Mediterranean/Near East

1. Mediterranean/Near East Department of Biological Sciences Dr. Kirsten Fisher Medical Ethnobotany Bio 454L – Fall 2010 Harold Giron, Gary Liu, Wilson Liu, Bertha Martin

2. Silybum marianum “Milk Thistle”

3. Biology • Taxonomy • Kingdom: Plantae • Division: Magnoliophyta • Class: Magnoliopsida • Order: Asterales • Family: Asteraceae • Genus: Silybum • Species:marianum • Milk thistle; Mary Thistle, Mariam Thistle • Related to daisies. • Facts • Native to Southern Europe through Asia. • An invasive weed in America. • Characterized by sharp leaves and purple flower. • Drought tolerant and thrives in well drained soil, exposed to full sun. • Seeds harvested 2-3 weeks after flowering. Thistledown

4. Ethnobotany • Help thy liver • Romans and Greeks used ripe seeds to treat ailments • Cirrhosis, jaundice, hepatitis • Gall bladder • Delicious • Stalks and roots edible • Despined leaves a spinach substitute • Roasted seeds a coffee substitute. • Flowers eaten artichoke-style • Protection • Assists liver and spleen • Treats varicose veins and menstrual difficulty. • Treats rosacea, a skin disorder • UV protection • Mushroom poisoning • Amanita “death-cap” poisoning prevention • Party like a

5. Technology • Chemistry • Silymarin is the active compound. • A complex of 4 molecules: • Silybin, Isosilybin, Silychristin, Silydianin • Protects liver cells by blocking toxins from entering cell and removing toxins from cell • Potential to assist chemotherapy • Slow/stop growth of cancerous cells • Help repair liver tissue • Clinical and Preclinical Research • Antioxidant properties • Strengthen cell walls • Stimulate enzymes protecting the body • Blocking attack of free radical • Potential anti-cancer properties • Prostate, breast, cervical cancers • Reduced side-effects of chemotherapy • Fewer symptoms and better quality of life for cirrhosis, hepatitis, disorders of bile ducts • Side-effects • Laxative, nausea, heartburn, upset stomach. Silymarin Dosing: 230-600mg/day, 2-3 doses.

6. Vinca Minor

7. Introduction: Vinca Minor Taxonomy: Kingdom: Plantae-Plants Subkingdom: Tracheobionta-Vascular plants Superdivision: Spermatophyta-Seed plants Division: Magnoliophyta-Flowering plants Class: Manoliopsida-Dicotylendons Subclass: Asteridae Order: Gentianales Family: Apocynaceae-Dogbane family Genus: Vinca L.-Periwinkle Species: Vinca minor L.- Common periwinkle Description: Vinca minor/common periwinkle, is a perennial evergreen ground cover that is winter hardy. Usually never exceeds more than 6” height. Waxy leaves help with shade. Small blue flowers occur between April-September (pink and white flowers also)

8. Vinca Minor-Habitat • Culture: • Prefers Partial Shade • Heat and Sunlight tend to cause yellowing of plant • Best soil is moist, well-drained and fertile • Relatively adapts to many soils • Commonly used in landscapes: • Northeastern U.S. • For erosion control • As a filler around other plants • For show of their blue flowers Vinca Minor is native to Europe and Western Asia, but was brought over to the United States and now grows in certain areas of the United States and Canada!

9. Vinca Minor- Active Compounds Note: For simplicity, the most important or active compounds are Indole Alkaloids and Tannins

10. Pharmacology Indolealkaloids (0.15-1.4%): chief alkaloid vincamine (eburnamine-tyoe, 25-65%), including as well vincine, apovincamine, vincadifformin.
Flavonoids: including kempferol-3-O-rhamnoside-7O-galactoside, kempferol-3-O-rhamoglucoside-2-O-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-rhamnoglucoside-7-O-glucoside. EFFECTS:
The alkaloid vincamine is hypotensive, negatively chronotrophic, spasmolytic, hypoglycemic and sympatholytic. Scientifically validated studies on the hypotensive effect on humans have not yet been carried out. INDICATIONS AND USEAGE:
Not yet proven uses: Periwinkle is used internally for circulatory disorders, cerebral circulatory impairment and support for the metabolism of the brain. It is also used internally for loss of memory, hypertension, cystitis, gastritis and enteritis, diarrhea, raised blood sugar levels and to help weaning. Periwinkle is used externally for sore throats, nose bleeds, bruising, abscesses, eczema and to stop bleeding.Homeopathic Uses: Periwinkle is used for weeping eczema and bleeding mucous membranes.

11. Usage around the World Europe: carminative, depurative, diuretic, emetic, hemostat, hypertension, scurvy Turkey: astringent, depurative, diuretic, hemostat, lactogogue, tonic Elsewhere in the World: astringent, bactericide, collyrium, diarrhea, dysentery, hypertension, Lactifuge, menorrhagia, phthisis, pile , scalp, sedative, skin, Spasmolytic, tea, tonic, tumor (uvula)

12. Dosage and PreCautions Only $9.95 on Amazon Tea: 2-3 cups daily (better is drank after meals) Homeopathic Dosage: 5 drops, 1 tablet or every 30 to 60 minutes (acute) or 1 to 3 times daily (chronic)

13. Dosage and PreCautions • Gastrointestinal complaints and skin irritation! • Overdose: Severe blood pressure drop is a side affect of over dosage!

