International Journal of Indigenous Herbs and Drugs

RUDBECKIA HIRTA L.: AN UPDATE REVIEW OF ITS PHYTOCHEMISTRY, TRADITIONAL USES AND ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY

Akshaya Reddy Narra, Naresh Sabavath, Narender Boggula — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0530

The demand for ornamental plants is expected to increase in the future due to the growth of global trade. Nowadays, interactions with urban green infrastructure largely define people’s encounters with nature within cities.Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta L.), a flowering plant with various traditional medicinal uses, has recently garnered interest for its therapeutic properties. However, little is known about the potential therapeutic activities of the plant species.Rudbeckia, a genus within the Asteraceae family, is native to North America. This review aims to examine the literature on the ethnobotany, chemical composition, and bioactivity to date on this genus to provide a basis for future exploration into its medicinal potential.The species has several chemical constituents that are thought to contribute to its potential bioactive properties. These include flavonoids with anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial activities, such as quercetin and its glycosides, kaempferol and quercetagetin derivatives, patuletin and eupatolin. Several polyphenolic acids, such as caffeic and chlorogenic acids, are also known to be present in the plant. Other chemical constituents of R. hirta include terpenes, which are thought to be responsible for the plant’s distinctive taste and smell and its antibacterial properties. Further studies on this plant must be carried out to explore some other important, necessary, and unknown benefits.

HERBAL DRUG TREATMENT FOR LIVER DISORDERS: THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF PHYLLANTHUS AMARUS

Prashanthi Evangelin M — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0530

Liver disorders constitute a major global health challenge due to their increasing prevalence and limited therapeutic options in conventional medicine. Chronic exposure to hepatotoxins, viral infections, alcohol consumption, and metabolic imbalances often leads to progressive liver damage, including hepatitis, fatty liver disease, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. In recent years, herbal drugs have gained considerable attention as alternative or complementary therapies because of their multi-targeted actions, better safety profiles, and long history of traditional use. Medicinal plants rich in bioactive phytoconstituents such as flavonoids, lignans, tannins, and polyphenols exhibit significant hepatoprotective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral activities. Among these, Phyllanthus amarus has emerged as a well-recognized hepatoprotective herb widely used in traditional systems of medicine, particularly Ayurveda, for the treatment of jaundice and other liver disorders. The therapeutic efficacy of P. amarus is attributed to its rich phytochemical composition, especially lignans such as phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin, which play a crucial role in protecting hepatocytes from oxidative stress and toxin-induced damage. Experimental studies have demonstrated its ability to normalize liver enzymes, inhibit lipid peroxidation, and enhance endogenous antioxidant defense mechanisms. Furthermore, clinical investigations suggest its potential in managing chronic hepatitis B by suppressing viral replication and improving liver function parameters.

BUPRENORPHINE BUCCAL FILM: A NOVEL MUCOADHEVISE APPROACH FOR CHRONIC PAIN MANAGEMENT

Priyanka N — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0530

Chronic pain remains a significant clinical challenge requiring long-term, effective, and safe therapeutic strategies. Buprenorphine buccal film has emerged as a novel mucoadhesive drug delivery system that offers an alternative approach to conventional opioid therapy. Buprenorphine is a partial μ-opioid receptor agonist and κ-opioid receptor antagonist with high receptor affinity, providing potent analgesia while exhibiting a ceiling effect on respiratory depression. The buccal film formulation adheres to the oral mucosa, enabling direct systemic absorption and avoidance of first-pass hepatic metabolism, thereby enhancing bioavailability and ensuring consistent plasma drug levels. This review discusses the pharmacological profile of buprenorphine, the principles of mucoadhesive buccal drug delivery, formulation strategies, and clinical efficacy of buprenorphine buccal films in chronic pain management. Additionally, safety, tolerability, patient compliance, and therapeutic advantages over traditional oral and transdermal opioid formulations are critically evaluated. Overall, buprenorphine buccal film represents a promising advancement in chronic pain therapy, combining effective analgesia with improved safety and patient-friendly drug delivery.