Friday, June 8, 2012

www.malaysianherbals.com(25)சிறியாநங்கை







சிறியா நங்கை என் பொதுவாக எண்ணப்படும் 

அல்லது அறியப்படும் நிலவேம்பு



Andrographis paniculata

 This  is an erect annual herb extremely bitter in taste in all parts of the plant body. The plant is known in north-eastern India as Maha
-tita, literally "king of bitters", and known by various vernacular names (see the table below).
 As an Siddha  herb it is called SIRIA NANGAI and Ayurveda herb it is known as Kalmegh or Kalamegha, meaning "dark cloud". It is also known as Bhui-neem, meaning "neem of the ground", since the plant, though being a small annual herb, has a similar strong bitter taste as that of the large Neem tree (Azadirachta indica). 
In Malaysia, it is known as Hempedu Bumi, which literally means 'bile of earth' since it is one of the most bitter plants that are used in traditional medicine. The genus Andrographis consists of 28 species of small annual shrubs essentially distributed in tropical Asia.

 Only a few species are 

 medicinal, of which A
.
 paniculata is the most 

popular.

Description

Andrographis paniculata grows erect to a height of 30–110 cm in moist, shady places. The slender stem is dark green, squared in cross-section with longitudinal furrows and wings along the angles. The lance-shaped leaves have hairless blades measuring up to 8 centimeters long by 2.5 wide. The small flowers are borne in spreading racemes. The fruit is a capsule around 2 centimeters long and a few millimeters wide. It contains many yellow-brown seeds.Distribution
A. paniculata is distributed in tropical Asian countries, often in isolated patches. It can be found in a variety of habitats, such as plains, hillsides, coastlines, and disturbed and cultivated areas such as roadsides, farms, and wastelands. Native populations of A. paniculata are spread throughout south India and Sri Lanka which perhaps represent the center of origin and diversity of the species. The herb is an introduced species in northern parts of India, Java, Malaysia, Indonesia, the West Indies, and elsewhere in the Americas. The species also occurs in Hong Kong, Thailand, Brunei, Singapore, and other parts of Asia where it may or may not be native. The plant is cultivated in many areas, as well.
Unlike other species of the genus, A. paniculata is of common occurrence in most places in India, including the plains and hilly areas up to 500 m, which accounts for its wide use. Since time immemorial, village and ethnic communities in India have been using this herb for treating a variety of ailments.
Cultivation
It does best in a sunny location. The seeds are sown during May and June. The seedlings are transplanted at a distance of 60 cm x 30 cm.
Medicinal use
Since ancient times, A. peniculata is used in traditional Siddha and Ayurvedic systems of medicine as well as in tribal medicine in India and some other countries for multiple clinical applications. From a biomedicinal perspective, the therapeutic value of Kalmegh is due to its mechanism of action which is perhaps by enzyme induction. The plant extract exhibits antityphoid and antifungal activities. Kalmegh is also reported to possess antihepatotoxic, antibiotic, antimalarial, antihepatitic, antithrombogenic, anti inflammatory anti-snake venom, and antipyretic properties to mention a few, besides its general use as an immunostimulant agent.

 A study conducted at Bastyr University, showed a significant rise in the mean CD4 lymphocyte level of HIV subjects after administration of 10 mg/kg andrographolide, the chief constituent extracted from the leaves of the plant.

The herb has shown an ability to reduce inflammation (heat) and fight viral infection, and is used as a principal ingredient in traditional Chinese medicinal formulas for lung support from colds.Andrographolide is a bitter water-soluble lactone exhibiting protective effects in carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Its LD in male mice was 11.46 gm/kg, . This bitter principle was isolated in pure form by Gorter (1911). Such other activities as liver protection under various experimental conditions of treatment with galactosamine, paracetamol etc. are also attributed to andrographolide. The hepatoprotective action of andrographolide is related to activity of certainmetabolic enzymes.                                                                               [
Andrographis paniculata plant extract is known to possess a variety of pharmacological activities. 

Andrographolide, the major constituent of the extract, is implicated in its pharmacological activity. A study has been conducted on the cellular processes and targets modulated by andrographolide treatment in human cancer and immune cells. Andrographolide treatment inhibited the in vitro proliferation of different tumor cell lines, representing various types of cancers. 

