Convolvulus arvensis is used in Pakistani traditional medicine to treat inflammation-related disorders. Its anti-inflammatory potential was evaluated on hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and aqueous extracts of whole plant on pro-inflammatory mediators in LPS-activated murine macrophage J774 cells at the non-cytotoxic concentration of 50 µg/mL. Ethyl acetate (ARE) and methanol (ARM) extracts significantly decreased mRNA levels of IL-6, TNF-α, MCP-1, COX-2, and iNOS. Furthermore, both extracts dose dependently decreased IL-6, TNF-α, and MCP-1 secretion. Forty-five compounds were putatively identified in ARE and ARM by dereplication (using HPLC-UV-HRMSn analysis and molecular networking), most of them are reported for the first time in C. arvensis, as for example, nineteen phenolic derivatives. Rutin, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, chlorogenic acid, 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid, N-trans-p-coumaroyl-tyramine, and N-trans-feruloyl-tyramine were main constituents identified and quantified by HPLC-PDA in ARE and ARM. Furthermore, chlorogenic acid, tyramine derivatives, and the mixture of the six identified major compounds significantly decreased IL-6 secretion by LPS-activated J774 cells. The activity of N-trans-p-coumaroyl-tyramine is shown here for the first time. Our results indicate that ARE, ARM and major constituents significantly inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators, which supports the use of this plant to treat inflammatory diseases.

Medicinal plants continue to be used alone or in combination with veterinary drugs to treat animal ailments, especially in developing countries where livestock farmers often lack access to modern veterinary services and drugs. In addition, digestive parasitosis remain a major constraint for small ruminant livestock. The objective of this study was to screen the anthelmintic activity of the main plants used in the treatment of the digestive parasitosis of small ruminants in Benin. A total of 40 extracts were prepared using the successive maceration of 10 plants in four solvents of increasing polarity. The phytochemical screening of the plants was performed, and the anthelmintic activity of the extracts was evaluated on L3 larvae of Haemonchus contortus. The cytotoxicity of the 40 extracts was determined on WI38 noncancerous fibroblast cells using the MTT assay, and the total phenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and condensed tannin content (CTC) were quantified in the most effective extracts using colorimetric methods. The results show that the plants contained tannins, flavonoids, and triterpenoids which may, in part, justify their anthelmintic activities. All plants gave active extracts at the highest concentration tested (1200 µg/mL). Methanol (MeOH) extracts were, in general, more effective than the hexane (HEX), dichloromethane (DCM), and aqueous (H2O) ones in inhibiting larval migration, with the MeOH extracts of Terminalia leiocarpa, Adansonia digitata, and Momordica charantia being the most effective. Nevertheless, the MeOH extract of M. charantia was highly cytotoxic at the concentration of 100 µg/mL. The anthelmintic activity of M. charantia, Vitex doniana, and Caesalpinia bonduc was studied on H. contortus for the first time. These results provide scientific information that can be used for better valorization of the anthelmintic potential of the studied plants and to initiate the process of the identification of new anthelmintic molecules.

From last few decades there is an upsurge in the use of herbal medicines all over the world and these herbal drugs should be studied scientifically to develop their monographs to assure their quality. The present research work was an attempt to establish parameters for identification of Plumeria obtusa L. (Fam. Apocynaceae) according to the guidelines of WHO, by studying its morphological and organoleptic characters, detailed microscopic evaluation, histochemical studies, fluorescence analysis, loss on drying, extractive values, swelling index, foaming index and preliminary phytochemical screening of the leaves and flowers. Although conventional, but it is simple, easy and quick way for identification and standardization of herbal substances affordable even in developing countries. This is the first report on pharmacognostic and physicochemical studies on P. obtusa which can be helpful in establishing pharmacopoeial monograph of this plant.

Since the birth of humans on this planet, plants have been utilized for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of various ailments. C. arborea belonging to family Lecythidaceae is one the most utilized plants. It is a tree having large sessile yellowish flowers and large green berry type fruits with persistent style and calyx. Traditionally is has been used to treat cough and cold, infertility, jaundice developed after delivery, piles, blood dysentery, scorpion sting, sores in intestine, bed sores, ear pain, snake bite, inflammation, ulcer, spermatorrhoea and wounds in humans and corneal opacity and weakness in animals. Many pharmacological activities of this plant are reported viz. antidiarrhoeal, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, hypoglycemic, antibacterial, antifungal, antileishmanial, α-glucosidase inhibitory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, cytotoxic, CNS depressant and anticoagulant. Various phenolic compounds, sterols, terpenes, saponins and tannins have been isolated from this plant. Pharmacognostic studies for its authentication have also been carried out. Hamdard Ghutti® is one of the available polyherbal formulations containing C. arborea. This review provides adequate information about ethnomedicinal uses, general morphology, pharmacognostic and physicochemical parameters, phytoconstituents, pharmacological properties, and available formulations of this plant.