1
|
El Menyiy N, Elouafy Y, Moubachir R, Abdnim R, Benali T, Taha D, Khalid A, Abdalla AN, Hamza SMA, Elhadi Ibrahim S, El-Shazly M, Zengin G, Bouyahya A. Chemistry, Biological Activities, and Pharmacological Properties of Gastrodin: Mechanism Insights. Chem Biodivers 2024; 21:e202400402. [PMID: 38573028 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202400402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Gastrodin, a bioactive compound derived from the rhizome of the orchid Gastrodia elata, exhibits a diverse range of biological activities. With documented neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-tumor effects, gastrodin stands out as a multifaceted therapeutic agent. Notably, it has demonstrated efficacy in protecting against neuronal damage and enhancing cognitive function in animal models of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and cerebral ischemia. Additionally, gastrodin showcases immunomodulatory effects by mitigating inflammation and suppressing the expression of inflammatory cytokines. Its cytotoxic activity involves the inhibition of angiogenesis, suppression of tumor growth, and induction of apoptosis. This comprehensive review seeks to elucidate the myriad potential effects of Gastrodin, delving into the intricate molecular mechanisms underpinning its pharmacological properties. The findings underscore the therapeutic potential of gastrodin in addressing various conditions linked to neuroinflammation and cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naoual El Menyiy
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, National Agency of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Taounate, 34025, Morocco
| | - Youssef Elouafy
- Laboratory of Materials, Nanotechnology and Environment LMNE, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat, BP 1014, Morocco
| | - Rania Moubachir
- Bioactives and Environmental Health Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Moulay Ismail University, 11201, Meknes, Marocco
| | - Rhizlan Abdnim
- Laboratoire de bioressources, biotechnologie, ethnopharmacologie et santé, Département de biologie, Faculté des sciences, Université Mohamed premier, Boulevard Mohamed VI; BP:717, 60000, Oujda, Marocco
| | - Taoufiq Benali
- Environment and Health Team, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Safi, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakesh-Safi, 46030, Morocco
| | - Douae Taha
- Molecular Modeling, Materials, Nanomaterials, Water and Environment Laboratory, CERNE2D, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Rabat, 10106, Morocco
| | - Asaad Khalid
- Substance Abuse and Toxicology Research Unit, Health Research Cener, Jazan University, P.O. Box: 114, Jazan, 11111, Saudi Arabia
- Medicinal and Aromatic Plants and Traditional Medicine Research Institute, National Center for Research, P. O. Box 2404, 11111, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Ashraf N Abdalla
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Siddiqa M A Hamza
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Umm Alqura University, 24832, Alqunfudah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Salma Elhadi Ibrahim
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Umm Alqura University, 24832, Alqunfudah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed El-Shazly
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, 11566, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Gokhan Zengin
- Department of Biology, Science Faculty, Selcuk University, 42130, Konya, Turkey
| | - Abdelhakim Bouyahya
- Laboratory of Human Pathologies Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat, 10106, Morocco
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Huang HS, Lin YE, Panyod S, Chen RA, Lin YC, Chai LMX, Hsu CC, Wu WK, Lu KH, Huang YJ, Sheen LY. Anti-depressive-like and cognitive impairment alleviation effects of Gastrodia elata Blume water extract is related to gut microbiome remodeling in ApoE -/- mice exposed to unpredictable chronic mild stress. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 302:115872. [PMID: 36343797 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY RELEVANCE Gastrodia elata Blume (GE) is a traditional Chinese dietary therapy used to treat neurological disorders. Gastrodia elata Blume water extract (WGE) has been shown to ameliorate inflammation and improve social frustration in mice in a chronic social defeat model. However, studies on the anti-depressive-like effects and cognitive impairment alleviation related to the impact of WGE on the gut microbiome of ApoE-/- mice remain elusive. AIM OF THE STUDY The present study aimed to investigate the anti-depressive-like effect and cognitive impairment alleviation and mechanisms of WGE in ApoE-/- mice subjected to unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS), as well as its impact on the gut microbiome of the mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty ApoE-/- mice (6 months old) were randomly grouped into six groups: control, UCMS, WGE groups [5, 10, 20 mL WGE/kg body weight (bw) + UCMS], and a positive group (fluoxetine 20 mg/kg bw + UCMS). After four weeks of the UCMS paradigm, the sucrose preference, novel object recognition, and open field tests were conducted. The neurotransmitters serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA) and their metabolites were measured in the prefrontal cortex. Serum was collected to measure corticosterone and amyloid-42 (Aβ-42) levels. Feces were collected, and the gut microbiome was analyzed. RESULTS WGE restored sucrose preference, exploratory behavior, recognition ability, and decreased the levels of serum corticosterone and Aβ-42 in ApoE-/- mice to alleviate depressive-like behavior and cognitive impairment. Furthermore, WGE regulated the monoamine neurotransmitter via reduced the 5-HT and DA turnover rates in the prefrontal cortex. Moreover, WGE elevated the levels of potentially beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium, Akkermansia, Alloprevotella, Defluviitaleaceae_UCG-011, and Bifidobacterium pseudolongum as well as balanced fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). CONCLUSION WGE demonstrates anti-depressive-like effects, cognitive impairment alleviation, and gut microbiome and metabolite regulation in ApoE-/- mice. Our results support the possibility of developing a functional and complementary medicine to prevent or alleviate depression and cognitive decline using WGE in CVDs patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huai-Syuan Huang
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Yu-En Lin
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Suraphan Panyod
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Rou-An Chen
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Ying-Cheng Lin
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | | | - Cheng-Chih Hsu
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Wei-Kai Wu
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Kuan-Hung Lu
- Institute of Food Safety and Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Yun-Ju Huang
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Tainan, Taiwan.
