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Khan AM, Altaf M, Hussain T, Hamed MH, Safdar U, Ayub A, Memon ZN, Hafiz A, Ashraf S, Amjad MS, Majeed M, Hassan M, Bussmann RW, Abbasi AM, Al-Yafrsi M, Elansary HO, Mahmoud EA. Ethnopharmacological uses of fauna among the people of central Punjab, Pakistan. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1351693. [PMID: 38681848 PMCID: PMC11045910 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1351693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The utilization of fauna and fauna-based byproducts in ethnomedicinal usages has been a longstanding human activity, practiced across various cultures worldwide. This study focuses on investigating the utilization of animal-based traditional medicine by the people of Pakistan, specifically in the Gujranwala area. Methods Data collection took place from January to September 2019 through interviews with local communities. Ethnomedicinal applications of animal products were analyzed using several indices, including Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), Relative Popularity Level (RPL), Folk Use Value (FL), and Relative Occurrence Percentage (ROP). Results The study identified the use of different body parts of 54 species of animals in treating various diseases and health issues. These include but are not limited to skin infections, sexual problems, pain management (e.g., in the backbone and joints), eyesight issues, immunity enhancement, cold, weakness, burns, smallpox, wounds, poisoning, muscular pain, arthritis, diabetes, fever, epilepsy, allergies, asthma, herpes, ear pain, paralysis, cough, swelling, cancer, bronchitis, girls' maturity, and stomach-related problems. Certain species of fauna were noted by informers with high "frequency of citation" (FC), ranging from 1 to 77. For instance, the black cobra was the most frequently cited animal for eyesight issues (FC = 77), followed by the domestic rabbit for burn treatment (FC = 67), and the Indus Valley spiny-tailed ground lizard for sexual problems (FC = 66). Passer domesticus and Gallus gallus were noted to have the highest ROP value of 99. Discussion The findings of this study provide valuable preliminary insights for the conservation of fauna in the Gujranwala region of Punjab, Pakistan. Additionally, screening these animals for medicinally active compounds could potentially lead to the development of novel animal-based medications, contributing to both traditional medicine preservation and modern pharmaceutical advancements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Majid Khan
- Institute of Zoology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Altaf
- Institute of Forest Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Tanveer Hussain
- Institute of Forest Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - M. Haroon Hamed
- Department of Zoology Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Umaira Safdar
- Institute of Zoology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Amina Ayub
- Department of Zoology, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Zaibun-nisa Memon
- Department of Zoology, Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Adnan Hafiz
- Department of Zoology, University of Sialkot, Sialkot, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Sana Ashraf
- Department of Zoology, University of Lahore, Sargodha, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Shoaib Amjad
- Department of Botany, Women University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Bagh, Bagh, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Majeed
- Department of Botany, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Musheerul Hassan
- Department of Ethnobotany, Institute of Botany, Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia
- Alpine Institute of Management and Technology, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Rainer W. Bussmann
- Department of Ethnobotany, Institute of Botany, Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia
- Staatliches Museum Für Naturkunde, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Arshad Mahmood Abbasi
- Department of Environment Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad, Pakistan
| | - Mohamed Al-Yafrsi
- Department of Plant Production, College of Food & Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hosam O. Elansary
- Department of Plant Production, College of Food & Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Eman A. Mahmoud
- Department of Food Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Damietta University, Damietta, Egypt
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Anagonou CM, Loko LEY, Dassou AG, Toffa J, Djegbe I, Saliou M, Dansi A. Entomophagy practices, use patterns, and factors influencing perception and consumption frequency of edible insects in the Republic of Benin. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2023; 19:54. [PMID: 37993955 PMCID: PMC10664552 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-023-00626-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Edible insects are important sources of essential nutrients and have the potential to contribute to malnutrition reduction and food security in the Republic of Benin. However, their consumption is always restricted to a limited number of sociocultural groups. To determine how the consumption of insects could be promoted as an alternative food source, this study documents the endogenous knowledge associated with edible insects and, the main factors that govern their perception and frequency consumption. METHODS A survey was conducted towards 479 rural households consuming edible insects through 91 villages of Atacora, Alibori, Zou, and Plateau departments using individual interviews with a semi-structured questionnaire. The survey was focused on the inventory of edible insects and the documentation of consumers' acceptance, frequencies and motive reason of consumption, local uses, and accessibility to edible insects. Samples of edible insects were collected and preserved in 70% alcohol for taxonomic identification. RESULTS The majority of surveyed people (79.1%) were consumers of edible insects since many years ago (29.1 ± 17.2 years). Insect species belonging to 17 genera of 7 families and 3 orders of insects were used as food, with Brachytrupes membranaceus Drury being the most widespread and consumed. Six factors affecting edible insect availability were identified with the chemical pollution as the most important. Besides their food use (63.2%), edible insects in the study area were used for several purposes. We find that ethnicity, religion, age, education level, and monthly frequency of insect consumption are the main factors influencing the local perception of edible insects. Indeed ethnic group, religion ethnicity, and market accessibility have a positive influence on edible insect consumption frequency. The Hierarchical Clustering of Principal Components has allowed us to classify the interviewees into 3 groups with different perceptions of entomophagy and their characteristics will make it possible to better orient the strategies for promoting entomophagy in the Republic of Benin. CONCLUSIONS Religion and tradition are among the main factors that influence entomophagy in Benin Republic. The development of a national strategy to promote entomophagy should take into account the recorded insect consumption motivations, and their different uses by each ethnic group, and mainly target young people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinne Mèdéou Anagonou
- Laboratory of Applied Zoology and Plant Health (ZASVE), National High School of Applied Biosciences and Biotechnologies (ENSBBA), National University of Sciences, Technologies, Engineering and Mathematics (UNSTIM), PO Box 14, Dassa-Zoumé, Benin
| | - Laura Estelle Yêyinou Loko
- Laboratory of Applied Zoology and Plant Health (ZASVE), National High School of Applied Biosciences and Biotechnologies (ENSBBA), National University of Sciences, Technologies, Engineering and Mathematics (UNSTIM), PO Box 14, Dassa-Zoumé, Benin.
| | - Anicet Gbeblonoudo Dassou
- Laboratory of Applied Zoology and Plant Health (ZASVE), National High School of Applied Biosciences and Biotechnologies (ENSBBA), National University of Sciences, Technologies, Engineering and Mathematics (UNSTIM), PO Box 14, Dassa-Zoumé, Benin
| | - Joelle Toffa
- Laboratory of Applied Zoology and Plant Health (ZASVE), National High School of Applied Biosciences and Biotechnologies (ENSBBA), National University of Sciences, Technologies, Engineering and Mathematics (UNSTIM), PO Box 14, Dassa-Zoumé, Benin
| | - Innocent Djegbe
- Département des Sciences de la Vie et de la Terre, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Natitingou, UNSTIM, Natitingou, Bénin
| | - Manzid Saliou
- Laboratory of Biomathematics and Forest Estimates (LBEF), University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), Abomey-Calavi, Benin
| | - Alexandre Dansi
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Genetic Resources and Plant and Animal Breeding (BIORAVE), ENSBBA, UNSTIM, PO Box 143, Dassa-Zoumé, Benin
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Efa DA. Animal and their products used for treatment and prevention of disease practiced by traditional healers in Jimma Arjo district, East Wollega Zone, Western Ethiopia. Vet Med Sci 2023; 9:2660-2675. [PMID: 37725331 PMCID: PMC10650365 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ethiopia is one of the countries with richest fauna used for medicinal purpose. The Jimma Arjo community has knowledge and practice of utilizing this medicinal animal for treatment of human and animal ailments. OBJECTIVE The objective of this research is to assess animals and their products used for treatment of human and animal ailment METHODS: A cross-sectional ethnozoological survey was conducted using a semi structured questionnaire among purposively selected traditional healers resided in Jimma Arjo district. The data collected was entered in Microsoft excel spread sheet and analysed using SPSS statistical software. Fidelity level (FL), use value and informant consensus factor was determined. RESULTS A total of 33 animal species was found to be used for treating 40 human ailments and different livestock disease confirmed by 36 informants of different ages, sexes and educational backgrounds. The majority of animals (63.63%) were mammals followed by birds (15.15%). Most of the respondents were male, married and aged 55 years and above. Most of the healers learn ethnozoological practice from the father (36.11%) followed by mother (19.44%). The traditional practice is accepted by (72.22%) of the community where 61.11% of the healers are not willing to transfer their knowledge to other. For most of the healers, the reason to practice traditional healing was for treating one's own family or animals (41.67%). The FL was found 100% for honey from Apis mellifera and Trigona spp. for asthma, Cynopterus sphinx for viral skin disease and Crocuta crocuta for bad sprit treatment. In this study, honey from A. mellifera, Hystrix cristata and Sus scrofa domesticus were reported to cure different ailments. CONCLUSION This study indicated wide use of medicinal animals and their products which could be used as an alternative and complementary medicine or a basis for in developing new drugs because the existing drugs especially antimicrobials are under threat due to the development of resistance by microbes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debela Abdeta Efa
- College of Veterinary Medicine and AgricultureAddis Ababa UniversityBishoftuEthiopia
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Bashir SM, Altaf M, Hussain T, Umair M, Majeed M, Mangrio WM, Khan AM, Gulshan AB, Hamed MH, Ashraf S, Amjad MS, Bussmann RW, Abbasi AM, Casini R, Alataway A, Dewidar AZ, Al-Yafrsi M, Amin MH, Elansary HO. Vernacular Taxonomy, Cultural and Ethnopharmacological Applications of Avian and Mammalian Species in the Vicinity of Ayubia National Park, Himalayan Region. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12040609. [PMID: 37106809 PMCID: PMC10135773 DOI: 10.3390/biology12040609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Numerous investigations on plant ethnomedicinal applications have been conducted; however, knowledge about the medicinal use of wild animals is still limited. This present study is the second on the medicinal and cultural meaning of avian and mammalian species used by the population in the surrounding area of the Ayubia National Park, KPK, Pakistan. Interviews and meetings were compiled from the participants (N = 182) of the study area. The relative frequency of citation, fidelity level, relative popularity level, and rank order priority indices were applied to analyze the information. Overall, 137 species of wild avian and mammalian species were documented. Of these, 18 avian and 14 mammalian species were utilized to treat different diseases. The present research showed noteworthy ethno-ornithological and ethno-mammalogical knowledge of local people and their connection with fauna, which might be useful in the sustainable utilization of the biological diversity of the Ayubia National Park, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Furthermore, in vivo and/or in vitro examination of the pharmacological activities of species with the highest fidelity level (FL%) as well as frequency of mention (FM) might be important for investigations on faunal-based new drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayda Maria Bashir
- Department of Zoology, Women's University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Bagh 12500, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Altaf
- Department of Forestry, Range and Wildlife Management, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan
| | - Tanveer Hussain
- Department of Forestry, Range and Wildlife Management, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Umair
- College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China
| | - Muhammad Majeed
- Department of Botany, University of Gujrat, Hafiz Hayat Campus, Gujrat 50700, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Wali Muhammad Mangrio
