Pharmacokinetics of cucurbitacin B from Trichosanthes cucumerina L. in rats.

Background: Cucurbitacin B is the major bioactive constituent in Trichosanthes cucumerina L. fruits, which the pharmacological properties have been studied for decades particularly an anti-tumor activity. The pharmacokinetic profile of this compound is still limited and investigation is needed for further phytopharmaceutical product development.

Inhibitory effect of Phlai capsules on skin test responses among allergic rhinitis patients: a randomized, three-way crossover study.

Background: Zingiber cassumunar Roxb., commonly known as Phlai in Thai, has been used as a traditional medicine in Thailand for the treatment of various diseases, including inflammation and chronic airway disease.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the antihistaminic effect of Phlai on skin testing.

Pharmacokinetics of Compound D, the Major Bioactive Component of Zingiber cassumunar, in Rats.

Rhizomes of Zingiber cassumunar have been used for many years in traditional Thai medicine as an anti-inflammatory agent. The major bioactive component of this plant is Compound D [E-4-(3', 4'-dimethoxyphenyl)but-3-en-1-ol], which is a strong smooth muscle relaxant, and has antihistamine and anti-inflammatory actions. There is, however, incomplete information available for the pharmacokinetics of Compound D in mammals.

Antibacterial and Antiproliferative Activities of Plumericin, an Iridoid Isolated from Momordica charantia Vine.

Plumericin, an iridoid lactone, was isolated with relatively high yield from Momordica charantia vine using the supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and the separation box (Sepbox) comprising dual combination of high-performance liquid chromatography and solid phase extraction. This compound showed antibacterial activity against Enterococcus faecalis and Bacillus subtilis with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values better than cloxacillin. Plumericin potently inhibited proliferation of two leukemic cancer cell lines: they were acute and chronic leukemic cancer cell lines, NB4 and K562, with the effective doses (ED50) of 4.

Overview of Botanical Status in EU, USA, and Thailand.

The botanical status in EU, USA, and Thailand is different owing to the regulatory status, the progress of science, and the influence of culture and society. In the EU, botanicals are positioned as herbal medicinal products and food supplements, in the US they are regulated as dietary supplements but often used as traditional medicines, and in Thailand, they are regulated and used as traditional medicines. Information for some of the most popular botanicals from each country is included in this review.

Antiherpetic Effects of Gynura procumbens.

The ethanol extract of Gynura procumbens showed virucidal and antireplicative actions against herpes simplex virus HSV-1 and HSV-2. It was further chromatographed on MCI gel CHP20P column giving the extract fractions F1 (water), F2 (water-methanol) F3 (methanol), and F4 (ethyl acetate). All but F1 had virucidal action against both viral types.

Antiproliferative Effect and the Isolated Compounds of Pouzolzia indica.

Previous report showed the high potent antiproliferative effect of the methanolic part extracted from the aerial parts of Pouzolzia indica on NB4 and HT93A acute leukemic cell lines with the IC50 values of 28.5 and 49.8  μ g/mL, respectively.

Inhibition of Wnt signaling by cucurbitacin B in breast cancer cells: reduction of Wnt-associated proteins and reduced translocation of galectin-3-mediated β-catenin to the nucleus.

The cucurbitacins are tetracyclic triterpenes found in plants of the family Cucurbitaceae. Cucurbitacins have been shown to have anti-cancer and anti-inflamatory activities. We investigated the anti-cancer activity of cucurbitacin B extracted from Thai medicinal plant Trichosanthes cucumerina Linn.

Antiproliferative effects of cucurbitacin B in breast cancer cells: down-regulation of the c-Myc/hTERT/telomerase pathway and obstruction of the cell cycle.

Naturally occurring cucurbitacins have been shown to have anticancer, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, we determined the effects of cucurbitacin B extracted from the Thai herb Trichosanthes cucumerina L. on telomerase regulation in three human breast cancer cell lines (T47D, SKBR-3, and MCF-7) and a mammary epithelium cell line (HBL-100).

Cytotoxic properties of root extract and fruit juice of Trichosanthes cucumerina.

The root extract of Trichosanthes cucumerina L. and bryonolic acid (1), its main constituent, as well as the fruit juice and cucurbitacin B (3), its main constituent, were tested for cytotoxicity against four human breast cancer cell lines (SKBR3, MCF7, T47D, and MDA-MB435), two lung cancer cell lines (A549 and SK-LU1), and one colon cancer cell line (Caco-2). The root extract had higher IC (50) values than bryonolic acid (1) against three breast cancer cell lines (MCF7 = 267/121, T47D = 316/124, MDA-MB435 = 140/90 microL/mL) and one lung cancer cell line (A549 = 106/100 microL/mL).

Antiproliferative effect of Erycibe elliptilimba on human breast cancer cell lines.

Erycibe elliptilimba Merr. & Chun., family Convolvulaceae, is a Thai traditional medicine which has long been prescribed for various infectious and malignant diseases.

Antibacterial activities of four Thai medicinal plants.

Medicinal plants have long been used and prescribed in Thailand for centuries. Some of them have been used for treating various diseases including infectious diseases. Pouzolzia pentandra Benn.

Immunomodulatory effect and quantitation of a cytotoxic glycosphingolipid from Murdannia loriformis.

NMR signal reassignments for a cytotoxic glycosphingolipid compound, 2, β-O-D-glucopyranosyl-2-(2'-hydroxy-Z-6'-enecosamide)sphingosine, isolated from an ethanolic extract of the herb Murdannia loriformis, have been achieved by use of FAB-MS, and 1D and 2D H and C NMR. The amount of 2 in the herb juice was quantitatively determined by use of a validated HPLC method (RP-18, MeOH-HO, UV detection at 210 nm). The immunomodulatory effect of the herb juice and of 2 was proved by means of in vitro cellular immunological assays.