1,721,020 research outputs found
Honey in dermatology and skin care: a review
No full textHoney is a bee-derived, supersaturated solution composed mainly by fructose and glucose, and containing proteins and amino acids, vitamins, enzymes, minerals, and other minor components. Historical records of honey skin uses date back to the earliest civilizations, showing that honey has been frequently used as a binder or vehicle, but also for its therapeutic virtues. Antimicrobial properties are pivotal in dermatological applications, owing to enzymatic H2O2 release or the presence of active components, like methylglyoxal in Manuka, while medical-grade honey is also available. Honey is particularly suitable as a dressing for wounds and burns, and has also been included in treatments against pityriasis, tinea, seborrhoea, dandruff, diaper dermatitis, psoriasis, hemorroids, and anal fissure. In cosmetic formulations it exerts emollient, humectant, soothing, and hair conditioning effects, keeps the skin juvenile and retard wrinkle formation, regulates pH and prevents pathogen infections. Honey-based cosmetic products include lip ointments, cleansing milks, hydrating creams, after sun, tonic lotions, shampoos and conditioners. The used amounts range between 1-10%, but concentrations up to 70% can be reached by mixing with oils, gel and emulsifiers, or polymer entrapment. Intermediate-moisture, dried, and chemically-modified honeys are also used. Mechanisms of action on skin cells are deeply conditioned by the botanical sources, and include antioxidant activity, the induction of cytokines and matrix metalloproteinase expression, as well as epithelial-mesenchymal transition in wounded epidermis. Future achievements, throwing light on honey chemistry and pharmacological traits, will open the way to new therapeutic approaches and add considerable market value to the product
Macro‐micromorphological characterization of the medicinal species Matthiola incana (L.) W. T. Aiton and Erysimum × cheiri (L.) Crantz
No full textMatthiola incana (M) and Erysimum × cheiri (E), belonging to the Brassicaceae family, are species acknowledged in the traditional medicine of different countries (Liang Jin et al. 2016, Mosleh et al. 2019) (Fig. 1). Their several uses in international medicine depend on the type and quantity of the active compounds contained, such as terpenes, steroids, alkaloids, glucosides, flavonoids and phenols (Erum et al. 2017, Miceli et al. 2019). In Italy both species are known by the common name “violaciocca” and used for magical, religious and medicinal purposes. M. incana is mentioned as emetic, laxative, for the treatment of cough and skin infections; E. x cheiri is indicated as a diuretic and to treat sprains, but used at low doses, as it contains potentially toxic cardiotonic heterosides (Guarrera 2006). The distinctive features of these two species were identified through macro and micro‐morphological analysis (LM and SEM). The observations showed the following characteristics: colour of the flowers:
purple/pink in M; yellow/ochre/purple in E; type of floral and leaf trichomes: unicellular, branched, starred, with smooth surfaces in M; T‐shaped with two bifurcated arms, calcified and warty in E; type of stomata: anisocytic and anomocytic in both species; type of petal papillae: pointed in M, rounded in E; type of pollen: spheroidal, inaperturate with conspicuously cross‐linked ornamentation in M; tricolpate with reticulated ornamentation in E. Botanical morphological characteristics are recognizable even in the plant material in the form of fragments, as in the case of herbal preparations used on the market (Abdel Khalik et al 2005)
Characterization of Ingredients Incorporated in the Traditional Mixed-Salad of the Capuchin Monks
No full textRecipes on the composition of the “salad of the monks” (Capuchin monks) have been reported in Italy since the 17th century. Different wild edible plants were highly regarded as an important ingredient of this mixed salad. Among these, some species played a key role for both their taste and nutritional properties: Plantago coronopus L. (PC), Rumex acetosa L., Cichorium intybus L., and Artemisia dracunculus L. In the present study, the micromorphological and phytochemical features as well as the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of extracts of these fresh and blanched leaves, were investigated. The extracts obtained by blanched leaves, according to the traditionally used cooking method, showed the highest content of bioactive compounds (total phenols 1202.31–10,751.88 mg GAE/100 g DW; flavonoids 2921.38–61,141.83 mg QE/100 g DW; flavanols 17.47–685.52 mg CE/100 g DW; proanthocyanidins 2.83–16.33 mg CyE/100 g DW; total chlorophyll 0.84–1.09 mg/g FW; carbohydrates 0.14–1.92 g/100 g FW) and possess the most marked antioxidant (IC50 0.30–425.20 μg/mL) and anti-inflammatory activity (IC50 240.20–970.02 μg/mL). Considering this, our results indicate that increased consumption of the investigated plants, in particular of PC, raw or cooked briefly, could provide a healthy food source in the modern diet by the recovery and enhancement of ancient ingredients
Traditional, Therapeutic Uses and Phytochemistry of Terrestrial European Orchids and Implications for Conservation
