Articles tagged with Medicinal Plants
Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology have developed a method to produce crocins, a key ingredient in saffron, using a common garden plant. This breakthrough could lead to sustainable and efficient production of these compounds for pharmaceuticals, food coloring, and flavor additives.
A study published in Frontiers in Immunology found that Japanese herbal medicine DKT reduces colitis severity by preventing gut bacteria loss and increasing immune cells. It restores Lactobacillus levels and promotes type 3 innate lymphoid cells, alleviating inflammatory responses.
A Dartmouth-led study found that urban gardens with rare plant species tend to attract rare bee and bird species. Women, older gardeners, and those living near the gardens are more likely to curate these rare plants, suggesting a cascading effect on biodiversity.
Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology elucidate the complete biosynthetic pathway of strychnine, a highly toxic alkaloid used as rat poison. The study reveals that the conversion of prestrychnine to strychnine occurs spontaneously, without an enzyme.
A study published in Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis found that the quality of mistletoe, a traditional Chinese medicine, is affected by its host plant. The researchers used metabolomics to investigate the influence of host plants and environmental factors on mistletoe's medicinal qualities. The results show that both host plants an...
A new case report highlights the risks of herbal supplements containing CBD and berberine, which can cause cardiac arrhythmias. The study involves a patient who experienced dizziness and fainting after taking high doses of hemp oil and berberine supplements, leading to a life-threatening condition.
A new study found that cashew stem bark extract inhibits abnormal gut motility associated with diarrhea, revealing a potential low-cost remedy for treating and managing the condition. The extract's mechanism of action involves blocking muscarinic acetylcholine receptors responsible for gastrointestinal motility.
A study discovered that fungus Cyanodermella asteris synthesizes valuable compounds in plant Aster tataricus, influencing its growth. The interaction reveals a two-way dialogue between the microbe and host, with the fungus producing beneficial compounds while also being influenced by plant hormones.
A special issue in Botany journal explores relationships among plants, people, science, and medicine, promoting decolonial approaches to ethnobotanical research. The collection highlights the healing potential of plants and emphasizes Indigenous-led projects on medicinally useful plants.
Researchers analyzed ancient pottery fragments from the Central Nigerian Nok culture, revealing diverse and complex plant lipid profiles. The study suggests that leafy plants, grasses, pulses, and underground storage organs were an integral part of the Nok diet, providing cheap yet quality nutrition.
A team of researchers has fully identified the production process of thymol and carvacrol in thyme and oregano, respectively. The findings could lead to improved plant breeding and the development of new antibacterial and anti-inflammatory substances.
Researchers from Ethiopia and Germany identified a traditional African medicinal plant that alleviates malaria symptoms in infected mice. The plant extract's active compound, anemonin, shows promise in treating the disease.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have discovered a natural substance, a flavonoid, that can inhibit cancer cells' ability to defend themselves against chemotherapy by targeting efflux pumps. This could lead to more effective treatment and potentially even combat antibiotic resistance.
Researchers found a specific plant extract activates a potassium channel that soothes pain, while having the opposite effect on another related channel, which can prevent diarrhea. The discovery could lead to new medicines for pain and gastrointestinal issues.
Researchers at Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica have isolated and characterized seven novel dimeric sesquiterpenoids with potent antimalarial activities. The most potent compound, Shizukaol A, exhibits an EC50 value 1000-fold more active than artemisinin.
Researchers found that 75% of medicinal plant services are linguistically-unique and known to one language, highlighting the critical role of indigenous languages in preserving medicinal knowledge. The study suggests that language loss will be even more critical to medicinal knowledge extinction than biodiversity loss.
A new study evaluates ecological legacies, archaeo-ecosystem restoration and Indigenous co-management practices in the Bears Ears region. The research found that dense concentrations of archaeological features had a higher diversity of culturally significant plant species, indicating people left behind plants as a living legacy.
Scientists at TU Dresden have discovered that the dried flowers of St. John's Wort can catalyze photochemical reactions, showcasing a promising green and sustainable method for chemical synthesis. The discovery utilizes the plant compound hypericin as an active compound in chemical reactions without prior chemical processing.
Researchers have found a compound isolated from the leaves of Inula viscosa that can kill brain-eating amoebae by causing them to undergo cell suicide. The compound, inuloxin A, has shown promise in lab studies and may be more effective than current treatments at crossing the blood-brain barrier.
