Advanced Journal of Chemistry, Section B: Natural Products and Medical Chemistry
Volume:3 Issue: 3, Summer 2021

Herbal medicines are widely used as alternative treatments for various chronic diseases. They have proved to be of immense importance in treating many diseases and conditions. These medicines have potential to decrease the side effects of other drugs. In this regard Betel vine (Piper betel) leaves are known for its medicinal properties since long. It is a cash crop for many under developed Southeast Asian countries and therefore also known as “Green Gold and Green Heart" in those countries, as many people cultivate this crop to meet their both ends. The contemporary world approves its several medicinal properties as the growth of knowledge in this regard is unprecedented. The objective here is to reveal the potential effect of this plant against different diseases. Along with its tradomedicinal uses which signify its tremendous potential, it is also used towards cure of many antimicrobial ailments of great concern. The leaf extract and purified compounds are found to play a vital role and are of immense benefits in oral hygiene, anti-diabetic, cardiovascular, anti-inflammatory, and anti-ulcer. The active compounds isolated from leaf and other parts have great therapeutic role. This paper basically focus  on  emphasizing  the  varied pharmacological  properties  of  Piper  betel  Linn along with its traditional uses and a cursory view of its active constituents.

Mercury and its compounds are well known to have toxic effects on human body. Many research studies have reported in this field. These studies found that the prolong using of the skin whitening and lightening creams lead to accumulation of mercury in human body. As a result of that, the damage to the brain, nervous system and kidneys, can occur. In this study, the concentrations of total mercury metal in six top selling skin lightening creams sold in local markets in Benghazi, Libya were analyzed. The Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric (CV-AAS) method was used for mercury determination after suitable wet digestion process. In all analyzed samples, mercury was detected, with concentrations ranged between 0.2500 to 2.0950 ppm. The concentration of mercury in four samples exceeded the maximum permissible value for mercury in cosmetic products set by World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Drugs Administration (FDA). The results of the present work revealed that the analyzed creams were contaminated with mercury; making risk of toxicity for consumers.

Euclea divinorum Hern (Ebenaceae) has a long history of folkloric use in the treatment of different diseases. However, there are few reports on the responsible phytochemicals in its tender stems, leaves and root bark. The aim of this study was to compare the phytochemicals in E. divinorum leaves, tender stems and root bark. The plant materials were extracted serially by maceration with dichloromethane, hexane and ethanol. Alkaloids, phenols, saponins, flavonoids, steroids, cardiac glycosides, tannins, terpenes, and volatile oils were identified in qualitive Phytochemical screening of the extracts. UV Visible and Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy indicated the presence of alcohols, phenols, alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, aldehydes, carboxylic acids, aromatics, nitro compounds and amines in the extracts. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry afforded identification and quantification of 30 compounds in the hexane and dichloromethane extracts. The major constituents were3,4-Methylenedioxybenzylacetone, Eicosane, Tetratriacontane, Hexatriacontane, 9-Hexadecen-1-ol, 2-Hydroxy-2-methyl-8,8-diphenyl-octa-5,7-dien-3-one, 1,4-Naphthoquinone and Octacosanal. The compounds identified in the different extracts of Euclea divinorum leaves, tender stems and root bark supports the use of this plant in traditional medicine.

Organic compounds have plays vital role in biological chemical activities and also use for increase people's quality of life. Semicarbazide and thiosemicarbazide are sulfur and nitrogen-containing organic compounds with diverse biological activities. They are Schiff’s bases formed by the condensation product of aldehydes or ketones with different amines. These derivatives are urea and thiourea derivatives depend on the attached aldehydes or ketones moiety. Antibacterial, antifungal, anticonvulsant, antitubercular, antimalarial, anticancer, analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, and other biological activities are all possible with semicarbazide and thiosemicarbazide derivatives. The addition of hydrazides to various isocyanates and isothiocyanates is one of the most convenient methods for the synthesis of semicarbazide and thiosemicarbazide derivatives, but they also used as a starting material for the synthesis of various Schiff’s bases, metal chelating complexes, and anticorrosion agents. Various biological activities of semicarbazide and thiosemicarbazide derivatives, and their uses in the drug development phases, are the subject of this study.