No full textThe Orchidaceae family accounts for about 28,000 species, and most of them are mentioned in the folk medicine of nations around the world. The use of terrestrial orchids in European and Mediterranean regions has been reported since ancient times, but little information is available on their medicinal properties, as well as on their phytochemicals and biological activities. However, plant collection for human use is still listed as one of the main threats for terrestrial orchids, alongside other menacing factors such as wrong habitat management and disturbance to symbionts, such as pollinators and mycorrhizal fungi. Therefore, the primary aim of this review was to resume and discuss available information regarding the past and current popular uses of European orchids. We then grouped phytochemical data to evaluate the presence of bioactive compounds of pharmacological relevance, and we discussed whether these could support the therapeutic employment of the different organs. Finally, we briefly debated the sustainability of orchid utilizations, considering the different threatening factors and conservation actions including plant propagation methods
Ethnomedicinal and Ethnobotanical Survey in the Aosta Valley Side of the Gran Paradiso National Park (Western Alps, Italy)
No full textMost of traditional knowledge about plants and their uses is fast disappearing because of socio-economic and land use changes. This trend is also occurring in bio-cultural refugia, such as mountain areas. New data on Traditional Ethnobotanical Knowledge (TEK) of Italian alpine regions were collected relating to three valleys (Cogne, Valsavarenche, Rhêmes) of the Gran Paradiso National Park. Extensive dialogues and semi-structured interviews with 68 native informants (30 men, 38 women; mean age 70) were carried out between 2017 and 2019. A total of 3918 reports were collected, concerning 217 taxa (including 10 mushrooms, 1 lichen) mainly used for medicinal (42%) and food (33%) purposes. Minor uses were related to liquor making (7%), domestic (7%), veterinary (5%), forage (4%), cosmetic (1%) and other (2%). Medicinal plants were used to treat 14 ailment categories, of which the most important were respiratory (22%), digestive (19%), skin (13%), musculoskeletal (10%) and genitourinary (10%) diseases. Data were also evaluated by quantitative ethnobotanical indexes. The results show a rich and alive traditional knowledge concerning plants uses in the Gran Paradiso National Park. Plants resources may provide new opportunities from the scientific point of view, for the valorization of local products for health community and for sustainable land management
Traditional uses of medicinal plants by ethnic people in the Kavrepalanchok District, Central Nepal
No full textIn rural areas of Nepal, where it is difficult to get access to Government health care facilities, people depend on medicinal plants and local healers for health problems. This study concerns an ethnobotanical survey of the Kavrepalanchok District, reporting some unusual uses of medicinal plants and original recipes. A total of 32 informants were interviewed, 24 of them being key informants. Ethnobotanical uses concerned 116 taxa, of which 101 were medicinal plants, with the most representative species belonging to Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, and Zingiberaceae. Ethnobotanical indexes were used to evaluate the ethnopharmacological importance of each plant species and the degree of agreement among the informants’ knowledge. Informant consensus factor (Fic) showed that the fever category had the greatest agreement. Highest fidelity level (FL) values were found for Calotropis gigantea used for dermatological diseases, Drymaria cordata for fever, Mangifera indica and Wrightia arborea for gastrointestinal disorders. Data document the richness of the local flora and the traditional knowledge on medicinal plant species used by ethnic communities in rural areas. The active involvement of local populations in the conservation and management of medicinal plant species will encourage future projects for the sustainable development of the biological and cultural diversity of these rural areas of Nepal
Le lumie di Sicilia: note storiche e botaniche
No full textCitrus lumia Risso is one of the old cultivated limes in Sicily, Mediterranean Europe and North Africa; For this reason, besides lumia, it is called Mediterranean lime. It is a small tree, with unarmed branches; obovate, obtuse leaves, with serrate margins and slightly winged petioles; flowers of medium size, fragrant, with petals externally reddish; fruit globose, umbonate, with base and apex de- pressed; umbo conical, dotted at the base; smooth, yellow-sulphureous, aromatic peel; thin and bitter mesocarp; endocarp with sweet juice, consisting of 9 -11 logs containing many seeds. It is distinguished from C. limetta Risso by the colour of petals and some other carpological and foliar characters, but mainly for non-acid juice. The two limes were already described in the masterly citrus work of FeRRaRiuS (1646), where in a table these are shown together as Lima dulcis et Lima acris. Cultivation of “lumia”, was once intended for the production of fruits used in the essence and food industry, nowadays is amateur, which is why this citrus has been preserved. In addition to the botanical characteristics of C. lumia, the identity of the “lumia” and its history are also discussed with respect to its cultivation in Sicily, as well as to the correspondence of this citrus with the “sweet lime” by the English authors
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