Abortifacient: an agent which causes expulsion of the foetus
Acetylcholinesterase: the enzyme that metabolises acetylcholine a neurotransmitter responsible for many biochemical activities. A deficit of the transmitter can reduce memory function and inhibiting its enzymic breakdown is one approach used to treat Alzheimer's disease
Adaptogen: an agent which helps the body accommodate to stress or change from any source
Aglycone: molecule after the glycoside or sugar group has been removed
Alterative: an agent used to improve elimination of metabolic waste and in so doing restores normal body functions
Analgesic: an agent used to relieve pain, it can be administered orally or topically
Anaphrodisiac: an agent used to lessen sexual function and desire
Angiogenesis: the growth of new blood vessels, apart from its natural occurrence as part of maturation it also occurs during wound healing and metastatic tumour growth
Anhidrotic: an agent that reduces sweating
Anodyne: an agent used to soothe or ease pain
Antacid: an agent used to neutralise acid in the stomach
Anthelmintic: an agent used to expel or destroy parasitic worms in the gastro-intestinal tract
Anti-arthritic: an agent used to relieve and heal arthritic conditions
Anticancer: an agent that reduces the viability of cancer cells
Anticarcinogenic: an agent that reduces the frequency of occurrence of spontaneous or induced cancers
Anticatarrhal: an agent which reduces catarrh or excessive mucus secretion
Anticoagulant: an agent which slows or prevents clotting of blood
Antidote: an agent which counteracts or neutralises poison
Antilithic: an agent used to prevent the formation of calculi (stones) or gravel which can occur in the urinary system or gall bladder
Antimitotic: an agent which inhibits the division of cells i.e. mitosis
Antineoplastic: an agent that inhibits or destroys tumours
Antipyretic: an agent which prevents or reduces fevers
Antiscorbutic: an agent which prevents or cures scurvy
Antioxidant: an agent that prevents oxidation a process believed to be the initiating factor in the development of many disease conditions such as cancer and heart disease
Antiproliferative: an agent that inhibits cell or tissue growth
Antiseptic: an agent used to prevent, resist and counteract infection
Antispasmodic: an agent used to reduce or prevent excessive involuntary muscular contractions or spasms
Antisudorific: an agent which stops or prevents sweating
Antitussive: an agent which relieves or reduces coughing
Aperient: an agent which acts as a mild laxative
Aphrodisiac: an agent used to stimulate sexual interest
Apoptosis: a process of programmed cell death that occurs naturally. If defective it can lead to disease conditions i.e. its failure to occur is associated with the development of cancer whereas if it occurs excessively it can cause hypotrophy
Aquaretic: an agent that increases urine output by increasing renal blood flow and glomerular filtration without the accompanying loss of electrolytes
Astringent: an agent that contracts tissue, making them firmer and reducing their discharges
Asthenospermia: loss of or reduced sperm motility
Bacteriostatic: an agent that inhibits the growth or proliferation of bacteria without necessarily killing them
Bitter: an agent that has a bitter taste but also promotes digestive function and improves appetite
Bronchodilator: an agent which increases the diameter of the respiratory airways
Cardio-active: an agent which acts on the heart
Cardiotonic: an agent which has a beneficial action on the heart
Carminative: an agent which improves digestion and relieves the discomfort of flatulence and/or colic
Cathartic: an agent which causes evacuation of the bowels
Cholagogue: an agent which stimulates or aids the release of bile from the gall bladder
Choleretic: an agent which stimulates the production of bile in the liver
Co-mutagen: an agent that is not mutagenic itself but may become so in conjunction with other agents
Counter-irritant: an agent which when applied topically increases local circulation. It is used for the temporary relief of a deep seated painful irritation
Creatine kinase: an enzyme involved in regulation of energy in cells, it uses creatine to store energy from ATP. Levels may be elevated in pathologies like cancer due to increased energy demand so that its inhibition may constitute a therapeutic approach to disease
Cytotoxic: an agent that is toxic to cells causing their death
Demulcent: an agent that is used internally to sooth and protect irritated tissues and surfaces
De-obstruent: an agent that removes obstructions from the body by improving the normal channels of elimination
Depurative: an agent which promotes the natural channels of elimination
Desmutagen: an agent that reduces the damage caused to DNA by a mutagen
Diaphoretic: an agent that increases perspiration and elimination through the skin, often used to reduce temperature in fevers
Diuretic: an agent that increases the production and flow of urine
Dyssomnia: sleep disorder affecting the ability to go to sleep or stay asleep
Dysthymia: defined as a chronic mood disorder, manifesting as depression alternating with feeling normal
Emetic: an agent that induces vomiting
Enterotoxin: an agent that is toxic in the gastrointestinal tract and may cause vomiting, abdominal pain and/or diarrhoea
Elastase: the enzyme responsible for breaking down elastic fibres, it is implicated in tissue damage associated with chronic inflammation
Emmenagogue: an agent that promotes menstruation
Emollient: an agent that softens, soothes and protects the skin
