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ABSTRACT: ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Up until now, the plant pharmacopoeia of the Chayahuita, an ethnic group from the Peruvian Amazon, has been poorly defined. This paper details the uses of medicinal plants within this community, as recorded in two villages of the Paranapura basin, Soledad and Atahualpa de Conchiyacu. AIMS OF THE STUDY: This study aims to describe the basis of the Chayahuita traditional medical system, to document part of the medicinal plant corpus, and to compare it with data from other Amazonian ethnic groups. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Methodology was based (i) on field prospection with 26 informants (ethnobotanical walks methodology), (ii) semi-structured interviews including 93 people (49 men and 44 women) focused on the most recent health problem experienced and on the therapeutic options chosen, (iii) individual or group thematic discussions relating to disease and treatments, (iv) 6-months of participants' observations between May 2007 and May 2008. At the end of the project in May 2008 a workshop was organized to cross-check the data with the help of 12 of the most interested informants. RESULTS: Six hundred and seventeen voucher specimens were collected, corresponding to 303 different species, from which 274 (belonging to 83 families) are documented here. Altogether 492 recipes were recorded, corresponding to a global figure of 541 therapeutic uses and a total of 664 use reports. The main therapeutic uses are related to dermatological problems (103 uses; 19%), gastro-intestinal complaints (69 uses; 13%) and malaria/fevers (52 uses; 10%). Diseases are analysed according to Chayahuita concepts, and for each disease the species having a high frequency of citation are listed, and the most frequently used remedies are described. Whenever possible, comparisons with other Amazonian groups have been drawn. CONCLUSION: Chayahuita nosology and medical ethnobotany appear to draw their inspiration from a common panamazonian root. Despite the fact that a certain number of medicinal plants are shared with other nearby groups, there seem to be specific uses for some species, thus highlighting the originality of the Chayahuita pharmacopoeia. Presently there is a certain disinterest in the most traditional area of the Chayahuita medical ways, and the role of the penutu (shaman) seems to be less highly-valued than in the past. Nonetheless, the use of medicinal plants in phytotherapeutic treatment is very much a living, shared knowledge.
Journal of ethnopharmacology 12/2012; · 2.32 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Two new dihydrochalcones (1, 2), as well as eight known compounds, piperaduncin C (3), 2',6'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxydihydrochalcone (4), 4,2',6'-trihydroxy-4'-methoxydihydrochalcone (5), 4-hydroxy-3,5-bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-benzoic acid (6), 3,5-bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-4-methoxybenzoic acid (7), 4-hydroxy-3-(3-methyl-2-butenoyl)-5-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-benzoic acid (8), 2,2-dimethyl-8-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-2H-1-chromene-6-carboxylic acid (9), and 3-(3',7'-dimethyl-2',6'-octadienyl)-4-methoxybenzoic acid (10) were isolated from the leaves of Piper dennisii Trelease (Piperaceae), using a bioassay-guided fractionation to determine their antileishmanial potential. Among them, compound 10 exhibited the best antileishmanial activity (IC50 = 20.8 µM) against axenic amastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis, with low cytotoxicity on murine macrophages. In the intracellular macrophage-infected model, compound 10 proved to be more active (IC50 = 4.2 µM). The chemical structures of compounds 1-10 were established based on the analysis of the spectroscopic data.
Planta Medica 04/2012; 78(9):914-8. · 2.15 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Quassia amara L. (Simaroubaceae) is a species widely used as tonic and is claimed to be an efficient antimalarial all over the Northern part of the Amazon basin. Quassinoid compound Simalikalactone D (SkD) has been shown to be one of the molecules responsible for the antiplasmodial activity of a watery preparation made out of juvenile fresh leaves of this plant. Because of its strong antimalarial activity, we decided to have a further insight of SkD pharmacological properties, alone or in association with classical antimalarials. At concentrations of up to 200μM, we showed herein that SkD did not exert any apoptotic or necrotic activities in vitro on lymphoblastic cells. However, an antiproliferative effect was evident at concentrations higher than 45nM. SkD was inefficient at inhibiting heme biomineralization and the new permeability pathways induced by the parasite in the host erythrocyte membrane. With respect to Plasmodium falciparum erythrocytic stages, SkD was almost inactive on earlier and later parasite stages, but potently active at the 30th h of parasite cycle when DNA replicates in mature trophozoites. In vitro combination studies with conventional antimalarial drugs showed that SkD synergizes with atovaquone (ATO). The activity of ATO on the Plasmodium mitochondrial membrane potential was enhanced by SkD, which on its own had a poor effect on this cellular parameter.
