Displaying publications 21 - 40 of 270 in total

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  1. Furoquinoline alkaloids from Melicope bonwickii (F.Muell.) T.Hartley
    Komala I, Rahmani M, Sukari MA, Mohd Ismail HB, Cheng Lian GE, Rahmat A
    Nat Prod Res, 2006 Apr;20(4):355-60.
    PMID: 16644530
    Investigation on the leaves of Melicope bonwickii (F.Muell.) T.Hartley (Rutaceae) afforded a new 7-(2'-hydroxy-3'-chloroprenyloxy)-4-methoxyfuroquinoline (1) together with the known 7-(2',3'-epoxyprenyloxy)-4-methoxyfuroquinoline (2), evellerine (3) kokusaginine (4) and an amide aurantiamide acetate (5). Compounds 1 and 2 showed significant activity against cervical cell lines (Hela).
    Matched MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology
  2. Cytotoxic Aporphines from Artabotrys crassifolius
    Kwan TK, Shipton F, Azman NS, Hossan S, Jin KT, Wiart C
    Nat Prod Commun, 2016 Mar;11(3):389-92.
    PMID: 27169188
    Artabotrys crassifolius Hook. f. & Thomson is a medicinal plant used in Malaysia. The cytotoxic effects of the hexane, chloroform and ethanol extracts of the leaves and bark were examined in vitro against MCF-7, MDA-468 and HCT-116 cells. The chloroform extract of the bark inhibited the growth of all cell lines with GI₅₀ values ranging from 4.2 µg/mL to 9.4 µg/mL. Silica gel column chromatography of this extract yielded artabotrine, liridine, atherospermidine and lysicamine. Artabotrine and lysicamine inhibited the growth of HCT-116 and MCF-7 cells with GI₅₀ values ranging from 3.3 µM to 3.9 µM. These alkaloids were not toxic to human embryonic kidney cells (HEK297) up to a concentration of 50 µg/mL.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology*
  3. A Comprehensive Review on the Chemotherapeutic Potential of Piceatannol for Cancer Treatment, with Mechanistic Insights
    Seyed MA, Jantan I, Bukhari SN, Vijayaraghavan K
    J Agric Food Chem, 2016 Feb 3;64(4):725-37.
    PMID: 26758628 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.5b05993
    Cancer is a diverse class of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell growth that constitutes the greatest cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Despite steady progress, the treatment modalities of cancer are still insufficient. Several new concepts have emerged for therapeutic intervention in malignant diseases with the goal of identifying specific targets and overcoming resistance against current cytotoxic therapies. Many studies have reported the remarkable and significant properties of dietary plant polyphenols such as curcumin, resveratrol, flavopiridol, indirubin, magnolol, piceatannol, parthenolide, epigallocatechin gallate, and cucurbitacin as anticancer agents known for their pleiotropic effects on cancer, immune cells, and inflammation. Piceatannol, an analogue and metabolite of resveratrol, is a natural stilbene commonly found in grape skins and wine. Compared to resveratrol, this molecule exhibits superior bioactivities as an inhibitor of COX-1/2 and the CSN-associated kinase. Piceatannol is thought to be a potent natural compound with many therapeutic effects, such as the prevention of hypercholesterolemia, arrhythmia, atherosclerosis, angiogenesis, and cardiovascular diseases. It also demonstrates vasorelaxation, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. This comprehensive review summarizes the current data regarding the mechanisms of action of piceatannol, its chemopreventive properties, and its possible therapeutic potential against various types of human cancer.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology*
  4. Cytotoxic prenylated depsidones from Garcinia parvifolia
    Xu YJ, Chiang PY, Lai YH, Vittal JJ, Wu XH, Tan BK, et al.
    J Nat Prod, 2000 Oct;63(10):1361-3.
    PMID: 11076552
    Leaf extracts of Garcinia parvifolia provided relatively high yields of four novel, cytotoxic prenylated depsidones. The structures were determined mainly by detailed NMR spectral analysis and X-ray crystallography.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology*
  5. Antimicrobial, antioxidant, antitumour-promoting and cytotoxic activities of different plant part extracts of Garcinia atroviridis griff. ex T. anders
    Mackeen MM, Ali AM, Lajis NH, Kawazu K, Hassan Z, Amran M, et al.
    J Ethnopharmacol, 2000 Oct;72(3):395-402.
    PMID: 10996278
