Otto Sticher

MEDICINAL PLANTS IN MEXICO: HEALERS' CONSENSUS AND CULTURAL IMPORTANCE

Medicinal plants are an important element of indigenous medical systems in Mexico. These resources are usually regarded as part of a cultures traditional knowledge. This study examines the use of medicinal plants in four indigenous groups of Mexican Indians, Maya, Nahua, Zapotec and - for comparative purposes - Mixe. With the first three the methodology was similar, making a direct comparison of the results possible. In these studies, the relative importance of a medicinal plant within a culture is documented using a quantitative method. For the analysis the uses were grouped into 9-10 categories of indigenous uses. This report compares these data and uses the concept of informant consensus originally developed by Trotter and Logan for analysis. This indicates how homogenous the ethnobotanical information is. Generally the factor is high for gastrointestinal illnesses and for culture bound syndromes. While the species used by the 3 indigenous groups vary, the data indicate that there exist well-defined criteria specific for each culture which lead to the selection of a plant as a medicine. A large number of species are used for gastrointestinal illnesses by two or more of the indigenous groups. At least in this case, the multiple transfer of species and their uses within Mexico seems to be an important reason for the widespread use of a species. Medicinal plants in other categories (e.g. skin diseases) are usually known only in one culture and seem to be part of its traditional knowledge.

New halogenated furanones from the marine alga delisea pulchra (cf. fimbriata)

Abstract An investigation of the natural products chemistry of the red alga Delisea pulchra , collected from the Cape Banks, New South Wales, Australia, yielded eight new polyhalogenated furanones ( 1–7 ) and the previously reported metabolites 8–24 ). The structures of 1–8 were determined from the interpretation of their 1D and 2D NMR, UV, IR and mass spectral data. For the first time, complete 1 H and 13 C NMR data for compounds 14 , 18 , and 20-23 are reported.

Identification and determination of the flavonoids from Ginkgo biloba by high-performance liquid chromatography

Abstract Qualitative and quantitative reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic methods have been developed for the separation and determination of the flavonoids found in the leaves and therapeutically used extracts of Ginkgo biloba. The first method includes hydrolysis of the flavonoids and subsequent quantitative chromatographic assay of the obtained aglycones and qualitative analysis of the biflavones. The second method is a “fingerprint” procedure to identify unambiguously 33 flavonoids of Ginkgo biloba.

13C NMR spectroscopy of naturally occurring iridoid glucosides and their acylated derivatives

Abstract The 13 C NMR spectra of twenty one iridoid glucosides and fourteen acyl iridoid glucosides of various cyclopentane oxidation states have been analysed and their carbon shifts assigned. Evidence is presented which demonstrates that 13 C NMR spectroscopy is a valuable and reliable technique for distinguishing the sites of acylation in iridoid glucosides and confirming the predictions of the configuration at C-6 and C-8. A cis configuration of vicinal substituents is generally associated with a substantial increase in shielding, as compared with the trans analog. The ring size and C-1 configuration in the glucose moiety are also evident from the spectra.

An antimicrobial alkaloid fromFicus septica

Abstract A methanolic extract of Ficus septica leaves displayed intense antibacterial and antifungal activities. Bioactivity-guided fractionation with TLC bioautography led to the isolation of two indolizidine alkaloids, the novel ficuseptine, 4,6- bis -(4-methoxyphenyl)- 1,2,3-trihydroindolizidinium chloride, and antofine. The structure of ficuseptine was determined from mass spectrometry and extensive one and two dimensional NMR spectroscopy. Complete 1 H and 13 C NMR assignments for antofine are reported.

