Medicine Herbs For Skin: Their Effects On Modern Skin Care Products

Haven’t you noticed? The more we enter the modern time, the more we seek for the simpler and basic solutions. This is because we find things to be so complicated that we barely understand how things work.

One good example is by using skin care products. We constantly seek for ancient skin care treatment. This is because the modern treatment involves the use of synthetic ingredients that can cause harmful effects to your skin and your health. The use of medicine herbs for skin is still the most trusted treatment used today.

These traditional herbal products for skin are now wrapped in attractive packages. They are now found in creams, gels, and other skin care products. They are still beneficial and the results are still effective. They are also available in hydrating lotions, moisturizers, toners, and nourishing creams.

These herbs cannot only make the skin soft, smooth, and healthy. They can also treat skin problems like wrinkles, dryness, and acne. Medicine herbs for skin are known to produce satisfying results. But you have to be sure that the products that you will use contain large amounts of these natural ingredients.

Jojoba oils are known to be natural moisturizers used in ancient times. They can now be found in lotions and creams to prevent skin dryness and to bring back the moisture that was lost.

This is the same with macadamia nut oil and avocado oil. They can be absorbed easily by the skin because they resemble the same molecular structure with the skin’s natural oils.

These ingredients are more preferred than the modern products with mineral oil. Mineral oil is harmful to the skin. It can provide good results at first but will leave your skin dry and irritated.

The natural skin oil is washed away and the dryness of your skin can be aggravated.

On the other hand, there are plenty of other natural ingredients like active Manuka honey and Phytessence wakame that treat skin problems and restore the natural skin health.

When using medicine herbs for skin you are using natural ingredients like the above mentioned substances.  These are much preferred over harsh chemicals for overall good skin health.

Elizabeth Ruby is passionate about good health and using healthy products on her skin. She does extensive research on the best products to use and what products to avoid. Visit her website at http://www.your-best-skin-care-site.com/ to find out what products she recommends.

Gynura procumbens, Longevity Spinach, Leaves of the Gods, Mollucan Spinach ….Kim Thất, Bầu Đất,Rau Lúi, Rau Bầu Đất ….#3


Image by Vietnam Plants & The USA. plants

Chụp hình tại thành phố Hồ Chí Minh ( Saigon ), miền Nam Việt Nam.

Taken in Ho Chi Minh city, Southern of Vietnam.

Vietnamese named : Bầu đất, Kim thất, Rau lúi, Rau bầu đất.

Common names : LONGEVITY SPINACH , Bai bing ca, Scrambling Gynura, Dawn Dewa, Leaves of the Gods, Mollucan spinach, Cholesterol Spinach

Scientist name : Gynura procumbens ( Lour.) Merr.

Synonyms : Gynura sarmentosa DC.

Family : Asteraceae. Họ Cúc ( Hướng Dương )

LINKS :

**** www.lrc-hueuni.edu.vn/dongy/show_target.plx?url=/thuocdon…

Bầu đất, Kim thất, Rau lúi, Rau bầu đất – Gynura procumbens (Lour) Merr. (G. sarmentosa DC), thuộc họ Cúc – Asteraceae.

Mô tả: Cây thảo mọc bò và hơi leo, cao đến 1m. Thân mọng nước, phân nhiều cành. Lá dày, dòn, thuôn, xanh lợt ở mặt dưới, hơi tía ở mặt trên và xanh ở các gân, dài 3-8cm, rộng 1,5-3,5cm, khía răng ở mép; cuống dài cỡ 1cm. Cụm hoa ở ngọn cây, gồm nhiều đầu màu tía, các hoa trong đầu hoa hình ống, màu vàng da cam. Quả bế có ba cạnh, mang một mào lông trắng ở đỉnh.

Cây ra hoa kết quả vào mùa xuân-hè.

Bộ phận dùng: Toàn cây – Herba Gynurae Procumbentis.

