Mahiuddin Alamgir

Can Scientific Evidence Support Using Bangladeshi Traditional Medicinal Plants in the Treatment of Diarrhoea? A Review on Seven Plants

Diarrhoea is a common disease which causes pain and may be deadly, especially in developing countries. In Bangladesh, diarrhoeal diseases affect thousands of people every year, and children are especially vulnerable. Bacterial toxins or viral infections are the most common cause of the disease. The diarrhoea outbreaks are often associated with flood affected areas with contaminated drinking water and an increased risk of spreading the water-borne disease. Not surprisingly, plants found in the near surroundings have been taken into use by the local community as medicine to treat diarrhoeal symptoms. These plants are cheaper and more easily available than conventional medicine. Our question is: What is the level of documentation supporting the use of these plants against diarrhoea and is their consumption safe? Do any of these plants have potential for further exploration? In this review, we have choosen seven plant species that are used in the treatment of diarrhoea; Diospyros peregrina, Heritiera littoralis, Ixora coccinea, Pongamia pinnata, Rhizophora mucronata, Xylocarpus granatum, and Xylocarpus moluccensis. Appearance and geographical distribution, traditional uses, chemical composition, and biological studies related to antidiarrhoeal activity will be presented. This review reveals that there is limited scientific evidence supporting the traditional use of these plants. Most promising are the barks from D. peregrina, X. granatum and X. moluccensis which contain tannins and have shown promising results in antidiarrhoeal mice models. The leaves of P. pinnata also show potential. We suggest these plants should be exploited further as possible traditional herbal remedies against diarrhoea including studies on efficacy, optimal dosage and safety.

Evaluation of antidiarrhoeal activity of Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) on mice models

SUMMARY Diarrhoea is a major health care problem in developing countries. Elettaria cardamomum Matonfruits, commonly known as cardamom are widely used for flavoring purposes in food. In thisstudy we evaluated the antidiarrhoeal activity of hot water extract of cardamom againstexperimental diarrhoeal models on mice. Cardamom extract showed significant antidiarrhoealactivity against castor oil and magnesium sulphate induced models. Whereas, the gastrointestinalmotility was slightly increased. Key words: Antidiarrhoeal; Cardamom; Elettaria cardamomu; Gastrointestinal INTRODUCTION In developing countries diarrhoea is a major publichealth problem and therefore it is important anduseful to identify plants with antidiarrhoealactivity. Diarrhoea ranks second to respiratorydiseases as the cause of non-surgical paediatricadmission and causes one fourth of the avoidabledeaths in hospitalized children. It is one of theleading causes of morbidity and mortality in allage groups, particularly in infants and childrenunder the age of three. The incidence of diarrhoealdiseases still remains high despite the efforts of anygovernments and international organizations (e.g.WHO) to curb it (Agbor et al., 2004).Cardamom, the fruits of Elettaria cardamomumMaton. (Zingiberaceae), are widely used forflavoring purposes in food and as carminative. InUnani system of medicine it is used to treatgastrointestinal disorders (Jamal et al., 2006).Despite its wide uses little information has beenreported on their pharmacological properties,which showed antioxidant (Hinneburg et al., 2006;Vasavada et al.., 2006) and anti-inflammatoryactivity (Al-Zuhair et al.., 1996). Antimicrobialactivity of cardamom was attributed to its essentialoil (Ramadan et al.., 1994; Garg and Jain, 2001).Recently, cardamom showed gastroprotective effectsagainst aspirin and ethanol induced lesions in rats(Jamal et al., 2006). The seeds also showed activityagainst Helicobacter pylori (Nostro et al.., 2005).Cardamom is usually added to the food preparations

Central nervous system depressant effect of two spices ajowan (Carum copticum Karst.) and bay leaves (Cinnamomum tamala T.Nees.)