Experimental Parasitology 02/2012; 130(4):341-7. · 2.12 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: AnewquassinoidPicrasinK1 was isolated from a decoction made of Quassiaamara leaves, traditionally used in French Guyana to treat malaria. The structure and relative stereochemistry of 1 was determined through extensive NMR analysis. PicrasinK showed a low activity against Plasmodium falciparum in vitro (IC50 = 8 μM), and a similar low activity on human cancerous cells line (IC50 = 7 μM on MCF-7 cells line).
Phytochemistry Letters 01/2012; 5(1):162-164. · 1.22 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a neglected disease with a high incidence in French Guiana, mainly in the middle and upper Oyapock basin, where Amerindian and some Brazilian people live. The main goals of this work were (i) to assess the knowledge about leishmaniasis in the different populations of the middle and upper Oyapock basin, (ii) to study the therapeutic strategies adopted by people affected by leishmaniasis and (iii) to document the use of phytotherapeutic remedies for leishmaniasis. Knowledge, attitudes and practices (K.A.P.) related to this disease and its treatments have been studied according to cultural group and geographical settlement. Within the Wayãpi group, the evolution of the knowledge of phytoremedies over the last 20 years has been characterised by literature-based comparisons.
A total of 144 questionnaires were administered in all the villages of the upper Oyapock and Camopi basins. Correspondence analyses were used for multivariate analysis. Plant species were identified at the Cayenne Herbarium (CAY).
The biomedical concept of leishmaniasis correlates well with the Teko and Wayãpi concepts of kalasapa and kalasapau. Although the vector of this disease was not correctly identified, the most commonly cited aetiology (74.5%) was vector-borne, and related epidemiological schemes correlate well with the one encountered in French Guiana. Theoretically and practically, health centres were the most commonly used resource for diagnostic in instances of leishmaniasis infection (65.9%), independently of the patient's cultural group, along with the use of pharmaceutical drugs (85.3%). Pharmaceuticals were commonly utilised despite the frequent (51.5%) use of phytotherapeutic remedies, alone or in combination with drugs. The most cited medicinal plant species for the treatment of leishmaniasis included Eleutherine bulbosa (Mill.) Urb. (Iridaceae, cited 14 times), Euterpe oleracea Mart. (Arecaceae, 9), Cecropia obtusa Trecul (Cecropiaceae, 8), Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae, 7), Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn. (Bombacaceae, 6) and Carica papaya L. (Caricaceae, 6). Multiple correspondence analyses demonstrated that the species used in leishmaniasis remedies are more prone to vary by the user's place of residence than by their cultural origin, which indicates that exchange of knowledge about leishmaniasis remedies has occurred across different cultural groups. Literature-based comparisons between the remedies for leishmaniasis used by the Wayãpi during the 1980s showed a striking evolution, both in terms of diversity of species and number of plants used. The large number of species shared with other Guianese groups argues for intercultural exchange and may explain the majority (57.1%) of the newly used species highlighted in our study.
Leishmaniasis is a well-known disease in the studied area. Phytotherapeutic treatments are still in use, although they are not the main source of remedies, and should undergo pharmacological studies to evaluate their potential therapeutic value.
Journal of ethnopharmacology 07/2011; 137(3):1228-39. · 2.32 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: With the emergence of strains multiresistant to antimalarial drugs, the search for new active molecules remains a priority. Ethnopharmacology appears to be a good method of selection in such investigations.
The aim of this research work is to select plants used in Melanesian traditional medicine, in New Caledonia and Vanuatu, which should be a promising source for the isolation of new antimalarial drugs.
Forty-seven plant extracts belonging to 12 families, traditionally used by the Melanesian people or belonging to an antimalarial known genus, were screened in vitro for antimalarial activity on Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine (CQ)-resistant (FcB1) and CQ-sensitive (HB3) strains. They were also tested for their inhibitory effects on a protein kinase (Pfnek) and their cytotoxicity on human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7) cells.
Among all extracts, four displayed strong in vitro activities against P. falciparum: Gardenia urvillei Montrouzier, Scleria polycarpa Boeckeler, Terminalia catappa L. and Acronychia laevis J.R. & J.G. Forster, the latter being also toxic on MCF7 cells. Except for the extracts of S. polycarpa, all others that were active on P. falciparum, also possess an inhibitory effect on Pfnek. Discussion and
These results confirm that ethnopharmacology is an excellent approach for such investigations. The two countries considered clearly present advantages in the field. Indeed, local populations keep their traditional knowledge alive, and their flora is exceptionally rich. In New Caledonia, the high endemicity rate (74%) ranks the island as one of the world's biodiversity hotspots. As a consequence, chances to discover new active natural compounds are also high.