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur 66111, Pakistan
| | - Arshad Mahmood Khan
- Department of Botany, Government Hashmat Ali Islamia Associate College Rawalpindi, Rawalpindi 46300, Pakistan
- Department of Botany, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Rawalpindi 46300, Pakistan
| | | | - M Haroon Hamed
- Department of Zoology, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Sana Ashraf
- Department of Zoology, University of Lahore, Sargodha 40100, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Shoaib Amjad
- Department of Botany, Women's University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Bagh 12500, Pakistan
| | - Rainer W Bussmann
- Department of Ethnobotany, Institute of Botany and Bakuriani Alpine Botanical Garden, Ilia State University, 0105 Tbilisi, Georgia
- Department of Botany, State Museum of Natural History, 76133 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Arshad Mehmood Abbasi
- Department of Environment Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, Abbottabad 22060, Pakistan
| | - Ryan Casini
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, 2121 Berkeley Way, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA
| | - Abed Alataway
- Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water Chair, Prince Sultan Institute for Environmental, Water and Desert Research, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Z Dewidar
- Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water Chair, Prince Sultan Institute for Environmental, Water and Desert Research, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Agricultural Engineering, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed Al-Yafrsi
- Department of Plant Production, College of Food & Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mahmed H Amin
- Department of Plant Production, College of Food & Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hosam O Elansary
- Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water Chair, Prince Sultan Institute for Environmental, Water and Desert Research, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Plant Production, College of Food & Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
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Faiz M, Altaf M, Umair M, Almarry KS, Elbadawi YB, Abbasi AM. Traditional Uses of Animals in the Himalayan Region of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:807831. [PMID: 35847043 PMCID: PMC9277021 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.807831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The use of animals and animal-derived products in ethnopharmacological applications is an ancient human practice that continues in many regions today. The local people of the Himalayan region harbor rich traditional knowledge used to treat a variety of human ailments. The present study was intended with the aim of examining animal-based traditional medicine utilized by the population of the Himalayan region of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.Methods: Data were collected from 2017 to 2019 through individual and group interviews. Data on traditional uses of animal products were analyzed, utilizing following indices such as the frequency of citation, use value, relative importance, similarity index, principal component analysis, and cluster analysis to find the highly preferred species in the area.Results: Ethnomedicinal uses of 62 species of vertebrates and invertebrates were documented. Flesh, fat, bone, whole body, milk, skin, egg, head, feathers, bile, blood, and honey were all used in these applications. The uses of 25 animals are reported here for the first time from the study area (mainly insects and birds, including iconic species like the kalij pheasant, Lophura leucomelanos; Himalayan monal, L. impejanus; and western tragopon, Tragopan melanocephalus). The diversity and range of animal-based medicines utilized in these communities are indications of their strong connections with local ecosystems.Conclusion: Our results provide baseline data valuable for the conservation of vertebrate and invertebrate diversity in the region of Himalayan of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. It is possible that screening this fauna for medicinally active chemicals could contribute to the development of new animal-based drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Faiz
- Department of Zoology, Women University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Bagh, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Altaf
- Department of Forestry, Range and Wildlife Management, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur-Pakistan, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Umair
- College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China
- *Correspondence: Muhammad Umair, , ; Arshad Mehmood Abbasi, ,
| | - Khalid S. Almarry
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yahya B. Elbadawi
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Arshad Mehmood Abbasi
- Department of Environment Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad, Pakistan
- University of Gastronomic Sciences, Pollenzo, Italy
- *Correspondence: Muhammad Umair, , ; Arshad Mehmood Abbasi, ,
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Abebe D, Molla Y, Belayneh A, Kebede B, Getachew M, Alimaw Y. Ethnozoological study of medicinal animals and animals' products used by traditional medicinal practitioners and indigenous people in Motta city administration and Hulet Eju Enessie District, East Gojjam, Northwest Ethiopia. Heliyon 2022; 8:e08829. [PMID: 35128112 PMCID: PMC8808067 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e08829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In Ethiopia, many ethnic communities use traditional/indigenous medicine for primary health care. However, this indigenous medicinal practice is being neglected and continued to be lost due to poor documentation as they are transferred from generation to generation through oral tradition. Therefore, this ethnozoological study aimed to assess and document the medicinal use of animals and animals’ products used by traditional medicinal practitioners and indigenous people in Motta city administration and Hulet Eju Enessie Districts, East Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia. Methods Cross-sectional ethnozoological survey was conducted using a Semi-structured questionnaire among purposively selected respondents in Motta city administration and Hulet Eju Enessie District, East Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia from September 2020 to June 2021 GC. The ethnozoological data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 and Microsoft Excell Spreadsheet. Fidelity level, use-value, and informant consensus factor were determined. Results A total of 25 animal species were reported to be used for the treatment of different ailments by 33 informants. The majority of animals (64%) were mammals followed by birds (16%). The fidelity level ranged from 18.2 (Hyena for bad spirit) to 100% (stingless be for asthma, Tiger for rabies virus, Whisper for nightmare). Conclusion This study showed the wide use of medicinal animals and their parts/products for meeting the primary healthcare needs of the community in the study area. Therefore, this ethnozoological medicinal knowledge needs to be integrated with modern medicine to use animals/animals’ products as a potential source of effective drugs for different ailments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dehnnet Abebe
- Department of Pharmacy, Debre Markos University, Ethiopia
| | - Yalew Molla
- Department of Pharmacy, Debre Markos University, Ethiopia
| | | | - Bekalu Kebede
- Department of Pharmacy, Debre Markos University, Ethiopia
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Altaf M, Abbasi AM, Umair M, Amjad MS, Irshad K, Khan AM. The use of fish and herptiles in traditional folk therapies in three districts of Chenab riverine area in Punjab, Pakistan. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2020; 16:38. [PMID: 32580733 PMCID: PMC7313147 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-020-00379-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Like botanical taxa, various species of animals are also used in traditional and modern health care systems. Present study was intended with the aim to document the traditional uses of herptile and fish species among the local communities in the vicinity of the River Chenab, Punjab Pakistan. METHOD Data collected by semi-structured interviews and questionnaires were subsequently analyzed using relative frequency of citation (FC), fidelity level (FL), relative popularity level (RPL), similarity index (SI), and rank order priority (ROP) indices. RESULTS Out of total 81 reported species, ethnomedicinal uses of eight herptiles viz. Aspideretes gangeticus, A. hurum, Eublepharis macularius, Varanus bengalensis, Python molurus, Eryx johnii, Ptyas mucosus mucosus, Daboia russelii russelii and five fish species including Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, Cirrhinus reba, Labeo dero, Mastacembelus armatus, and Pethia ticto were reported for the first time from this region. Fat, flesh, brain, and skin were among the commonly utilized body parts to treat allergy, cardiovascular, nervous and respiratory disorders, sexual impotency, skin infections, and as antidote and anti-diabetic agents. Hoplobatrachus tigerinus, Duttaphrynus stomaticus, and Ptyas mucosus mucosus (herptiles), as well as Labeo rohita, Wallago attu, and Cirrhinus reba (fish) were top ranked with maximum informant reports, frequency of citations, and rank order priority. Uromastyx hardwickii, Ctenopharyngodon idella, H. molitrix, Cirrhinus mrigala, C. reba, L. rohita, L. calbasu, L. dero, and Pethia ticto were the species with 100% fidelity level. Furthermore, medicinal uses of Aspideretes gangeticus, Aspideretes hurum, Calotes versicolor, Daboia russelii russelii, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, Cirrhinus reba, Labeo dero, Mastacembelus armatus, Pethia ticto, and Gagata cenia were reported for the first time. CONCLUSION About half of the reported species depicted zero similarity index with previously reported literature, which indicates strong associations of local inhabitants with animal species, particularly for therapeutic purpose. Inclusive studies on composition and bioactivities of the species with maximum use reports may contribute significantly in animal-based novel drugs discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Altaf
- Department of Zoology, Women University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Bagh, Pakistan.
| | - Arshad Mehmood Abbasi
- Department of Environment Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, Abbottabad, 22060, Pakistan.
| | - Muhammad Umair
- School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Kinza Irshad
- Department of Environment Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, Abbottabad, 22060, Pakistan
| | - Abdul Majid Khan
- Department of Zoology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
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Chandramouli B, Mallikarjuna K. Enumeration of various Ayurvedic formulations listed in an ancient palm-leaf manuscript of Rayalaseema region in Andhra Pradesh state, India. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2020; 251:112552. [PMID: 31926316 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.112552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Revised: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Ancient India relied on manuscripts written by scholars for storing, transferring and retrieving the information pertaining to culture, traditions, religion, geography and political issues. Similarly, Ayurveda, an ancient human health care management system in India and most of its information is available through palm-leaf manuscripts. Though each palm-leaf can persist for a fairly long time, it suffers gradual deterioration owing to physical, chemincal and biological factors, thus warranting digitiation. The palm-leaf manuscripts of Ayurveda are extensively studied for finding new drug or treatment methods to new-age diseases. AIM OF THE STUDY The present study concerns an unpublished ancient Telugu palm-leaf manuscript containing Ayurvedic medicine information enscripted on 33 palm-leaves. Since the palm-leaf manuscript is very old, the manual documentation, translation, digitization and analysis of it may shed light on hidden ayurvedic information that may be useful to the modern society. MATERIALS AND METHODS The palm-leaf manuscript with 33 folios were manually documented and digitized into a Telugu book followed by translation into English. The scientific names of historical diseases, plants, animals, metals and minerals were identified based on published sources. RESULTS A critical scrutiny of the palm-leaf manuscript revealed 120 formulations with 164 plants for 29 different kinds of diseases such as meha and prameha (urinary problems), eye diseases, skin diseases, respiratory diseases, fevers, digestive disorders, jaundice, tuberculosis, cancer and so on. Plant and animal products, metals and minerals mentioned in the said formulations were identified and listed. CONCLUSION Basing on our study, it is concluded that the said manuscript contains mono-or poly-herbo-mineral formulations for the treatment of various ailments.This information can be incorporated into and compared with available data bases to find out the effectiveness of the drug or formulation for any given diseases. Further validation of the formulations can be done by phytochemical and in vivo pharmacological assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balaraju Chandramouli
- Sri Gurajada Apparao Government Degree College, Yellamanchili, Visakhapatnam District, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Kokkanti Mallikarjuna
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Acharya Nagarjuna University, Nagarjunanagar-522 510, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India.
