Harold Giron, Gary Liu, Wilson Liu, Bertha Martin

Department of Biological Sciences Dr. Kirsten FisherMedical Ethnobotany Bio 454L – Fall

2010

Silybum marianum

“Milk Thistle”

TaxonomyoKingdom: PlantaeoDivision: MagnoliophytaoClass: MagnoliopsidaoOrder: AsteralesoFamily: AsteraceaeoGenus: SilybumoSpecies:marianum

oMilk thistle; Mary Thistle, Mariam ThistleoRelated to daisies.

FactsoNative to Southern Europe through Asia.

oAn invasive weed in America.oCharacterized by sharp leaves and purple flower.oDrought tolerant and thrives in well drained soil, exposed to full sun.oSeeds harvested 2-3 weeks after flowering.

Thistledown

oHelp thy liveroRomans and Greeks used ripe seeds to treat ailmentsoCirrhosis, jaundice, hepatitisoGall bladder

oDeliciousoStalks and roots edibleoDespined leaves a spinach substituteoRoasted seeds a coffee substitute.oFlowers eaten artichoke-style

oProtectionoAssists liver and spleenoTreats varicose veins and menstrual difficulty.oTreats rosacea, a skin disorder

oUV protection

oMushroom poisoningoAmanita “death-cap” poisoning prevention

o Party like a

Dosing: 230-600mg/day, 2-3 doses.

Silymarin

Vinca Minor

Introduction: Vinca MinorTaxonomy:Kingdom: Plantae-PlantsSubkingdom: Tracheobionta-Vascular plantsSuperdivision: Spermatophyta-Seed plantsDivision: Magnoliophyta-Flowering plantsClass: Manoliopsida-DicotylendonsSubclass: AsteridaeOrder: GentianalesFamily: Apocynaceae-Dogbane familyGenus: Vinca L.-PeriwinkleSpecies: Vinca minor L.- Common periwinkle

Description:Vinca minor/common periwinkle, is a perennial

evergreen ground cover that is winter hardy.Usually never exceeds more than 6” height.Waxy leaves help with shade.Small blue flowers occur between April-

September (pink and white flowers also)

Vinca Minor-HabitatVinca Minor is native to Europe and Western Asia, but was brought over to the

United States and now grows in certain areas of the United States and Canada! •Culture:

•Prefers Partial Shade•Heat and Sunlight tend to cause yellowing of plant•Best soil is moist, well-drained and fertile•Relatively adapts to many soils

•Commonly used in landscapes:

•Northeastern U.S.•For erosion control•As a filler around other plants•For show of their blue flowers

Vinca Minor- Active Compounds

Documented Properties& Actions:

Analgesic, amebicide, antibiotic, antibacterial, cardiotonic, cholagogue, digestive, emmenagogue, febrifuge, hypotensive, laxative, pectoral, stomachic, vermifuge

Plant Chemicals Include:

(+)-quebrachamine, 1,2-dehydroaspidospermidine, 3-beta-glucosyloxy- 2-hydroxybenzoic-acid, 10-methoxy-deacetylakuammiline, 11-methoxy- eburnamonine, 11-methoxyvincamine, 14-epivincamine, 16-methoxy-20- oxo-1-vincadifformine, 16-methoxyminovincinine, 20-hydroxyvincamine, alkaloids, beta-sitosterol, caoutchouc, dambonitol, deacetylakuammiline, delphinidin-3,5-diglycoside, dimethoxy-eburnamonine, eburnamenine, eburnamine, eburnamonine, epipleiocarpamine-n(4)-oxide, epivincamine, gentisinic-acid, intybin, isoburnamine, isovincamine, kaempferol-3- rhamnosylgalactoside-7-galactoside, l-bornesitol, l-glutamate-carboxylase, methoxyminovincine, minorine, minovinceine, minovincine, minovincinine, minovine, myricetin-3-robinobioside-7-rhamnoside, n(1)-methyl-2beta, 16beta-dihydroakuammicine, n(4)-methochloride, n-methyl- quebrachamine, n-methylaspidospermine, o-protocatechuic-acid, ornol, p-coumaric-acid, p-hydroxybenzoic-acid, perivincine, picrinine, protocatechuic-acid, pubesceine, quercetin-3-rhamnoglucoside-7-beta- glucoside, quercetin-3-robinobioside-7-rhamnoside, reserpine, robinin, robinoside, saponin, strictamine, tannin, triacontane, ursolic-acid, vanillic-acid, vincadifformine, vincadine, vincamedine, vincamidine, vincamine, vincaminine, vincaminoreine, vincaminoridine, vincaminorine, vincanorine, vincareine, vincarorine, vincatine, vincesine, vincine, vincinine, vincoridine, vincorine, vincoside, vincristine, vinine, vinomine, vinoxine, vintsine

