Medicinal Plant Research 2024, Vol.14, No.2, 117-125 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/mpr 122 minimize reactive oxidative damage in the brain due to chronic epilepsy in rats. The results indicated that 1TAC normalized malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) concentrations in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced epileptic rats. The efficacy of 1TAC was found to be dose-dependent, with higher doses showing better results than the standard drug sodium valproate. This study highlights the potential of integrating 1TAC into modern herbal formulations for treating epilepsy (Snehunsu et al., 2015). 6.3 Case study: clinical trials and research findings While clinical trials specifically involving M. quadrifolia are limited, the existing preclinical research provides a strong foundation for future investigations. The neuroprotective and antiepileptic properties demonstrated in animal models suggest that M. quadrifolia could be a promising candidate for clinical trials aimed at treating neurological disorders (Kao and Lin, 2010). The studies reviewed indicate that the plant's diverse chemical composition, including phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and saponins, contributes to its medicinal properties. Further clinical research is necessary to validate these findings and explore the therapeutic potential of M. quadrifolia in human subjects (Snehunsu et al., 2015; Subramanian et al., 2023). 7 Potential Risks and Safety Concerns 7.1 Toxicological studies Marsilea quadrifolia has been traditionally used for various medicinal purposes, but its safety profile needs thorough evaluation. Toxicological studies have been conducted to assess the safety of its active components. For instance, 1-Triacontanol cerotate (1TAC), an isolated compound fromM. quadrifolia, was subjected to acute oral toxicity studies. The results indicated that 1TAC did not exhibit any significant toxic effects at the tested doses, suggesting a favorable safety profile for this compound (Snehunsu et al., 2015). Additionally, the neuroprotective potential of M. quadrifolia was evaluated in a study where rats were treated with chloroform extract of M. quadrifolia (CEMQ). The study did not report any adverse effects at the administered doses, further supporting the plant's safety (Subramanian et al., 2023). 7.2 Side effects and contraindications While M. quadrifolia shows promise in therapeutic applications, potential side effects and contraindications must be considered. The studies reviewed did not report significant side effects at therapeutic doses. However, it is crucial to note that the absence of reported side effects in these studies does not guarantee the absence of adverse effects in broader populations or at higher doses. Therefore, caution is advised, especially for individuals with pre-existing health conditions or those taking other medications. Further research is needed to comprehensively understand the side effects and contraindications associated withM. quadrifolia. 7.3 Safe usage guidelines Based on the available studies, M. quadrifolia appears to be safe when used within the tested dosage ranges. For instance, 1TAC was found to be effective and safe at doses of 40 and 80 mg/kg body weight in reducing oxidative damage in epileptic rats (Snehunsu et al., 2015). Similarly, CEMQ was administered at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg in neuroprotective studies without adverse effects (Subramanian et al., 2023). These findings suggest that M. quadrifolia can be safely used within these dosage ranges. However, it is essential to conduct further studies to establish comprehensive safe usage guidelines, including long-term safety and potential interactions with other drugs. While preliminary toxicological studies indicate that M. quadrifolia and its components are relatively safe, further research is necessary to fully elucidate its safety profile, potential side effects, and safe usage guidelines. 8 Future Research Directions 8.1 Gaps in current knowledge Despite the promising medicinal properties of Marsilea quadrifolia, several gaps in the current knowledge need to be addressed. While the plant's antioxidant properties have been well-documented, the specific mechanisms through which these antioxidants exert their effects remain unclear (Zhang et al., 2016; Bhanukiran et al., 2022). The neuroprotective potential of Marsilea quadrifolia has been demonstrated in animal models, but the exact
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