Topical antiinflammatory activity of the major lipophilic constituents of the rhizome of Zingiber cassumunar. Part I: The essential oil.

The essential oil of the rhizome of Zingiber cassumunar was found to exhibit a topical antiinflammatory effect, when tested using the model of carrageenan-induced hind paw edema in rats (ID(50) = 22 mg oil/paw). Individual assessment of topical antiinflammatory activity of the five major components of the oil demonstrated that (E)-1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)butadiene (DMPBD), terpinen-4-ol and α-terpinene significantly inhibited edema formation, whereas sabinene and γ-terpinene were inactive up to 6 mg/paw. The most active compound, DMPBD, was found to be an antiinflammatory agent twice as potent as the reference drug diclofenac (ID(50) = 3 vs 6 mg/paw, respectively).

Neutralization of toxic effects of different crude jellyfish venoms by an extract of Ipomoea pes-caprae (L.) R. Br.

An extract (IPA) of the plant Ipomoea pes-caprae (L.) R. Br.

Efficacy of Phyllanthus amarus for eradication of hepatitis B virus in chronic carriers.

Sixty-five adult asymptomatic chronic carriers of hepatitis B virus were enrolled to the randomized controlled efficacy study of Phyllanthus amarus. Thirty-four received Phyllanthus amarus 600 mg per day for 30 days and 31 received placebo in identical capsules. The conversion rate of HBsAg was 6 per cent in the study group at day 30.

Inhibitory effect of extract of Ipomoea pes-caprae on guinea-pig ileal smooth muscle.

An extract of the plant Ipomoea pes-caprae, used in Thailand as a folk remedy for treating dermatitis caused by jellyfish and Portuguese man-of-war, has been tested for antagonistic activity against histamine, acetylcholine, bradykinin and barium chloride on the isolated guinea-pig ileum. The extract reversibly inhibited the contraction induced by all the spasmogens in a concentration-dependent manner and decreased both the slope and the maximal response of the concentration response curves. It is not likely that the extract specifically interferes at the receptor level.