    Crude extracts (methanol) of various parts, viz. the leaves, fruits, roots, stem and trunk bark, of Garcinia atroviridis were screened for antimicrobial, cytotoxic, brine shrimp toxic, antitumour-promoting and antioxidant activities. The crude extracts exhibited predominantly antibacterial activity with the root extract showing the strongest inhibition against the test bacteria at a minimum inhibitory dose (MID) of 15.6 microg/disc. Although all the extracts failed to inhibit the growth of most of the test fungi, significant antifungal activity against Cladosporium herbarum was exhibited by most notably the fruit (MID: 100 microg), and the leaf (MID: 400 microg) extracts. None of the extracts were significantly cytotoxic, and lethal towards brine shrimps. The root, leaf, trunk and stem bark extracts (except for the fruits) showed strong antioxidant activity exceeding that of the standard antioxidant, alpha-tocopherol. Antitumour-promoting activity (>95% inhibition) was shown by the fruit, leaf, stem and trunk bark extracts.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology*
  6. Flavonone and chalcone derivatives from Cryptocarya kurzii
    Fu X, Sévenet T, Remy F, Païs M, Hamid A, Hadi A, et al.
    J Nat Prod, 1993 Jul;56(7):1153-63.
    PMID: 8377019
    Four complex flavanones, kurziflavolactones A [2], B [3], C [4], and D [5] and a complex chalcone 6 with an unprecedented carbon side chain on the flavanone or chalcone A ring have been isolated from a Malaysian plant, Cryptocarya kurzii (Lauraceae). Their structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis, especially 2D nmr experiments. Compounds 3 and 6 showed slight cytotoxicity against KB cells, with IC50 values of 4 and 15 micrograms/ml, respectively. A biosynthetic pathway for the formation of these compounds is suggested.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology*
  7. Fulltext Ampelopsin E Reduces the Invasiveness of the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cell Line, MDA-MB-231
    Tieng FYF, Latifah SY, Md Hashim NF, Khaza'ai H, Ahmat N, Gopalsamy B, et al.
    Molecules, 2019 Jul 18;24(14).
    PMID: 31323836 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24142619
    Breast cancer is the most common and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women. It has two distinctive hallmarks: rapid abnormal growth and the ability to invade and metastasize. During metastasis, cancer cells are thought to form actin-rich protrusions, called invadopodia, which degrade the extracellular matrix. Current breast cancer treatments, particularly chemotherapy, comes with adverse effects like immunosuppression, resistance development and secondary tumour formation. Hence, naturally-occurring molecules claimed to be less toxic are being studied as new drug candidates. Ampelopsin E, a natural oligostilbene extracted from Dryobalanops species, has exhibited various pharmacological properties, including anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities. However, there is yet no scientific evidence of the effects of ampelopsin E towards metastasis. Scratch assay, transwell migration and invasion assays, invadopodia and gelatin degradation assays, and ELISA were used to determine the effects of ampelopsin E towards the invasiveness of MDA-MB-231 cells. Strikingly in this study, ampelopsin E was able to halt migration, transmigration and invasion in MDA-MB-231 cells by reducing formation of invadopodia and its degradation capability through significant reduction (p < 0.05) in expression levels of PDGF, MMP2, MMP9 and MMP14. In conclusion, ampelopsin E reduced the invasiveness of MDA-MB-231 cells and was proven to be a potential alternative in treating TNBC.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology*
  8. Anticancer Potential of Syzygium Species: a Review
    Chua LK, Lim CL, Ling APK, Chye SM, Koh RY
    Plant Foods Hum Nutr, 2019 Mar;74(1):18-27.
    PMID: 30535971 DOI: 10.1007/s11130-018-0704-z
    Cancer is a preventable and treatable disease, however, the incidence rates are on the rise. Classical treatment modalities for cancer include surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, these are associated with detrimental side effects such as nausea and emesis. Therefore, researchers currently vest interest in complementary and alternative medicines for cancer treatment and prevention. Plants such as Syzygium sp. are a common basis of complementary medicines due to its abundance of bioactive phytochemicals. Numerous natural compounds derived from Syzygium sp., such as phenolics, oleanolic acids, and betulinic acids, and dimethyl cardamonins, were reported to have anticancer effects. Many possess the ability to inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis. In this review, we discuss the vast potential Syzygium sp. harbours as a source of anticancer natural compounds due to its abundance, easy acceptability, affordability and safety for regular consumption.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology*