Nơi sống và thu hái: Hầu hết phân bố ở nhiều nước châu á như Ấn Độ, Inđônêxia, Thái Lan, Philippin và Việt Nam. Ở nước ta, bầu đất mọc hoang dại, nhưng cũng thường được trồng làm rau ăn và làm thuốc. Người ta thu hái cả cây vào mùa hạ, dùng tươi hay phơi khô.

Hình 92. Bầu đất

1. Ngọn cây mang hoa; 2. Cụm hoa; 3. Quả

Tính vị, tác dụng: Bầu đất có vị đắng thơm, tính mát; có tác dụng thanh nhiệt giải độc, lợi tiểu, tiêu viêm.

Công dụng, chỉ định và phối hợp: Người ta dùng cành lá, ngọn non chần qua nước sôi, xào hoặc nấu canh cua; cũng dùng làm rau trộn dầu giấm. Canh bầu đất được xem như là bổ, mát.

Bầu đất được dùng làm thuốc để chữa: 1. Ðái són, đái buốt; 2. Phụ nữ viêm bàng quang mạn tính, khí hư bạch đới, bệnh lậu, kinh nguyệt không đều; 3. Trẻ em đái dầm và ra mồ hôi trộm; 4. Sốt phát ban (sởi, tinh hồng nhiệt) và lỵ. Dùng ngoài trị đau mắt đỏ.

ở Campuchia, thân và lá bầu đất dùng phối hợp với những vị thuốc khác để hạ nhiệt, trong chứng sốt phát ban như các bệnh sởi, tinh hồng nhiệt. Ở Malaixia, người ta cũng dùng lá ăn trộn với dầu giấm và cũng dùng cây để trị lỵ. Còn ở Java người ta dùng nó để trị bệnh đau thận.

Ðơn thuốc:

1. Ðái són, đái buốt, trẻ em đái dầm: Bầu đất tươi 80g, sắc nước uống.

2. Chữa phụ nữ viêm bàng quang, khí hư, bạch đới: Bầu đất sắc nước uống với bột Thổ tam thất và ý dĩ sao với liều bằng nhau, mỗi lần 10-15g ngày uống 2 lần.

**** www.mekonginfo.org/mrc_en/contact.nsf/0/8902a71a698a3de18…

**** stdoc.vista.gov.vn/vi/TailieuKHCNVN04/200906182577344546

Nhan đề: Hoạt tính dọn gốc tự do anion superoxid và tác dụng chống oxy hoá bảo vệ tế bào gan, tế bào não chuột (in vitro) của cao lỏng Kim thất (Gynura procumbens (Lour.) Merr.)

___________________________________________________

**** www.stuartxchange.org/Sabungai.html

Family • Asteracea

Sabuñgai

Gynura procumbens (Lour.) Merr.

LONGEVITY SPINACH

Bai bing ca

Scientific namesCommon names

Gynura procumbens (Lour.) Merr.Gues (Neg.)

Gynura affinis Turcz.Kamañgi (Tag.)

Gynura angulosa F.-Vill.Purpuriket (Ilk.)

Gynura sarmentosa DC.Sabuñgai (Ig.)

Gynura scabra Lour.Mollucan spinach (Engl.)

Senecio cacaliaster BlancoLongevity spinach (Engl.)

Senecio mindorensis Elm.Cholesterol spinach (Engl.)

Leaves of Gods (Engl.)

Bai bing ca (Chin.)

Botany

Sabuñgai is a twining vine, smooth except for the peduncles. Leaves are stalked (the uppermost ones stalkless), ovate-elliptic or lanceolate, 3.5 to 8 cm long, and 0.8 to 3.5 cm wide, with somewhat entire or toothed margins. Flowering heads are panicled, narrow, yellow, and 1 to 1.5 cm long. Involucral bracts are smooth and up to 6 mm long. Achenes are very small and smooth, with very close and slender ribs.

Distribution

In thickets along streams, in old clearings, etc., at low and medium altitudes, ascendiing to 1,500 meters.

From northern Luzon to Mindanao, in most islands and provinces.

Also occurs in Thailand and Indo-China to Malaya.

Constituents

Study identified abundant proteins from the leaves.

