Medicinal Plants of the World: Volume 1 Chemical Constituents, Traditional and Modern Medicinal Uses

496 Pages·2003·15.05 MB·English

Medicinal Plants of the World
Medicinal Plants
of
the
World
Volume 1
Chemical Constituents,
Traditional and Modem
Medicinal Uses
SECOND EDITION
By
Ivan A. Ross
*-
Springer-Science+Business Media, LLC
ISBN 978-1-61737-469-2 ISBN 978-1-59259-365-1 (eBook)
DOI 10.1007/978-1-59259-365-1
© 2003 Springer Science+Business Media New York
Originally published by Humana Press Inc. in 2003.
www.humanapress.com
Softcover reprint ofthe hardcover 2nd edition 2003
AII rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or
by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, microfilm ing, recording, or otherwise without written permission
from the Publisher.
AII papers, comments, opinions, conclusions, or recommendations are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily
reflect the views of the publisher.
The author assumes no responsibility for, make no warranty with respect ro results that may be obtained from the uses or
dosages listed, and does not necessarily endorse such uses or dosages and procedures. The author is not liable ro any person
whatsoever for and damage resulting from reliance on any informat ion contained herein, whether with respect to plant
identification, uses, procedures, dosages or by reason of any misstatement or error contained in this work. The author
recognized that there are differences in varieties of plants, the geographicallocation in which they are grown, growing
conditions, stage of maturity, and method of harvesting and preparat ion.
This publicat ion is printed on acid-free paper. @
ANSI Z39.48-1984 (American Standards Institute)
Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials.
Production Editor: Kim Hoather-Potter.
Cover design by Patricia F. Cleary.
For additional copies, pricing for bulk purchases, and/or information about other Humana titles, contact Humana at
the above address or at any of the following numbers: Tel.: [phone]; Fax: [phone]; E-mail:
[email protected]; or visit us at www.humanapress.com
Photocopy Authorization Policy:
Authorization to photocopy items for internal or personal use, or the internal or personal use of specific
clients, is granted by Springer-Science+Business Media, LLC, provided that the base fee ofUS $20.00 per
copy, is paid directly to the Copyright Clearance Center at 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923. For
those organizations that have been granted a photocopy license from the CCC, a separate system of payme
nt has been arranged and is acceptable to Springer-Science+Business Media, LLC. The fee code for users
ofthe Transactional Reporting Service is: [1-58829-281-9/03 $20.00].
Library of Congress Catalog ing in Publication Data
Ross, lvan A.
Medicinal plants of the world: chemical constituents, traditional and modern medicinal
uses / by lvan A. Ross.--2nd ed.
p.cm.
lncludes bibliographical references and index.
1. Medicinal plants--Encyclopedias. 1. Title.
RS164.R6762003
615'32--dc21
2002032933
Preface
Since the publication of the first edition of Medicinal Plants of the World: Chemical
Constituents, Traditional and Modem Medicinal Uses in 1999, there has been a significant
growth in the amount of new data on the herbs covered in this volume. The references
used to compile this new edition have more than doubled.
As a biologist with the US Food and Drug Administration I have been involved in
toxicological research. On one occasion, while investigating herbal products sold in the
United States as foods or food supplements, I realized that there was an abundance of
information on plants that are commonly used as food and medicine. However, the mate
rial available was not compiled to optimally serve my interest. Most such books addressed
the subject as folklore, and their information was not prepared as an educational resource
on plant materials that are used as foods and food supplements by the general public. As a
result, to obtain a fair knowledge of any specific plant, information from several books
and journal articles had to be put together. It is this experience that guided me to compile
Medicinal Plants of the World. The feedback I have received from readers of the first
edition has inspired me to update the information on this important collection of plants.
No current text describes the traditional medicinal uses, the chemical constituents,
the pharmacological activities, and the clinical trials of those plants that are commonly
used around the world as medicine. The objectives that guided the writing of this book
were to create a reference for research scientists, phytochemists, toxicologists, physicians,
pharmacists, and other health care providers; to integrate traditional and modern
pharmacopoeias in order to develop a more efficient medicine; to build confidence and
self-reliance in the use of medicinal plants; to revive an awareness of the importance of
plants as sources of medicine; and to encourage their utilization and conservation.
Around the world, and even within countries, different names are used for the same
plant, and different plants may be referred to by the same name. In an effort to familiar
ize readers with the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature system, the code's
Latin binomial is used for each plant. The common names, together with the countries
with which they are associated, are also listed. Color illustrations of the plants are pro
vided to assist in their identification by those who are not familiar with the botanical
name or any of the common names. For the non-botanist, the chapter on nomenclature
and descriptive terminology, the botanical description, and the origin and distribution
of each plant will be useful in the practical identification of the plants.