Medical ethnobotany of the Zapotecs of the Isthmus-Sierra (Oaxaca, Mexico): Documentation and assessment of indigenous uses

The Zapotec inhabitants of the Sierra de Oaxaca foothills (Mexico) live in an area of great botanic diversity. In daily subsistence and in response to illness, plants play a major role. An inventory of the Zapotec medicinal ethnobotany was carried out during 17 months of fieldwork. A total of 3611 individual responses concerning medicinal and non-medicinal uses for 445 different species of plants were documented. For the subsequent semi-quantitative analysis of data, the uses were grouped into ten categories and the responses for each species were summed up in each of these ten groups to yield rank-ordered lists. For the high rank-ordered and, hence, culturally important species, an assessment of the therapeutic potential was conducted using ethnobotanical, phytochemical and pharmacological data in the literature. Studies confirming the attributed properties or a scientific explanation of therapeutic use, as well as toxicological data, are still lacking for many of these species. The quantitative approach described will be the basis for future studies on the pharmacology and phytochemistry of Zapotec medicinal species. Finally, these data should also serve as a basis for biodiversity conservation and community development.

Medicinal plants of the Popoluca, México: organoleptic properties as indigenous selection criteria

The taste and smell of the environment are important to humans in everyday life and are of particular relevance for the selection of medicinal versus non-medicinal plant species. In a 16-months study with the Popoluca of southern Veracruz (Mexico), we focused on the indigenous selection criteria for medicinal plants. We provide evidence for a highly significant association between organoleptic properties of plants and the use of these species as medicine. Additionally, the doctrine of signature is an essential mnemonic aid, which facilitates remembering the use assigned to the plant. From the Popoluca point of view, it is essential to find substitutes or alternative treatments when a certain species is not at hand. We show that organoleptic properties and the doctrine of signature are excellent guides for selecting or memorising such medicinals.

Yucatec maya medicinal plants versus nonmedicinal plants : Indigenous characterization and selection

Medicinal plants are an important part of the environment as it is perceived by Mexican indigenous groups. The aim of this study, which was conducted over a period of 18 months in three Yucatec Mayan communities, is to better understand the selection criteria for medicinal plants. An important group of selection criteria are the flavor and aroma of plants. The absence of smell or taste indicates that the taxon has no potential medical value. Medicinal plants are more often considered to be sweet or aromatic (to smell good) or astringent, while a similar percentage of medicinal and nonmedicinal plants are considered bitter, spicy, acidic, or bad smelling. The relationship between the ethnobotanical data obtained for the individual plants and the secondary plant products (natural products) prominent in each species is specifically addressed in this paper. It shows that an understanding of the indigenous concepts used to distinguish medicinal from nonmedicinal species has considerable heuristic value.