Properties

Leaves considered anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-inflammatory.

Parts used

Whole plant, leaves, shoots.

Uses

Culinary

In many Asian countries, leaves eaten fresh or cooked; added to salads or stand-alone salad; used for sauces, as flavoring.

Folkloric

In Java, used for kidney troubles.

In Malacca, decoction used for dysentery.

In Thailand, used as topical inflammation, rheumatism, and viral ailments.

Poultice used for rheumatic and general body pains.

In some parts of Asia, used as abortificient.

In Malaysia, a folk remedy for diabetes and hyperlipidemia.

Studies

• Anti-Inflammatory: Study of ethanol extract showed antiinflammatory activity.

• Antihypertensive: Study showed the oral administration of aqueous extract significantly lowered blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Results suggest GPE may be useful for prevention and treatment of hypertension through increasing NO (nitric oxide) production in blood vessels.

• Glucose Lowering: Ethanolic extract of leaves significantly suppressed elevated serum glucose levels in diabetic rats. The extract did not significantly suppress glucose levels in normal rats. Results conclude the leaves of GP may be biguanide-like activity.

• Abundant Leaf Proteins / Peroxidase: Study found few abundant proteins from the leaves of GP; among these, peroxidase was found the most abundant of the extracted proteins. Results suggest a natural source for peroxidase for use in the cosmetic and skin care industry.

• Nutritive / Antioxidative Properties: Ethanolic Gynura extract exhibited the highest antioxidative properties in every assay. Nutritive evaluation suggests the extract is a good protein source and may have positive effects on free radical scavenging and iron chelating.

• Gynura procumbens Medical Toothpaste: A Gynura procumbens toothpaste invention consists of" gynura procumbens (Lour.) extractant of 1-20%, glycerol of 20-55%, diglycol of 10-15%, abradant of 20-45%, carboxymethyl cellulose of 0.5-1.5%, sodium dodecyl sulfate of 0.5-2%, additive of 1-4%, essence of 1-2% and saccharin of 0.1-1%.

• Anti-Ulcerogenic: Study results suggest the ethanolic leaf extract of Gynura procumbens promotes ulcer protection as shown by significant reduction of ulcer area, histologic decreases in ulcer areas, with absence or reduction of edema and leucocyte infiltration of submucosal layer.

• Anti-Diabetic: (1) Study evaluating the water extract of G. procumbens in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats showed a hypoglycemic effect by promoting glucose uptake by muscles. (2) Study results suggest the antidiabetic effect may be mediated through the stimulation of glucose uptake and the potentiation of insulin action.

• Toxicological Evaluation: Administration of a methanol extract of G. procumbens did not produce mortality or significant changes in various parameters in both acute and sub-chronic toxicity studies.

Availability

Wild-crafted.

**** www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12602932

Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2002 Fall;57(3-4):233-44.

Antiinflammatory screening of the medicinal plant Gynura procumbens.

Iskander MN, Song Y, Coupar IM, Jiratchariyakul W.

Source

The Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Victorian College of Pharmacy, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.

Abstract

Gynura procumbens is used in Thai folk medicine to treat topical inflammation, rheumatism, and viral ailments. In the present work, attempts were made to verify the folk medicinal claim that the crude ethanolic extract of G. procumbens has antiinflammatory action and to relate the activity to particular fractions using a croton oil-induced mouse ear inflammation model. The original ethanolic extract of G. procumbens was partitioned between water and ethyl acetate. The residues were subjected to antiinflammatory evaluation. While the water extract did not show any antiinflammatory activity, the administration of the original organic extract significantly inhibited the increase in ear thickness in response to croton oil (n = 5). The activity of 0.75 mg/ear original organic extract showed similar antiinflammatory activity (inhibition 65.2%) to that of 6 mg/ear hydrocortisone 21-hemisuccinate sodium salt (inhibition 64.8%). The organic extract was then fractionated with a series of solvents in order of increasing polarity. Each fraction was dried, dissolved in acetone and monitored using the same bioassay. These experiments showed that the hexane and toluene fractions showed significant inhibitions of 44.6% and 34.8%, respectively. These two fractions had similar activities to 4 mg/ear of hydrocortisone (inhibition 35.0%). The possible chemical constituents in the extracts and fractions were investigated using thin layer chromatography and specific color reagents. These tests showed that steroids might be one class of antiinflammatory compounds in this plant.