  9. Goniolanceolatins A-H, Cytotoxic Bis-styryllactones from Goniothalamus lanceolatus
    Bihud NV, Rasol NE, Imran S, Awang K, Ahmad FB, Mai CW, et al.
    J Nat Prod, 2019 09 27;82(9):2430-2442.
    PMID: 31433181 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.8b01067
    Eight new bis-styryllactones, goniolanceolatins A-H (1-8), possessing a rare α,β-unsaturated δ-lactone moiety with a (6S)-configuration, were isolated from the CH2Cl2 extract of the stembark and roots of Goniothalamus lanceolatus Miq., a plant endemic to Malaysia. Absolute structures were established through extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR data analysis, in combination with electronic dichroism (ECD) data. All of the isolates were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against human lung and colorectal cancer cell lines. Compounds 2 and 4 showed cytotoxicity, with IC50 values ranging from 2.3 to 4.2 μM, and were inactive toward human noncancerous lung and colorectal cells. Compounds 1, 3, 6, 7, and 8 showed moderate to weak cytotoxicity. Docking studies of compounds 2 and 4 showed that they bind with EGFR tyrosine kinase and cyclin-dependent kinase 2 through hydrogen bonding interactions with the important amino acids, including Lys721, Met769, Asn818, Arg157, Ile10, and Glu12.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology*
  10. Schwarzinicines A-G, 1,4-Diarylbutanoid-Phenethylamine Conjugates from the Leaves of Ficus schwarzii
    Krishnan P, Lee FK, Yap VA, Low YY, Kam TS, Yong KT, et al.
    J Nat Prod, 2020 01 24;83(1):152-158.
    PMID: 31935094 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.9b01160
    Schwarzinicines A-G (1-7), representing the first examples of 1,4-diarylbutanoid-phenethylamine conjugates, were isolated from the leaves of Ficus schwarzii. The structures of these compounds were determined by detailed analysis of their MS, 1D and 2D NMR data. Compounds 1-4 exhibited pronounced vasorelaxant effects in the rat isolated aorta (Emax 106-120%; EC50 0.96-2.10 μM). However, compounds 1 and 2 showed no cytotoxic effects against A549, MCF-7, and HCT 116 human cancer cells (IC50 > 10 μM).
    Matched MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology
  11. Identification of genes involved in the regulation of 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide-induced toxicity in T-47D mammary cells
    Tan ML, Tan HK, Oon CE, Kuroyanagi M, Muhammad TS
    Food Chem Toxicol, 2012 Feb;50(2):431-44.
    PMID: 22101062 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2011.11.001
    14-Deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide is one of the principle compounds of the medicinal plant, Andrographis paniculata Nees. This study explored the mechanisms of 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide-induced toxicity and non-apoptotic cell death in T-47D breast carcinoma cells. Gene expression analysis revealed that 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide exerted its cytotoxic effects by regulating genes that inhibit the cell cycle or promote cell cycle arrest. This compound regulated genes that are known to reduce/inhibit cell proliferation, induce growth arrest and suppress cell growth. The growth suppression activities of this compound were demonstrated by a downregulation of several genes normally found to be over-expressed in cancers. Microscopic analysis revealed positive monodansylcadaverine (MDC) staining at 8h, indicating possible autophagosomes. TEM analysis revealed that the treated cells were highly vacuolated, thereby suggesting that 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide may cause autophagic morphology in these cells. This morphology may be correlated with the concurrent expression of genes known to affect lysosomal activity, ion transport, protein degradation and vesicle transport. Interestingly, some apoptotic-like bodies were found, and these bodies contained multiple large vacuoles, suggesting that this compound is capable of eliciting a combination of apoptotic and autophagic-like morphological characteristics.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology*
  12. Reversal of multidrug resistance (MDR) by aspidofractinine-type indole alkaloids
    Kam TS, Subramaniam G, Sim KM, Yoganathan K, Koyano T, Toyoshima M, et al.