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Teixeira JVDS, Santos JSD, Guanaes DHA, Rocha WDD, Schiavetti A. Uses of wild vertebrates in traditional medicine by farmers in the region surrounding the Serra do Conduru State Park (Bahia, Brazil). BIOTA NEOTROPICA 2020. [DOI: 10.1590/1676-0611-bn-2019-0793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Abstract: Wild and domestic animals and their by-products are important ingredients in the preparation of medicines traditionally used in folk medicine, present in various human cultures since antiquity. However, the decline in the number of species in neotropical regions as a result of hunting for various purposes, including food, medicine and magico-religious use, has placed some species - especially endemic species - at risk of extinction. In this context, the present study aimed to identify the wild vertebrate species used in folk medicine in five communities in the region surrounding the Serra do Conduru State Park (PESC), Bahia, Brazil. Forty-five hunter-farmers were interviewed, citing 23 species, from which 17 raw materials are extracted for prevention and/or treatment of 19 illnesses. Mammals were the most cited taxon followed by birds and reptiles. Among the species mentioned, Cuniculus paca is the most used for zootherapy purposes, followed by Salvator merianae and Sphiggurus insidiosus. There was dissimilarity between the communities in relation to the diversity of species used for zootherapy. Ten categories of body systems were classified for which the therapeutic resources are recommended. Disorders related to the middle and inner ear were the most cited. Some of the species mentioned are endangered, such as Bradypus torquatus and Lachesis muta. This research demonstrated that zootherapy is a traditional practice embedded in these communities. Further studies are needed to broaden knowledge of other species that may have important cultural value for these families, as well as to evaluate the potential implications of the uncontrolled use of these species in traditional medicine in an ecological context, since the practice of zootherapy can excerpt pressure on critical animal populations and threaten biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jade Silva dos Santos
- Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Brasil; Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Brasil
| | | | | | - Alexandre Schiavetti
- Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Brasil; Centro Nacional Patagónico, Argentina
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Loko LEY, Medegan Fagla S, Orobiyi A, Glinma B, Toffa J, Koukoui O, Djogbenou L, Gbaguidi F. Traditional knowledge of invertebrates used for medicine and magical-religious purposes by traditional healers and indigenous populations in the Plateau Department, Republic of Benin. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2019; 15:66. [PMID: 31842934 PMCID: PMC6916055 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-019-0344-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since ancient times, invertebrates have played an important role in the traditional medicine in many parts of the world. In south-eastern Benin, more specifically in the Plateau Department, invertebrates are widely used in folk medicine. However, studies on their therapeutic use has been neglected and their magical-religious purposes are poorly understood. The present study aims to document traditional knowledge related to the use of invertebrates for medicinal and magical-religious purposes by traditional healers and indigenous people of Plateau Department. METHODS An ethno-sociological survey was conducted with 145 informants (80 traditional healers, 12 merchants of medicinal animals and 53 households) belonging to six ethnic groups, in 20 villages located in Plateau of Benin. Data were collected through the participatory rural appraisal method involving individual interviews and direct observations with semi-structured questionnaires. The collected data regarding various medicinal and magical-religious uses of invertebrates were analysed through informant consensus factor (ICF), use value (UV) and, fidelity level (FL). RESULTS A total of 20 families and 38 species of invertebrates, distributed among 6 taxonomic categories, were found to be used to treat 50 different ailments. Insects occupied 64.7% of the total invertebrates listed. The African earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae K. and African giant snail Achatina achatina L. had the highest use values. The highest ICF value (1.0) was cited for diseases of the blood or blood-forming organs. A principal component analysis (PCA) revealed the influence of ethnic groups in the diseases treated with invertebrates. The highest FL (100%) was recorded for 12 invertebrate species treating various ailments. Most of invertebrate-based remedies were associated with plant species. The mode of administration was mainly oral and topical. Most of the invertebrate drugs were traditionally collected in nature or imported, mainly from Nigeria. In addition, 7 magical-religious practices are documented. CONCLUSIONS Our results reveal that several invertebrate species play an important role in healing practices and magical-religious rituals in the Plateau Department. We suggest further studies to confirm the presence of any bioactive compounds on invertebrate species use in traditional medicine. In addition, this study highlights the need for ecological investigations of these species, in order to develop strategies for their conservation and sustainable use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Estelle Yêyinou Loko
- Laboratory of Applied Entomology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology of Dassa (FAST-Dassa), National University of Sciences, Technologies, Engineering and Mathematics of Abomey (UNSTIM), BP 14 Dassa-Zoumé, Benin
| | - Sédami Medegan Fagla
- Medicinal and Organic Chemistry Laboratory, Faculty of Health Sciences, 01, BP 188 Cotonou, Benin
| | - Azize Orobiyi
- Laboratory of Applied Entomology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology of Dassa (FAST-Dassa), National University of Sciences, Technologies, Engineering and Mathematics of Abomey (UNSTIM), BP 14 Dassa-Zoumé, Benin
| | - Bienvenu Glinma
- Laboratory of Physics and Synthesis Organic Chemistry (LaCOPS), Faculty of Sciences and Techniques (FAST), University of Abomey-Calavi, BP 4521 Cotonou, Benin
| | - Joelle Toffa
- Laboratory of Applied Entomology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology of Dassa (FAST-Dassa), National University of Sciences, Technologies, Engineering and Mathematics of Abomey (UNSTIM), BP 14 Dassa-Zoumé, Benin
| | - Omédine Koukoui
- Laboratoire de Physiologie Animale de Signalisation Cellulaire et de Pharmacologie, FAST-Dassa, UNSTIM, BP 34 Dassa Zoumé, Benin
| | - Luc Djogbenou
- Laboratoire des maladies infectueuses à transmission vectorielle, Institut Régional de Santé Publique, University of Abomey-Calavi, BP 384 Ouidah, Benin
| | - Fernand Gbaguidi
- Medicinal and Organic Chemistry Laboratory, Faculty of Health Sciences, 01, BP 188 Cotonou, Benin
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Oceans as a Source of Immunotherapy. Mar Drugs 2019; 17:md17050282. [PMID: 31083446 PMCID: PMC6562586 DOI: 10.3390/md17050282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2019] [Revised: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Marine flora is taxonomically diverse, biologically active, and chemically unique. It is an excellent resource, which offers great opportunities for the discovery of new biopharmaceuticals such as immunomodulators and drugs targeting cancerous, inflammatory, microbial, and fungal diseases. The ability of some marine molecules to mediate specific inhibitory activities has been demonstrated in a range of cellular processes, including apoptosis, angiogenesis, and cell migration and adhesion. Immunomodulators have been shown to have significant therapeutic effects on immune-mediated diseases, but the search for safe and effective immunotherapies for other diseases such as sinusitis, atopic dermatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and allergies is ongoing. This review focuses on the marine-originated bioactive molecules with immunomodulatory potential, with a particular focus on the molecular mechanisms of specific agents with respect to their targets. It also addresses the commercial utilization of these compounds for possible drug improvement using metabolic engineering and genomics.
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Lameiras JLV, Costa OTFD, Dos-Santos MC. Neotropical freshwater stingrays (Chondrichthyes – Potamotrygoninae): biology, general features and envenomation. TOXIN REV 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/15569543.2018.1542406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Luiza Varjão Lameiras
- Programa Multi-institucional de Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Avenida Rodrigo Octávio Jordão Ramos, Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil
- Laboratório de Imunoquímica, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil
| | - Oscar Tadeu Ferreira da Costa
- Laboratório de Microscopia Quantitativa, Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil
| | - Maria Cristina Dos-Santos
- Laboratório de Imunoquímica, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil
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Ferreira FS, Brito SV, Coutinho HDM, Souza EP, Almeida WO, Alves RRN. Vertebrates as a Bactericidal Agent. ECOHEALTH 2018; 15:619-626. [PMID: 29922961 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-018-1345-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2016] [Revised: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In Brazil, although a large number of animals are used in traditional medicine (at least 354 species), information about their biological activities is scarce. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate the bactericidal potential of zootherapeutic by-products from animals used in Brazilian traditional medicine and discuss the ecological and cultural consequences of such practices. The species analyzed were: Tupinambis merianae (skin), Iguana iguana (skin and body fat), Crotalus durissus (skin and body fat), Boa constrictor (skin), Euphractus sexcinctus (body fat) and Coendou prehensilis (quills). Experiments were performed with standard clinical strains of Escherichia coli (EC-ATCC10536) and Staphylococcus aureus (SA-ATCC 25923). For the microbiological assay, the zootherapeutics were evaluated using serial microdilutions. The results indicate that none of the samples possess inhibitory activity against standard bacterial strains. The in vitro ineffectiveness of the analyzed products demonstrate a necessity for new pharmacological research that encompass a large number of species of medicinal animals as well as highlight the importance of zootherapy in the context of plans for animal conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- F S Ferreira
- Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Colegiado Acadêmico de Ecologia, Senhor do Bonfim, BA, Brazil.
| | - S V Brito
- Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Centro de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Chapadinha, MA, Brazil
| | - H D M Coutinho
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Universidade Regional do Cariri, Crato, CE, Brazil
| | - E P Souza
- Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - W O Almeida
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Universidade Regional do Cariri, Crato, CE, Brazil
| | - R R N Alves
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil
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Altaf M, Umair M, Abbasi AR, Muhammad N, Abbasi AM. Ethnomedicinal applications of animal species by the local communities of Punjab, Pakistan. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2018; 14:55. [PMID: 30111346 PMCID: PMC6094468 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-018-0253-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Different species of animals are being utilized in traditional therapies by various cultures for a long time and such uses still exist in folk medicine. The present study aimed to document animal-based traditional therapies used by the local communities of Jhelum and Lahore districts of the Punjab province, Pakistan. METHODS Field surveys were conducted in 2015-2016 in six different sites of the study areas. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and face to face conversation with local informants. RESULTS The ethnomedicinal uses of 57 species of animals including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibian, and invertebrates (30, 25, 25, 7, 3.5, and 3.5%, respectively) were documented. Meat, oil, brain, fats, milk, eggs, and skin were the most utilized body parts. Ovis orientalis punjabiensis, Francolinus francolinus, Sperata sarwari, Channa punctata, Oreochromis niloticus, Ctenopharyngodon idella, Cyprinus carpio, Labeo rohita, and Carassius auratus were reported for the first time to treat human diseases, i.e., allergy, epilepsy, fever, joint pain, and backache, to act as aphrodisiac, and to enhance memory. Streptopelia decaocto and S. tranquebarica were the most frequently utilized species with highest frequency of citation (32 for each). Columba livia depicted highest fidelity level and used value of 92.86% and 0.89, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Being agro-pastoralists, the inhabitants of Jhelum possess more traditional knowledge compared to Lahore. The present study could be important for conservation and sustainable use of animal biodiversity in this region. Additionally, detailed study on chemical profiling and bioactivities may lead to animal-based novel drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Altaf
- Department of Zoology, Women University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Bagh, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Umair
- School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Abdul Rauf Abbasi
- Statistical Wing, Department of Mathematics, Women University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Bagh, Pakistan
| | - Noor Muhammad
- Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Arshad Mehmood Abbasi
- Department of Environment Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, Abbottabad, Pakistan
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Fischer ML, Palodeto MFT, Santos ECD. [The use of animal-assisted therapy: a bioethical question]. HISTORIA, CIENCIAS, SAUDE--MANGUINHOS 2018; 25:217-243. [PMID: 29694525 DOI: 10.1590/s0104-59702018000100013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2016] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This paper addresses ethical questions concerning animal-assisted therapy (zootherapy). While it has been documented for centuries in several cultures and is resistant to urban and technological developments, it combines multiple moral and vulnerable agents, constituting a dilemma whose fair and consensual solution calls for new perspectives, like environmental bioethics. Through analyses of scientific texts, the arguments and values intrinsic to decisions about how and when to use animals as medical resources are systematized. Using bioethics as a method, reflections are offered about the potential solutions dependent on the multidimensional communication between the players from the three pillars of sustainability - environment, society, and economy - involved in this global ethical question, focusing on conservation and sustainable production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Luciane Fischer
- Escola de Ciências da Vida, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brasil,
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Altaf M, Javid A, Umair M, Iqbal KJ, Rasheed Z, Abbasi AM. Ethnomedicinal and cultural practices of mammals and birds in the vicinity of river Chenab, Punjab-Pakistan. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2017; 13:41. [PMID: 28701165 PMCID: PMC5508792 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-017-0168-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although, use of animal species in disease treatment and culture practices is as ancient as that of plant species; however ethnomedicinal uses and cultural values of animal species have rarely been reported. Present study is the first report on the medicinal uses of mammals and bird species in Pakistan. METHODS Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were applied to collect qualitative and quantitative data from local informants (N = 109). Relative frequency of mention (RFM), fidelity level (FL), relative popularity level (RPL), similarity index (SI) and rank order priority (ROP) indices were used to analyzed the data. RESULTS One hundred and eight species of animals, which include: 83% birds and 17% mammals were documented. In total 30 mammalian and 28 birds' species were used to treat various diseases such as rheumatic disorders, skin infections and sexual weakness among several others. Fats, flesh, blood, milk and eggs were the most commonly utilized body parts. Bos taurus, Bubalus bubalis, Capra aegagrus hircus, Felis domesticus, Lepus nigricollis dayanus and Ovis aries (mammals) and Anas platyrhynchos domesticus, Columba livia, Coturnix coturnix, Gallus gallus and Passer domesticus (birds) were the highly utilized species. Medicinal and cultural uses of 30% mammals and 46% birds were reported for the first time, whereas 33% mammals and 79% birds depicted zero similarity with previous reports. CONCLUSION Present study exhibits significant ethnozoological knowledge of local inhabitants and their strong association with animal species, which could be helpful in sustainable use of biodiversity of the region. Additionally, in vitro and in vivo evaluation of biological activities in the mammalian and birds' species with maximum fidelity level and frequency of mention could be important to discover animal based novel drugs. Some commonly used mammals and birds species of the study area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Altaf
- Department of Zoology, Women University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Bagh, Pakistan
| | - Arshad Javid
- Department of Wildlife and Ecology, University of the Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Umair
- School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Khalid Javed Iqbal
- Department of Life Sciences, Islamia University Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Zahid Rasheed
- Department of Mathematics, Women University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Bagh, Pakistan
| | - Arshad Mehmood Abbasi
- Department of Environment Sciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Abbottabad, Pakistan
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Santos CAB, de Albuquerque UP, Souto WMS, Alves RRN. Assessing the Effects of Indigenous Migration on Zootherapeutic Practices in the Semiarid Region of Brazil. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0146657. [PMID: 26745882 PMCID: PMC4706440 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0146657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2015] [Accepted: 12/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Human migration implies adaptations to new environments, such as ways to benefit from the available biodiversity. This study focused on the use of animal-derived remedies, and we investigated the effects of migration on the traditional medical system of the indigenous Truká people. This ethnic group lives in Northeast Brazil and is currently distributed in four distinct villages. In these villages, the zootherapeutic knowledge of 54 indigenous people was determined through semi-structured questionnaires given from September 2013 to January 2014. The interviewees indicated 137 zootherapeutic uses involving 21 animal species. The variety of species and their uses have a higher similarity between villages that are closer to each other, which can be a reflection of geographic and environmental factors. However, even close villages showed a low similarity in the zootherapeutic uses recorded, which reflects a strong idiosyncrasy regarding the knowledge of each village. Hence, each village may be influenced by the physical environment and contact with other cultures, which may maintain or reduce the contact of younger villages with the original village.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Alberto Batista Santos
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Etnobiologia e Conservação da Natureza, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmãos, 52171–900, Recife, PE, Brasil
- Departamento de Tecnologia e Ciências Sociais, Universidade do Estado da Bahia, Avenida Edgard Chastinet, s/n, São Geraldo, 48905–680, Juazeiro, BA, Brasil
| | - Ulysses Paulino de Albuquerque
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Etnobiologia e Conservação da Natureza, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmãos, 52171–900, Recife, PE, Brasil
| | - Wedson Medeiros Silva Souto
- Universidade Federal do Piauí, BR 343, km 3,5, Bairro Meladão, 64800–000, Floriano, PI, Brasil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia), Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), Campus I, João Pessoa, PB, 58051–900, Brasil
| | - Rômulo Romeu Nóbrega Alves
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Etnobiologia e Conservação da Natureza, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmãos, 52171–900, Recife, PE, Brasil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia), Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), Campus I, João Pessoa, PB, 58051–900, Brasil
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Av. das Baraúnas, 351/Campus Universitário, Bodocongó, 58109–753, Campina Grande, PB, Brasil
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Rego KMDC, Zeppelini CG, Serramo Lopez LC, Alves RRN. Assessing human-bat interactions around a protected area in northeastern Brazil. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2015; 11:80. [PMID: 26576760 PMCID: PMC4650336 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-015-0058-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2015] [Accepted: 10/11/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bats are key components to the Neotropical forests. Unfortunately, their bad reputation is a major obstacle in their conservation as it creates fear and hostility towards them. Understanding this reputation acquired by bats and studying interactions between bats and humans has shown fundamental promise when creating strategies to forge a non-antagonistic coexistence between both parts and in the promotion of bat conservation in areas with ever-rising human occupation. METHODS Ninety people were surveyed from three villages that were situated around a Biological Reserve in the state of Paraiba; located in Northern Brazil. The survey was completed using semi-structured interviews addressing villager's knowledge of the biology and ecology of bats, their interactions with bats, potential medicinal uses, and their socioeconomic situation. Additionally, we sampled the bats that reside in or visit these villages. RESULTS Bats were often considered harmful, dangerous and carriers of disease. Bats were often connected to hematophagia, as well. The respondents believe that impacts such as the deforestation are forcing bats into urban environments. With this research, we were able to register one of the few records of bats in popular medicine in Brazil. CONCLUSION The folklore and superstition surrounding bats can form an obstacle that affects their conservation. Environmental education is an important step in order to create a harmonious coexistence between humans and bats and to mitigate the impending conflicts between humanity and nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karlla Morganna da Costa Rego
- Programa Regional de Pós-Graduação em Desenvolvimento e Meio-Ambiente - PRODEMA, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Campus I, Cidade Universitária, João Pessoa, 58051-900, PB, Brazil
| | - Caio Graco Zeppelini
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas - Zoologia, PPGCB-ZOOLOGIA, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Campus I, CIdade Universitária, 58051-900, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.