Medicine Herbs For Skin: Their Effects On Modern Skin Care Products

Medicinal Herbs For Skin - Consider Herbal Remedies

Medicinal herbs for skin have been used for hundreds of years as a natural remedy for the common (and sometimes not so common) skin complaints of women.  With the advent of manmade synthetics and industrial chemicals, many skin care companies began replacing these medicinal herbs for skin with products that were based in laboratories rather than gardens and meadows.  However, as the years have passed, we have begun to see the results of repetitive use of those chemicals as cancers, diseases, and degeneration of skin and whole bodies have become more prevalent.  Herbal skin care products are coming back in full force. 

Does Natural Equal Good? 

It seems like the majority of skin care lines now liberally apply the word “natural” to their packaging.  Labels like “natural” and “all-natural” can be very misleading to consumers.  In a rush to avoid the dangers of many synthetic chemicals, most of us are drawn to nature as the remedy for ski issues.  However, “natural” ingredients are not necessarily beneficial for your skin.  Deadly venom is natural in a rattlesnake.  Guano is the natural feces from bats.  You wouldn’t want to smear all over your face and body.  If consumers really knew what was in some of the skin care products on the market, they would feel the same way about those “natural” ingredients.

For really great skin care, products should be not only of natural origin but also helpful for your skin.  They should replenish the substances found in young, healthy, supple skin to make your skin stronger and more resilient as well as more beautiful.  Wise women check the ingredients they are putting on their skin.  The skin is the largest organ of the body and does more than just cover up the muscles.  It is a living organism that releases toxins from the body, cools the body’s core temperature when necessary, and more.  Some herbal skin care products can help keep your skin healthy and lovely. 

The Benefits of Herbs 

There are medicinal herbs for a multitude of skin problems, such as dryness, acne, redness, age spots, fine lines, and sagging.  Herbal skin care products take advantage of the healing qualities of these naturally occurring herbs to heal the effects of environment and industry.  These medicinal herbs for skin can be extremely beneficial when their effect is not cancelled by harmful ingredients such as fragrances or mineral oil.  Savvy consumers look for herbal skin care products that are fully natural, beneficial, and effective.

Looking for more information on medicinal herbs for skin?  Check out http://www.healthy-natural-skin today!

Licorice weed, Zhu zai cao, Sweetbroom, Broomweed, Mithi Patti, Scoparia dulcis …#11


Image by Vietnam Plants & The USA. plants

Lá ở gốc của cây Cam Thảo Nam.

Basal leaves of Scoparia dulcis

Chụp hình ngày 15-9-2010 tại thành phố Hồ chí Minh ( Saigon ) , miền Nam Việt Nam.

Taken on September 15, 2012 in Ho chi Minh city, Southern of Vietnam.

Vietnamese named : Cam Thảo Nam, Cam Thảo đất,

Common names : Licorice weed , Zhu zai cao (Chin.),Sweetbroom (Engl.), Broomweed (Engl.), Escobilla amarga (Sp.), Silhigop (Bis.) , Mala-anis (Pamp.) , Saang-kabayo (Tag.), Tachin-karnero (Iv.), Mithi Patti ( Hindu ).

Scientist name : Scoparia dulcis L.

