caryophyllene, camphor, and estragole while fatty acids and sitosterol arepresent in the volatile oil of seed. Eugenol is responsible for its potential effect. Theethnopharmacological aspects of Ocimum species have been reported as antimicrobial,antimalarial, anthelmintic, anti-mosquito agents, anti-diarrheal, anti-oxidant, anticataract, anti-inflammatory, chemo, and radioprotective, antiseptic drugs, cardioprotective, anti-diabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-hypertensive, anti-cancer, pain killer,antiallergenic, antidepressant, memory boosting drugs, antiasthmatic, coughsuppressant, diaphoretic, anti-thyroid, anti-fertility, spasmolytic, anti-arthritic, herbalpharmaceuticals, anti-anxiety, and blood thinning activities. In the previous studies,Tulsi has reported the potential effect against cellular toxicity caused by insecticidesand industrial chemicals, which is the subject of attention. In this chapter, the authorwill explore the pharmacological and chemical paradigms of Tulsi that are presentglobally. 

Abstract

Combretum caffrum (Combretaceae) commonly known as the South Africanbush willow tree grows naturally along the coast region of the East Cape of SouthAfrica. Combretastatins are emerging chemical molecules discovered from C. caffrumtree capable of targeting colchicine binding sites; thus inhibiting the tubulinpolymerization for the treatment of cancer. Numerous combretastatin analogues havebeen found in nature and created artificially, which showed strong cytotoxicity againsta variety of cancers, including breast, colorectal, lung, kidney, ovarian, thyroid, liver,leukaemia, pancreatic, and cervical. Combretastatin A-4 was revealed to be the mostpotent antitumor agent in an isolated extract of C. caffum. Combretastatin A-4 is apioneer in the development of anticancer medicines because of its distinctive features,which include a simple molecular structure, simple synthesis procedure, and antitubulin and antivascular activities. The objective of the present chapter is to elucidatethe chemistry and biological activity of isolated combretastatins from C. caffrum, andto explore the development, mechanism of action, computer-aided drug design studies,and current clinical status as anticancer agents. As orphan drugs, the twoCombretastatin A-4 analogs CA-4P and AVE8062 have been approved by the US Foodand Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency to treat anaplasticthyroid cancer (ATC), ovarian cancer, neuroendocrine tumors, gastro-enteropancreaticneuroendocrine tumors, and gliomas.

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder whose prevalence has beensteadily expanding worldwide. Diabetes can cause complications with time, whichinclude failure of the heart and the kidney, and a reduction in the quality of life.Continuous administration of allopathic drugs such as biguanides, sulfonylurea(Hypoglycaemic agents), and insulin causes many side effects such as Hypoglycaemia,stomach upset, etc., and have a high cost due to which researchers take eager interest instudies on herbs to find novel chemical compounds for the treatment of diabetes. Somediabetologists have recently found evidence that a therapeutic supplement containingplant derivatives is required to optimise diabetes treatment. Herbal medicine researchhas grown in importance in recent decades, and the usage of natural products in thecure of diabetes is becoming more popular around the world. They have the property toact as an antibacterial, antifungal, antidiabetic, and anticancer. Herbs are usednowadays, in place of high-cost prescribed drugs. There are many medicinal plants orherbs that are used in the treatment of diabetes such as Allium sativum,Trigonellafoenum graecum (Fenugreek),Cuminum cyminum L (Cumin),Cinnamomumverum (Cinnamon),Ocimum sanctum(Holy basil), andTinospora cordifolia(Guduchi). Diabetes is caused mostly by oxidative stress and a rise in reactive oxygenspecies, which can have serious consequences. Many herbs include naturalantioxidants, including flavonoids, C and E vitamins and tannins, which hold thecapacity to lower blood glucose levels. Medicinal plants help to improve fasting bloodsugar levels and, function of the kidney. This study focused on diabetes and accessiblediabetic treatments, with a particular emphasis on herbal medicines and clinical trials ofthese herbal plants.