| | | | - Rômulo Romeu Nóbrega Alves
- Departmento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Avenida das Baraúnas, 351, Bodocongó, Campina Grande, Paraíba, CEP 58109-753, Brazil
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Narchi NE, Aguilar-Rosas LE, Sánchez-Escalante JJ, Waumann-Rojas DO. An ethnomedicinal study of the Seri people; a group of hunter-gatherers and fishers native to the Sonoran Desert. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2015; 11:62. [PMID: 26260511 PMCID: PMC4531481 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-015-0045-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2015] [Accepted: 07/10/2015] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Worldwide, coastal communities' ethnomedicinal knowledge has been sporadically recorded and poorly understood. Based on the ethnomedicinal knowledge of the Seri people; a hunting-gathering and fishing society of Northwestern Mexico, this study assesses a) the biological richness of Seri ethnomedicinal knowledge, b) the fidelity level of Seri remedies, and c) the association between gender, age, years of formal schooling and Seri ethnomedicinal knowledge. METHODS To assess the degree of ethnomedicinal knowledge proficiency, we conducted 75 open-ended semi-structured interviews collecting information on ethnomedicinal knowledge of marine and terrestrial organisms and the socio-demographic profile of each collaborator. With the support of primary collaborators, we collected the materials to be used as stimuli along our interviews. A correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between gender, literacy and age with the ethnomedicinal knowledge proficiency. A paired t-test was used to determine differences in the number of remedies known by gender among members of the Seri community. RESULTS A total of 28 medicinal specimens were presented as stimuli material. Marine remedies (12 species), were represented by 4 algae, 3 mollusks, 3 echinoderms, on reptile, and one annelid. Terrestrial plants (13 species) were distributed in 12 families. About 40 % of marine preparations used the organism in whole. In contrast, 29 % of of the remedies involving plants made use of leafy branches. Stimuli materials are used against 17 ailments mainly, being diarrhea, colds, menstrual problems, and swelling the ailments against most organisms (44 %) are used for. Marine organisms presented higher fidelity level values overall, suggesting that lower fidelity levels in terrestrial plants reflect a process of continuous and ongoing experimentation with easily accessible biological materials. Highest fidelity level values were recorded for Atriplex barclayana (93.87 %) Batis maritima (84.37 %), and Turbo fluctuosus (84.21 %). Age moderately correlates to ethnomedicinal knowledge proficiency (r = 0.41). Conversely, years of formal schooling show a negative correlation with ethnomedicinal knowledge proficiency (r = -0.49). Significant differences (p <0.05) were observed on ethnomedicinal knowledge proficiency when gender groups were compared under a paired t-test. CONCLUSIONS This research contributes to describing the complex biodiversity present in the ethnomedicinal systems of coastal non-agricultural societies. In addition, our research improves our understanding of the role that gender plays in the intra-cultural distribution of ethnomedicinal knowledge among Seri. Our results broaden our understanding of human adaptations to coastal and xeric environments. This research can potentially benefit the development of proposals to improve coastal and marine resource management and conservation while strengthening ethnomedicinal knowledge systems in populations, such as the Seri, limited by precarious socio-economic conditions and inadequate health services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nemer E Narchi
- Centro de Estudios en Geografía Humana, El Colegio de Michoacán, Cerro de Nahuatzen 85. La Piedad, Michoacán, 59370, México.
- N-Gen (Next Generation Sonoran Desert Researchers (http://nextgensd.com/)), ᅟ, ᅟ.
| | - Luis Ernesto Aguilar-Rosas
- CMMEX Herbarium, Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Carretera Ensenada-Tijuana No. 3917, Fraccionamiento Playitas. Ensenada, Baja California, 22860, México.
| | - José Jesús Sánchez-Escalante
- UNISON Herbarium, Departamento de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas de la Universidad de Sonora, Blvd. Luis Encinas y Rosales S/N, Col. Centro, Hermosillo, Sonora, 83001, México.
| | - Dora Ofelia Waumann-Rojas
- Marine Invertebrate Collection, Facultad de Ciencias Marinas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Carretera Ensenada-Tijuana No. 3917, Fraccionamiento Playitas. Ensenada, Baja California, 22860, México.
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Vijayakumar S, Prabhu S, Yabesh JEM, Pragashraj R. A quantitative ethnozoological study of traditionally used animals in Pachamalai hills of Tamil Nadu, India. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2015; 171:51-63. [PMID: 26002766 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2015.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2015] [Revised: 04/08/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The purpose of this study was designed to gather primary folk knowledge on different animal based therapies used by Malayalis in Pachamalai hills. This is the first ethnozoological study in Pachamalai hills; the data regarding the medicinal animals/animal products were documented and their usages were analyzed quantitatively. METHODS Data was collected following the interviews from key informants (N=89) and reported diseases and health complications were classified in 18 categories. Seven quantitative indexes such as informant consensus factor (FIC), fidelity level (FL), relative frequency of citation (RFC), relative importance (RI), cultural importance index (CII), index of agreement on remedies (IAR) and cultural agreement index (CAI) were used to analyze the reported animal species. RESULTS A total of 46 animal species belonging to 8 taxonomic groups were documented to be used in traditional medicine by Malayalis in Pachamalai hills. Animal based medicines were prepared from whole animals or their body parts or products extracted from them such as: butter, meat, milk, bones, horn, musk, skin, fin, honey, mucus, eggs, urine, excreta, hair and legs. The most encountered taxonomic group was Mammalia having 14 species. Aphrodisiac ailments (AA) (0.99), Dental care ailments (DCA) (0.99), Endocrinal disorders ailments (EDA) (0.99), Hair care ailments (HCA) (0.99), Oncology ailments (OA) (0.99) and Ortho ailments (ORTA) (0.99) gained the highest FIC value. Sus scrofa domesticus scored the highest FL (100%) for the Skeleto-muscular ailments for external cause; Lissemys punctata had the highest RI value (2.00) due to its versatility and the highest frequency of citation (RFC=1.000). Gallus domesticus had the highest cultural importance (CII=8.538) and the highest CAI value (CAI=8.427). According to IAR, Plexippus paykulli (IAR=1.00), Equus ferrus caballus (IAR=1.00), Trachypithecus johnii (IAR=1.00), Oecophylla samaragdina (IAR=1.00) and Apis indica (0.990) had the highest agreement among the informants for being used for the same medicinal purpose. Furthermore, no side effects have been reported from the use of ABT. CONCLUSIONS Our study revealed that Malayalis (Pachamalai hills) possess valuable knowledge on Malayalis׳ animal based therapies. It is believed that the present documentation will serve to record this vanishing knowledge before it is eroded completely from the island and to the scientific community. It is also anticipated that the present documentation will be fundamental to protect traditional knowledge, for the conservation and sustainable use of the rich biodiversity of Pachamalai hills for future generations and to ensure Pachamalai hills׳ sovereign rights over its genetic resources and utilization by first documenting them. In addition, further experimental investigations are required to elucidate the pharmacological properties of the reported medicinal fauna of Pachmalai hills.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Vijayakumar
- PG and Research Department of Botany and Microbiology, AVVM Sri Pushpam College (Autonomous) Poondi, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - S Prabhu
- PG and Research Department of Botany and Microbiology, AVVM Sri Pushpam College (Autonomous) Poondi, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - J E Morvin Yabesh
- PG and Research Department of Botany and Microbiology, AVVM Sri Pushpam College (Autonomous) Poondi, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - R Pragashraj
- PG and Research Department of Zoology and biotechnology, AVVM Sri Pushpam College (Autonomous) Poondi, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India
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de Figueirêdo RECR, Vasconcellos A, Policarpo IS, Alves RRN. Edible and medicinal termites: a global overview. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2015; 11:29. [PMID: 25925503 PMCID: PMC4427943 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-015-0016-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2015] [Accepted: 03/14/2015] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Termites are mainly known for damage caused to human beings, both in urban and rural areas. However, these insects play an important role in the decomposition of organic matter in tropical regions and are important natural resources, which are widely used in traditional medicine and are also consumed by human populations in several parts of the world. This study aimed to catalogue termite species used worldwide through a literature review, characterizing them by its human populations' use. The results showed that at least 45 species of termites, belonging to four families, are used in the world, with 43 species used in human diet and/or in livestock feeding. Nine termite species are used as a therapeutic resource. There is an overlapping use of seven species. The use of termites was registered in 29 countries over three continents. Africa is the continent with the highest number of records, followed by America and Asia. The results suggest that, in addition to their ecological importance, termites are a source of medicinal and food resources to various human populations in various locations of the world, showing their potential for being used as an alternative protein source in human or livestock diets, as well as a source for new medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexandre Vasconcellos
- Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, CCEN, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Laboratório de Termitologia, 58051-900, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.
| | - Iamara Silva Policarpo
- Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, CCEN, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Laboratório de Termitologia, 58051-900, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.
| | - Rômulo Romeu Nóbrega Alves
- Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, CCEN, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Laboratório de Termitologia, 58051-900, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Laboratório de Termitologia, 58051-900, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.