    Bioorg Med Chem Lett, 1998 Oct 06;8(19):2769-72.
    PMID: 9873619
    A series of indole alkaloids of the aspidofractinine-type was assessed for their potential in reversing MDR in vincristine-resistant KB cells. Of the compounds tested, kopsiflorine, kopsamine, pleiocarpine, 11-methoxykopsilongine, lahadinine A and N-methoxycarbonyl-11,12-methylenedioxy-delta 16,17-kopsinine were found to show appreciable activity.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology*
  13. Conodiparines A-D, new bisindoles from Tabernaemontana. Reversal of vincristine-resistance with cultured cells
    Kam TS, Sim KM, Koyano T, Toyoshima M, Hayashi M, Komiyama K
    Bioorg Med Chem Lett, 1998 Jul 07;8(13):1693-6.
    PMID: 9873417
    Four new bisindoles of the vobasine-iboga type, conodiparines A-D were obtained from Tabernaemontana corymbosa which showed appreciable activity in reversing resistance in vincristine-resistant KB cells.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology*
  14. Fulltext Medicinal Plants with Anti-Leukemic Effects: A Review
    Maher T, Ahmad Raus R, Daddiouaissa D, Ahmad F, Adzhar NS, Latif ES, et al.
    Molecules, 2021 May 07;26(9).
    PMID: 34066963 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26092741
    Leukemia is a leukocyte cancer that is characterized by anarchic growth of immature immune cells in the bone marrow, blood and spleen. There are many forms of leukemia, and the best course of therapy and the chance of a patient's survival depend on the type of leukemic disease. Different forms of drugs have been used to treat leukemia. Due to the adverse effects associated with such therapies and drug resistance, the search for safer and more effective drugs remains one of the most challenging areas of research. Thus, new therapeutic approaches are important to improving outcomes. Almost half of the drugs utilized nowadays in treating cancer are from natural products and their derivatives. Medicinal plants have proven to be an effective natural source of anti-leukemic drugs. The cytotoxicity and the mechanisms underlying the toxicity of these plants to leukemic cells and their isolated compounds were investigated. Effort has been made throughout this comprehensive review to highlight the recent developments and milestones achieved in leukemia therapies using plant-derived compounds and the crude extracts from various medicinal plants. Furthermore, the mechanisms of action of these plants are discussed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology
  15. Fulltext Anti-migratory effects of Piper betle leaf aqueous extract on cancer cells and its microtubule targeting properties
    Looi ML, Wong AKH, Gnapragasan SA, Japri AZ, Rajedadram A, Pin KY
    J Zhejiang Univ Sci B, 2020 9 8;21(9):745-748.
    PMID: 32893531 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.B2000278
    Piper betle (PB), also known as "betel" in Malay language, is a tropical Asian vine. PB leaves are commonly chewed by Asians along with betel quid. It contains phenols such as eugenol and hydroxychavicol along with chlorophyll, β-carotene, and vitamin C (Salehi et al., 2019). Extracts from PB leaves have various medicinal properties including anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects (Salehi et al., 2019). Previous research has shown that PB induces cell cycle arrest at late S or G2/M phase and causes apoptosis at higher doses (Wu et al., 2014; Guha Majumdar and Subramanian, 2019). A combination of PB leaf extract has also been shown to enhance the cytotoxicity of the anticancer drug, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), in cancer cells (Ng et al., 2014).
    Matched MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology*
  16. Fulltext Viability and Antioxidant Effects of Traditional Cooling Rice Powder (bedak sejuk) Made from Oryza sativa ssp. Indica and Oryza sativa ssp. japonica on UVB-Induced B164A5 Melanoma Cells
    Ghazali AR, Muralitharan RV, Soon CK, Salyam T, Ahmad Maulana NN, Mohamed Thaha UAB, et al.
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2020 Nov 01;21(11):3381-3386.
    PMID: 33247699 DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2020.21.11.3381
    BACKGROUND: Traditional cooling rice powder (bedak sejuk) is a fermented rice-based cosmetic that is applied topically on one's skin, as an overnight facial mask. According to user testimonies, bedak sejuk beautifies and whitens skin, whereby these benefits could be utilised as a potential melanoma chemopreventive agent.

