Ethnopharmacology

Question 1

Define traditional medicine

Answer 1

The knowledge, skills and practices of indigenous cultures to prevent, diagnose, improve or treat physical and mental illness

Question 2

What is Rongoa Maori

Answer 2

Traditional healing system, holistic and well-being oriented. Combining physical, spiritual and NZ native plant-based therapies to treat energy imbalance or illness.

Question 3

How are plants collected

Answer 3

Carefully identified, non-polluted areas in correct phase of the moon and prepared safely and hygenivally

Question 4

How are remedies prepared

Answer 4

mixing crushed or dried plant material with water or ethyl alcohol

Question 5

When is a karakia said

Answer 5

At picking and after preparation

Question 6

What is ethnopharmacology

Answer 6

interdisciplinary field - botany, chemistry and pharmacology
1st step in development of drugs

Question 7

How does ethnopharmacology validate traditional preparations

Answer 7

Isolation of active substances and/or pharmacological testing
Ensures quality, safety, efficacy and practice of herbal molecules

Question 8

What is manuka used in

Answer 8

Healing and infection - Bark, leaves, seeds, oil and gum
Cough and sore throat - honey (cream and gel)
Sun burn, anti-aging, viral, fungal, inflammatory and acne - oil from tree

Question 9

What is the property of manuka honey

Answer 9

Anti-microbial activity

Question 10

What gives manuka honey its anti-microbial activity

Answer 10

Anti-oxidant phenolics (benzoic, kjic, syringic acid)
Anti-inflammatory phenolic (methyl syringate)
Anti-bacterial by-product (methylglyoxal)

Question 11

What do phenolics do

Answer 11

Reduce free radicles - protect against oxidative stress (makes more stable) (food preservatives and whitening agents)

Question 12

What does methyl syringate do

Answer 12

Inhibits MPO activity in neutrophils
MPO generates HOCL from H2O2 - cross-links & inactivates DNA, RNA, lipids & proteins

Question 13

describe the range of compounds in manuka oil

Answer 13

Anti-microbial beta-triketones
Pheromone attractants or repellents - monoterpines & sequiterpenes
Bioactive components

Question 14

Who owns traditional medicines

Answer 14

Indigenous populations own or act as guardians of natural resource
Knowledge pertaining to medical use
Scientists/companies ‘invent’ derivatives, discover novel actions and create new users

Question 15

What does patent law mean for who owns nature & knowledge

Answer 15

Rewards inventors for creative actions rather than the rights of property and knowledge owners

Question 16

Describe compensation

Answer 16

Scientists share profits from commercialisation but:
Timeframe of drug development lengthy
Benefit isn’t guaranteed

Question 17

What would the benefits of partnership be

Answer 17

Conservation & sustainable use of resources
mutual transfer of knowledge & skills
Fair and equitable sharing of benefit and risks

Question 18

Describe a Bi-cultural partnership

Answer 18

Improved land conservation
New NZ biotech-agritech sector (skill training opportunities)
Indigenous brand wound care product (improve quality of life and reduce mortality) - shared health and economic benefit

Question 19

Compare new medicine development and traditional knowledge

Answer 19

Traditional knowledge amazing resource in discovery of new medicines from nature
Traditional therapies offer same, if not greater, advantages
If drug development best option then scientist should work with indigenous communities to ensure needs of both met