Books by Dr Monirul Islam

Catharanthus roseus (Madagascar Periwinkle) is a species of Catharanthus native and endemic to Madagascar. Synonyms include Vinca rosea (the basionym), Ammocallis rosea, and Lochnera rosea; other English names occasionally used include Cape Periwinkle, Rose Periwinkle, Rosy Periwinkle,and "Old-maid".In an in vitro analysis, Catharanthus was the most potent antioxidant herb analyzed among many others, including Thymus, Salvia and Rosmarinus.Catharanthus roseus L (C. roseus) has been used to treat a wide assortment of diseases including diabetes.The leaves of Catharanthus roseus constitute the only source of the well known indolomonoterpenic alkaloids vincristine and vinblastine.Increased wound contraction and tensile strength, augmented hydroxyproline content along with antimicrobial activity support the use of C. roseus in the topical management of wound healing.

Brassica oleracea or wild cabbage is a species of Brassica native to coastal southern and western Europe,where its tolerance of salt and lime and its intolerance of competition from other plants typically restrict its natural occurrence to limestone sea cliffs,like the chalk cliffs on both sides of the English Channel.Wild B.oleracea is a tall biennial plant,forming a stout rosette of large leaves in the first year,the leaves being fleshier and thicker than those of other species of Brassica, adaptations to store water and nutrients in its difficult growing environment. Plant medicines (phytotherapies) have a long history as treatment for diabetes,inflammation,cancer,heart disease.They have the antioxidant,antitumour and anti candida species activity.Brassica oleracea also produce the methionene in the SMM cycle.With a disturbing rise in the prevalence of this metabolic disease like diabetes and associated healthcare costs, interest in alternative or complementary therapies has grown.Over the last 10-20 years data from controlled investigations in animal models and patients have validated the therapeutic values of numerous phytotherapies for diabetes and other diseases.