Pharmaceutical Biology 02/2011; 49(4):369-76. · 0.88 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Three new caffeic acid esters (1-3), four new lignans (4-7), and the known compounds (7'S)-parabenzlactone (8), dihydrocubebin (9), and justiflorinol (10) have been isolated from leaves of Piper sanguineispicum. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D NMR, HRCIMS, CD experiments, and chemical methods. Compounds 1-10 were assessed for their antileishmanial potential against axenic amastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis. Caffeic acid esters 1 and 3 exhibited the best antileishmanial activity (IC(50) 2.0 and 1.8 μM, respectively) with moderate cytotoxicity on murine macrophages.
Journal of Natural Products 10/2010; 73(11):1884-90. · 3.13 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Yanesha, also called Amuesha, is a group of amerindian people, belonging to the arawak linguistic family. They dwell in the central region of Peru, at the oriental foothills of the Andes. Their territory covers a large range of ecological settings, and communities spread from 1800 down to 400 m/snm. The Yanesha culture is vivid to this day, and people strongly rely on traditional medicine in their everyday life. An exhaustive ethnopharmacological survey leads us to collect 249 species with medicinal uses. An overview of the Yanesha pharmacopoeia, linked with ethnomedicinal practices is presented in this paper.
Journal of ethnopharmacology 10/2009; 127(1):175-92. · 2.32 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Our objective was to assess whether it could be contemplated to recommend Quassia amara young leaf tea for treatment against malaria, and if yes, set up a standard protocol for preparing the herbal tea.
The leaf tea was extracted with methylene chloride and the organic extract was fractionated with HPLC. Pure compounds were characterized and their in vitro cytotoxicity and antiplasmodial activity was determined.
We discovered that antimalarial Quassia amara young leaf tea contains several quassinoids: simalikalactone D (SkD, 1), picrasin B (2), picrasin H (3), neoquassin (4), quassin (5), picrasin I (6) and picrasin J (7). These last two compounds are new. In addition, our experiments demonstrate that both biological activity and cytotoxicity of the remedy may be attributed solely to the presence of SkD.
In conclusion, this preparation should not be recommended for treatment of malaria until a clinical study in humans is performed with SkD.
Journal of ethnopharmacology 09/2009; 126(1):114-8. · 2.32 Impact Factor
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Céline Valadeau,
Adriana Pabon,
Eric Deharo,
Joaquina Albán-Castillo,
Yannick Estevez,
Fransis Augusto Lores,
Rosario Rojas,
Dionicia Gamboa,
Michel Sauvain,
Denis Castillo, Geneviève Bourdy
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ABSTRACT: Ninety-four ethanolic extracts of plants used medicinally by the Yanesha, an Amazonian Peruvian ethnic group, for affections related to leishmaniasis and malaria were screened in vitro against Leishmania amazonensis amastigotes and against a Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine resistant strain.
The viability of Leishmania amazonensis amastigote stages was assessed by the reduction of tetrazolium salt (MTT) while the impact on Plasmodium falciparum was determined by measuring the incorporation of radio-labelled hypoxanthine.
Six plant species displayed good activity against Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine resistant strain (IC(50) < 10 microg/ml): a Monimiaceae, Siparuna aspera (Ruiz & Pavon), A. DC., two Zingiberaceae, Renealmia thyrsoidea (Ruiz & Pavon) Poepp. & Endl. and Renealmia alpinia (Rottb.), two Piperaceae (Piper aduncum L. and Piper sp.) and the leaves of Jacaranda copaia (Aubl.) D. Don (Bignoniaceae). Eight species displayed interesting leishmanicidal activities (IC50 < 10 microg/ml): Carica papaya L. (Caricaceae), Piper dennisii Trel (Piperaceae), Hedychium coronarium J. König (Zingiberaceae), Cestrum racemosum Ruiz & Pav. (Solanaceae), Renealmia alpinia (Rottb.) Zingiberaceae, Lantana sp. (Verbenaceae), Hyptis lacustris A. St.-Hil. ex Benth. (Lamiaceae) and Calea montana Klat. (Asteraceae). Most of them are used against skin affections by Yanesha people. Results are discussed herein, according to the traditional use of the plants and compared with data obtained from the literature.