Researchers found that the medicinal plant Lu Bei has evolved camouflage in response to human harvesting, changing color from brown to green depending on collection intensity. The study suggests that this adaptation may weaken the plant's attractiveness to pollinators.
Researchers at IKBFU have discovered that heather is a rich source of biologically active compounds with various medicinal properties. The study found that the budding stage of heather plants contains the highest amount of flavonoids, which are of great medicinal value.
Scientists have developed a method to predict which plant groups and regions are likely to have medicinal effects. The study found that specific plant families and mountainous regions are rich in anti-infective compounds.
Researchers from Kumamoto University found that Melinjo seed extract activates the beneficial hormone adiponectin, improving obesity and diabetes. The study discovered individual genotype differences affect efficacy.
Researchers have discovered that ancient human communities survived the harsh European Ice Age by using charred wood and plants for fuel, medicine, and food. The oldest known circular structure, Kostenki 11, contains remains of mammoths and other animals, suggesting a high degree of adaptation and knowledge of their environment.
A team from the Earlham Institute is exploring the chemical diversity of UK plants to identify new medicines, including those found in foxgloves and willow trees. The project aims to understand how plants produce complex chemicals and unlock new pathways for biomanufacturing.
Researchers suggest forest farming as a solution to unsustainable wild collection of medicinal plants, which can lead to overharvesting and loss of ecosystems. Forest farming promotes better quality products, stable income for farmers, and increased transparency in the supply chain.
Researchers analyzed data from Kichwa community in Ecuador to understand the selection of medicinal plants. The study found that men cited slightly more species than women, while age played a role in identifying plant families, with older participants naming more species.
A leading public health expert is calling for strategic green burial corridors alongside major transport routes due to Britain's rapidly depleting graveyards. With 500,000 annual deaths in England and Wales, no burial space will be left within five years.
Archaeologists found a 1,000-year-old bundle in the Bolivian Andes with traces of ayahuasca fixings, including dimethyltryptamine and harmine. Researchers believe ancient South Americans combined different medicinal plants to produce powerful hallucinations.
Researchers have identified three medicinal plants from Mauritius with effective inhibitors of esophageal cancer cells, stopping their growth and contributing to their death. The extracts contain natural chemical compounds that restrain the G2/M stages transition in malignant tumor cells by activating AMPK signaling pathway.
A new indicator reveals that less than 3% of evaluated species are classified as 'low priority' or 'sufficiently conserved.' Wild coffee plants, Christmas trees, and chocolate's tree are among those in need of protection. The study highlights the urgent need for international conservation targets to meet ambitious goals.
A medieval skeleton found in Spain's Balearic Islands revealed the first physical evidence of fern plant use for medicinal purposes. The fern leaf was likely used as an infusion to cure conditions such as dandruff, a common cold, and kidney stones.
Researchers found that Evodia rutaecarpa extracts contain substances that can cause cardiac arrhythmia, specifically Torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation. The natural compounds dehydroevodiamine and hortiamine were shown to be potent inhibitors of potassium channels in the heart muscle.
Xanthones, antimicrobial compounds found in St. John's wort roots, are produced and stored in specific cell layers. The study's findings may aid in understanding xanthone biosynthesis and manipulating them for medicinal purposes.
Japanese scientists have developed a method to isolate and identify active compounds in plant medicines, which accurately accounts for drug behavior in the body. They identified several active compounds from Drynaria Rhizome that improve memory and reduce disease characteristics in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers have decoded the genome of Chinese licorice, a plant crucial in traditional Chinese medicine and natural sweetener. The study reveals the plant's genetic blueprint, which may facilitate the creation of sustainably bred strains with high glycyrrhizin content.
A team of researchers found that marital bonds and cooperative activities play a crucial role in passing down plant knowledge among the BaYaka Pygmies. They discovered that certain plants were used to detect and punish cheaters, highlighting the social significance of plant use.
A new film series by Sarah Betcher explores Alaskan indigenous uses of wild plants for food, medicine and construction materials. The 'Ties to Alaska's Wild Plants' project documents Iñupiat traditions and aims to preserve traditional knowledge in the face of climate change.
Researchers have discovered a new biochemical pathway that produces flavones in the roots of the Chinese skullcap plant, which may lead to effective cancer treatments. The discovery was made by a team led by Professor Cathie Martin and could help produce these special flavones in large quantities.
