WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants - VOLUME 3

INTRODUCTION

Increasing role of the WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants Since 1999, WHO has published two volumes of the WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants. Volume 1 includes 28 monographs and volume 2 contains an additional 30 monographs.

Despite the increasing use of herbal medicines, there is still a signifi cant lack of research data in this fi eld, so that the WHO monographs are playing
an increasingly important role. For example, in the recent WHO global survey on national policy and regulation of herbal medicines, of the 34 countries reporting that they do not have their own national monographs and use other monographs, 13 use the WHO monographs as an authoritative reference.

Moreover, the format of the WHO monographs continues to be commonly used for developing national monographs. In the same survey, of the 46 countries that have already developed national monographs on herbal medicines, several countries, such as Armenia, Bhutan, Brazil, Malaysia, and Myanmar, reported having used the WHO format as a basis.

In May 2002, WHO launched its Traditional Medicine Strategy covering the period 2002–2005. In 2003, the World Health Assembly adopted resolution WHA56.31 on traditional medicine, which requests WHO to seek, together with WHO collaborating centres, evidence-based information on the quality, safety and cost-effectiveness of traditional therapies. The objective is to provide guidance to Member States on the defi nition of products to be included in national directives and proposals on traditional-medicine policy implemented in national health systems. The continued development of the WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants is one of the important activities being undertaken to meet the demands from Member States and in the implementation of the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy.

DOWNLOAD

WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants - VOLUME I

Introduction
During the past decade, traditional systems of medicine have become a topic of global importance. Current estimates suggest that, in many developing countries, a large proportion of the population relies heavily on traditional practitioners and medicinal plants to meet primary health care needs. Although modern medicine may be available in these countries, herbal medicines (phytomedicines) have often maintained popularity for historical and cultural reasons. Concurrently, many people in developed countries have begun to turn to alternative or complementary therapies, including medicinal herbs.

Few plant species that provide medicinal herbs have been scientifically evaluated for their possible medical application. Safety and efficacy data are available for even fewer plants, their extracts and active ingredients, and the preparations containing them. Furthermore, in most countries the herbal medicines market is poorly regulated, and herbal products are often neither registered nor controlled. Assurance of the safety, quality, and efficacy of medicinal plants and herbal products has now become a key issue in industrialized and in developing countries. Both the general consumer and health-care professionals need up-to-date, authoritative information on the safety and efficacy of medicinal plants.

During the fourth International Conference of Drug Regulatory Authorities (ICDRA) held in Tokyo in 1986, WHO was requested to compile a list of medicinal plants and to establish international specifications for the most widely used medicinal plants and simple preparations. Guidelines for the assessment of herbal medicines were subsequently prepared by WHO and adopted by the sixth ICDRA in Ottawa, Canada, in 1991.1 As a result of ICDRA’s recommendations and in response to requests from WHO’s Member States for assistance in providing safe and effective herbal medicines for use in national health-care systems, WHO is now publishing this first volume of 28 monographs on selected medicinal plants; a second volume is in preparation.

DOWNLOAD

Antidiabetic and antioxidant potential of Phyllanthus fraternus in alloxan induced diabetic animals

Phcog Mag. Vol 4, Issue 14, Apr-Jun, 2008

ABSTRACT

Implication of oxidative stress in diabetes due to oxygen free-radical generation and alteration in antioxidant enzymes is now well documented. Phyllanthus fraternus is a widely used folklore plant in several disorders due to its excellent properties and potent phytoconstituents. In this study, antidiabetic and antioxidant potential of petroleum ether, ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the whole plant of Phyllanthus fraternus was estimated in alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats. In a 21 days study, animals were divided into six groups (A-F) of six rats each. Group A served as normal control, group B as diabetic control, Groups C, D & E were administered with three different plant extracts (0.5g /kg), and group F was treated with standard drug tolbutamide (0.2g/kg). Administration of Phyllanthus fraternus extracts has remarkably improved the elevated levels of blood glucose. Ethanolic extract has reduced the blood sugar levels in a significant (p<0.001)>

KEYWORDS : Phyllanthus fraternus, Antidiabetic, Antioxidant activity.

DOWNLOAD FULL PAPER