Journal of ethnopharmacology 06/2009; 123(3):413-22. · 2.32 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Tapirira guianensis is a common tree used in traditional medicine in French Guiana against several infectious diseases (malaria, leishmaniasis, bacteria, etc.). The bioassay-guided purification of CH(2)Cl(2) bark extract led to the isolation of four cyclic alkyl polyol derivatives: 4,6,2'-trihydroxy-6-[10'(Z)-heptadecenyl]-1-cyclohexen-2-one (1a), 1,4,6-trihydroxy-1,2'-epoxy-6-[10'(Z)-heptadecenyl]-2-cyclohexene (1b), 1,4,5,2'-tetrahydroxy-1-[10'(Z)-heptadecenyl]-2-cyclohexene (2), and 1,3,4,6-tetrahydroxy-1,2'-epoxy-6-[10'(Z)-heptadecenyl]-cyclohexane (3). The structures were established on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR analyses. The anti-leishmanial, anti-plasmodial, anti-bacterial (on Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli), and anti-fungal (on Candida albicans) activities of the extracts and of these original compounds were evaluated. Two showed medicinal interest supporting the traditional uses of the plant. The structures were established through spectral analyses of the isolates and their derivatives.
Phytochemistry 12/2008; 70(2):305-11. · 3.35 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The bioassay-guided purification of an n-hexane extract from the leaves of Piper hostmannianum var. berbicense led to the isolation of four monoterpene or prenyl-substituted dihydrochalcones (1a, 1b, 2, 3) as well as the known compounds 2',6'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxydihydrochalcone (4), linderatone (5), strobopinin (6), adunctin E (7) and (-)-methyllinderatin (8). Their structures were established on the basis of NMR and X-ray analysis. (-)-Methyllinderatin, linderatone and 2',6'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxydihydrochalcone exhibited the most potent antiplasmodial activity with IC50 values of 5.64, 10.33 and 12.69 microM, respectively against both chloroquine-sensitive and resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum (F32,FcB1). The activity of (-)-methyllinderatin was confirmed in vivo against Plasmodium vinckei petteri in mice (80% of reduction of parasitemia) at a dose of 20 mg/kg/day.
Phytochemistry 05/2007; 68(9):1312-20. · 3.35 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A novel and very unusual azaanthracene alkaloid, 1-aza-7,8,9,10-tetramethoxy-4-methyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydroanthracene ( 1) and a new diastereoisomer of the bis-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid rodiasine, 1 S,1' R-rodiasine ( 2), as well as the alkaloids O-methylpunjabine ( 3) and O-methylmoschatoline ( 4) have been isolated from Pseudoxandra cuspidata bark, used in French Guiana as an antimalarial. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, especially 2D-NMR techniques (ADEQUATE and NOESY). We found that the antimalarial activity of this bark was mostly due to bis-benzylisoquinoline 1 S,1' R-rodiasine ( 2) (IC (50)= 1 microM) also displaying a low cytotoxicity.
Planta Medica 09/2006; 72(10):894-8. · 2.15 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: RESUMEN En nuestro programa de estudios de especies vegetales bolivianas reportadas por su uso etnofarmacológico contra síntomas de enfermedades tropicales ampliamente expandidas en Bolivia como el paludismo, la leishmaniasis o la enfermedad de Chagas, hemos recolectado plantas expresamente descritas contra tales enfermedades. También de las mismas farmacopeas se colectaron plantas descritas para otros usos como Cavanillesia aff. hylogeiton; Bombacaceae, usada por los Tacanas para lograr el aumento de peso en humanos y animales y usada también como contraceptivo. El estudio de la planta permitió la descripción de compuestos grasos comunes que no manifestaron sin embargo ninguna actividad antipalúdica. Los compuestos fueron identificados principalmente mediante el uso de técnicas de RMN. Este constituye el primer reporte químico de la especie. ABSTRACT Among the minor bolivian ethnic groups that we have studied for their tropical illnesses pharmacopoeia, like malaria, leishmaniasis or Chagas' disease, we harvested medicinal plants reported for their antiparasitic activity as well as other species reported for other pharmacological applications. Cavanillesia aff. hylogeiton; Bombacaceae, is a plant reported by the Tacanas ethnic group for its gaining weight induction properties in animals and humans as well as for its contraceptive use. 1 The bioguided separation of the extract afforded fatty common compounds like fatty acids and triglyceride mixtures, a triterpen, steroids and a steroid glycoside. None of these substances manifested any antimalarial activity. This constitutes the first chemical survey of the species and also a first evaluation of its biological activities. Compounds were structurally described mainly by the use of NMR.
