lecture 25 - a. shipunovashipunov.info/shipunov/school/biol_310/lec_310_25.pdf · shipunov (msu)...

Ethnobotany

Alexey Shipunov

Minot State University

Lecture 25

Shipunov (MSU) Ethnobotany Lecture 25 1 / 52

Outline

1 PharmacognosyPlant remedies for nervous system; stimulantsOther “teas”SedativesAntidepressantsAnalgesicsMemory enhancement


Pharmacognosy Plant remedies for nervous system; stimulants

PharmacognosyPlant remedies for nervous system;

stimulants



Areca nut, Areca catechu, Palmae, Southeast Asia

Nuts are chewed with betle pepper (Piper betle, Piperaceae)leaves and slaked lime (Ca(OH)2)Chemical reaction will free arecoline alkaloid (similar to nicotine),agonist of acetylcholine receptors


http://www.google.com/search?q=Areca catechu&tbm=isch

http://www.google.com/search?q=Piper betle&tbm=isch


Areca nut vendor (Hainan, China)



Arecoline



Tobacco, Nicotiana tabacum, Solanaceae, CentralAmerica

Perennial herb with large glanduliferous leavesContain alkaloid nicotine binding to acetylcholine receptors and(among other effects) increases the level of brain dopamineNicotine is a also a well-known natural insecticide


http://www.google.com/search?q=Nicotiana tabacum&tbm=isch


Nicotine



Kava, Piper methysticum, Piperaceae, Pacific

Small shrub, roots are used to prepare sedative drinkActive components are kavactones, stimulate inhibitoryγ-aminobutyric GABA receptors


http://www.google.com/search?q=Piper methysticum&tbm=isch


Kava



Kavactone


Pharmacognosy Other “teas”

PharmacognosyOther “teas”



Hibiscus tea, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Malvaceae,Mediterranean

Flower calyces (sepals) are dried and boiledContain flavonoids (e.g., anthocyanin deplhinidin) and organicacids with multiple medicinal effects, e.g., lowering blood pressure


http://www.google.com/search?q=Hibiscus sabdariffa&tbm=isch


Hibiscus tea plant



Delphinidin anthocyanide



Rooibos tea, Aspalathus linearis, Leguminosae, SouthAfrica

Small shrub of Cape provinceLeaves contain high level of antioxidants such as aspalathin andnothofagin, fermented similarly to tea or yerba mate


http://www.google.com/search?q=Aspalathus linearis&tbm=isch


Rooibos



Boldo, Peumus boldus, Monimiaceae, South America

Andean evergreen shrubContains alkaloid boldine and multipleessential oils (e.g., with anthelminticeffect)Used as a tea in many SouthAmerican countries, typically mixedwith mate


http://www.google.com/search?q=Peumus boldus&tbm=isch

Pharmacognosy Sedatives

PharmacognosySedatives



Sedatives

Are often calling “hypnotics”, difference is mainly in a dosePlant sedatives are much safer than synthetic



Valerian, Valeriana officinalis, Caprifoliaceae, Eurasia

Valerianae radixActive components are valerian oils and iridoids valepotriatesInteract with GABA receptors



Valerian



Valtrate valepotriate



Hops, Humulus lupulus, Cannabaceae, Eurasia

Lupuli flosActive components are unusual organic acids humulone andlupulone and their derivativesHelps to normalize sleep, also have antibacterial effects



Hops (female inflorescences)



Lemon balm, Melissa officinalis, Labiatae, Eurasia

Melissae foliumActive components are multi-component volatile oils includingaldehydesImprove nervous disorders and also gastrointestinal problems;has antibacterial effects



Melissa



Red passion flower, Passiflora incarnata,Passifloraceae, South America

Dried leaves are used pharmaceuticallyActive components suspected to be flavonoidsAs effective as oxazepam (serax) in treating nervous disorders(e.g., hysteria)



Mandrake, Mandragora officinarum, Solanaceae,Central Asia

Dried root contains atropine, scopolamine, hyoscyamine andpodophyllin: all alkaloidsPoisonous and hallucinogenic in large doses, hypnotic/sedative insmall doses



Mandrake, from Tacuinum Sanitatis (1474)



Mandrake



Mandrake roots


Pharmacognosy Antidepressants

PharmacognosyAntidepressants



Antidepressants

“Nerve tonics”Plants with anti-depressant activity are rare



St. John’s wort, Hypericum perforatum, Hypericaceae,Eurasia

Hyperici herbaHyperforin (derivative of terpenes) is the most active componentInhibition of synaptic uptake of several neurotransmitters:serotonin, dopamin, GABA etc.



Hyperforin



Hypericum perforatum


Pharmacognosy Analgesics

PharmacognosyAnalgesics



Analgesics

Cocaine and morphines are sometimes used as analgesicsAspirin-related anti-inflammatory drugs will be covered later



Feverfew, Tanacetum parthenicum, Compositae,Eurasia

Tanaceti parthenii herbaSesquiterpene lactones like parthenolide are responsible for theactivitySuppress prostaglandine production



Parthenolide



Feverfew


Pharmacognosy Memory enhancement

PharmacognosyMemory enhancement



Memory enhancement

Especially important in case of Altzheimer’s disease (dementia)Often are inhibitors of acetylholinesterase



Snowdrop, Galanthus nivalis, Amaryllidaceae,Mediterranean

Contains alkaloid galantamineSlow down the progression of Altzheimer’s disease



Galanthamine



Snowdrop



Ginkgo, Ginkgo biloba, Ginkgoaceae, China

“Living fossil” from China, natural habitats are lostActive components are diterpene lactones ginkgolides andglycosides such as ginkgetinImprove blood circulation in brain, have antioxidant effects,prevent degradation of synaptic receptorsAlso used to heal varicose veins



Ginkgo biloba



Ginkgolides and ginkgetins



Summary

Most of stimulants / narcotics are analogs of neurotransmittersSedative and hypnotic chemicals are often non-alkaloidsMandrake is real!



For Further Reading

A. Shipunov.Ethnobotany [Electronic resource].2011—onwards.Mode of access:http://ashipunov.info/shipunov/school/biol_310

Heinrich et al. 2012 (or 2004).Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy.Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh.Mode of access: http://ashipunov.info/shipunov/school/biol_310/heinrich2004_fund_pharm_part.pdf


http://ashipunov.info/shipunov/school/biol_310

http://ashipunov.info/shipunov/school/biol_310/heinrich2004_fund_pharm_part.pdf

http://ashipunov.info/shipunov/school/biol_310/heinrich2004_fund_pharm_part.pdf

lecture 25 - a. shipunovashipunov.info/shipunov/school/biol_310/lec_310_25.pdf · shipunov (msu)...

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