Two common Indian spices Carum copticum Karst (ajowan) and Cinnamomum tamala T.Nees. (bay leaves) has been investigated first time to report the activity on the central nervous system. Preliminary study of the hot water extract showed depressant activity on the hole board test as evidenced from the ambulation and head dipping scores. The extracts further quicken the onset and increased the duration of pentobarbital induced sleeping time.

Cytotoxicity and antinociceptive activity of Jasminum sambac leaves

SUMMARY The ethanolic extract of Jasminum sambac leaves were tested for its cytotoxicity and possibleantinociceptive activity in experimental animals. The extract showed potent cytotoxic activity inbrine shrimp lethality assay and the LC 50 was found only 25 mg/ml. The extract significantly anddose dependently inhibited the acetic acid induced writhing in mice (56.83%, P < 0.001 and43.17%, P < 0.001 for 500 and 250 mg/kg body weight, respectively). The results supported itstraditional uses.Key words: Jasminum sambac; Cytotoxicity; Antinociceptive; Brine shrimp INTRODUCTION Jasminum sambac (Family: Oleaceae), commonlyknown as ‘Beliphul gachh’, is a scandent shrubwith opposite leaves pubescent branches, fragrantflowers, grown as an ornamental plant in gardenall over the country (Ghani, 2003). Traditionally theaerial parts are used as CNS depressant, hypotensiveand in treating insanity and weakness of sight.Root is used as an emmenagogue and leavesextract is used against indolent ulcer and breasttumours (Ghani, 2003). The plant has been reportedto contain essential oil linalool, cis-jasmone, leavescontain iridoid glycosides and flower buds possessb-primeveroside and b-rutinoside glycosides (Junjiet al., 1995; Ghani, 2003). As a part of our on-going pharmacological screeningof randomly selected Bangladeshi medicinal plants(Shilpi et al., 2004; Uddin et al., 2004, 2005), we nowreport on the investigation of cytotoxicity andantinociceptive activity of Jasminum sambac leavesextract.

Pharmacological findings of an Indian traditional Ayurvedic herbalformulation Amritaristo

SUMMARY In this present study Indian traditional Ayurvedic herbal formulation Amritaristo has been studiedto assess the general pharmacological effect on mice. The drug showed no significant activity on theneuropharmacological test models experimented. The increased pentobarbital sleeping time wasconsidered related with hepatic metabolism of pentobarbital. The formulation exhibited a non-significant reduction of gastrointestinal motility, and devoid of any acute diuretic activity. Thetested drug revealed antidiarrhoeal activity on castor oil-induced model, whereas on magnesiumsulphate-induced model no effect was observed. Key words: Amritaristo; Ayurveda; CNS; Diarrhoea; Gastrointestinal motility INTRODUCTION The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates,however, that one third of the world’s populationstill lacks regular access to essential drugs withfigure rising to over 50% in the poorest parts ofAfrica and Asia. Fortunately, in many developingcountries, traditional medicines offer a major andaccessible source of health care. WHO has thusfocused its attention in the traditional medicine orcomplementary and alternative medicine into thenational health care systems. WHO suggests researchon the traditional medicine or complementaryand alternative medicine to ensure the safety,efficacy and quality of them. The national healthpolicy of Bangladesh also has the objectives toencourage systematic improvement in thepractice of the indigenous system of medicine andfor utilizing the additional manpower available inthis sector. Particular attention should be given toscientific evaluation of indigenous and herbaldrugs (Chakraborty et al., 2006).Ayurvedic herbal medicines are the mostpopular form of alternative medicine beingpracticed in Bangladesh. Although tremendousprogress has taken place in the field of modernmedicine, but the practice and use of Ayurvedicmedicine is being continued throughout thecountry even today. Amritaristo is widely usedfor the treatment of fever and malaria (Anonymous,1991). The research work was performed toassess the general pharmacological effect ofAmritaristo in experimental mice.

