Herpes simplex viruses, HSV-1 and HSV-2, are highly contagious and cause lifelong, latent infections with recurrent outbreaks of oral and/or genital lesions. No cure exists for HSV-1 or HSV-2 infections, but antiviral medications are commonly used to prevent and treat outbreaks. Resistance to antivirals has begun to emerge, placing an importance on finding new and effective therapies for prophylaxis and treatment of HSV outbreaks. Botanicals may be effective HSV therapies as the constituents they contain act through a variety of mechanisms, potentially making the development of antiviral resistance more challenging. A wide variety of plants from different regions in the world have been studied for antiviral activity against HSV-1 and/or HSV-2 and showed efficacy of varying degrees. The purpose of this review is to summarize research conducted on whole plant extracts against HSV-1 and/or HSV-2 in vitro and in vivo. The majority of the research reviewed was conducted in vitro using animal cell lines, and some studies used an animal model design. Also summarized are a limited number of human trials conducted using botanical therapies on HSV lesions.

Makaleyi görüntüle

Background Studies of ethnobotanical usages in south-eastern Turkey are rare. To widen this field of knowledge, we conducted an ethnobotanical study in Midyat (Mardin Province), Turkey. Methods The field study was completed during three years (2007-2010). Our aim was to document the ethnobotanical uses of local plants and to make an ethnobotanical inventory of uncommon plants using qualitative interviews. Results During field studies, 368 voucher specimens were collected in the investigated area. Ninety-two traditionally used plant species were reported from Midyat and surrounding vicinities in Turkey. Among the 92 taxa (129 usages), 35% were used for medical purposes, 22% for food, 13% for animal fodder, 7% as ornamental plants and dyes, 6% as brooms, 4% for latex and as fragrance, 4% for herbal tea, molasses and wine preparation, 3% for agricultural purposes, and 6% for other purposes. Comparative assessment showed that Teucrium polium (0.51), Matricaria aurea (0.26), Alcea setosa (0.21), and Malva neglecta (0.21) have the highest recorded UVs , and the following taxa had UVs between 0.10-0.20: Anthemis cotula (0.12), Allium cepa (0.13), Alcea striata subsp. striata (0.14), Crupina crupinastrum (0.12), Papaver rhoeas (0.13), Salvia multicaulis (0.14), Thymbra spicata (0.11), and Vicia pannonica subsp. striata (0.15). We reported the ethnobotanical usages of 21 taxa for the first time, in addition to indicating usages previously recorded in the literature. We also recorded four endemic plant usages in the area: Alkanna trichophila var. mardinensis, Centaurea kurdica, Centaurea stapfiana, and Sideritis libanotica subsp. linearis. They have variable leaf and flower morphology that are used traditionally. They are present as well-developed populations and thus their conservation status is not compromised. Additionally, Thymbra sintenisii is a recorded species that is classified as a rare and extensively used species in the region. Conclusions These results contribute to the fundamental knowledge of ethnobotanical usages in Midyat. To date, ethnobotanical studies have not been carried out in this region. This investigation uncovered usages of endemic medicinal plant species and traditional knowledge of Midyat communities living in a mixed culture. The people of Midyat, Batman, and Şırnak are Turkish citizens from various ethnic backgrounds, such as Kurdish, Arabic, and Syriac. We compared our data with results from other studies conducted in Turkey, particularly in south-eastern and eastern regions, as well as with studies from bordering countries, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, and Iran. Nonetheless, more work needs to be conducted to extend the present knowledge for locals to contribute to and evaluate economic potential in the region.

Makaleyi görüntüle

Ethnopharmacological relevance This study aimed to document traditional uses of medicinal plants in the Marmaris district of south-west Anatolia and to compare this information with our current knowledge of plant medicine in Turkey and the Mediterranean countries. Materials and methods We collected the information through semi-structured interviews with 98 informants (51 men and 47 women). In addition, the relative importance value of species was determined and informant consensus factor (FIC) was calculated for the medicinal plants included in the study. Results We report the medicinal uses of 64 plant species belonging to 35 families, including the uses of nine essential oils. Most of the medicinal plants used in the Marmaris district belong to the families Lamiaceae (13 species) and Asteraceae (four species). The most commonly used plant species are Salvia fruticosa, Origanum onites, Lavandula stoechas, Mentha pulegium and Satureja thymbra. For the purposes of making essential oils, Salvia fruticosa is the plant species most commonly used. Two of the plants we report on (Liquidambar orientalis, Phlomis lycia) are endemic to Turkey and the East Agean Islands. Sideritis libanotica subsp. linearis is endemic to Turkey, Lebanon and Syria. Thymus cilicicus is endemic to Turkey, East Agean Islands, Lebanon and Syria. For six plant species (Narcissus tazetta, Lagenaria siceraria, Hypericum montbrettii, Phlomis grandiflora var. grandiflora, Polygonum bellardii, Crataegus aronia var. aronia) we report new different ethnobotanical uses not previously reported in Turkey. Conclusions Some plants are used for medicinal purposes both in Marmaris and in other parts of Turkey and in the Mediterranean countries, either for the same or for different purposes. This paper helps to preserve valuable information that may otherwise be lost to future generations.

Makaleyi görüntüle

Sideritis libanotica ssp. linearis was screened for the isolation of new natural antioxidant compounds. The antioxidant activity of flavones obtained from the methanol extract of the plant was evaluated in vitro using total antioxidant, reduction power and free radical scavenging activity. Results were compared with the positive controls of antioxidant standards (α-tocopherol and butylated hydroxytoluene). The results indicate that the flavones possess a higher antioxidant activity when compared to the other components in the plant. The lowest antioxidant activity was observed in fatty acids (FAs) and hydrocarbons. The FAs were methylated with MeOH and KOH and analysed by GC-MS. The structures of the isolated compounds were established based on spectroscopic evidence (NMR, GC-MS, HPLC, IR and UV). In this work, the isolated pure flavone (3'-O-methylhypolaetin 7-O-[6″'-O-acetyl-β-D-allopyranosyl-(1 → 2)]-6″-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranoside) was found to possess the highest antioxidant activity.

Makaleyi görüntüle

Five extracts from five plants, of which four are endemic to Turkish flora, were screened for their possible in vitro antioxidant activities by two complementary test systems, namely DPPH free radical-scavenging and beta-carotene/linoleic acid. In the first case, Pelargonium endlicherianum extract exerted greater antioxidant activity than those of other plant extracts studied with an IC50 value of 7.43 +/- 0.47 microgram/ml, followed by Hieracium cappadocicum (30.0 +/- 0.14 microgram/ml). When compared to the synthetic antioxidant BHT (18.0 +/- 0.40 microgram/ml), the methanolic extract of P. endlicherianum exhibited more than two fold greater antioxidant activity. In the beta-carotene/linoleic acid test system, the most active plant was P. endlicherianum with 72.6% +/- 2.96 inhibition rate, followed by H. cappadocicum (55.1% +/- 2.33) and Verbascum wiedemannianum (52.5% +/- 3.11). Antioxidant activities of curcumin and ascorbic acid were also determined as positive controls in parallel experiments.

Makaleyi görüntüle