Since medical doctors are often reluctant to prescribe medicinal plants without sup
porting scientific data, the sections on pharmacological activities and clinical trials, as
well as those on chemical constituents, constitute most useful references. These sections
will also be of value to scientists with an interest in drug development. The section on
traditional medicinal uses, listed by countries, will provide support and build confidence
and self-reliance in the traditional uses of medicinal plants. Throughout, the book pre-
v
VI PREFACE
sents vital information that will find much use by students, practitioners, or researchers
interested or engaged in the development, evaluation, or use of herbal medicines. The
text presumes that the reader has had little to no experience or knowledge of medicinal
plants. A bibliography of approximately 3000 references is presented for readers inter
ested in more detailed information. It represents a diversity of disciplines that reflect the
complexity of the field and the variety of interests in medicinal plants.
It is my hope that readers will find in Medicinal Plants of the Warld a wealth of practical ideas
and theoretical information that will expose new information and little-known facts, as well as
the significant applications of plants in medicine, thereby helping us become healthier people,
better students, teachers, farmers, clinicians, researchers, and entrepreneurs.
Ivan A. Ross, phD
Contents
Preface .............................................................................................................. v
Contents of Companion Volume .................................................................... xiii
List of Color Plates .......................................................................................... xv
1 Nomenclature and Descriptive Terminology .................................. 1
Compound Leaves ..................................................................... 3
Leaf Shapes ................................................................................ 4
Leaf Margins .............................................................................. 4
Leaf Tips .................................................................................... 5
Leaf Bases .................................................................................. 7
Attachment to Stem ................................................................... 7
Leaf Surfaces .............................................................................. 7
Types of Inflorescence ............................................................... 8
Dry Fruits ................................................................................. 12
Fleshy Fruits ............................................................................. 13
Abbreviations and Chemical Constituents ............................... 14
2 Abrus precatorius .......................................................................... 1 5
Common Names ...................................................................... 15
Botanical Description .............................................................. 16
Origin and Distribution ........................................................... 16
Traditional Medicinal Uses ...................................................... 16
Chemical Constituents ............................................................. 17
Pharmacological Activities and Clinical Trials ........................ 19
References ............................................................................... 25
3 Allium sativum ............................................................................... 33
Common Names ...................................................................... 33
Botanical Description .............................................................. 34
Origin and Distribution ........................................................... 34
Traditional Medicinal Uses ...................................................... 34
Chemical Constituents ............................................................. 36
Pharmacological Activities and Clinical Trials ........................ 38
References ............................................................................... 77
vii
viii CONTENTS
4 A/De vera ..................................................................................... 103
Common Names .................................................................... 103
Botanical Description ............................................................ 104
Origin and Distribution ......................................................... 104
Traditional Medicinal Uses .................................................... 104
Chemical Constituents ........................................................... 106
Pharmacological Activities and Clinical Trials ...................... 108
References ............................................................................. 122
5 Annona muricata ......................................................................... 1 33
Common Names .................................................................... 133
Botanical Description ............................................................ 133
Origin and Distribution ......................................................... 133
Traditional Medicinal Uses .................................................... 134
Chemical Constituents ........................................................... 134
Pharmacological Activities and Clinical Trials ...................... 136
References ............................................................................. 138
6 Carica papaya .............................................................................. 143
Common Names .................................................................... 143
Botanical Description ............................................................ 144
Origin and Distribution ......................................................... 145
Traditional Medicinal Uses .................................................... 145
Chemical Constituents ........................................................... 148
Pharmacological Activities and Clinical Trials ...................... 150
References ............................................................................. 156
7 Cassia a/ata .................................................................................. 1 65
Common Names .................................................................... 165
Botanical Description ............................................................ 165
Origin and Distribution ......................................................... 166
Traditional Medicinal Uses .................................................... 166
Chemical Constituents ........................................................... 167
Pharmacological Activities and Clinical Trials ...................... 167
References ............................................................................. 171
8 Catharanthus roseus .................................................................... 1 75
Common Names .................................................................... 175
Botanical Description ............................................................ 175
Origin and Distribution ......................................................... 176
Traditional Medicinal Uses .................................................... 1 76
Chemical Constituents ........................................................... 177
Pharmacological Activities and Clinical Trials ...................... 179
References ............................................................................. 185
CONTENTS ix
9 Cymbopogon citratus .................................................................. 1 97
Common Names .................................................................... 197
Botanical Description ............................................................ 197
Origin and Distribution ......................................................... 198
Traditional Medicinal Uses .................................................... 198
Chemical Constituents ........................................................... 198
Pharmacological Activities and Clinical Trials ...................... 199
References ............................................................................. 204
10 Cyperus rotundus ........................................................................ 209
Common Names .................................................................... 209
Botanical Description ............................................................ 210
Origin and Distribution ......................................................... 210
Traditional Medicinal Uses .................................................... 21 0
Chemical Constituents ........................................................... 212
Pharmacological Activities and Clinical Trials ...................... 213