Preliminary study on the central nervous system depressant effect of Picrorhiza kurrooa Royle. (Scrophulariaceae) in mice models

Picrorhiza kurrooa Royle. is a well known medicinal plant among the indigenous medical practitioners of India. Present study is the first time to report the activity on the central nervous system. Preliminary study of the hot water extract showed significant depressant activity on the hole board test as evidenced from the ambulation and head dipping scores. The extract showed better activity compared to diazepam on the duration of pentobarbital induced sleeping time.

A single blind randomised placebo controlled clinical trial of a classical Ayurvedic formulation Ashokarista in the treatment of menorrhagia and dysmenorrhoea

SUMMARY A well known Ayurvedic formulation Ashokarista, used for menstrual disorders has beenstudied in a single blind randomised placebo controlled clinical trial for the treatment ofmenorrhagia and dysmenorrhoea. Dysmenorrhoea and menorrhagia patients who were takingAshokarista (20 ml twice daily) for 10 menstrual cycles had an increase in haemoglobin level.Menorrhagia treated group has shown to reduce the erythrocyte sedimentation rate level that hasbeen increased in the menorrhagia control group. The platelet count, total count and differentialcount were observed unchanged in the study. The Ashokarista did not affect the SGPT and SGOTlevel, which signify its lack of toxicity in hepatic function. The treated menorrhagic patientsshowed an increase in serum albumin content and decrease in blood clotting time, whereas theserum protein content was observed unchanged. There was a significant increase in both serumcholesterol and triglyceride level, which usually associated with the use of oral contraceptives. Nomajor side effects were observed by the clinicians during the study.Key words: Ashokarista; Menorrhagia; Dysmenorrhoea; Saraca asoca; Clinical trial; Ayurvedic

Preliminary in vitro evaluation of some traditional Ayurvedic antacids

A preliminary in vitro acid neutralizing capacity test of twelve traditional Ayurvedic antacids were performed in this study. Five traditional preparations of ash of conch shell, ash of oyster, ash of pearl, limestone, and ash of cowrie showed high acid neutralizing capacity similar to standard antacid combination of Al(OH)3 and Mg(OH)2. Among these the ash of conch shell found the highest acid neutralizing capacity. The ash of tamarind and ash of Achyranthus aspera showed moderate acid neutralizing capacity. The acid neutralizing capacity of red ochre; ash of iron; mixture of niter, alum and ammonium chloride; saltpeter; and ash of mica found below the USP 23 limit.

Bioactivity of the methanol extract of Excoecaria agallocha Linn.(Euphorbiaceae)

The methanol extract and residual methanol fraction of Excoecaria agallocha L. (Euphorbiaceae) stem bark was investigated in this study by wheat rootlet and shoot growth inhibition, and antimicrobial bioassay. The methanol extract and residual methanol fraction showed high inhibitory effect on both the wheat rootlet (82-89%) and shoot growth (85-90%) compared to control. The methanol extract showed a better and dose related inhibition on both the rootlet and shoot growth compared to residual methanol fraction. The value of methanol extract for rootlet and shoot were and , and of residual methanol fraction for rootlet and shoot were and . The methanol extract and residual methanol fraction did not show any antibacterial activity against the tested microorganisms of clinical isolates Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureous, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris and Bacillus subtilis. The plant has the potential to be a source of novel cytotoxic compound(s).

Central nervous system depressant effect of hot water extract of Ocimum sanctum Linn. (Labiateae)

A battery of neuropharmacological experiments showed the hot water extract of Ocimum sanctum Linn. (Labiateae) had a depressant effect on the central nervous system (CNS), but the aqueous extract showed no effect on it. The hot water extract reduced the spontaneous locomotor activity, exploratory head dipping, propulsive locomotion and exploratory ambulation as well as prolonged the pentobarbital induced sleeping time. The depressant effect starts from 60 minutes after the drug administration and continued to 180 minutes. The drug may exert central depressant effect by interfering with the function of the cortex.