Synonyms :

FamilyScrophulariaceae – Figwort family

Group : Dicot

Duration : Annual – Perennial

Growth Habit : Forb/herb – Subshrub

Kingdom : Plantae – Plants

Subkingdom : Tracheobionta – Vascular plants

Superdivision : Spermatophyta – Seed plants

Division : Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants

Class : Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons

Subclass : Asteridae

Order : Scrophulariales

Genus : Scoparia L. – licorice weed

Species : Scoparia dulcis L. – licorice weed

**** www.uphcm.edu.vn/caythuoc/index.php?q=node/223 : NHẤP VÀO LINK ĐỂ ĐỌC THÊM, RẤT CẢM ƠN.

Phân bố, sinh học và sinh thái:

Gốc ở nhiệt đới Châu Mỹ, được thuần hóa trong tất cả các vùng nhiệt đới của thế giới. Ở nước ta, cây mọc khắp nơi từ Bắc vào Nam. Thường gặp trên đất hoang, dọc bờ đường, trên các dải cát của các sông và trong các ruộng khô, ở vùng thấp.

Bộ phận dùng:

Toàn cây (Herba Scopariae)

Thành phần hóa học:

Cây chứa alkaloid và một chất đắng; còn có chứa nhiều acid silicic và một hoạt chất gọi là amellin. Phần trên mặt đất có chứa một chất dầu sền sệt mà trong thành phần có dulciol, scopariol, (+)manitol, glucose. Rễ chứa (+)manitol, tannin, alkaloid, triterpenoids: friedelin, glutinol-a-amarin, acid betulinic, acid dulcinic, acid iflaionic, scoparic A, B, C, D scopadulcic (A: R = COOH, R’ = CH2OH; B: R = Me, R’ = COOH).

Tác dụng dược lý – Công dụng:

Thường dùng trị: cảm cúm, sốt, nóng nhiều, ho khan, ho có đàm. Lỵ trực trùng. Tê phù, phù thủng, giảm niệu. Dùng ngoài, ép lấy dịch từ cây tươi trị mụn nhọt, lở ngứa, eczema. Hoạt chất amellin dùng điều trị bệnh đái đường, thiếu máu, albumin niệu, ceton niệu, viêm võng mạc, những biến chứng kèm theo đái đường và làm các vết thương mau lành. Rễ trị đau bụng, kiết, lợi tiểu; thân trị ho, sốt, giải độc, trị kinh nguyệt nhiều hay đau, giúp sinh dễ; lá bổ, làm cường tráng dục tính, trị sạn, trị viêm phế quản.

**** caythuoc.chothuoc24h.com/cay-thuoc/C/1695/

Cam thảo đất, Cam thảo nam – Scoparia dulcis L., thuộc họ Hoa mõm sói – Scrophulariaceae.

Mô tả: Cây thảo mọc thẳng đứng, cao 30-80cm, có thân nhẵn hoá gỗ ở gốc và rễ to hình trụ. Lá đơn mọc đối hay mọc vòng ba lá một, phiến lá hình mác hay hình trứng có ít răng cưa ở nửa trên, không lông. Hoa nhỏ, màu trắng, mọc riêng lẻ hay thành từng đôi ở nách lá. Quả nang nhỏ chứa nhiều hạt.

Ra hoa quả vào tháng 5-7.

Bộ phận dùng: Toàn cây – Herba Scopariae.

Nơi sống và thu hái: Loài liên nhiệt đới mọc khắp nơi ở đất hoang ven các đường đi, bờ ruộng. Có thể trồng bằng hạt vào mùa xuân. Vào mùa xuân hè, thu hái toàn cây rửa sạch, thái nhỏ dùng tươi hoặc phơi hay sấy khô để dùng dần.

Thành phần hóa học: Cây chứa một alcaloid và một chất đắng; còn có nhiều acid silicic và một hoạt chất gọi là amellin. Phần cây trên mặt đất chứa một chất dầu sền sệt, mà trong thành phần có dulciol, scopariol, (+) manitol, glucose. Rễ chứa (+) manitol, tanin, alcaloid, một hợp chất triterpen. Vỏ rễ chứa hexcoxinol, b-sitosterol và (+) manitol.

Tính vị, tác dụng: Cam thảo đất có vị ngọt, tính mát; có tác dụng bổ tỳ, nhuận phế, thanh nhiệt, giải độc và lợi tiểu.