Note: For simplicity, the most important or active compounds are Indole Alkaloids and Tannins

Pharmacology Indolealkaloids (0.15-1.4%): chief alkaloid vincamine

(eburnamine-tyoe, 25-65%), including as well vincine, apovincamine, vincadifformin.Flavonoids: including kempferol-3-O-rhamnoside-7O-galactoside, kempferol-3-O-rhamoglucoside-2-O-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-rhamnoglucoside-7-O-glucoside.

EFFECTS:The alkaloid vincamine is hypotensive, negatively chronotrophic, spasmolytic, hypoglycemic and sympatholytic. Scientifically validated studies on the hypotensive effect on humans have not yet been carried out.

INDICATIONS AND USEAGE:Not yet proven uses: Periwinkle is used internally for circulatory disorders, cerebral circulatory impairment and support for the metabolism of the brain. It is also used internally for loss of memory, hypertension, cystitis, gastritis and enteritis, diarrhea, raised blood sugar levels and to help weaning. Periwinkle is used externally for sore throats, nose bleeds, bruising, abscesses, eczema and to stop bleeding.Homeopathic Uses: Periwinkle is used for weeping eczema and bleeding mucous membranes.

Usage around the World

• Europe: carminative, depurative, diuretic, emetic, hemostat, hypertension, scurvy

• Turkey: astringent, depurative, diuretic, hemostat, lactogogue, tonic

• Elsewhere in the World: astringent, bactericide, collyrium, diarrhea, dysentery, hypertension, Lactifuge, menorrhagia, phthisis, pile , scalp, sedative, skin, Spasmolytic, tea, tonic, tumor (uvula)

Dosage and PreCautionsTea: 2-3 cups daily (better is drank after

meals)

Homeopathic Dosage: 5 drops, 1 tablet or every 30 to 60 minutes (acute) or 1 to 3 times daily (chronic)

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Dosage and PreCautions

• Gastrointestinal complaints and skin irritation!

• Overdose: Severe blood pressure drop is a side affect of over dosage!

Glycyrrhiza glabra

• Glycyrrhiza glabra is also known as “sweet root,” “sweet wood,” and “liquorice/licorice”

• Glycyrrhiza is derived from the ancient Greek term “glykos,” meaning sweet, and “rhiza,” meaning root

• A member of the pea (Febacea) plant family

• A perennial herb that grows 1.2 – 1.5 meters in height and has pinnate leaves about 5-7 cm in length

• Native to Southeastern Europe and cultivated in most of Europe. It also grows in some regions of Asia.

• The licorice plant’s flower varies in color, from lilac to light blue and produces seeded pods of 2-3 cm in length on its branches

• Prefers open, dry areas with rich soil

• Liquorice roots are long, cylindrical pieces of wood that grow horizontally underground. They are also brown on the outside and yellow on the inside

Glycyrrhiza glabra: Ethnobotanical Uses

• Liquorice Root has a long, rich history of medicinal use by cultures worldwide, including the Greeks, Egyptians, Chinese, and Hindus

• It was also highly treasured in ancient Egypt, and when King Tutankhamen died, he was buried with a supply of licorice root

• Greeks prescribed Liquorice Root for treating gastric and peptic ulcers

• Liquorice Root has been recommended to soothe coughs, colds, and symptoms of bronchitis

• In traditional Chinese medicine, liquorice is commonly used in herbal formulas to “harmonize” the other ingredients by balancing the 12 regular meridians and to relieve a spasmodic cough

• In China, Liquorice Root has also been used to promote vitality, treat heart palpitations, and boost the spleen

• In India, Liquorice Root has been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for the relief of constipation, swelling of the joints, and peptic ulcers

