@article {1241, title = {Phytotherapeutic Evidence Against Coronaviruses and Prospects for COVID-19}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {12}, year = {2020}, month = {September 2020}, pages = {1252-1267}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {1252}, abstract = {

The emergence of the novel β-coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and subsequent outbreak of COVID-19, is a global health challenge with no known treatment to date and has culminated in significant morbidity and mortality. This article highlights current understanding on SARSCoV- 2 based on the available scientific evidence on human coronavirus (HCoV) infections, which could offer novel insights and therapeutic targets for SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19. Specifically, the paper presents available phytotherapeutic evidence against pathogenic HCoVs with a view to identifying potent plant-derived antiviral agents that could be developed to aid the fight against coronaviruses and the current COVID-19. Evidently, elucidation of CoV integral proteins such as the spike protein, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, 3C-like cysteine protease and papain-like protease, as good targets for drug developments has lent credence to the use of medicinal plants or their metabolites as prophylaxis or treatment interventions in CoV infections and holds promising ground for SARS-CoV-2. While some promising phytocompounds are currently under clinical trials for COVID-19, increased research into plants and in-depth characterization of their metabolites could reveal more interesting results that would benefit humanity in its fight against emerging and re-emerging viral infections including the current COVID-19. Overall, given the current body of evidence on the potential development of phytotherapeutics for COVID-19, fears need to be allayed while clinical trials continue. Conclusively, the lockdown and other preventive measures which have been implemented in most parts of the world should be humanely exercised and supported to ensure compliance and safety of lives.

}, keywords = {Antivirals, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Drug target, Natural products, Plant metabolites, Plants, SARS-CoV-2}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2020.12.174}, author = {Abdullahi Temitope Jamiu and Christiana Eleojo Aruwa and Ismail Abiodun Abdulakeem and Abdulwakeel Ayokunnun Ajao and Saheed SABIU} } @article {1211, title = {Protective Effect of Natural Products against Chemotherapy-Induced Cardiotoxicity: A Review}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {12}, year = {2020}, month = {August 2020}, pages = {1180-1189}, type = {Review Article}, chapter = {1180}, abstract = {

Background: Cancer is one of the diseases with high mortality rate recorded each year across the world. Its mainstay treatment is chemotherapy although they are largely toxic, causing severe adverse reactions including cardiotoxicity, nephrotoxicity and genotoxicity. Cardiotoxicity is unique to certain chemotherapeutic agents and occur via several mechanisms. It has been hypothesized that co-administration of natural products which may be cardioprotectant, together with chemotherapy can alleviate cardiotoxicity-induced by chemotherapy. Objectives: This review aimed to provide a brief information about the protective effect of natural products against chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity Methods: To complete this review, relevant literatures were searched from several scientific databases including Google, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science and Pubmed. Results: In this paper, we have reviewed ten natural products (curcumin, mangiferin, naringenin, quercetin, 6-gingerol, lycopene, resveratrol, apigenin, proanthocyanidins and indole-3-carbinol), which have major influences in attenuating chemotherapy-drug induced cardiotoxicity. Apart from the cardioprotective effects, they tend to confer some synergistic effects with chemotherapeutic agents and therefore have the potential to be used as an adjunct. Conclusion: Though a panel of natural products demonstrate protective effects against cardiotoxicity in cells and animal models, their therapeutic potentials for clinical needs further investigation.

}, keywords = {Anticancer drugs, Cardioprotective, Cardiotoxicity, Chemotherapy, Natural products}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2020.12.166}, author = {Siti Nurul Najiha Othman and Pei Teng Lum and Siew Hua Gan and Shankar Mani and Mahendran Sekar} } @article {1046, title = {Azadirachta indica: Antibacterial Activity of Neem Against Different Strains of Bacteria and their Active Constituents as Preventive in Various Diseases}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {11}, year = {2019}, month = {November 2019}, pages = {1597-1604}, type = {Review Article }, chapter = {1597}, abstract = {

Neem has become valuable plant in the world which shows the solutions for hundreds to thousands problems. Azadirachta indica (Neem) is a rapidly growing evergreen well known tree found Pada generally in various regions of world like America, Africa and India. It has been widely used in Chinese, Ayurveda and Unani medicines across the world especially in Asians countries for the prevention and treatment of diseases. The different parts of neem plant contain biological compounds responsible for antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal activities. It is considered as safe medicinal plants and modulates the numerous biological processes without any adverse effect. Neem tree produces some active compounds which contain biological activities, parts of neem tree such as Root, bark, leaf, flower, seed and fruit together possesses biological activities. Various compounds have been obtained from various parts of neem. Biological activities of few of them have been studied. Hence, the article is aims to utilize the medicinal properties of whole neem plant in various disorders of mankind.

}, keywords = {Antibacterial, Antifungal, Azadirachta indica, Natural antibiotics, Natural products}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2019.11.244}, author = {Oscar Herrera-Calderon and Kainat Ejaz and Mahnoor Wajid and Muzzamil Shehzad and Johnny Aldo Tinco-Jayo and Edwin Enciso-Roca and C{\'e}sar Franco-Quino and Ricardo {\'A}ngel Yuli-Posadas and Victor Chumpitaz-Cerrate} } @article {341, title = {Effects of Rainfall on the Antimicrobial Activity and Secondary Metabolites Contents of Leaves and Fruits of Anadenanthera colubrina from Caatinga Area.}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {9}, year = {2017}, month = {May 2017}, pages = {435-440}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {435}, abstract = {

Background: Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell.) Brenan var. cebil (Griseb) is a plant widely used for medicinal proposes in Brazilian Northeast. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the influence of rainfall indexes (RI) in antimicrobial activity and phytochemical constituents of extracts from leaves and fruits of A. colubrina. Material and Methods: Samples were collected in Catimbau National Park (Bu\íque, Pernambuco, Brazil) at September 2010 (RI: 75 mm) and January (RI: 65 mm), April (RI: 162 mm) and June 2011 (RI: 73 mm). The extracts were prepared by Soxhlet extraction using cyclohexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol. The antimicrobial activity was determined by MIC and MBC values. Results: All extracts showed antimicrobial activity, but ethyl acetate extracts (from all periods) were more active. Strong correlations were found between the RI and the average MIC of MLE (\ρ: -0.99), EALE (\ρ: -0.81), CHFE (\ρ: -0.81), EAFE (\ρ: -0.80); while moderate and weak correlations were found for other extracts. Through a HPLC analysis was possible to reveal that the samples collected from dry periods had more chemical diversity (as they presented more peaks). Gallic acid and quercetin (and derivative compounds) were identified. The levels of quercetin were enhanced in extracts from dry months. Conclusion: Our results showed that the rainfall has a positive effect on the antimicrobial activity of leaves and fruits of A. colubrina, however these extracts showed more chemical diversity during dry months.

}, keywords = {Antimicrobial agents, Medicinal plants, Natural products, Semi arid area}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2017.4.73}, url = {/files/PJ-9-4/10.5530pj.2017.4.73}, author = {Daniel Rodrigo Cavalcante de Ara{\'u}jo and Lu{\'\i}s Cl{\'a}udio Nascimento da Silva and Wolfgang Harand and J{\'u}lia Morais Fernandes and Thaciane da Cunha Soares and Silvana Maria Zucolotto Langassner and Raquel Brandt Giordani and Rafael Matos Ximenes and Alexandre Gomes da Silva and M{\'a}rcia Vanusa da Silva and Maria Tereza dos Santos Correia} }