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Integrating Homeopathy in Mainstream Medicine: Homeopathy in Cancer Management
Published in Anne George, Snigdha S. Babu, M. P. Ajithkumar, Sabu Thomas, Holistic Healthcare. Volume 2: Possibilities and Challenges, 2019
In brief, based on patient’s presenting totality, Phytolacca 30 in repeated doses was administered. Followed by, Merc. Iod. Flavum 30, Kali bichromicum 30, Iris versicolor 30, and Ars. Alb.30 were given as acute prescriptions from time to time. His chronic constitutional remedy Silicea was repeated as, and when we thought, we got stuck up and disease showed progression. Carcinosin 1M was also given at times as an intercurrent remedy to boost up the response to indicated remedy during the course of homeopathic intervention from January 2013 to February 2015.
Phytolacca dodecandra (African Soapberry) and Picrorhiza kurroa (Kutki)
Published in Azamal Husen, Herbs, Shrubs, and Trees of Potential Medicinal Benefits, 2022
K. Meenakshi, Mansi Shah, Indu Anna George
Since ancient times, cultural and traditional development was majorly influenced by the local environment and available materials. Local plants were integral components of traditional cultures around the world. The traditional medicinal practices, such as ancient Egyptian medicine, traditional Chinese medicines, traditional Indian medicines (Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha) have depended significantly on plants for the formulation of medicines. Plants have been the driving force for several industries other than pharmaceuticals, spearheading cultural development from traditional times to the modern era. Essential oils obtained from plants were the sole source of the raw scent for the perfume industry before the dawn of synthetic perfumes. These oils were derived from all parts of the plant. Petals of rose and lavender, leaves of rosemary and lemongrass, seed of nutmeg, peels of orange and lemon, and sandalwood are a few examples (Poucher, 1993). Similarly, the natural dye industries were also predominantly dependent on plants. The traditional natural dyes were derived from indigo and madder wood (Gilbert and Cooke, 2001). The Indian and African continents are abundant in natural plant resources. The culture and daily routine of life have been deeply influenced by the environment and available resources. Neem (Azadirachta indica) has been used in India for pest control (Boeke et al., 2004). China berry and Stellera have been used as insecticides in China (Yang and Tang, 1988). Phytolacca dodecandra, found in Africa and known as “soapberry” for its soap-like properties, and Picrorhiza kurroa, found in the alpine belt of the Himalayas and known as “kutki”, are examples of two plants that are famous for their medicinal properties in traditional medicines and have influenced the local culture
Antihypertensive effect and the underlying mechanisms of action of phytolaccagenin in rat models
Published in Clinical and Experimental Hypertension, 2022
Imran Ul Haq, Taseer Ahmad, Taous Khan, Abdul Jabbar Shah
Phytolaccagenin is a triterpenoid saponin aglycone and secondary metabolite of Radix Phytolaccae (dried root of Phytolacca acinosa Roxb and Phytolacca americana L), and it is one of the major bioactive compounds of this plant (1,2). Radix Phytolaccae is commonly used in Japan, China, and Korea for treating various inflammatory diseases (3). It has been reported that systemic exposure to the saponin content of Phytolacca americana L causes hypotension and tachycardia (4); its tea when ingested caused cardiac effects including hypotension, bradycardia, tachycardia, and Mobitz type I heart (5,6), and these effects are attributed to the presence of phytolaccagenin and phytolaccatoxin (7). Phytolaccagenin is reported as a relaxant of airway smooth muscle (8) as an anti-inflammatory and antifungal (2,9). It is physiologically and structurally related to oleanic acid and betulinic acid, which have been reported as antihypertensives (10).
Recent developments in vaccines and biological therapies against Japanese encephalitis virus
Published in Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy, 2018
Several inhibitors acting at a postentry stage of flavivirus infection have been developed. These include a derivate of the protein secondary structure mimetic bispidine conjugated with hydrophobic amino acid residues, which showed antiviral properties against JEV in vitro, probably by inhibition of viral genome replication [157]. Pokeweed, a plant-derived N-glycosidase ribosomal-inactivating protein isolated from Phytolacca americana, is a broad-spectrum antiviral protein that inhibits protein translation by depurination of rRNA. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that pokeweed inhibited JEV replication and nanomolar concentration and conferred partial protection against JEV lethal infection in mice [158]. The antiparasitic drug nitazoxanide was shown to have also antiviral activity against a variety of viruses through different mechanisms. Regarding JEV, nitazoxanide inhibits JEV replication in cell culture and daily intragastric administration of the drug led to 90% reduction of the mortality of mice challenged with a lethal dose of JEV [159].
Plant identification applications do not reliably identify toxic and edible plants in the American Midwest
Published in Clinical Toxicology, 2023
Kevan Long, Andrew Townesmith, Alex Overmiller, Wendy Applequist, Anthony Scalzo, Paula Buchanan, Cindy C. Bitter
We also included several plants that are edible with proper preparation. Ripened fruits of Podophyllum peltatum (mayapple) are edible, while green fruits contain podophyllotoxin, from which the antineoplastic agents etoposide and teniposide were derived. Young shoots of the Phytolacca americana (pokeweed) plant are edible if cooked, while older shoots, roots, and berries from the plant contain saponins and pokeweed mitogen, which causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea which can be severe [19]. Elderberries (Sambucus spp.) contain a cyanide-inducing glycoside, but cooking neutralizes the compound [33]. Misidentification of fruits and berries has caused toxicity in humans [21,29].