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Hernandez J, Campos CM, Borghi CE. Medicinal use of wild fauna by mestizo communities living near San Guillermo Biosphere Reserve (San Juan, Argentina). JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2015; 11:15. [PMID: 25608977 PMCID: PMC4417256 DOI: 10.1186/1746-4269-11-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2014] [Accepted: 01/07/2015] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wild and domestic animals and their by-products are important ingredients in the preparation of curative, protective and preventive medicines. Despite the medicinal use of animals worldwide, this topic has received less attention than the use of medicinal plants. This study assessed the medicinal use of animals by mestizo communities living near San Guillermo MaB Reserve by addressing the following questions: What animal species and body parts are used? What ailments or diseases are treated with remedies from these species? To what extent do mestizo people use animals as a source of medicine? Is the use related to people's age? METHODS We conducted semi-structured interviews with 171 inhabitants (15-93 years old) of four villages close to the Reserve: Tudcúm, Angualasto, Malimán and Colangüil. We calculated the informant consensus factor and fidelity level to test homogeneity of knowledge and to know the importance of different medicinal uses for a given species. RESULTS The medicinal use of animals was reported by 57% of the surveyed people. Seven species were mentioned: Rhea pennata, Lama guanicoe, Puma concolor, Pseudalopex sp., Lama vicugna, Lepus europaeus and Conepatus chinga. Several body parts were used: fat, leg, bezoar-stone, stomach, feather, meat, blood, feces, wool, and liver. The fat of R. pennata was the most frequently used animal part, followed by the bezoar stone and the leg of L. guanicoe. Animals were used to treat 22 ailments, with respiratory and nervous system disorders being the most frequently treated diseases with a high degree of consensus. Old people used animals as remedies more frequently than young residents, showing some differences among villages. CONCLUSIONS A low number of animal species was mentioned as used for medicinal purposes, which could be explained by the perception of strong control related the legislation that bans hunting and the erosion of traditional knowledge produced by mestizaje. However, the presence of a traditional medicine is deeply rooted in the community culture. Management strategy for protected areas should focus not only on the conservation and sustainability of biological resources, but also on the ancestral knowledge of local communities, such as the medicinal use of animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Hernandez
- Interacciones Biológicas del Desierto (INTERBIODES-CIGEOBIO [Centro de Investigaciones de la Geósfera y la Biósfera, CONICET-UNSJ). Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de San Juan, Av. Ignacio de la Roza 590 (Oeste), J5402DCS, Rivadavia, San Juan, Argentina.
- Departamento de Biología e Instituto y Museo de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de San Juan, Av. España 400 (Norte), 5400, San Juan, Argentina.
| | | | - Carlos E Borghi
- Interacciones Biológicas del Desierto (INTERBIODES-CIGEOBIO [Centro de Investigaciones de la Geósfera y la Biósfera, CONICET-UNSJ). Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de San Juan, Av. Ignacio de la Roza 590 (Oeste), J5402DCS, Rivadavia, San Juan, Argentina.
- Departamento de Biología e Instituto y Museo de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de San Juan, Av. España 400 (Norte), 5400, San Juan, Argentina.
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Schmeda-Hirschmann G, Delporte C, Valenzuela-Barra G, Silva X, Vargas-Arana G, Lima B, Feresin GE. Anti-inflammatory activity of animal oils from the Peruvian Amazon. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2014; 156:9-15. [PMID: 25150527 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2014.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2014] [Revised: 08/10/2014] [Accepted: 08/11/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Animal oils and fats from the fishes Electrophorus electricus and Potamotrygon motoro, the reptiles Boa constrictor, Chelonoidis denticulata (Geochelone denticulata) and Melanosuchus niger and the riverine dolphin Inia geoffrensis are used as anti-inflammatory agents in the Peruvian Amazon. The aim of the study was to assess the topic anti-inflammatory effect of the oils/fats as well as to evaluate its antimicrobial activity and fatty acid composition. MATERIALS AND METHODS The oils/fats were purchased from a traditional store at the Iquitos market of Belen, Peru. The topic anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated by the mice ear edema induced by arachidonic acid (AA) and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) at the dose of 3mg oil/ear. Indomethacine and nimesulide were used as reference anti-inflammatory drugs. The application resembles the traditional topical use of the oils. The antimicrobial effect of the oils/fats was assessed by the microdilution test against reference strains of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella enteritidis. The fatty acid composition of the oils/fats (as methyl esters) was determined by GC and GC-MS analysis after saponification. RESULTS All oils/fats showed topic anti-inflammatory activity, with better effect in the TPA-induced mice ear edema assay. The most active drugs were Potamotrygon motoro, Melanosuchus niger and Geochelone denticulata. In the AA-induced assay, the best activity was found for Potamotrygon motoro and Electrophorus electricus oil. The oil of Electrophorus electricus also showed a weak antimicrobial effect with MIC values of 250 µg/mL against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Salmonella enteritidis-MI. The main fatty acids in the oils were oleic, palmitic and linoleic acids. CONCLUSIONS Topical application of all the oils/fats investigated showed anti-inflammatory activity in the mice ear edema assay. The effect can be related with the identity and composition of the fatty acids in the samples. This study gives support to the traditional use of animal oils/fats as ant-inflammatory agents in the Peruvian Amazon. However, new alternative should be encouraged due to the conservation status of several of the animal sources of the crude drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Schmeda-Hirschmann
- Laboratorio de Química de Productos Naturales, Instituto de Química de Recursos Naturales, Universidad de Talca, Casilla 747, 3460000 Talca, Chile.
| | - Carla Delporte
- Laboratorio de Productos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 233, Santiago 1, Chile
| | - Gabriela Valenzuela-Barra
- Laboratorio de Productos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 233, Santiago 1, Chile
| | - Ximena Silva
- Unidad de Pruebas Biológicas, Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile, Marathon 1000, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Beatriz Lima
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional de San Juan, Av. Libertador General San Martin 1109 (oeste), CP 5400, San Juan, Argentina
| | - Gabriela E Feresin
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional de San Juan, Av. Libertador General San Martin 1109 (oeste), CP 5400, San Juan, Argentina
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Mahomoodally MF, Muthoorah LD. An ethnopharmacological survey of natural remedies used by the Chinese community in Mauritius. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed 2014; 4:S387-99. [PMID: 25183116 DOI: 10.12980/apjtb.4.2014c775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2014] [Accepted: 03/10/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To collect, preserve and document primary ethnopharmacological information on common natural remedies (NRs) used by the Chinese community to treat and/or manage common diseases in Mauritius, a tropical multicultural island in the Indian Ocean. METHODS Face-to-face interviews were carried out with 52 key Chinese informants using a semi-structured questionnaire. Quantitative ethnobotanical indices, namely, the informant consensus factor (FIC), the use value, the fidelity level, the index of agreement on remedies and the relative importance were calculated. RESULTS Plants (61) and animal species (17), belonging to 43 and 9 families respectively, constituted the exploited flora and fauna by the Chinese community. Based on the FIC the main categories of plants used were employed against injury and poisons due to external causes (FIC=0.97), diseases of the respiratory system (FIC=0.96), diseases of the eye and adnexa (FIC=0.95), undefined pains or illness (FIC=0.95), diseases during the postpartum period, diseases of the digestive system and diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (FIC=0.94 each). For zootherapy, diseases of the circulatory system, diseases of the eye and adnexa, diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue and endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases had total consensus (FIC=1.00). CONCLUSIONS It was found that the Chinese community of Mauritius still relies, to a great extent, on NRs which need to be preserved and used sustainably. Nonetheless, further research is needed to probe the possible active constituents that could be the basis of an evidence-based investigation to discover new drugs.
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Chellappandian M, Pandikumar P, Mutheeswaran S, Gabriel Paulraj M, Prabakaran S, Duraipandiyan V, Ignacimuthu S, Al-Dhabi NA. Documentation and quantitative analysis of local ethnozoological knowledge among traditional healers of Theni district, Tamil Nadu, India. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2014; 154:116-30. [PMID: 24680989 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2014.03.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2014] [Revised: 03/14/2014] [Accepted: 03/14/2014] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE This study investigated the use of animals among the traditional healers in Theni district of Tamil Nadu, India. The data regarding the medicinal animals/animal products were documented and their usages were analyzed quantitatively. MATERIALS AND METHODS Based on free list interviews with the traditional healers, we documented the medicinal usage of animals/animal products and calculated the indices such as informant consensus factor (Fic) to determine the consensus over the species for an illness category, as well as the Index Agreement on Remedies (IAR) to determine the extent of potential utilization of each species. RESULTS In this study, 69 medicinal animals/animal products were documented with the help of standardized questionnaires among the local healers. The results were tabulated and Fic value for each illness category was calculated. Three illness categories viz., jaundice (milk of Capra aegagrus hircus), orthopedics (egg white and meat of Gallus gallus domesticus) and pediatrics (milk of Equus africanus asinus) had got high Fic values. Fifteen illness categories had moderate Fic values. Highly cited animals in these illness categories were: Rusa unicolor (antiemetic), Reticulitermes spp. (diabetes), flesh of Varanus benghalensis (oral ailments), milk (eye ailments, fever) and urine (antidote) of Homo sepians, meat of Trachypithecus johnii (respiratory ailments), various parts of C. aegagrus hircus (blood ailments, coolants, diarrhea, pulmonary and urinary ailments), flesh of Chamaeleon zeyalnica (neural ailments), meat of Passer domesticus (aphrodisiac), curd and dung of Bos primigenius taurus (dermatological ailments), meat of G. domesticus (musculo-skeletal disorders, analgesic), meat of Lissemys punctata (hemorrhoids), and Pherthima posthuma (psychological ailments). Six illness categories had low Fic values. CONCLUSION This study indicated that the animals are still being used by the local healers of Theni district, to treat various illnesses. Cross-disciplinary approaches to explore the full potential of animal-derived medicines will help to improve the health of local people.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Chellappandian
- Division of Ethnopharmacology, Entomology Research Institute, Loyola College, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 034, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - P Pandikumar
- Division of Ethnopharmacology, Entomology Research Institute, Loyola College, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 034, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - S Mutheeswaran
- Division of Ethnopharmacology, Entomology Research Institute, Loyola College, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 034, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - M Gabriel Paulraj
- Division of Ethnopharmacology, Entomology Research Institute, Loyola College, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 034, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - S Prabakaran
- Zoological Survey of India, Southern Regional Center, Santhome High Road, Chennai 600 028, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - V Duraipandiyan
- Division of Ethnopharmacology, Entomology Research Institute, Loyola College, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 034, Tamil Nadu, India; Department of Botany and Microbiology, Addriyah Chair for Environmental Studies, College of Science, King Saud, University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - S Ignacimuthu
- Division of Ethnopharmacology, Entomology Research Institute, Loyola College, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 034, Tamil Nadu, India; Department of Botany and Microbiology, Addriyah Chair for Environmental Studies, College of Science, King Saud, University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.
| | - N A Al-Dhabi
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Addriyah Chair for Environmental Studies, College of Science, King Saud, University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
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Correa M, Grace D. Slum Livestock Agriculture. ENCYCLOPEDIA OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SYSTEMS 2014. [PMCID: PMC7152485 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-52512-3.00161-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Slums are unplanned squatter human settlements in peri-urban and urban areas where more than 800 million people live. These densely populated areas lack basic public services. Livestock raised in these conditions compete with humans for space and water, and pose a risk to human and animal health. Notwithstanding the risk of disease transmission, slum livestock agriculture plays an essential role in the livelihoods of people and deserves consideration in urban planning and policy making.
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A strategy for trade monitoring and substitution of the organs of threatened animals. Sci Rep 2013; 3:3108. [PMID: 24173429 PMCID: PMC3813934 DOI: 10.1038/srep03108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2013] [Accepted: 10/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of threatened animals as a source of traditional medicines is accelerating the extinction of such species and imposes great challenges to animal conservation. In this study, we propose a feasible strategy for the conservation of threatened medicinal animals that combines trade monitoring and the search for substitutes. First, DNA barcoding provides a powerful technique for monitoring the trade of animal species, which helps in restricting the excessive use and illegal trade of such species. Second, pharmacological tests have been adopted to evaluate the biological equivalence of threatened and domestic animals; based on such testing, potential substitutes are recommended. Based on a review of threatened animal species and their substitutes, we find that the search for substitutes deserves special attention; however, this work is far from complete. These results may be of great value for the conservation of threatened animals and maintaining the heritage of traditional medicine.