References ............................................................................. 219
11 Curcuma longa ............................................................................ 227
Common Names .................................................................... 227
Botanical Description ............................................................ 228
Origin and Distribution ......................................................... 228
Traditional Medicinal Uses .................................................... 228
Chemical Constituents ........................................................... 230
Pharmacological Activities and Clinical Trials ...................... 231
References ............................................................................. 242
12 Hibiscus rosa-sinensis .................................................................. 253
Common Names .................................................................... 253
Botanical Description ............................................................ 254
Origin and Distribution ......................................................... 254
Traditional Medicinal Uses .................................................... 254
Chemical Constituents ........................................................... 256
Pharmacological Activities and Clinical Trials ...................... 257
References ............................................................................. 262
13 Hibiscus sabdariffa ...................................................................... 267
Common Names .................................................................... 267
Botanical Description ............................................................ 267
Origin and Distribution ......................................................... 268
Traditional Medicinal Uses .................................................... 268
Chemical Constituents ........................................................... 268
Pharmacological Activities and Clinical Trials ...................... 269
References ............................................................................. 272
x CONTENTS
14 Jatropha curcas ............................................................................ 277
Common Names .................................................................... 277
Botanical Description ............................................................ 278
Origin and Distribution ......................................................... 278
Traditional Medicinal Uses .................................................... 278
Chemical Constituents ........................................................... 280
Pharmacological Activities and Clinical Trials ...................... 280
References ............................................................................. 284
15 Lantana camara ........................................................................... 289
Common Names .................................................................... 289
Botanical Description ............................................................ 290
Origin and Distribution ......................................................... 290
Traditional Medicinal Uses .................................................... 290
Chemical Constituents ........................................................... 291
Pharmacological Activities and Clinical Trials ...................... 292
References ................... , ......................................................... 298
16 Mucuna pruriens ......................................................................... 305
Common Names .................................................................... 305
Botanical Description ............................................................ 305
Origin and Distribution ......................................................... 306
Traditional Medicinal Uses .................................................... 306
Chemical Constituents ........................................................... 307
Pharmacological Activities and Clinical Trials ...................... 307
References ............................................................................. 311
1 7 Mangifera indica .......................................................................... 31 5
Common Names .................................................................... 315
Botanical Description ............................................................ 316
Origin and Distribution ......................................................... 316
Traditional Medicinal Uses .................................................... 316
Chemical Constituents ........................................................... 317
Pharmacological Activities and Clinical Trials ...................... 319
References ............................................................................. 324
18 Manihot esculenta ....................................................................... 329
Common Names .................................................................... 329
Botanical Description ............................................................ 329
Origin and Distribution ......................................................... 329
Traditional Medicinal Uses .................................................... 329
Chemical Constituents ........................................................... 330
Pharmacological Activities and Clinical Trials ...................... 330
References ............................................................................. 334
CONTENTS XI
19 Momordica charantia .................................................................. 337
Common Names .................................................................... 337
Botanical Description ............................................................ 338
Origin and Distribution ......................................................... 338
Traditional Medicinal Uses .................................................... 338
Chemical Constituents ........................................................... 341
Pharmacological Activities and Clinical Trials ...................... 343
References ............................................................................. 354
20 Moringa pterygosperma .............................................................. 367
Common Names .................................................................... 367
Botanical Description ............................................................ 368
Origin and Distribution ......................................................... 368
Traditional Medicinal Uses .................................................... 368
Chemical Constituents ........................................................... 370
Pharmacological Activities and Clinical Trials ...................... 371
References ............................................................................. 376
21 Persea americana ......................................................................... 383
Common Names .................................................................... 383
Botanical Description ............................................................ 384
Origin and Distribution ......................................................... 384
Traditional Medicinal Uses .................................................... 384
Chemical Constituents ........................................................... 385
Pharmacological Activities and Clinical Trials ...................... 386
References ............................................................................. 389
22 Phyllanthus niruri ........................................................................ 393
Common Names .................................................................... 393
Botanical Description ............................................................ 393
Origin and Distribution ......................................................... 393
Traditional Medicinal Uses .................................................... 394
Chemical Constituents ........................................................... 395
Pharmacological Activities and Clinical Trials ...................... 395
References ............................................................................. 399
23 Portulaca oleracea ....................................................................... 405
Common Names .................................................................... 405
Botanical Description ............................................................ 406
Origin and Distribution ......................................................... 406
Traditional Medicinal Uses .................................................... 406
Chemical Constituents ........................................................... 407
Pharmacological Activities and Clinical Trials ..................... .407
References ............................................................................. 410