Medicinal Flora of the Popoluca, Mexico: A Botanical Systematical Perspective

We studied the medicinal plants used by the Popoluca of the Sierra de Santa Marta (eastern Mexico). Using Moerman’s method of regression analysis we determined which ethnomedically used taxa are over-represented in the Popolucan pharmacopoeia (e.g., Asteraceae) and which are underrepresented (e.g., Orchidaceae). Moerman et al. (1999) found high correlation between the holarctic pharmacopoeias and assumed that apart from the relatedness of the northern floras a “global pattern of human knowledge“ may account for this finding. Although the Popoluca dwell in a habitat dominated by a neotropical flora but intermixed with important holarctic elements, they include considerably fewer neotropical taxa in their pharmacopoeia as one would expect if the historical transmitted knowledge were influencing their selection. This finding confirms the theory stated by Moerman et al. However, the Popoluca include some neotropical taxa in their pharmacopoeia and thus a moderate correlation exists between the Popolucan pharmacopoeia and the neotropical pharmacopoeia analysed by Moerman et al. We therefore conclude that apart from historically transmitted knowledge about specific taxa the “global pattern of human knowledge” addressed by Moerman et al. is largely based on “common selection criteria.”ResumenAplicando el método de análisis de regresión de Moerman, determinamos cuales taxa utilizados etnomédicamente están sobre-representados (p. ej. Asteraceae) y cuáles taxa están sub-representados (p. ej. Orchidaceae) en la farmacopea Popoluca. Moerman y colaboradores encontraron una alta correlatión entre diversas farmacopeas holárticas y suponen que este hecho se debe a la semejanza de las floras boreales y a la existencia de un “cuadro común de sabiduría humana.” Los Popolucas, quienes viven en un medio ambiente dominado por la flora neotropical mezclada con elementos boreales, incluyen menos taxa neotropicales en su farmacopea de lo que se hubiera esperado. Este resultado apoya la teoría expresado por Moerman et al. sobre la influencia de un conocimiento de la etnofarmacopea holártica que ha sido transmitido desde tiempos prehistóricos. Sin embargo comprobamos que existe una clara influencia neotropical en la farmacopea Popoluca por lo cual concluimos que además de los conocimientos sobre taxa específicos transmitidos históricamente, el hipotético “patrón común de sabiduría humana” citado por Moerman et al. se refiere también a “criterios comunes de selectión.”Während einer ethnobotanischen Feldstudie untersuchten wir die Medizinalpflanzen der Popoluca in der Sierra de Santa Marta (östliches Mexiko). Wir wandten Moermans Methode der Regressionsanalyse an, um die ethnomedizinisch überrepräsentierten (z. B. Asteraceae) und unterrepräsentierten Taxa (z. B. Orchidaceae) dieser Ethnopharmakopöe zu bestimmen. Moerman et al., welche eine hohe Korrelation zwischen holarktischen Pharmakopöen fanden, vermuten, dass neben der Verwandschaft der nördlichen Flora ein “globales Muster menschlichen Wissens” für dieses Ergebnis verantwortlich ist. Die Popoluca, welche in einem Habitat siedeln. in dem die neotropische Flora dominiert, aber klare holarktische Einflüsse aufweist, schliessen bedeutend weniger neotropische Elemente in ihre Pharmakopöe mit ein, als man erwarten würde, wenn nicht historisch tradiertes Wissen ihre Selektion beeinflussen würde. Dieses Ergebnis bestätigt die Theorie von Moerman et al. Da jedoch in der Pharmakopöe der Popoluca ein bestimmter Teil der neotropischen Flora vertreten ist, besteht eine moderate Korrelation zu der von Moerman et al. analysierten neotropischen Pharmakopöe. Daher schlussfolgern wir, dass das von Moerman et al. vermutete “globule Muster menschlichen Wissens” nebst historisch tradiertem phytomedizinischem Wissen über spezifische Taxa vor allem auch auf “gemeinsamen Selektionskriterien” beruht.

Pharmacological activities of Vitex agnus-castus extracts in vitro

The pharmacological effects of ethanolic Vitex agnus-castus fruit-extracts (especially Ze 440) and various extract fractions of different polarities were evaluated both by radioligand binding studies and by superfusion experiments. A relative potent binding inhibition was observed for dopamine D2 and opioid (micro and kappa subtype) receptors with IC50 values of the native extract between 20 and 70 mg/mL. Binding, neither to the histamine H1, benzodiazepine and OFQ receptor, nor to the binding-site of the serotonin (5-HT) transporter, was significantly inhibited. The lipophilic fractions contained the diterpenes rotun-difuran and 6beta,7beta-diacetoxy-13-hydroxy-labda-8,14-dien . They exhibited inhibitory actions on dopamine D2 receptor binding. While binding inhibition to mu and kappa opioid receptors was most pronounced in lipophilic fractions, binding to delta opioid receptors was inhibited mainly by a aqueous fraction. Standardised Ze 440 extracts of different batches were of constant pharmacological quality according to their potential to inhibit the binding to D2 receptors. In superfusion experiments, the aqueous fraction of a methanolic extract inhibited the release of acetylcholine in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, the potent D2 receptor antagonist spiperone antagonised the effect of the extract suggesting a dopaminergic action mediated by D2 receptor activation. Our results indicate a dopaminergic effect of Vitex agnus-castus extracts and suggest additional pharmacological actions via opioid receptors.