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Valencia-Aguilar A, Cortés-Gómez AM, Ruiz-Agudelo CA. Ecosystem services provided by amphibians and reptiles in Neotropical ecosystems. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIODIVERSITY SCIENCE, ECOSYSTEM SERVICES & MANAGEMENT 2013. [DOI: 10.1080/21513732.2013.821168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Anyelet Valencia-Aguilar
- a Conservation Leadership Program Fellow, Conservation International Colombia , Carrera 13, Número 71-41, Bogotá , Colombia
| | - Angela M. Cortés-Gómez
- b Grupo de investigación Laboratorio de Herpetología, Universidad del Valle , Calle 13 número 100-00, Santiago de Cali , Colombia
| | - César Augusto Ruiz-Agudelo
- c Socioeconomic Coordinator, Conservation International Colombia , Calle 13, Número 71-41, Bogotá , Colombia
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Cabral MES, Dias DDQ, Sales DL, Oliveira OP, Teles DA, Filho JADA, de Sousa JGG, Coutinho HDM, da Costa JGM, Kerntopf MR, Alves RRDN, Almeida WDO. Evaluations of the Antimicrobial Activities and Chemical Compositions of Body Fat from the Amphibians Leptodactylus macrosternum Miranda-Ribeiro (1926) and Leptodactylus vastus Adolf Lutz (1930) in Northeastern Brazil. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2013; 2013:913671. [PMID: 23710241 PMCID: PMC3655571 DOI: 10.1155/2013/913671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2013] [Revised: 03/18/2013] [Accepted: 04/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Leptodactylus macrosternum and L. vastus (family: Leptodactylidae) are commonly encountered in the "Caatinga" biome in northern Brazil. The body fat of L. vastus is used as a zootherapeutic for treating a number of human maladies. The aim of this work was to determine the chemical composition of the body fats of L. macrosternum and L. vastus and to evaluate their antimicrobial activities as well as the ecological implications of their use in traditional folk medicine. Oils were extracted from body fat located in the ventral region of L. macrosternum (OLM) and L. vastus (OLV) using hexane as a solvent. The fatty acids were identified by GC-MS. The antimicrobial activities of the oils, either alone or in combination with antibiotics and antifungal drugs, were tested on standard strains of microorganisms as well as on multiresistant strains of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus. OLM contained 40% saturated and 60% unsaturated fatty acids, while OLV contained 58.33% saturated and 41.67% unsaturated fatty acids. Our results indicated that both OLM and OLV demonstrated relevant antimicrobial activities (with MIC 256 μ g/mL for both) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida krusei. However, no antimicrobial effects were observed when these oils were combined with antibiotics or antifungal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Débora Lima Sales
- Laboratory of Zoology, Regional University of Cariri-URCA, Pimenta, 63105-000 Crato, CE, Brazil
| | - Olga Paiva Oliveira
- Laboratory of Zoology, Regional University of Cariri-URCA, Pimenta, 63105-000 Crato, CE, Brazil
| | - Diego Alves Teles
- Laboratory of Zoology, Regional University of Cariri-URCA, Pimenta, 63105-000 Crato, CE, Brazil
| | | | | | - Henrique Douglas Melo Coutinho
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Regional University of Cariri-URCA, Pimenta, 63105-000 Crato, CE, Brazil
| | | | - Marta Regina Kerntopf
- Laboratory of Phamacology and Medicinal Chemistry, Regional University of Cariri-URCA, Pimenta, 63105-000 Crato, CE, Brazil
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Kim H, Song MJ. Ethnozoological study of medicinal animals on Jeju Island, Korea. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2013; 146:75-82. [PMID: 23266277 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2012] [Revised: 11/02/2012] [Accepted: 11/11/2012] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
AIM OF THE STUDY The purpose of this study is to analyze and record traditional knowledge of animals utilized by the indigenous people living on Jeju Island in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data was collected through the participatory rural appraisal method involving interviews, informal meetings, open and group discussions, and overt observations with semi-structured questionnaires. RESULTS This study recorded a total of 64 families, 73 genera, and 77 species of animals that produced 1160 methods for usages. Fishes occupied 36.4% of the total animals listed, followed by mammals at 19.5%, molluscs at 16.9%, and arthropods at 10.4% of the whole, respectively. In regards to usage, 52 species utilized as food products, totaled 67.5%, followed by 40 species for medicinal use, five species related to cultivation, with three species connected to veterinary medicine, and one species for cosmetics. CONCLUSION This study validates the fact that animal species play a major role, not only for edible recipes, but also in healing practices among its inhabitants. The conservation of particular animal species related to this study needs to be considered by authorities within this field of research to preserve the local medicinal knowledge. The empirical knowledge recorded in this study will provide outstanding possibilities for the discovery of new sources of medicine for the drug industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Kim
- School of Alternative Medicine and Health Science, Jeonju University, Jeonju 560-759, Republic of Korea.
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Forensic DNA barcoding and bio-response studies of animal horn products used in traditional medicine. PLoS One 2013; 8:e55854. [PMID: 23409064 PMCID: PMC3568084 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0055854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2012] [Accepted: 01/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Animal horns (AHs) have been applied to traditional medicine for more than thousands of years, of which clinical effects have been confirmed by the history. But now parts of AHs have been listed in the items of wildlife conservation, which limits the use for traditional medicine. The contradiction between the development of traditional medicine and the protection of wild resources has already become the common concern of zoophilists, traditional medical professionals, economists, sociologists. We believe that to strengthen the identification for threatened animals, to prevent the circulation of them, and to seek fertile animals of corresponding bioactivities as substitutes are effective strategies to solve this problem. Methodology/Principal Findings A powerful technique of DNA barcoding based on the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) was used to identify threatened animals of Bovidae and Cervidae, as well as their illegal adulterants (including 10 species and 47 specimens). Meanwhile, the microcalorimetric technique was used to characterize the differences of bio-responses when those animal specimens acted on model organism (Escherichia coli). We found that the COI gene could be used as a universal primer to identify threatened animals and illegal adulterants mentioned above. By analyzing 223 mitochondrial COI sequences, a 100% identification success rate was achieved. We further found that the horns of Mongolian Gazelle and Red Deer could be exploited as a substitute for some functions of endangered Saiga Antelope and Sika Deer in traditional medicine, respectively. Conclusion/Significance Although it needs a more comprehensive evaluation of bioequivalence in order to completely solve the problem of substitutes for threatened animals, we believe that the identification (DNA barcoding) of threatened animals combined with seeking substitutions (bio-response) can yet be regarded as a valid strategy for establishing a balance between the protection of threatened animals and the development of traditional medicine.
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Bezerra DMM, de Araujo HFP, Alves ÂGC, Alves RRN. Birds and people in semiarid northeastern Brazil: symbolic and medicinal relationships. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2013; 9:3. [PMID: 23295130 PMCID: PMC3599870 DOI: 10.1186/1746-4269-9-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2012] [Accepted: 12/28/2012] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND At least 511 species of birds occur in the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil and many of them interact with human populations in a number of different ways, including their use in zootherapeutics and their links with local beliefs. OBJECTIVE The present work examined these types of birds/human interactions (use in zootherapeutics and their links with local beliefs) in the semiarid region of Rio Grande do Norte State in northeastern Brazil. METHODS Information was obtained through semi-structured interviews with 120 local residents. RESULTS A total of 16 wild bird species distributed among 11 families were found to interact directly with humans, with Columbidae being the best represented family. Seven species were identified in the medicinal category, five were related to symbolic aspects, while four species were identified as being related to both categories (medicinal and symbolic). CONCLUSION The accumulated folk knowledge, beliefs, and practices involving the avifauna in the semiarid region of Brazil, whether symbolic or medicinal, demonstrated the cultural importance of this vertebrate group to local human populations and revealed a belief system intrinsically related to cynegetic practices in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ângelo Giuseppe Chaves Alves
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Manoel de Medeiros, S/N, Dois Irmãos, 52171-900, Recife, Pernambuco
| | - Rômulo Romeu Nóbrega Alves
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúda, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, 58109-753, Paraíba, Brasil
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Alves RRN, Neta RODS, Trovão DMDBM, Barbosa JEDL, Barros AT, Dias TLP. Traditional uses of medicinal animals in the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2012; 8:41. [PMID: 23050756 PMCID: PMC3547754 DOI: 10.1186/1746-4269-8-41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2012] [Accepted: 10/07/2012] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The present work presents an inventory of the traditional medicinal uses of animals in the municipality of Bom Sucesso in Paraíba State (PB) in the semiarid northeastern region of Brazil. Information was obtained through the use of semi-structured interviews with 50 people who use zootherapeutic products. A total of 25 animal species used for medicinal purposes were identified (18 vertebrates and seven invertebrates) distributed among five taxonomic categories; the groups with the largest numbers of citations were: mammals (8 citations), insects (7), and reptiles (5). The most cited animal species were: Tubinambis merianae "teju" lizards (44 citations); Apis mellifera Italian honeybees (318 citations); Gallus gallus chickens (31 citations); Ovis aries sheep (31 citations); Crotalus durissus rattlesnakes (14 citations); Boa constrictor (12 citations); and Bos taurus cattle (12 citations). A significant number of illnesses and conditions treated with animal-based medicines were cited, and the category with the greatest number of citations was "problems affecting the respiratory system". Our results suggest that the use of zootherapeutics in the region is persistent, and that knowledge about these curative practices is an integral part of the regional culture. As such, studies concerning the uses of zootherapeutics are important windows to understanding human/environmental/cultural interactions and a pathway to conciliating regional cultures with efforts to conserve the native fauna.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rômulo Romeu Nóbrega Alves
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Av. das Baraúnas, 351/Campus Universitário, Bodocongó, 58109-753, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil
| | - Rita Oliveira de Sousa Neta
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Av. das Baraúnas, 351/Campus Universitário, Bodocongó, 58109-753, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil
| | - Dilma Maria de Brito Melo Trovão
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Av. das Baraúnas, 351/Campus Universitário, Bodocongó, 58109-753, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil
| | - Jose Etham de Lucena Barbosa
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Av. das Baraúnas, 351/Campus Universitário, Bodocongó, 58109-753, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil
| | - Adrianne Teixeira Barros
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Av. das Baraúnas, 351/Campus Universitário, Bodocongó, 58109-753, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil
| | - Thelma Lucia Pereira Dias
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Av. das Baraúnas, 351/Campus Universitário, Bodocongó, 58109-753, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil
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Nunkoo DH, Mahomoodally MF. Ethnopharmacological survey of native remedies commonly used against infectious diseases in the tropical island of Mauritius. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2012; 143:548-564. [PMID: 22884867 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2012] [Revised: 07/12/2012] [Accepted: 07/14/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Infectious diseases (IDs) still remain a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. This study has been geared to gather primary ethnopharmacological information on common native remedies (NRs) used to treat and/or manage common infectious diseases from different regions of Mauritius, a tropical multicultural island in the Indian Ocean. Given the dearth of updated information on traditional medicine of Mauritius, this work can provide an opportunity to establish valuable primary information on the different NRs used by the local people and hence open new perspectives for further pharmacological research. AIM OF THE STUDY To collect, preserve and document primary ethnopharmacological data from the local population concerning NRs commonly used against IDs in the tropical island of Mauritius. MATERIALS AND METHODS Face to face interviews were conducted with Mauritians and herbalists (n=307) using a semi-structured questionnaire. Quantitative ethnobotany parameters such as informant consensus factor (F(IC)), fidelity level (FL), use value (UV) and variety of use (VU) were used for herbal and animal products. Statistical analysis such as Pearson correlation and Chi-squared test were performed to delineate any association. RESULTS It was found that 94.8% of the local people claimed that managing IDs with NRs was part of their culture and have been using it since childhood. A total of 39 plant species belonging to 24 families and 9 animal species were reported to be traditionally used in the formulation of herbal remedies and animal products, respectively. Sociodemographic characteristics (gender, age, place of residence and income) had a significant (p<0.01) impact on the use of these NRs. The most relevant family contributing much to the medicinal flora was Zingiberaceae (No of citation=301). The average F(IC) for all ailments for medicinal plants and animal products were 0.963 and 0.972, respectively. Acalypha indica L. had the highest FL (0.83) for skin and subcutaneous tissue problems. Panoply of animal products (Anguilla japonica, Periplaneta americana and Helix aspersa) were culturally used, whereby products from Bos taurus, (42.0%) were the most utilized zootherapy. Other remedies used in concurrence with herbal and animal products involved cultural rituals and prayers that were never reported in previous studies. Therapeutic properties of some herbal remedies reported correlated to some extent with those of previous studies while others have open potential perspectives for further research as their chemistry and pharmacology have not been published. CONCLUSIONS Given the plethora of novel information obtained from the present survey, it is obvious that the indigenous population still relies to a great extent on NRs which need to be preserved and used sustainably. Nonetheless, further research is needed to probe the possible active constituents that could be the basis of an evidence based investigation to discover new drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Hema Nunkoo