The compound exerts direct anticancer activity on cancer cells by cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase through induction of cell cycle inhibitory protein p27 and decreased expression of cyclin dependent kinase 4 (CDK4)Immunostimulatory activity of andrographolide is evidenced by increased proliferation of lymphocytes and production of interleukin 2. Andrographolide also enhanced the tumor necrosis factor α production and CD marker expression, resulting in increased cytotoxic activity of lymphocytes against cancer cells, which may contribute for its indirect anticancer activity. The in vivo anticancer activity of the compound is further substantiated against B16F0 melanoma syngenic and HT 29 xenograft models. These results suggest that andrographolide is an interesting pharmacophore with anticancer and immunomodulatory activities and hence has the potential for being developed as a cancer therapeutic agent
In one Chilean study, the herb had a significant drying effect on the nasal secretions of cold sufferers who took 1,200 milligrams of andrographis extract daily for five days. A systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials also suggested the herb alone or in combination with eleuthero may be an appropriate alternative treatment of uncomplicated acute upper respiratory tract infection.
The herb is the well-known drug Kalmegh 'green chiretta', and forms the principal ingredient of a household medicine ('alui'), used as a bitter tonic and febrifuge
The Tamils have been using Nilavempu - as it is called in Tamil - for centuries. In Siddha medicine, Andrographis Paniculata is used widely to treat fevers like chikenguinea, swine-flu, typhoid etc.
A recent(2011)randomised, double-blind, multicentre,study found Andrographis paniculata as effective as mesalazine (mesalamine) in ulcerative colitis. Further, andrographolide inhibits interleukin-6 expression and suppresses prostate cancer cell growth in vitro.
Andrographis has been shown to be a safe traditional botanical for supporting upper respiratory tract health, per analysis of seven double-blind controlled trials.The herb has been shown to inhibit RANTES secretion in inflamed bronchial cells. 
 RANTES is a chemoattractant for eosinophils, monocytes and lymphocytes that is stored in, and released by, platelets and activated T-cells. In related research: Andrographolide, an active ingredient in Andrographis, has been shown to be responsible for the herb's inflammatory modulating actions, including the reduction of cytokine and peritoneal deposition of neutrophils, and modulation of lung inflammation in vivo. Extracts of Andrographis exhibit potent inflammatory modulating and antioxidant actions in mouse models
Andrographis paniculata extracts are mosquito repellent and can also be adulticidal to mosquitoes, viz., Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti.

Phytochemistry

Andrographolide is the major constituent extracted from the leaves of the plant which is a bicyclic diterpenoid lactone. This bitter principle was isolated in pure form by Gorter (1911). Such other activities as liver protection under various experimental conditions of treatment with galactosamine (Saraswat et al., 1995), paracetamol (Visen et al., 1993) etc. are also attributed to Andrographolide. 
The hepatoprotective action of andrographolide is related to the activity of certain metabolic enzymes (Choudhury and Poddar, 1984, 1985; Choudhury et al., 1987). Systematic studies on chemistry of A. paniculata have been carried out. 






Tuesday, June 5, 2012

www.malaysianherbals.com-(32) Kalanchoe Pinnata விரணக்கள்ளி .



 Kalanchoe Pinnata--MIRACLE LEAF


herbal-medicine-alternative

விரணக்கள்ளி .

கட்டிப்போட்டால் குட்டிப்போடும் இலை

அன்பர்களே இதன் மகிமை கொஞ்சநஞ்சமல்ல. தயவுசெய்து இதனைத்தேடிப்
பார்த்து உங்கள் வீட்டுத்தொட்டிகளில் வளர்த்துப் பயனை அனுபவியுங்கள்.

Plant Name: Kalanchoe pinnataThe

Scientific name of Miracle Leaf is Kalanchoe pinnata.  It is a succulent plant native to Africa, Madagascar, India and Indian Ocean Islands.  Maybe due to its amazing trait of miniature plant-lets forming on the margins of its leaves, and its ability to grow fast and thrive beautifully in many conditions, it is a popular houseplant and has become naturalized in temperate regions of Asia, the Pacific and Caribbean.  In fact, because Kalanchoe pinnata can grow so well, reproduce and spread so rapidly in Hawaii, that it is listed as one of Hawaii’s most invasive horticultural plants.

In other areas of the Caribbean it is used as a cooling tea or as a poultice for sores.


Upon contact with the soil, each leaf can generate several plantlets from the margin, a character contributing greatly to the persistence and weediness of this exotic plant originally native to Madagascar.

