Editorial

Dear readers and authors,

I am pleased to bring you volume 7, issue 2 of Pharmacognosy Communications. In this issue we present new research reports examining the pharmacognosy of several important medicinal plants including the antibacterial activity of Cinnamomum oliveri F.M.Bailey leaf extracts; the potential of Aleurites moluccanus (L.) Willd. nut extracts to prevent the autoimmune inflammatory diseases rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatic fever; and the growth inhibitory activity of Swainsonia formosa (G.Don) Joy Thomp. leaf extracts against a panel of pathogenic bacteria. We also present a commentary on a grouping of non-plant derived drugs (colloidal silver dispersions) and the confusion surrounding the naming of ‘colloidal silver’ preparations. There has long been confusion when describing metallic silver preparations and this has hindered public perception and acceptance of silver dispersions. The authors of this commentary have proposed the use of alternative descriptor terminology with the aim of stimulating discussing in this field.