The effects of a polyherbal mixture containing Allium sativum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Citrullus colocynthis, Juglans regia, Nigella sativa, Olea europaea, Punica granatum, Salvia officinalis, Teucrium polium, Trigonella foenum, Urtica dioica, and Vaccinium arctostaphylos were tested on biochemical parameters in diabetic rats. The animals were randomized into three groups: (1) normal control, (2...

The understanding of evolutionary relationships in Arctostaphylos has been hampered by taxonomic difficulties in this large and complex genus. A phylogenetic analysis of sequences from the ITS region for 38 species was used to provide a phylogenetic perspective for interpreting evolutionary patterns and relationships in Arctostaphylos. Phylogenetic relationships were estimated using maximum lik...

The occurrence of triterpene pentacyclic acids in plants is extensive, but little is known about their availability in commercial extracts. A simple GC-MS method for the simultaneous determination of betulinic, corosolic, maslinic, oleanolic and ursolic acids was developed and applied to 38 different commercial plant extracts sold as ingredients for dietary supplements. A suitable protocol was ...

Background: Vaccinium arctostaphylos L. (Caucasian whortleberry) fruit is used as an anti-hyperglycemic agent for treatment of diabetes mellitus. Objective: The effects of whortleberry fruit and leaf extracts on the blood levels of fasting glucose, HbA1c (glycosylated hemoglobin), insulin, creatinine and liver enzymes SGOT and SGPT in alloxan-diabetic rats as well as LD50s of the extracts in ...