Researchers found that individuals with greater local environmental knowledge (LEK) about hunting and medicinal plants reported fewer days of illness and caught more animals per hour of hunting. However, their nutritional status was not directly related to their LEK level due to sharing and reciprocity practices in the societies studied.
Researchers at Stanford University have genetically engineered yeast to produce hydrocodone and other opioid painkillers, enabling a faster and potentially less expensive way to produce plant-based medicines. The breakthrough could lower costs and increase access to pain medications for 5.5 billion people worldwide.
Recent findings uncover 16th century botanical records documenting heterostyly, a phenomenon later studied by Charles Darwin. The research traces the history of Darwin's work back to early floral prints and descriptions of plants for medicinal purposes.
Researchers found that plants like peppermint take up high concentrations of nicotine from cigarette smoke and contaminated soils. This discovery may explain the presence of high levels of nicotine in spices, herbal teas, and medicinal plants.
A recent study found that 43% of medicinal plants in Pakistan were naturally contaminated with toxins produced by moulds. The levels exceeded permissible limits in 70% of the samples, and 31% produced harmful toxins. This highlights a need for stricter regulation to protect people using herbal medicines.
Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz have found that substances derived from African medicinal plants can kill off tumor cells resistant to multiple drugs. Four naturally occurring benzophenones were shown to prevent cancer cell proliferation, including multi-drug resistant strains.
Living cells process information via signalling molecules and use negative feedback to reduce noise, with almost half of regulatory molecules regulating their own expression through biochemical reactions.
Researchers break evolutionary compartmentalization by relocating metabolic pathways to chloroplasts, enabling light-driven synthesis of natural chemicals. This advancement unlocks the production of bioactive chemicals and other valuable compounds.
Researchers discovered molecular evidence of medicinal plant use by Neanderthals at El Sidrón, suggesting a sophisticated knowledge of natural surroundings. The study found evidence of cooked carbohydrates and varied plant consumption, challenging previous assumptions about Neanderthal diet.
The release of genetic data on medicinal plants could lead to discovering new drug candidates and increasing the efficacy of existing ones. Researchers have developed a collection of data that will aid in understanding how plants produce medicinally useful compounds.
A study by the Missouri Botanical Garden found that over 24% of water extracts and 76% of alcoholic extracts from Peruvian medicinal plant species contained elevated toxicity levels. This highlights the need for proper preparation methods to account for varying toxicity levels in traditional remedies.
A NYBG scientist estimates that at least 540 to 653 new drugs could be discovered from plants, with potentially thousands more waiting to be evaluated. This analysis highlights the potential value of continuing to screen plants for novel bioactive compounds.
A team of archaeologists has discovered 77,000-year-old evidence of preserved plant bedding and the use of insect-repelling plants at Sibudu rock shelter in South Africa. The oldest plant remains date back to 77,000 years ago and include species with medicinal properties.
A molecular phylogeny study reveals three Mediterranean species as a separate evolutionary line, sister group to all remaining Delphinieae. The genus Staphisagria has been resurrected for these species, which share traits not found in Delphinium or Aconitum.
Researchers from across Canada have identified the genetic makeup of 75 medicinal plant species, making them available to scientists and the public online. The discovery has the potential to develop new technologies to re-create plant pathways in microbes, creating effective medicines and chemicals.
Experts propose a six-point plan for the safe production and use of Kava, including the use of high-quality material, rigorous research, and quality control systems. The framework aims to address concerns over liver problems and ensure only safe consumption of Kava globally.
A team of scientists has successfully produced the active ingredients in Devil's claw using a novel technique called hairy root biofactory. This breakthrough could lead to large-scale production of rare plant extracts at low cost, addressing the global shortage of medicinal compounds derived from endangered plants.
A team of chemists at Vanderbilt University has successfully synthesized Serratezomine A, a potentially anti-cancer herbal alkaloid, in six years through an efficient process. This achievement could lead to the development of new treatments for cancer and other diseases.
A Kansas State University research team is exploring the use of native southern African plants in veterinary medicine. They have documented 18 regions where these plants are used to treat various animal health issues, including intestinal parasites and wounds.
The event reveals the fundamental connection between humans and plants, showcasing how plant toxins have led to effective medicines. The Festival of Social Science celebrates British social science research, with a focus on the often-overlooked role of plants in our daily lives.
Researchers have identified 18 plants with substantial anti-cancer properties, including Rangoon Creeper and Red-Root Sage, which outperform conventional treatments against specific tumor cell lines.