Enterohepatic cycling: the process in which metabolites that are initially absorbed from the intestine, pass to the liver for subsequent excretion in bile and are then re-absorbed for a second time from the gastro-intestinal tract. Such a process results in plasma levels for that substance showing two peaks separated by a time interval. It occurs regularly with respect to bile salts and can occur with extraneous metabolites
Expectorant: an agent which promotes the removal of excess mucus from the lungs and air passages
Febrifuge: an agent that reduces fever (antipyretic)
Fibronectin: an adhesive molecule, synthesised in fibroblasts, which binds collagen to the cell
Functional dyspepsia: persistent or recurrent pain or discomfort centred in the upper abdomen present for at least 12 weeks in the preceding 12 months
Galactagogue: an agent which increases or promotes the flow of breast milk
Glucosidase or α-glucosidase: enzyme that cleaves disaccharides and allows the ready absorption of glucose from the gastro-intestinal tract
Glutathione: a tripeptide containing sulphur and derived from cysteine that acts as an anti-oxidant, protecting cells from free radical damage
Glycation: non-enzyme addition of sugar units to proteins or lipids, a process that occurs in diabetes and old age, resulting in damage to these molecules and changes in their normal function
Haemorrheology: the various aspects of blood flow and blood cell behaviour measured in haematology
Haemostatic: an agent which reduces or stops bleeding
Hepatic: an agent used to strengthen, tone and stimulate bile secretions, improving liver function
Hirsutism: excessive hairiness
Hypolipidaemic: an agent that lowers blood lipid levels
Hypotensive: an agent that lowers blood pressure
Hypnotic: an agent that induces sleep
Menometrorrhagia: A cycle where bleeding occurs with both a short interval and heavy flow
Mutagen: an agent that alters the integrity of DNA
Mydriasis: excessive or prolonged dilation of pupil
Nervine: an agent that tones and strengthens the nervous system
Nitric oxide: a gas able to influence a great many biological functions. It is generated in vivo where it has a signalling function that can be positive e.g. dilation of blood vessels or negative e.g. escalation of inflammatory processes, depending on its site of production, level and duration
Nutritive: an agent that nourishes the body
Osteoclastogenesis: the production of osteoclasts, the cells responsible for the resorption and remodelling of bone
Oxytocic: an agent that stimulates uterine contraction i.e. has the same action as oxytocin
Parasiticide: an agent which destroys parasites
Parturient: an agent used to facilitate childbirth
Pectoral: an agent that strengthens and improves the function of the respiratory tract
Phenolic: an aromatic ring bearing an hydroxyl group. Within the context of plant constituents can include simple phenolics, phenolic acids, flavonoids, stilbenes, coumarins, tannins and lignans. They are epidemiologically associated with positive health benefits
Phospholipases: a class of enzymes responsible for metabolising phospholipids. There are 4 major groups which vary in their point of cleavage. Intracellular phospholipase A2 is involved in cell signalling and inflammatory processes by producing arachidonic acid from phospholipids
Pleurodynia: Severe paroxysms of intercostal pain believed to be of rheumatic origin
Properidin: a serum protein capable of inactivating bacteria and viruses
Refrigerant: an agent which has cooling properties, lowers body temperature and relieves thirst
Roehmheld's syndrome: a rose-coloured rash associated with some diseases
Rubefacient: an agent that, when applied locally, stimulates capillary dilation and causes reddening of the skin, thus relieves congestion and inflammation of deeper tissues
Sedative: an agent that relaxes and reduces nerve conduction
Sialagogue: an agent that promotes the secretion and flow of saliva
Soporific: an agent that promotes sleep
Spasmolytic: an agent that counteracts or relieves convulsions or spasmodic pains
Sternutatory: an agent which promotes sneezing by irritating the mucous membrane in the nasal passages
Stimulant: an agent that increases functional activity and energy in the body
Stomachic: an agent that relieves stomach pain
Styptic: an agent that stops external bleeding when applied topically
Sudorific: an agent which induces sweating
Superoxide dismutase: an enzyme present in nearly all cells, in mitochondria and extracellularly. It converts superoxides into oxygen and hydrogen peroxide and in doing so protects biochemicals from damage by reactive oxygen species
Tachyphylaxis: a fall off in effectiveness of a therapeutic agent with its continuous or frequently repeated use
Thromboxane: thromboxane A2 is produced from arachidonic acid via cyclo-oxygenase activity. In platelets it is responsible for blood clot formation via platelet aggregation and vasoconstriction. It is degraded to thromboxane B2
Thymoleptic: an agent that acts as a tonic or restorative to the nervous system and at the same time is stimulating, engendering a feeling of well-being
Topoisomerase I and II: enzymes involved in making breaks and links in DNA strands, used in the process of cell replication, transcription or viral insinuation
Tonic: an agent that improves function, energises and tones the body or particular tissues or organs
Tyrosinase: the enzyme that catalyses the production of the skin pigment melanin, its inhibition may represent a treatment approach for hyperpigmentation disorders
Vasoconstrictor: an agent that causes constriction of blood vessels
Vasodilator: an agent that causes dilation of blood vessels
Vermifuge: an agent which expels or destroys worms
Vulnerary: an agent used to hasten the healing of wounds
Xanthine oxidase: the enzyme responsible for converting purines to uric acid. Excessive uric acid can result in gout and kidney stones