Eurycoma longifolia are extensively studied in some institutions in Malaysia and the herbal preparations are available in the market.[3-12] It is a popular herb used by many local races of Malaysia and mainly used as aphrodisiac, anti-pyretic and anti-malarial remedy.[39] Not surprisingly, Jah Hut people often use it as an aphrodisiac remedy. This observation agrees with various pharmacological studies in which anti-hyperglycemic, anti-malarial, anti-proliferative, anti-schistosomal, anxiolytic and aphrodisiac activities are found in both in vivo and in vitro studies.[3-17]
Jah Hut people often use M. citrifolia to treat boils by topical application of leaves or fruits. This coincides with pharmacological validation, since boils (impetigo, folliculitis, furuncles, or carbuncles) are often caused by Staphylococcus aureus ; M. citrifolia possess anti-bacterial properties to counter it.[30]
Jah Hut people often use V. cinerea to relief asthma. Asthma is reversible airway obstruction associated with mucosal inflammation caused by mast cells and basophils degranulation resulting in the release of inflammatory mediator. Recent studies revealed the anti-inflammatory activities of V. cinerea ,[34],[35] therefore it is reasonable to use it in relieving asthma.
Other plants, which were not documented in phytopharmacological literatures and of interest may be exploited so that the underlying mechanisms in different diseases of treatment by pharmacological methods can be done. This approach has great significance in discovery of novel pharmacological preparations. For example, Alstonia angustiloba and Homalanthus populneus are used to relieve headache in Jah Hut herbal remedy. Since headache can caused by a wide spectrum of factors, stress, neurological disturbances, infections and so on, it might be interesting to study the underlying mechanisms of these herbs, or pure substances within it, against headache. It may probably possess anti-depressant or anti-hypertensive activity. The Physalis minima , Pyrrosia piloselloides and Smilax lanceifolia are often used to relieve pain, it is of practical use to search and extract the substances with analgesic action and study the underlying action by phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological methods.
In conclusion, this study is important to preserve the knowledge of medicinal plants used by Jah Hut people and also it is of important significance to exploit novel pharmacological agents in various treatments of diseases.
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