Revista boliviana de Química. 01/2002; 19(1):18-24.
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ABSTRACT: RESUMEN De la farmacopea Tacana, la corteza de tronco de Bowdichia virgiloides H.B.K., Leguminosae, ha sido estudiada mediante una separación extractiva y cromatográfica bioguiada, por sus usos contra los síntomas del paludismo. Dos alcaloides del tipo ormosia, ormosanine y homoormosanine demostraron una buena actividad in vitro contra cepas cloroquino sensibles y cloroquino resistentes de Plasmodium falciparum. Ambos compuestos en su forma sinérgica no presentaron citotoxicidad de acuerdo a pruebas sobre células KB. Las identificaciones estructurales fueron establecidas mediante técnicas de espectrometría de masas y de RMN además de un importante aporte bibliográfico. ABSTRACT From the Tacana Pharmacopoeia, the stem bark of Bowdichia virgiloides H.B.K., Leguminosae, has been studied due to properties against malaria symptoms applying bioguided extractive and chromatographic techniques. Two ormosia-like type alkaloids, ormosanine and homoormosanine showed a good in vitro activity against chloroquine sensitive and chloroquine resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum. Acceptable low cytotoxicity was evidenced from KB cells tests. Structural identifications were carried out by application of mass and NMR techniques besides bibliographic research.
Revista boliviana de Química. 01/2002; 19(1):12-17.
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ABSTRACT: The vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and somatostatin (somatotropin release inhibiting factor, SRIF) are important neurotransmitters in a number of basic physiological events. Their disturbances have been reported in many diseases such as cystic fibrosis, impotent man (VIP), Alzheimer's disease, and some tumours (SRIF). Xestospongine B (1), sceptrine (2), and ageliferine (3), three alkaloids isolated from Xestospongia sp. and Agelas novaecaledoniae are reported as somatostatin and VIP inhibitors. The natural products 1, 2 and 3 exhibited a high affinity for somatostatin (IC50 = 12 microM, 0.27 microM, and 2.2 microM, respectively), 2 and 3 showed an affinity for VIP (19.8 microM and 19.2 microM, respectively). Due to the interaction between non-peptidic compounds and somatostatin/VIP receptors, these three alkaloids could be promising agents in the research on natural non-peptidic compounds for therapeutical interventions.
Planta Medica 03/1996; · 2.15 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Notre recherche visant à mettre en évidence de nouvelles substances naturelles nématicides nous a conduit à répertorier les espèces utilisées à Vanuatu comme protectrices des cultures. L'utilisation de ces plantes fait partie d'un savoir traditionnel. A Vanuatu, la plupart des maladies phytopathogènes sont prévenues par une préparation soigneuse du futur jardin. Nous détaillons dans cet article les différentes techniques et les espèces employées dans ce but par les habitants de Vanuatu. (Résumé d'auteur)
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ABSTRACT: Les organismes vivants élaborent des molécules dont la complexité dépasse l'imagination des chimistes. Leurs complexités chimiques vont de pair avec leurs remarquables propriétés biologiques. Les forêts tropicales sont avec les récifs coralliens parmi les biomes les plus riches en nombre d'espèces et constituent un gisement encore peu exploré de nouvelles molécules. En Nouvelle-Calédonie, l'ORSTOM dispose de moyens océanographiques indispensables pour l'étude et la récolte des Organismes Marins vivant dans le plus grand lagon du monde. De nombreux organismes marins ont été étudiés dans le cadre du programme SMIB (ORSTOM-CNRS) à Nouméa. Les extraits de ces organismes sont soumis à un large criblage biologique. Certains des composés isolés, comme la girolline, en sont au stade des essais cliniques. Pour ce qui est des espèces végétales, les chances de découverte de principes actifs sont augmentées grâce à l'ethnobotanique qui valorise l'expérience ancestrale des guérisseurs. En Bolivie, une équipe franco-bolivienne étudie l'activité leishmanicide des drogues végétales employées dans la médecine traditionnelle. L'étude des extraits actifs, #in vitro$ et #in vivo$, sur les leishmanies du nouveau monde a été conduite jusqu'à l'isolement et la détermination des composés responsables de l'activité appartenant aux groupes chimiques des alcaloïdes, des quinones et des terpènes. En conclusion, les enjeux scientifiques et géopolitiques de la biodiversité sont rappelés. (Résumé d'auteur)