Amellin trong cây là một chất chống bệnh đái đường, dùng uống làm giảm đường – huyết và các triệu chứng của bệnh đái đường và tăng hồng cầu. Nó cũng ngăn cản sự tiêu hao mô và dẫn đến sự tiêu thụ tốt hơn protein trong chế độ ăn, làm giảm mỡ trong mô mỡ và thúc đẩy quá trình hàn liền vết thương.

Công dụng, chỉ định và phối hợp: Thường dùng trị: 1. Cảm cúm, sốt, nóng nhiều, ho khan, ho có đờm; 2. Lỵ trực tràng; 3. Tê phù, phù thũng, giảm niệu. Liều dùng 8-12g khô hoặc 20-40g tươi, dạng thuốc sắc. Để tươi chữa ho khan; sao thơm chữa ho đờm và tiêu sưng. Dùng ngoài, ép lấy dịch từ cây tươi trị mụn nhọt, lở ngứa, eczema.

Nước hãm lá Cam thảo đất dùng làm thuốc súc miệng và ngậm chữa đau răng. Hoạt chất amellin dùng điều trị bệnh đái đường, thiếu máu, albumin niệu, ceton niệu, viêm võng mạc, những biến chứng kèm theo đái đường và làm các vết thương mau lành.

Có thể dùng thay Cam thảo để chữa sốt, say sắn, giải độc cơ thể.

Đơn thuốc:

1. Lỵ trực trùng: Cam thảo đất, Rau má, lá Rau muống, Địa liền, mỗi vị 30g, sắc uống.

2. Cảm cúm, nóng ho: Cam thảo đất tươi 30g, Diếp cá 15g, Bạc hà 9g, sắc uống. Có thể phối hợp với Rau má, Cỏ tranh, Sài hồ nam, Mạn kinh, Kim ngân, Kinh giới.

________________________________________________________________

**** plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=Scdu3

**** www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/cropfactsheets/scoparia.html

**** www.tropilab.com/sweet-broom.html

**** en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scoparia_dulcis

**** ayurvedicmedicinalplants.com/index.php?option=com_zoom&am…

**** www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16595962

Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 2006 Apr;54(4):546-9.

Chemical and biological evaluation on scopadulane-type diterpenoids from Scoparia dulcis of Vietnamese origin.

Phan MG, Phan TS, Matsunami K, Otsuka H.

Source

Faculty of Chemistry, College of Natural Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam.

Abstract

From the aerial parts of Scoparia dulcis L. (Scrophulariaceae) grown in Vietnam, four scopadulane-type diterpenoids (4-7), of which 7 is new and was given the trivial name scopadulcic acid C, together with nine known compounds were isolated. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses. The absolute configurations of 4-7 were ascertained by applying the modified Mosher’s method to iso-dulcinol (6). The isolation of the lignans nirtetralin and niranthin for the first time from S. dulcis is also of chemotaxonomic interest. The cytotoxic activity in KB cells, inhibitory effect on LPS/IFNgamma-induced NO production, inhibition of multidrug resistance (MDR), and antibacterial and antifungal activities of the scopadulane-type diterpenoids 4-7 were examined in this study.

PMID: 16595962 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Free full text

**** www.stuartxchange.org/Malaanis.html

Botany:

· Erect, much branched, smooth, herbaceous, or half-woody plant 25 to 80 cm in height.

· Leaves: opposite and whorled, lanceolate to elliptic or oblanceolate, 0.5 to 2 cm long, pointed at both ends and narrowed below the short stalk, and toothed in the margins.

· Flowers: while, small, very numerous, and in pairs; their stalks slender, and 1 cm long or less. Sepals 4 or 5, imbricate, corolla rotate, 4-fid, the throat bearded, lobes subequal, white stamens 4, subequal.

Distribution

Ubiquitouos weedIn throughout the settled areas in low to medium altitudes; along roadsides, sides of ditches, and other more or less shaded and moist places.

Parts utilized:

· Whole plant.

· Collected from April to June.

· Wash, cut into pieces, dry under the sun.

Properties and Constituents

• Sweet and has cooling nature.

• Considered antipyretic, diuretic, analgesic, antiinflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial,

• Considered by some as aphrodisiac.