    OBJECTIVE: Hence, this study aimed to determine the effects of bedak sejuk made from Oryza sativa ssp. indica (Indica) and Oryza sativa ssp. japonica (Japonica) on UVB-induced B164A5 melanoma cells, and also identify the antioxidant capacities of both types of bedak sejuk.

    METHODS: The optimum dose of Indica and Japonica bedak sejuk to treat the cells was determined via the MTT assay. Then, the antioxidant capacities of both types of bedak sejuk were determined using the FRAP assay.

    RESULTS: From the MTT assay, it was found that Indica and Japonica bedak sejuk showed no cytotoxic effects towards the cells. Hence, no IC50 can be obtained and two of the higher doses, 50 and 100 g/L were chosen for treatment. In the FRAP assay, Indica bedak sejuk at 50 and 100 g/L showed FRAP values of 0.003 ± 0.001 μg AA (ascorbic acid)/g of bedak sejuk and 0.004 ± 0.0003 μg AA/g of bedak sejuk. Whereas Japonica bedak sejuk at 50 g/L had the same FRAP value as Indica bedak sejuk at 100 g/L. As for Japonica bedak sejuk at 100 g/L, it showed the highest antioxidant capacity with the FRAP value of 0.01 ± 0.0007 μg AA/g of bedak sejuk which was statistically significant (p < 0.05) when compared to other tested concentrations.

    CONCLUSION: In conclusion, Japonica bedak sejuk has a higher antioxidant capacity compared to Indica bedak sejuk despite both being not cytotoxic towards the cells. Regardless, further investigations need to be done before bedak sejuk could be developed as potential melanoma chemoprevention agents.