15. Glycyrrhiza glabra • Glycyrrhiza glabra is also known as “sweet root,” “sweet wood,” and “liquorice/licorice” • Glycyrrhiza is derived from the ancient Greek term “glykos,” meaning sweet, and “rhiza,” meaning root • A member of the pea (Febacea) plant family • A perennial herb that grows 1.2 – 1.5 meters in height and has pinnate leaves about 5-7 cm in length • Nativeto Southeastern Europe and cultivated in most of Europe. It also grows in some regions of Asia. • The licorice plant’s flower varies in color, from lilac to light blue and produces seeded pods of 2-3 cm in length on its branches • Prefers open, dry areas with rich soil • Liquorice roots are long, cylindrical pieces of wood that grow horizontally underground. They are also brown on the outside and yellow on the inside

16. Glycyrrhiza glabra: Ethnobotanical Uses Liquorice Root has a long, rich history of medicinal use by cultures worldwide, including the Greeks, Egyptians, Chinese, and Hindus It was also highly treasured in ancient Egypt, and when King Tutankhamen died, he was buried with a supply of licorice root Greeks prescribed Liquorice Root for treating gastric and peptic ulcers Liquorice Root has been recommended to soothe coughs, colds, and symptoms of bronchitis In traditional Chinese medicine, liquorice is commonly used in herbal formulas to “harmonize” the other ingredients by balancing the 12 regular meridians and to relieve a spasmodic cough In China, Liquorice Root has also been used to promote vitality, treat heart palpitations, and boost the spleen In India, Liquorice Root has been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for the relief of constipation, swelling of the joints, and peptic ulcers

17. Glycyrrhiza glabra: Medicinal Uses Active Ingredient: Glycyrrhizin (Glycyrrhizic Acid) Licorice extract is produced by boiling liquorice roots, followed by evaporation of the water The dried rhizome and root of the liquorice is used for medicinal purposes Glycyrrhizin is also a sweetener that is between 30-50 times as sweet as sucrose, and also has pharmaceutical effects Studies have demonstrated that glycyrrhizin decreases inflammation, aids in secretion of mucous, soothes irritation, acts as an anti-viral, and protects the stomach and gastrointestinal tract Glycyrrhizin and Glycyrrhizic Acid have been shown to inhibit growth of numerous RNA and DNA viruses: including Hepatitis A and C, Herpes Zoster, HIV, and Herpes Simplex Liquorice Root also contains a Glabridin Flavonoid, which promotes the activity of the adrenal glands by controlling cortisol production Also contains Glycyrrhetinic Acid, an antioxidant that is also a strong anti-inflammatory and anti-irritant Liquorice Root also contains a Triterpenoid Saponin, which can aid in the absorption of nutrients

18. Glycyrrhiza glabra: Recent Literature • Memory and Learning Enhancing Activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra in Mice (2004) Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of liquorice may be contributing favorably to the memory enhancement effect, due to facilitation of cholinergic-transmission in mice brain. • Antidepressant-like Activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra in Mouse Models (2006) Anti-depressant-like effect of liquorice extract mediated by increase of brain norepinephrine and dopamine, but not by increase of serotonin.

19. Prunus armeniaca

20. Prunus Armeniaca China, Himalayan region, temperate zones of Asia, Europe. Also seen in India back in 3000 B.C. In many parts of the world including; Turkey, the US – California, Washington, Utah and widely spread throughout Australia. Apricot

21. Prunus armeniaca Ethnobotanical uses: • Parts used: • Wilted leaves, stonefruit (containing the seed) and bark • Active Compound: • Cyanogenic glycoside (Amygdalin) • Laetrile • To treat: • Cancers

22. Prunus armeniaca Medicinal uses: In England – in the 17th century used for tumors and ulcers In Europe – an aphrodisiac and childbirth inducer In China – to treat cough, asthma, wheezing, excessive mucus, constipation, - Detoxify, thirst quencher - Vaginal infections In the West - constipation relief Pharmaceutical: - Used in facial product

23. Did ya know? Did ya? Huh, did ya? That: • Family Rosaceae • Roses are characterized by a 5 sepals and 5 petals. • The Apricot (edible part) forms from the Carpel part of the flower. (Stigma, style, ovary, ovule-seed). • As part of this family we also have: • Plums, peaches, apples, berries, cherries…etc.

24. Group’s References • http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/milkthistle/Patient/page2/print • http://blog.pharmacymix.com/silymarin-milk-thistle-and-skin • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silybum_marianum • http://www.medicinenet.com/milk_thistle_silybum_marianum-oral/article.htm • http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=38413 • http://www.rain-tree.com/periwinkle.htm • http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov • http://www.shoppingedge.com/Periwinkl • http://www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/v/vinmin/vinmin1.html • http://plants.usda.gov • http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=GLGL • http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/881.html • http://www.medicinenet.com/licorice_glycyrrhiza_glabra-oral/article.htm • http://naturalmedicine.about.com/od/herbs/licorice.htm • Dhingra, Dinesh et. al. 2006. “Antidepressant-like activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. in mouse models of immobility tests.” Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry 30: 449-454. • Parle, Milind et. a. 2004. “Memory enhancing activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra in mice.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology 91: 361-365 • Chang, H.K., Shin, M. S., Yang, H.Y., Lee. J.W., KIM, Y.S., LEE, M.H., KIM, J., KIM, K.H. and KIM, C.J. 2006 Amygdalin Induces Apoptosis through Regulation of Bax and Bcl-2 Expressions in Human DU145 and LNCaP Prostate Cancer Cells. Biol. Pharm. Bull. 29(8) 1597—1602. • http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Prunus+armeniaca • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prunus_armeniaca • http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=PRAR3 • http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/a/apric050.html • Pharmaceutical Press, Herbal Medicines 1986.