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Mauritius, Reduit, Mauritius
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Barros FB, Varela SAM, Pereira HM, Vicente L. Medicinal use of fauna by a traditional community in the Brazilian Amazonia. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2012; 8:37. [PMID: 23013927 PMCID: PMC3502351 DOI: 10.1186/1746-4269-8-37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2012] [Accepted: 09/24/2012] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Zootherapy inventories are important as they contribute to the world documentation of the prevalence, importance and diversity of the medicinal use of animals in traditional human communities. The present study aims to contribute with a more valuable example of the zootherapy practices of a traditional community in the Brazilian Amazonia - the "Riozinho do Anfrísio" Extractive Reserve, in Northern Brazil. METHODS We used the methods of participant observation and semi-structured interviews, applied to 25 informants. We employed the combined properties of two indices to measure the medicinal importance of each cited species to the studied community, as well as their versatility in the treatment of diseases: the well known Use Value (UV) and the Medicinal Applications Value (MAV) that we developed. RESULTS We recorded 31 species of medicinal animals from six taxonomic categories, seven of which are new to science. The species are used for the treatment of 28 diseases and one species is used as an amulet against snakebites. The five species with the highest UV indices are the most popular and valued by the studied community. Their contrasting MAV indices indicate that they have different therapeutic properties: specific (used for the treatment of few diseases; low versatility) and all-purpose (several diseases; high versatility). Similarly, the most cited diseases were also those that could be treated with a larger number of animal species. Ten species are listed in the CITES appendices and 21 are present in the IUCN Red List. The knowledge about the medicinal use of the local fauna is distributed evenly among the different age groups of the informants. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that the local fauna represents an important medicinal resource for the inhabitants of the protected area. The combined use of the UV and MAV indices allowed identifying the species with the highest therapeutic potential. This type of information about a species may be of interest to pharmacological research, and is crucial to its conservation, since it helps signaling the species that may undergo higher hunting pressures. Data on zootherapy can also be of interesting to ecologists by contributing to indicators of local biodiversity richness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flávio B Barros
- Universidade Federal do Pará, Núcleo de Ciências Agrárias e Desenvolvimento Rural (NCADR), Programas de Pós-Graduação em Agriculturas Amazônicas (NCADR) e Antropologia (IFCH), Cidade Universitária José da Silveira Netto, Rua Augusto Corrêa, N° 1, Guamá, Belém, 66075-110, Pará, Brazil
- Centro de Biologia Ambiental (CBA), Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa,, Universidade de Lisboa, Edifício C2, Campo Grande, Lisboa, 1749-016, Portugal
| | - Susana AM Varela
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, C2-P3 Campo Grande, Lisboa, 1794-016, Portugal
| | - Henrique M Pereira
- Centro de Biologia Ambiental (CBA), Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa,, Universidade de Lisboa, Edifício C2, Campo Grande, Lisboa, 1749-016, Portugal
| | - Luís Vicente
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, C2-P3 Campo Grande, Lisboa, 1794-016, Portugal
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Nóbrega Alves RR, Pereira Filho GA, Silva Vieira K, Silva Souto WM, Mendonça LET, Montenegro P, Almeida WDO, Silva Vieira WL. A zoological catalogue of hunted reptiles in the semiarid region of Brazil. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2012; 8:27. [PMID: 22846258 PMCID: PMC3480920 DOI: 10.1186/1746-4269-8-27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2012] [Accepted: 07/18/2012] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The variety of interactions between human cultures and herpetofauna is the subject matter of Ethnoherpetology, a subdivision of Ethnozoology. In the semi-arid region of Brazil, many reptiles interact with human communities because of their utility or because of the risks they represent. These interactions have obvious implications for the conservation of reptiles from this region. In this context, ethnoherpetology studies are crucial because they serve as subsidies for guiding strategies for the handling and conservation of reptiles. This paper presents ethnozoological and taxonomic informations of hunted reptiles in the semiarid region of Brazil and analyse the implications on conservation that are related to the interactions between people and reptiles in this region. Taxonomic keys to identifying recorded reptiles are provided. Records of humans interacting with 38 reptile species that belong to 31 genuses and 16 families have been found. The groups with the largest numbers of recorded species were snakes (18 species), and this group was followed in number by lizards (13), chelonians (4), and crocodilians (3). The reptiles that were recorded may be used for the following purposes: medicinal purposes (24 species), food (13 species), ornamental or decorative purposes (11 species), in magical/religious practices (10 species), and as pets (10 species). Some species (n = 16) may have multiple uses. Furthermore, more than half of the species (n = 19) are commonly killed because they are considered potentially dangerous. Strategies for conserving the reptiles of the Brazilian semi-arid region must reconcile and integrate human and conservation needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rômulo Romeu Nóbrega Alves
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Av. das Baraúnas, 351/Campus Universitário, Bodocongó, 58109-753, Campina Grande-PB, Brazil
| | - Gentil Alves Pereira Filho
- Laboratório de Ecofisiologia Animal, Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia da Universidade Federal da Paraíba, 58051-900, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Kleber Silva Vieira
- Laboratório de Ecofisiologia Animal, Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia da Universidade Federal da Paraíba, 58051-900, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Wedson Medeiros Silva Souto
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia), Laboratório de Ecofisiologia Animal, Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia da Universidade Federal da Paraíba, 58051-900, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Lívia Emanuelle Tavares Mendonça
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia), Laboratório de Ecofisiologia Animal, Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia da Universidade Federal da Paraíba, 58051-900, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | | | - Waltécio de Oliveira Almeida
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Bolsista Produtividade da Fundação Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico — FUNCAP, Universidade Regional do Cariri, Rua Cel. Antônio Luiz 1161, CEP, 63100-000, Crato, CE, Brazil
| | - Washington Luiz Silva Vieira
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Bolsista Produtividade da Fundação Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico — FUNCAP, Universidade Regional do Cariri, Rua Cel. Antônio Luiz 1161, CEP, 63100-000, Crato, CE, Brazil
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Ichthyofauna used in traditional medicine in Brazil. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2012; 2012:474716. [PMID: 22454668 PMCID: PMC3291082 DOI: 10.1155/2012/474716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2011] [Accepted: 10/10/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Fish represent the group of vertebrates with the largest number of species and the largest geographic distribution; they are also used in different ways by modern civilizations. The goal of this study was to compile the current knowledge on the use of ichthyofauna in zootherapeutic practices in Brazil, including ecological and conservational commentary on the species recorded. We recorded a total of 85 species (44 fresh-water species and 41 salt-water species) used for medicinal purposes in Brazil. The three most commonly cited species were Hoplias malabaricus, Hippocampus reidi, and Electrophorus electricus. In terms of conservation status, 65% of species are in the "not evaluated" category, and 14% are in the "insufficient data" category. Three species are in the "vulnerable" category: Atlantoraja cyclophora, Balistes vetula, and Hippocampus erectus. Currently, we cannot avoid considering human pressure on the population dynamics of these species, which is an essential variable for the conservation of the species and the ecosystems in which they live and for the perpetuation of traditional medical practices.
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Kim SK, Pallela R. Medicinal foods from marine animals: current status and prospects. ADVANCES IN FOOD AND NUTRITION RESEARCH 2012; 65:1-9. [PMID: 22361177 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-416003-3.00001-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The lifestyle of human being is changing day by day toward the simplified and more convenient way of living. Human wellbeing is majorly dependent on the daily food habits that are in accordance with the habits of individual community and the surrounding environments. Although the food habits are simplified and fashioned according to the current lifestyle, many of the Asians are still showing much importance to the naturally derived and traditional foods. One such medicinally important natural source is the foods from marine organisms, which are an important growing notion for the development of marine nutraceuticals and functional foods. In this context, we have already brought the recent trends and applications of marine algal (macro and micro) foods in my previous volume. The current preliminary chapter of this book volume on marine animals and microbes describes about the prospects of various marine animals and their derived substances/materials as medicinal foods. In addition, this chapter encourages the new researchers as well as various health communities to implement the marine animal-based medicinal foods and their applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Se-Kwon Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Pukyong National University, Busan, Republic of Korea.
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The trade in medicinal animals in northeastern Brazil. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2011; 2012:126938. [PMID: 22216053 PMCID: PMC3247011 DOI: 10.1155/2012/126938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2011] [Accepted: 09/14/2011] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Over the centuries, a significant part of the Brazilian fauna is widely sold, more specifically in retail stores or street markets. The objective was to characterize the sale of medicinal animals in five large northeast cities. Information about the sale of zootherapeutic items was obtained in the cities of Aracaju-SE, Fortaleza-CE, Maceio-AL, Recife-PE, and Salvador-BA. A total of 68 animal species were sold for medicinal purposes in the cities studied; these are the first results on the use and sale of zootherapeutics in the markets of Aracaju, Fortaleza, and Salvador and first recorded on the medicinal use of the Achatina fulica, Trachycardium muricatum, Philodryas olfersii, Desmodus rotundus, and Leptodactylus vastus. Knowledge of the fauna utilized popular medicine is indispensable for conservation, demonstrating that research on this subject is necessary to determine appropriate practices for the management of the fauna.
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Benítez G. Animals used for medicinal and magico-religious purposes in western Granada Province, Andalusia (Spain). JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2011; 137:1113-23. [PMID: 21801827 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2011.07.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2011] [Revised: 06/23/2011] [Accepted: 07/09/2011] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE This paper serves to document and make known the folk medicinal uses of animals and animal products in the western part of the province of Granada (Andalusia, Spain), analyzing not only the species used, the administration methods and the ailments treated, but also the cultural implications of this traditional knowledge and the large percentage of magico-religious or ritual practices. MATERIALS AND METHODS The information was gathered through semi-structured open interviews of a total of 42 people, as a part of an in-deep ethnobiological research in 16 different municipalities within the study area. The use-value index was calculated for highlighting the most important species for the population. RESULTS In this part of Granada, 26 different animals have been employed in the treatment of 26 conditions from 10 different pathological groups, amounting 150 total reports (7% of the total ones including plant and animal medicinal resources). Although some of the uses were included in several classical and anthropological works, most remain unpublished. Cultural and environmental implications are discussed. CONCLUSIONS The traditional use of animals in medicine is low known for southern Europe. 26 species constitute a significant number of animals used, considering the socio-economic and cultural context in which the study area is situated, and its small size. Albeit the main part of the information presented in this paper can be more important in an historical or anthropological standpoint, most of the medicinal resources presented have not been deeply studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Benítez
- Department of Botany, University of Granada, Campus de Cartuja, 18071 Granada, Spain.