    Matched MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology*
  17. Possible Anticancer Mechanisms of Some Costus speciosus Active Ingredients Concerning Drug Discovery
    El-Far AH, Badria FA, Shaheen HM
    Curr Drug Discov Technol, 2016;13(3):123-143.
    PMID: 27515456
    Costus speciosus is native to South East Asia, especially found in India, Srilanka, Indonesia and Malaysia. C. speciosus have numerous therapeutic potentials against a wide variety of complains. The therapeutic properties of C. speciosus are attributed to the presence of various ingredients such as alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, phenols, saponins, sterols and sesquiterpenes. This review presented the past, present, and the future status of C. speciosus active ingredients to propose a future use as a potential anticancer agent. All possible up-regulation of cellular apoptotic molecules as p53, p21, p27, caspases, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and others attribute to the anticancer activity of C. speciosus along the down-regulation of anti-apoptotic agents such as Akt, Bcl2, NFKB, STAT3, JAK, MMPs, actin, surviving and vimentin. Eventually, we recommend further investigation of different C. speciosus extracts, using some active ingredients and evaluate the anticancer effect of these chemicals against different cancers.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology*
  18. Phytosterols as a natural anticancer agent: Current status and future perspective
    Shahzad N, Khan W, Md S, Ali A, Saluja SS, Sharma S, et al.
    Biomed Pharmacother, 2017 Apr;88:786-794.
    PMID: 28157655 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.01.068
    Phytosterols are naturally occurring compounds in plants, structurally similar to cholesterol. The human diet is quite abundant in sitosterol and campesterol. Phytosterols are known to have various bioactive properties including reducing intestinal cholesterol absorption which alleviates blood LDL-cholesterol and cardiovascular problems. It is indicated that phytosterol rich diets may reduce cancer risk by 20%. Phytosterols may also affect host systems, enabling antitumor responses by improving immune response recognition of cancer, affecting the hormone dependent endocrine tumor growth, and by sterol biosynthesis modulation. Moreover, phytosterols have also exhibited properties that directly inhibit tumor growth, including reduced cell cycle progression, apoptosis induction, and tumor metastasis inhibition. The objective of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on occurrences, chemistry, pharmacokinetics and potential anticancer properties of phytosterols in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, anticancer effects of phytosterols have strongly been suggested and support their dietary inclusion to prevent and treat cancers.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology*
  19. Fulltext Kinetics Extraction Modelling and Antiproliferative Activity of Clinacanthus nutans Water Extract
    Fazil FN, Azzimi NS, Yahaya BH, Kamalaldin NA, Zubairi SI
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2016;2016:7370536.
    PMID: 28105464 DOI: 10.1155/2016/7370536
    Clinacanthus nutans is widely grown in tropical Asia and locally known "belalai gajah" or Sabah snake grass. It has been used as a natural product to treat skin rashes, snake bites, lesion caused by herpes, diabetes, fever, and cancer. Therefore, the objectives of this research are to determine the maximum yield and time of exhaustive flavonoids extraction using Peleg's model and to evaluate potential of antiproliferative activity on human lung cancer cell (A549). The extraction process was carried out on fresh and dried leaves at 28 to 30°C with liquid-to-solid ratio of 10 mL/g for 72 hrs. The extracts were collected intermittently analysed using mathematical Peleg's model and RP-HPLC. The highest amount of flavonoids was used to evaluate the inhibitory concentration (IC50) via 2D cell culture of A549. Based on the results obtained, the predicted maximum extract density was observed at 29.20 ± 14.54 hrs of extraction (texhaustive). However, the exhaustive time of extraction to acquire maximum flavonoids content exhibited approximately 10 hrs earlier. Therefore, 18 hrs of extraction time was chosen to acquire high content of flavonoids. The best antiproliferative effect (IC50) on A549 cell line was observed at 138.82 ± 0.60 µg/mL. In conclusion, the flavonoids content in Clinacanthus nutans water extract possesses potential antiproliferative properties against A549, suggesting an alternative approach for cancer treatment.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology*
  20. Fulltext Clinacanthus nutans: a review on ethnomedicinal uses, chemical constituents and pharmacological properties
    Zulkipli IN, Rajabalaya R, Idris A, Sulaiman NA, David SR
    Pharm Biol, 2017 Dec;55(1):1093-1113.
    PMID: 28198202 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2017.1288749
    CONTEXT: Medicinal plants have attracted global attention for their hidden therapeutic potential. Clinacanthus nutans (Burm.f) Lindau (Acanthaceae) (CN) is endemic in Southeast Asia. CN contains phytochemicals common to medicinal plants, such as flavonoids. Traditionally, CN has been used for a broad range of human ailments including snake bites and cancer.

    OBJECTIVES: This article compiles the ethnomedicinal uses of CN and its phytochemistry, and thus provides a phytochemical library of CN. It also discusses the known pharmacological and biological effects of CN to enable better investigation of CN.

    METHODS: This literature review was limited to articles and websites published in the English language. MEDLINE and Google Scholar databases were searched from December 2014 to September 2016 using the following keywords: "Clinacanthus nutans" and "Belalai gajah". The results were reviewed to identify relevant articles. Information from relevant selected studies was systematically analyzed from contemporary ethnopharmacological sources, evaluated against scientific literature, and extracted into tables.

    RESULTS: The literature search yielded 124 articles which were then further scrutinized revealing the promising biological activities of CN, including antimicrobial, antiproliferative, antitumorigenic and anti-inflammatory effects. Few articles discussed the mechanisms for these pharmacological activities. Furthermore, CN was beneficial in small-scale clinical trials for genital Herpes and aphthous stomatitis.

    CONCLUSION: Despite the rich ethnomedicinal knowledge behind the traditional uses of CN, the current scientific evidence to support these claims remains scant. More research is still needed to validate these medicinal claims, beginning by increasing the understanding of the biological actions of this plant.

    Matched MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology
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