The paradox of natural products as pharmaceuticals. Experimental evidences of a mango stem bark extract

Pharmacol Res. 2007 May;55(5):351-8. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2007.01.004. Epub 2007 Jan 16.

Abstract

Recent findings regarding basic, pre-clinical and clinical studies on a mango stem bark extract (MSBE) developed in Cuba (Vimang) on an industrial scale are summarized. Ethnomedical studies, extract reproducibility, biological effects and clinical evaluations in terms of patient quality of life are described as experimental evidences to support the statement that natural products, even being a mixture of compounds, could be as effective as "monoceuticals" for medical uses. Discussion about the use of "monoceuticals" versus "natureceuticals" in health care and medicine is based on effectiveness and availability, taking Vimang as an example of a natural product with supported scientific evidence to be used as antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulator.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics / chemistry
  • Analgesics / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antioxidants / chemistry
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Dosage Forms / standards
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / chemistry
  • Immunologic Factors / pharmacology*
  • Mangifera*
  • Plant Bark
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Quality Control
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Technology, Pharmaceutical / methods
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Dosage Forms
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Mangifera indica extract
  • Plant Extracts