Constituents

• Study yielded diterpenoids, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, triterpenes, hexaconasol, b-sitosterol, ketone, dulcitone and amellin.

• Triterpene and mannitol isolated from the roots; dulcitol from aerial parts. (Source)

• Phytochemical studies revealed acacetin, amellin, amyrin, apigenin, benzoxazin, benzoxalinone, betulinic acid, daucosterol, dulcidion . . among others. Also isolated were a flavone glycoside and a diterpene. (source)

Uses

Folkloric

· Cold and fever, enteritis, diarrhea, beriberi, edema, difficulty in urination: Use decoction of 15 to 30 gms dried material.

· Miliaria: Rub the squeezed juice from fresh plant.

· In India, China and Southeast Asia, used for pain, fever, dysentery, diarrhea, cough, bronchitis, hypertension, piles and insect bites.

· In Vietnam, used for snakebites and antidote for cassava intoxication. Also, for pimples, impetigo, ulcers and eczema.

· In India, used for gonorrhea, to induce labor, and diabetes.

· In China, used for herpes.

· In Burma and India, herb infusion used as mouthwash for infected gums.

· In Brazilian folk medicine, used for bronchitis, gastric disorders, hemorrhoids, insect bites, skin wounds..

Others

· In Trinidad’s santowah ceremony, sweetbroom is used to sprinkle holy water.

Studies

• Antioxidant: (1) Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Scoparia dulcis Extract: Study showed strong antioxidant acitivity corresponding to the reduction of hydroxyl radical generation, a possible rationale for the weeds observed therapeutic effects. (2) Study showed significant decrease in TBARS and hyperperoxides formation in the brain of rats suggesting a role in protection against lipid peroxidation induced membrane damage. Results suggest, in addition to its antidiabetic effect, SD possess antioxidant potential.

• Antihyperglycemic / Anti-Diabetes: (1)Effect of an aqueous extract of Scoparia dulcis on blood glucose, plasma insulin and some polyol pathway enzymes in experimental rat diabetes: Study showed SD was effective in attenuating hyperglycemia in rats, possibly due to the decreased influx of glucoxe into the polyol pathway with increased activities of antioxidant enzymes and plasma insulin and decreased activity of sorbitol dehydrogenase. (2) Study showed the aqueous extract of Scoparia dulcis exhibited antihyperglycemic effect by attenuating biochemical alterations in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

• Cytoprotective / Insulin-Secretagogue Activity: Study showed significant decrease in blood glucose with significantly increased plasma insulin level with use of aqueous extract of S dulcis in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Other results showed its insulin secretagogue activity and protection against STZ-mediated cytotoxicity. The glucose lowering effect was associated with potentiation of insulin release from the pancreatic islets.

• Anti-Ulcer: Study showed water extracts of S dulcis showed dose-dependent inhibition of indomethacin-induced gastric damage in rats validating its use in traditional medicine as an antacid and anti-ulcer agent.

• Antioxidant: Protective role of Scoparia dulcis plant extract on brain antioxidant status and lipidperoxidation in STZ diabetic male Wistar rats. Study showed levels of peroxidation markers in the brain were significantly a role in protection against lipidperoxidation-induced membrane damage.

• Antimicrobial / Antifungal: Phytochemical and antimicrobial study of an antidiabetic plant: Scoparia dulcis L.: Study of isolated fractions showed significant antimicrobial and antifungal activity against all tested organisms – S typhii, S aureus, E coli, B subtilis, P aeruginosa, P vulgaris and fungal strains (C albicans, A niger and F oxysporum).

• Antitumor: Scopadulcic acid B (SDB), a tetracyclic diterpenoid isolated from S dulcis, inhibited the effects of a tumor promoter, inhibited phopholipid synthesis and suppressed the promoting effect of TPA on skin tumor formation. Its potency is stronger than other natural anti-tumor promoting terpenoids.

• Antihyperlipidemic: Effect of Scoparia dulcis (Sweet Broomweed) in Streptozotocin Diabetic Rats: Study showed antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic activity in normal and experimental diabetic rats.