Curcumin is a polyphenol derived from the Curcuma longa plant (diferuloylmethane). For thousands of years it has been employed in Ayurvedic medicine for a range of therapeutic features, including relief of pain, reactive oxygen activity, inflammatory prevention and antibacterial qualities. Curcumin activity is displayed in the cell through a clustering of signaling pathways at different stages. Curcumin's anticancer capabilities have recently been examined in a number of ways, including expression of cancer gene, cancer spread, cell cycle control and regulation, scheduled death of cells and malignancy development. Curcumin's enormous promise as a cancer treatment has been demonstrated in all of such studies. It has many applications in the fight against cardiovascular, reactive oxygen, microbial and fungal diseases. Curcumin nano-formulations are also investigated for its impact on cancer and therapeutic advantages. The current review summarizes the investigations done as well as data supporting the pharmacological activity of curcumin.

The role of Indian herbs in herbal cosmetics is well-known throughout the world. Beauty and makeup are as old as humanity and society itself. As a result, women with herbs use various beauty items to appear attractive, and young women are fascinated with looking attractive. Herbal cosmetics are classified as beauty products containing herbal ingredients that have physiological benefits such as curing, smoothing, improving, and conditioning. Herbal cosmetics are a priceless gift from nature that is becoming increasingly common on the global market. There has been a lot of concern regarding herbal formulations, which have a high level of activity and virtually no side effects when compared to synthetic drugs. For thousands of years, spices and herbs have been used to keep the human body healthy and attractive. The above ingredients have been used by Indian women for centuries to care for their skin, hair, palms, and soles, and to perfume their bodies. The royal palaces in India used a variety of herbs to improve sensual appeal and maintain general hygiene. Shelf-stable herbal formulations, such as herbal face wash, shampoo, conditioner, soap, and the like, are frequently made and used daily. In the coming years, the industry is focusing on the growing market, which has a large range of possible growth.

In the current situation, it is more crucial than ever to strengthen our defence system against it, as no evidence-based treatment for COVID-19 has been developed. Traditional spices and herbs have long been used in Indian cuisine as immunity enhancers. The findings of past studies on the immunomodulatory effects and antiviral activities of specific foods and herbs on influenza virus and coronavirus have been compiled in order to promote the use of herbal medicine as COVID-19 prevention therapy. Foods and herbs have a potential antiviral activity against SARSCoV-2 and can prevent COVID-19, according to a large number of reports. Herbs and spices have long been known for their therapeutic effects. Several spices are grown in India and are widely utilised in traditional medicine. Herbs such as Amla, Ashwagandha, Cinnamon, Giloy, Moringa, Neem, and Tulsi are thought to have a variety of health advantages. We don't have to "take" herbs and spices like we do medications. Instead, we add them to our favourite foods to give them a flavour boost and boost our immunity.

The geographical distribution consequences on phytochemical constituents of the fruit extract of Zanthoxylum armatum collected from the different altitude of Nepal (tropical to temperate elevation arrange), and their antimicrobial properties were investigated via GC-MS and disc diffusion method. The samples were collected from the lower tropical region (Dang: 300-1000m), subtropical regions (Makwanpur and Surkhet: 1000-2000m), and temperate region (Salyan: 2000-3000m). The ethanol extract in the Soxhlet extractor was concentrated in a rotary evaporator. Among the extracts, a total of 12, 23, 16, and 10 compounds were identified in the samples collected from Dang, Makwanpur, Surkhet, and Salyan respectively. The geographical variation showed differences in the composition of the constituents of the extracts. Mainly, cis-9-hexadecenoic acid (palmitoleic acid) 11.19-27.69%, linalool 9.02-23.93%, and methyl cinnamate 13.56-19.42% were detected as the dominant compounds with variable composition. The antimicrobial property of all the specimens from Dang, Makwanpur, and Salyan, exhibited a quite satisfactory zone of inhibition against tested bacteria and fungi although the sample from Salyan was found to be more effective compared to others even having the similar phytoconstituents. The higher efficacy of antimicrobial properties of extract collected from Salyan (highest altitude) was due to the presence of palmitoleic acid (27.69%) at higher content. The antifungal and antibacterial efficacy appeared to relate with the antimicrobial activity of the major compounds, (linalool, methyl cinnamate, and palmitoleic acid). Furthermore, the pharmacological properties of the detected compounds justified the traditional use of this plant and helped to claim it a wonder plant.