Family: Crassulaceae
Similarly Used Species:
Other Names: Bryophyllum pinnatum
Common Names: 'Oliwa Ka Kahakai [Hawai'i], Mother Of Thousands, Air Plant [USA], Herbe Mal Tete [Dominica] Never Dead, Parvu, Wonder-Of-The-World [Trinidad] Hoja Del Aire [Bolivia]
Category:
Properties: Slightly sour and bland tasting; cold.
Channels Entered:
Pharmacutical Name:
Western Functions: Anti-inflammatory, hemostatic; reduces swelling, promotes healing
Energetic Functions: Clears heat and toxin, clears heat and cools the blood, invigorates blood
Uses:
* Digestive: Vomiting blood [China]
* Ears, nose, throat: Tonsillitis, otitis media, opthalmia. Leaf poultice or juice in the ear for earache.[China, Caribbean, Trinidad]
* Infection: Boils and pyodermas, mastitis. [China, Caribbean]
* Musculoskeletal / Trauma: Traumatic injury - fracture. Strains, sprains, bruises, swellings, Mash leaves and apply externally to lesion.[China, Ecuador, Caribbean, Trinidad] Bleeding from wounds [China]
* Parasites: Heated leaves for "tay tay worms". [Trinidad]
* Psychospiritual: Leaves in bath for "bewitchment". [Trinidad]
* Reproductive: Leaf poultice for dysmenorrhea. [Caribbean]
* Respiratory: Poulticed for head cold. [Caribbean] Coughing blood [China]
* Urinary: Leaves decocted to clean the bladder. [Trinidad]
* Veterinary: Toxic to cattle
* Other: Topical for headaches. [Caribbean]
Part Used: Whole plant
Caution:
  
pinnata (syn. Bryophyllum calycinum, Bryophyllum pinnatum, also known as the Air Plant, Life Plant, Miracle Leaf, Goethe Plant and the Katakataka (Filipino)) is a succulent plant native to Madagascar.

 It is distinctive for the profusion of miniature plantlets that form on the margins of its leaves, a trait it has in common with the other members of the Bryophyllum section of the Kalanchoe genus.
It is a popular houseplant and has become naturalized in temperate regions of Asia, the Pacific and Caribbean

.Also called "Wonder of the World" in the English speaking Caribbean.

In traditional medicine, Kalanchoe species have been used to treat ailments such as infections, rheumatism and inflammation. Kalanchoe pinnatahas been recorded in Trinidad and Tobago as being used as a traditional treatment for hypertension and for the treatment of kidney stones in India where is goes by the name of Pather Chat or Paan-futti.

Bufadienolide compounds isolated from Kalanchoe pinnata include bryophillin A which showed strong anti-tumor promoting activity, and bersaldegenin-3-acetateand bryophillin C which were less active. Bryophillin C also showed insecticidal properties.

pinnata (syn. Bryophyllum calycinum, Bryophyllum pinnatum, also known as the Air Plant, Life Plant, Miracle Leaf, Goethe Plant and the Katakataka (Filipino)) is a succulent plant native to Madagascar. It is distinctive for the profusion of miniature plantlets that form on the margins of its leaves, a trait it has in common with the other members of the Bryophyllum section of the Kalanchoe genus.

 Contraindicated in cases of impaired digestive function.
 Topical treatment may produce severe skin blisters
Preparation: Collect all year round. Use fresh and squeeze the juice, or prepare as decoction
Dosage: 30 - 60 gm
Notes:
Anti-ulcer
 Anti-bacterial.

thanks to medicineatyourfeet

Abstract

The chemical composition and i potential of the flowers from Kalanchoe pinnata (Crassulaceae) were investigated. We found that the aqueous flower extract was more active than the leaf extract in inhibiting murine T cell mitogenesis in vitro. Flavonoids isolated from the flower extract were identified and quantitated based on NMR and HPLC-DAD-MS analysis, respectively. Along with quercetin, four quercetin glycosyl conjugates were obtained, including quercetin 3-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside and quercetin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, which are described for the first time in K. pinnata. All flavonoids inhibited murine T cell mitogenesis and IL-2 and IL-4 production without cell toxicity. This is the first report on the pharmacological activity of flowers of a Kalanchoe species, which are not used for curative purposes. Our findings show that K. pinnata flowers are a rich source of T-suppressive flavonoids that may be therapeutically useful against inflammatory diseases.


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