Glycyrrhiza glabra: Medicinal Uses• Active Ingredient: Glycyrrhizin (Glycyrrhizic Acid) • Licorice extract is produced by boiling liquorice roots, followed by

evaporation of the water• The dried rhizome and root of the liquorice is used for medicinal

purposes• Glycyrrhizin is also a sweetener that is between 30-50 times as

sweet as sucrose, and also has pharmaceutical effects• Studies have demonstrated that glycyrrhizin decreases

inflammation, aids in secretion of mucous, soothes irritation, acts as an anti-viral, and protects the stomach and gastrointestinal tract

• Glycyrrhizin and Glycyrrhizic Acid have been shown to inhibit growth of numerous RNA and DNA viruses: including Hepatitis A and C, Herpes Zoster, HIV, and Herpes Simplex

• Liquorice Root also contains a Glabridin Flavonoid, which promotes the activity of the adrenal glands by controlling cortisol production

• Also contains Glycyrrhetinic Acid, an antioxidant that is also a strong anti-inflammatory and anti-irritant

• Liquorice Root also contains a Triterpenoid Saponin, which can aid in the absorption of nutrients

Glycyrrhiza glabra: Recent Literature

• Memory and Learning Enhancing Activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra in Mice (2004)

Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of liquorice may be contributing favorably to the memory enhancement effect, due to

facilitation of cholinergic-transmission in mice brain.

• Antidepressant-like Activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra in Mouse Models (2006)

Anti-depressant-like effect of liquorice extract mediated by increase of brain norepinephrine and dopamine, but not by increase of serotonin.

Prunus Armeniaca

China, Himalayan region, temperate zones of Asia, Europe.Also seen in India back in 3000 B.C.

In many parts of the world including; Turkey, the US – California, Washington, Utah and widely spread throughout Australia.

Prunus armeniaca

Parts used:Wilted leaves, stonefruit (containing the seed) and bark

Active Compound:Cyanogenic glycoside (Amygdalin) Laetrile

To treat:Cancers

Ethnobotanical uses:

Prunus armeniaca

In England – in the 17th century used for tumors and ulcers

In Europe – an aphrodisiac and childbirth inducer

In China – to treat cough, asthma, wheezing, excessive mucus, constipation, - Detoxify, thirst quencher - Vaginal infections

In the West - constipation relief

Medicinal uses:

Pharmaceutical: - Used in facial product

Did ya know? Did ya? Huh,

did ya? That:

• Family Rosaceae• Roses are characterized by a 5 sepals

and 5 petals.• The Apricot (edible part) forms from the

Carpel part of the flower. (Stigma, style, ovary, ovule-seed).

• As part of this family we also have:– Plums, peaches, apples, berries,

cherries…etc.

Group’s References• http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/milkthistle/Patient/page2/print• http://blog.pharmacymix.com/silymarin-milk-thistle-and-skin• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silybum_marianum• http://www.medicinenet.com/milk_thistle_silybum_marianum-oral/article.htm• http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=38413• http://www.rain-tree.com/periwinkle.htm• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov• http://www.shoppingedge.com/Periwinkl• http://www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/v/vinmin/vinmin1.html• http://plants.usda.gov• http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=GLGL• http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/881.html• http://www.medicinenet.com/licorice_glycyrrhiza_glabra-oral/article.htm• http://naturalmedicine.about.com/od/herbs/licorice.htm• Dhingra, Dinesh et. al. 2006. “Antidepressant-like activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. in mouse models of immobility

tests.” Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry 30: 449-454. • Parle, Milind et. a. 2004. “Memory enhancing activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra in mice.” Journal of

Ethnopharmacology 91: 361-365 • Chang, H.K., Shin, M. S., Yang, H.Y., Lee. J.W., KIM, Y.S., LEE, M.H., KIM, J., KIM, K.H. and KIM, C.J. 2006

Amygdalin Induces Apoptosis through Regulation of Bax and Bcl-2 Expressions in Human DU145 and LNCaP Prostate Cancer Cells. Biol. Pharm. Bull. 29(8) 1597—1602.

• http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Prunus+armeniaca • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prunus_armeniaca• http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=PRAR3 • http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/a/apric050.html• Pharmaceutical Press, Herbal Medicines 1986.