L10 Ethnopharmacology PH

Question 1

What is the value of Ethnophharmacology?

Answer 1

• There is a reductionist approach. i.e a search for ‘active constituents’ which has resulted in isolation of a large number of chirallly useful compounds e.g
• Naturally occuing compounds e.g Digoxin
• Semisynthetic derivatives e.g Ergot alkaloid derivatives for Parkinsonism
• Using molecules as templates. Rivastigmine was made from Physostigmine.

Question 2

Where has the investigation of traditional medicines resulted in the discovery of drugs?

Answer 2

Physostigmine was discovered from calabar bean in nigeria. Indicated for Treatment of Glaucoma and anticholinergic poisoning, because it enhances the transmission of acetylcholine signals in the brain.

Question 3

How is pharmacological data obtained?

Answer 3

By Field observation: Obervation of local practices and tradition used by local healers, or medicines sold in markets.

By databases of information - e.g Old books and texts. Medical Exploration, Historical and botanical information in reliious texts

Question 4

What are the issues surrounding Field Observation

Answer 4

• Access may be difficult
• Collection of scientifi specimen - logistics of obtaining plant if its geographcally inaccessible
• protectivism (paying for intellecual property and using knowledge)
• Plant identification - how to verify that the local plant is the one you’re looking for? What is the plant scientifically known as? etc
• Preperation method - can change the chemistry or reduce the active substance
• Dissappearance of knowledge that has not passed down from generations within cultures

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Question 5

What are the issues surrounding databases

Answer 5

• Access difficult or specialist libraries may be difficult
• Indentification: Identifying what plants are being spoken about in texts
  e. g religious texts have plants that bear different names in todays age.
• Medical terminology may change with time, including language.
• Reputation vs observation e.g heart shaped leaves treat the heart. Yellow shaped leaves treat jaundice

Question 6

state the key stages in scientific investigation from ethnopharmacological data

Answer 6

1 Establish: Identify a plant and disease for which its used for
2 Collect and Prepare: As the traditional or scientific way. Using correct solvent or additives.
3 Perform pharmacological and biochemical tests

Question 7

what can investigating medical products offer? us?

Answer 7

Can give a scientific explanation of
traditional medicines
• Can encourage use of substitutes for
expensive imported ‘Western’ drugs in
developing countries
• Might lead to new single chemical entity
drugs
• May result in herbal medicinal products
for wider use than original culture