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Souto WMS, Mourão JS, Barboza RRD, Mendonça LET, Lucena RFP, Confessor MVA, Vieira WLS, Montenegro PFGP, Lopez LCS, Alves RRN. Medicinal animals used in ethnoveterinary practices of the 'Cariri Paraibano', NE Brazil. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2011; 7:30. [PMID: 21985401 PMCID: PMC3198673 DOI: 10.1186/1746-4269-7-30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2011] [Accepted: 10/10/2011] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Zootherapy is important in various socio-cultural environments, and innumerous examples of the use of animal derived remedies can currently be found in many urban, semi-urban and more remote localities in all parts of the world, particularly in developing countries. However, although a number of ethnobiological inventories concerning the use of medicinal animals in human health care have been compiled in Brazil in recent years, zootherapeutic practices in ethnoveterinary medicine (EVM) are poorly described and neglected in favor of human ethnomedicine. In this sense, the purpose of this study was to describe the local zootherapeutic practices in ethnoveterinary medicine of semi-arid of NE Brazil (Caatinga biome) and to contribute to future research about the validation of the effects and side effects of these animal products METHODS The information obtained through semi-structured interviews was complemented by free interviews and informal conversations. A total of 67 people were interviewed (53 men and 14 women) about the use and commercialization of medicinal animals. To determine the relative importance of each local known species, their use-values (UV) were calculated. Diversity of species utilized was compared, between localities, using rarefaction curves and diversity estimate (Chao2) RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS A total of 44 animal species (37 vertebrates and 7 invertebrates), distributed among 6 taxonomic categories were found to be used to treat 30 different ailments in livestock and pets. The results of our surveys revealed a rich traditional knowledge of local residents about the use of animals in traditional veterinary medicine. Although it is gradually being discontinued, the perceived efficacy, economic and geographic accessibility were main reasons for popularity of zootherapy in studied areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wedson MS Souto
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia), Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, 58059-970 João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - José S Mourão
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Avenida das Baraúnas, Bodocongó, 58109-753 Campina Grande, PB, Brazil
| | - Raynner RD Barboza
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia), Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, 58059-970 João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Lívia ET Mendonça
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia), Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, 58059-970 João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Reinaldo FP Lucena
- Departamento de Fitotecnia e Ciências Ambientais, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, 58397-000 Areia, PB, Brazil
| | - Maine VA Confessor
- Mestrado em Biologia, Universidade de Coimbra, Colégio de S. Jerónimo, Largo de D. Dinis, Apartado 3026, 3001-401, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Washington LS Vieira
- Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, 58059-970 João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Paulo FGP Montenegro
- Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, 58059-970 João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Luiz CS Lopez
- Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, 58059-970 João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Rômulo RN Alves
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Avenida das Baraúnas, Bodocongó, 58109-753 Campina Grande, PB, Brazil
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Levels of tannins and flavonoids in medicinal plants: evaluating bioprospecting strategies. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2011; 2012:434782. [PMID: 21969842 PMCID: PMC3182569 DOI: 10.1155/2012/434782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2011] [Revised: 07/23/2011] [Accepted: 07/23/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
There are several species of plants used by traditional communities in the Brazilian semiarid. An approach used in the search for natural substances that possess therapeutic value is ethnobotany or ethnopharmacology. Active substances that have phenolic groups in their structure have great pharmacological potential. To establish a quantitative relationship between the species popularly considered to be antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and antidiarrheal, the contents of tannins and flavonoids were determined. The plant selection was based on an ethnobotanical survey conducted in a community located in the municipality of Altinho, northeastern Brazil. For determination of tannin content was utilized the technique of radial diffusion, and for flavonoids, an assay based on the complexation of aluminum chloride. The group of plants with antimicrobial indications showed a higher content of tannins compared to the control groups. The results evidence suggests a possible relationship between these compounds and the observed activity.
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Alves RRN, Souto WMS. Ethnozoology in Brazil: current status and perspectives. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2011; 7:22. [PMID: 21767370 PMCID: PMC3166889 DOI: 10.1186/1746-4269-7-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2011] [Accepted: 07/18/2011] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Ancient connections between animals and human are seen in cultures throughout the world in multiple forms of interaction with the local fauna that form the core of Ethnozoology. Historically, ethnozoological publications grew out of studies undertaken in academic areas such as zoology, human ecology, sociology and anthropology--reflecting the interdisciplinary character of this discipline. The rich fauna and cultural diversity found in Brazil, with many different species of animals being used for an extremely wide diversity of purposes by Amerindian societies (as well as the descendents of the original European colonists and African slaves), presents an excellent backdrop for examining the relationships that exist between humans and other animals. This work presents a historical view of ethnozoological research in Brazil and examines its evolution, tendencies, and future perspectives. In summary, literature researches indicated that ethnozoology experienced significant advances in recent years in Brazil, although from a qualitative point of view improvement is still needed in terms of methodological procedures, taxonomic precision, and the use of quantitative techniques. A wide range of methodologies and theories are available in different areas of learning that can be put to good use in ethnozoological approaches if the right questions are asked. The challenges to studying ethnozoology in Brazil are not insignificant, and the tendencies described in the present study may aid in defining research strategies that will maintain the quantitative growth observed in the recent years but likewise foster needed qualitative improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rômulo RN Alves
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Av. das Baraúnas, 351/Campus Universitário, Bodocongó, 58109-753, Campina Grande-PB, Brasil
| | - Wedson MS Souto
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia), Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, 58059-970 João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
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Monteiro JM, Ramos MA, Araújo EDL, Amorim ELC, Albuquerque UP. Dynamics of medicinal plants knowledge and commerce in an urban ecosystem (Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil). ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2011; 178:179-202. [PMID: 20853190 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-010-1681-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2010] [Accepted: 08/23/2010] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Given the importance of markets and fairs for the commerce of medicinal plants, an ethnobotanical study was undertaken at the Caruaru Fair (Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil) to compare the richness of species sold and their values of relative importance (RI) using two datasets collected with a 4-year interval. The seasonality of these plants' supplies was also analyzed. The Caruaru Fair is located in the 18 de Maio Park. It covers an area 40,000 m(2) and is used by merchants who sell several types of products, such as supplies, handicrafts, clay and aluminum utensils, shoes, clothes and medicinal plants. Semistructured interviews were carried out with the vendors who agreed to take part in the study in order to record which plants were sold and their respective indications. The plants were collected, and the species were determined. The information was analyzed with quantitative tools. A total of 169 plants were identified from both surveys, which were significantly different with regard to species richness (p < 0.05) but did not vary in relation to species' Relative Importance (p > 0.05). In relation to the seasonality of the plant supply, habit may explain the lack of some species during certain periods of the year, as most of the absent plants are herbaceous. In terms of the species most sold locally, it was found that spontaneous tree species are well known and extensively commercialized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio Marcelino Monteiro
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal, do Piauí, Campus Profa. Cinobelina Elvas, BR 135, CEP.: 64900-000, Bom Jesus, Piauí, Brazil
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Souto WMS, Mourão JS, Barboza RRD, Alves RRN. Parallels between zootherapeutic practices in ethnoveterinary and human complementary medicine in northeastern Brazil. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2011; 134:753-67. [PMID: 21291986 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2011.01.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2010] [Revised: 01/17/2011] [Accepted: 01/22/2011] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
AIM OF THE STUDY The purpose of this study was to describe the local zootherapeutic practices in ethnoveterinay medicine of semi-arid of NE Brazil (Caatinga biome) and to contribute to future research about the validation of the effects and side effects of these animal products. In this sense, we sought to determine the connections between human and animal ethnopharmacology and their implications for ethnoveterinary medicine in northeastern Brazil. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study we analyze data gathered through fieldwork conducted in the semi-arid of Paraiba State, NE Brazil, where 123 people (98 men and 25 women) provided information on animal species used as medicine, body parts used to prepare the remedies and illnesses to which the remedies were prescribed. The information obtained through semi-structured interviews was complemented by free interviews and informal conversations. RESULTS A total of 46 animal species (43 vertebrates and 3 invertebrates) were found to be used to treat 33 different ailments in livestocks and pets and 62 conditions in humans. Interviewees cited a wide range of materials derived from animal bodies (or their metabolic products) that are used as remedies in local EVM, nonetheless, fats (and/or suet) is the most frequently reported natural remedies. EVM practices have close relationships with human complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and probably evolved based on traditional human medicine practices; as such, the division between EVM and CAM is not always obvious from the viewpoint of the local residents. Descriptions of diseases, symptoms or treatments were often associated with both humans and animals (especially livestock), and 24 animal species (52%) were prescribed to treat similar ailments in both humans and animals based on local knowledge about CAM. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that traditional knowledge of animal-based medicines in ethnoveterinary practices co-evolved with traditional knowledge of human ethnomedicine. The examination of folk knowledge and animal health practices will give us a better understanding of human interactions with their local environment and aid in formulating appropriate strategies for the validation of traditional remedies and for natural resource conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wedson M S Souto
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia), Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, 58059-970 João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.
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Alves RRN, Alves HN. The faunal drugstore: animal-based remedies used in traditional medicines in Latin America. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2011; 7:9. [PMID: 21385357 PMCID: PMC3060860 DOI: 10.1186/1746-4269-7-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2011] [Accepted: 03/07/2011] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Zootherapy is the treatment of human ailments with remedies made from animals and their products. Despite its prevalence in traditional medical practices worldwide, research on this phenomenon has often been neglected in comparison to medicinal plant research. This review discusses some related aspects of the use of animal-based remedies in Latin America, identifies those species used as folk remedies, and discusses the implications of zootherapy for public health and biological conservation. The review of literature revealed that at least 584 animal species, distributed in 13 taxonomic categories, have been used in traditional medicine in region. The number of medicinal species catalogued was quite expansive and demonstrates the importance of zootherapy as an alternative mode of therapy in Latin America. Nevertheless, this number is certainly underestimated since the number of studies on the theme are very limited. Animals provide the raw materials for remedies prescribed clinically and are also used in the form of amulets and charms in magic-religious rituals and ceremonies. Zootherapeutic resources were used to treat different diseases. The medicinal fauna is largely based on wild animals, including some endangered species. Besides being influenced by cultural aspects, the relations between humans and biodiversity in the form of zootherapeutic practices are conditioned by the social and economic relations between humans themselves. Further ethnopharmacological studies are necessary to increase our understanding of the links between traditional uses of faunistic resources and conservation biology, public health policies, sustainable management of natural resources and bio-prospecting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rômulo RN Alves
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Avenida das Baraúnas, Campina Grande, Paraíba 58109-753, Brasil
| | - Humberto N Alves
- Prefeitura Municipal de João Pessoa, Escola Municipal Arnaldo de Barros Moreira, Rua Capitão Francisco Pereira, 365, Bairro dos Novais, João Pessoa, Paraíba, 58088-530, Brasil
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Alves RRN, Barbosa JAA, Santos SLDX, Souto WMS, Barboza RRD. Animal-based remedies as complementary medicines in the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2011; 2011:179876. [PMID: 19729490 PMCID: PMC3094714 DOI: 10.1093/ecam/nep134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2009] [Accepted: 08/03/2009] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Animals (and their derived products) are essential ingredients in the preparation of many traditional remedies. Despite its prevalence in traditional medical practices worldwide, research on medicinal animals has often been neglected in comparison to medicinal plant research. This work documents the medicinal animals used by a rural community in the semi-arid region, inserted in Caatinga Biome, where 66 respondents provided information on animal species used as medicine, body parts used to prepare the remedies and illnesses to which the remedies were prescribed. We calculated the informant consensus factor to determine the consensus over which species are effective for particular ailments, as well as the species use value to determine the extent of utilization of each species. We recorded the use of 51 animal species as medicines, whose products were recommended for the treatment of 68 illnesses. The informant consensus in the use of many specific remedies is fairly high, giving an additional validity to this folk medicine. Eight species not previously reported as having medicinal use were recorded. The local medicinal fauna is largely based on wild animals, including some endangered species. Given a high proportion of medicinal animals observed in the study area, it is logical to conclude that any conservation strategy should include access to modern health care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rômulo R N Alves
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Avenida das Baraúnas, Campina Grande, Paraíba 58109-753, Brazil
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Oliveira ES, Torres DF, Brooks SE, Alves RRN. The medicinal animal markets in the metropolitan region of Natal City, northeastern Brazil. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2010; 130:54-60. [PMID: 20460145 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2010.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2009] [Revised: 04/04/2010] [Accepted: 04/06/2010] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
AIM OF THE STUDY This study investigates the trade of animals for medicinal purposes in Natal metropolitan area, northeastern Brazil, to document which animal species are used, how and for what purposes. This study also discusses the implications of the use of zootherapeutics for wildlife conservation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Based on interviews with merchants of medicinal animals in all open fairs of the metropolitan region of Natal City, we calculated the informant consensus factor (ICF) to determine the consensus over which species are effective for particular ailments, as well as the species relative importance to determine the extent of potential utilization of each species. RESULTS We describe the therapeutic effects of 23 animal species used medicinally. The zootherapeutical products sold commercially are used to treat 34 health problems that were classified into 14 broad categories. We also highlight those species valued for their effectiveness against a range of ailments. The highest ICF value (1.0) was cited for diseases of the circulatory system, which include relief of symptoms such as stroke, hemorrhage, varicose veins and edema. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Our study indicated that the local population holds a great deal of ethnomedical knowledge about their local animal resources, and highlights the need for clinical investigations of these traditional remedies to test the safety and efficacy. The animal species identified in this study not only hold high medicinal value for local populations, but could potentially be a source of healing compounds that could aid pharmaceutical research. While the impact of these practices on animal populations is unknown, the high extractive value of these animal populations and the associated medicinal traditional knowledge, needs to be considered in any conservation strategy aimed at the faunistic resources of this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo S Oliveira
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Centro de Biociências, 59072-900 Natal-RN, Brazil
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