• NGF Activity: Acetylated Flavonoid Glycosides Potentiating NGF Action from Scoparia dulcis: Three new acetylated flavonoid glycosides were isolated, two of which showed enhancing activity of nerve growth factor-mediated neurite outgrowth.

• Cytotoxicity: Study isolated four new diterpenes. Crude extracts and pure diterpenes suggested cytotoxicty.

• Beta-glucoronidase Inhibitor: Study isolated three labdane-type diterpene acids: scoparic acid A, B and C. Scoporic acid A was found to be a potent beta-glucoronidase inhibitor.

• Hepatoprotective / Antioxidant: Study isolated showed the hydroalcoholic extract of S dulcis exhibits significant hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in rats, an activity attributed to free radical scavenging activity.

• Anti-Trypanosomal Immunosuppression / Immunological Boosting: Previous findings suggest T. brucei is immunosuppressive. Study showed Scoparia dulcis provides a measure of immunological boost during experimental T. brucei infection in rabbits.

• Sympathomimetic Effects / Catecholamines: Study yielded both noradrenaline and adrenaline in the plant extract. The catecholamines may be responsible for the hypertensive and inotropic effects after parenteral administration of S dulcis extracts.

• Anti-Urolithiasis: Study investigating the inhibition of calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate mineralization by five medicinal plants – A aspera, P leschenaultii, S amplexicaulis, Scoparia dulcis and A lanata – showed that increased intake of the fruit juices and seed extracts of the test plants would be helpful in urinary stone prophylaxis. The sequestering of the insoluble calcium salts by the fruit juices may be due to single or mixed ligand chelation by the hydroxyl acids present in them.

• Anti-Inflammatory / Analgesic: Study results indicate that the extract of S dulcis possess analgesic effects probably related to its antiinflammatory activity, effects probably attributable to the presence of glutinol and flavonoids.

Availability

Wild-crafted.

Powders, extracts in the cybermarket.

**** www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15549711

J Biochem Mol Toxicol. 2004;18(5):261-72.

Scoparia dulcis, a traditional antidiabetic plant, protects against streptozotocin induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in vitro and in vivo.

Latha M, Pari L, Sitasawad S, Bhonde R.

Source

Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar 608 002, Tamil Nadu, India.

Abstract

Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. The experiments were performed on normal and experimental male Wistar rats treated with Scoparia dulcis plant extract (SPEt). The effect of SPEt was tested on streptozotocin (STZ) treated Rat insulinoma cell lines (RINm5F cells) and isolated islets in vitro. Administration of an aqueous extract of Scoparia dulcis by intragastric intubation (po) at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight significantly decreased the blood glucose and lipid peroxidative marker thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) with significant increase in the activities of plasma insulin, pancreatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and reduced glutathione (GSH) in streptozotocin diabetic rats at the end of 15 days treatment. Streptozotocin at a dose of 10 mug/mL evoked 6-fold stimulation of insulin secretion from isolated islets indicating its insulin secretagogue activity. The extract markedly reduced the STZ-induced lipidperoxidation in RINm5F cells. Further, SPEt protected STZ-mediated cytotoxicity and nitric oxide (NO) production in RINm5F cells. Treatment of RINm5F cells with 5 mM STZ and 10 mug of SPEt completely abrogated apoptosis induced by STZ, suggesting the involvement of oxidative stress. Flow cytometric assessment on the level of intracellular peroxides using fluorescent probe 2’7′-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) confirmed that STZ (46%) induced an intracellular oxidative stress in RINm5F cells, which was suppressed by SPEt (21%). In addition, SPEt also reduced (33%) the STZ-induced apoptosis (72%) in RINm5F cells indicating the mode of protection of SPEt on RIN m5Fcells, islets, and pancreatic beta-cell mass (histopathological observations). Present study thus confirms antihyperglycemic effect of SPEt and also demonstrated the consistently strong antioxidant properties of Scoparia dulcis used in the traditional medicine.

(c) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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