Mohammed N Baeshen, Raziuddin Khan, Roop S Bora and Nabih A Baeshen
Medicinal plants assumed principle role in folkloric medicine throughout history. They have been the subject of many recent studies for the evaluation of what have been ascribed to them of medicinal properties by means of modern techniques. For example Rhazya stricta decne of the Apocynaceae family is a widely distributed plant in Saudi Arabia. Extract of its leaves is prescribed in folkloric medicine for the treatment of various disorders such as diabetes, sore throat, helminthiasis, inflammatory conditions and rheumatism. The extract contains mainly alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, tannins and triterpenes. Several studies on rats and mice reported that the leaves extract causes sedation, analgesia, decreases motor activity and has anti-depressant, anti-oxidant activity, complex effect on brain endogenous monoamine oxidase activity and central–mediated hypotension. Moreover, some studies ascribed anticancer activities to indole alkaloids of Rhazya stricta. The genotoxicity of Rhazya stricta leaves was demonstrated by Baeshen and colleagues in a battery of tests. We also demonstrated various therapeutic properties of Rhazya stricta for the treatment of cancer, insulin insensitivity, MDRs (multi-drug resistant organisms), cardiovascular diseases, obesity and some other ailments. We are currently having collaboration with some international institutes in the United States and Europe for extensive studies on the whole genome of Rhazya stricta which may lead to future Natural Products Genomics and PDT (Phytodynamic Therapy).