| | - Lee-Yan Sheen
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Center for Food and Biomolecules, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; National Center for Food Safety Education and Research, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Network pharmacology and molecular docking analysis on molecular targets and mechanisms of Gastrodia elata Blume in the treatment of ischemic stroke. Exp Ther Med 2022; 24:742. [PMID: 36569043 PMCID: PMC9764286 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2022.11678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastrodia elata Blume (GEB) is widely used to treat cardio-cerebrovascular disease in China and in traditional Chinese medicine it is considered to be a dispelling wind and dredging collateral. However, the mechanism and active components of the plant in treating ischemic stroke (IS) remain unclear. The present study aimed to identify the active components and mechanism of GEB in treating IS using network pharmacology and molecular docking technology. Network analysis predicted 752 potential targets from 14 compounds in GEB, sharing 32 key targets with IS-associated targets. Gene Ontology analysis of key targets showed that 'oxidative stress', 'immune response' and 'regulation of blood circulation' were significantly enriched. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis indicated that the key targets regulated 11 representative pathways including 'arachidonic acid metabolism', 'lipid and galactose metabolism'. In the protein-protein interaction network, five core targets, including toll-like receptor agonist, STAT3, myeloperoxidase (MPO), prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)9, were identified and successfully docked with four active components: Palmitic acid, alexandrin, para-hydroxybenzaldehyde and gastrodin. Alexandrin, para-hydroxybenzaldehyde, and gastrodin are closely related to brain ischemia/reperfusion damage and repair. Therefore, to further verify the mechanism of action of three active components in the second part, we established the HT22 oxygen-glucose deprivation-reperfusion (OGD/R) model. Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and western blot analysis demonstrated that these three active components of GEB regulated core targets of molecular docking, such as STAT3, MPO and MMP9. In vitro experiments showed that OGD/R decreased cell survival, while this effect was reversed by the three active components of GEB. In addition, western blot analysis indicated that alexandrin upregulated expression of phosphorylated-STAT3, para-hydroxybenzaldehyde downregulated MPO and gastrodin downregulated MMP9. Therefore, the present study showed that GEB may prevent and treat IS via interaction between the active components and the main targets, which is key for investigating the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine.
Collapse
|
4
|
Liu B, Chen J, Zhang W, Huang Y, Zhao Y, Juneidi S, Dekebo A, Wang M, Shi L, Hu X. The gastrodin biosynthetic pathway in Pholidota chinensis Lindl. revealed by transcriptome and metabolome profiling. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:1024239. [PMID: 36407583 PMCID: PMC9673822 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1024239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Pholidota chinensis Lindl. is an epiphytic or lithophytic perennial herb of Orchidaceae family used as a garden flower or medicinal plant to treat high blood pressure, dizziness and headache in traditional Chinese medicine. Gastrodin (GAS) is considered as a main bioactive ingredient of this herb but the biosynthetic pathway remains unclear in P. chinensis. To elucidate the GAS biosynthesis and identify the related genes in P. chinensis, a comprehensive analysis of transcriptome and metabolome of roots, rhizomes, pseudobulbs and leaves were performed by using PacBio SMART, Illumina Hiseq and Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). A total of 1,156 metabolites were identified by UPLC-MS/MS, of which 345 differential metabolites were mainly enriched in phenylpropanoid/phenylalanine, flavone and flavonol biosynthesis. The pseudobulbs make up nearly half of the fresh weight of the whole plant, and the GAS content in the pseudobulbs was also the highest in four tissues. Up to 23,105 Unigenes were obtained and 22,029 transcripts were annotated in the transcriptome analysis. Compared to roots, 7,787, 8,376 and 9,146 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in rhizomes, pseudobulbs and leaves, respectively. And in total, 80 Unigenes encoding eight key enzymes for GAS biosynthesis, were identified. Particularly, glycosyltransferase, the key enzyme of the last step in the GAS biosynthetic pathway had 39 Unigenes candidates, of which, transcript28360/f2p0/1592, was putatively identified as the most likely candidate based on analysis of co-expression, phylogenetic analysis, and homologous searching. The metabolomics and transcriptomics of pseudobulbs versus roots showed that 8,376 DEGs and 345 DEMs had a substantial association based on the Pearson's correlation. This study notably enriched the metabolomic and transcriptomic data of P. chinensis, and it provides valuable information for GAS biosynthesis in the plant.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Baocai Liu
- Institute for Medicinal Plants, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Agricultural Bioresource, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, China
- Innovation Academy of International Traditional Chinese Medicinal Materials, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- National-Regional Joint Engineering Research Center in Hubei for Medicinal Plant Breeding and Cultivation, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Medicinal Plant Engineering Research Center of Hubei Province, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jingying Chen
- Institute of Agricultural Bioresource, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, China
| | - Wujun Zhang
- Institute of Agricultural Bioresource, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yingzhen Huang
- Institute of Agricultural Bioresource, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yunqing Zhao
- Institute of Agricultural Bioresource, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, China
| | - Seifu Juneidi
- Department of Applied Biology, School of Natural Science, Adama Science and Technology University, Adama, Ethiopia
| | - Aman Dekebo
- Applied Chemistry Department, School of Applied Natural Sciences, Adama Science and Technology University, Adama, Ethiopia
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Adama Science and Technology University, Adama, Ethiopia
| | - Meijuan Wang
- Shengnongjia Academy of Forestry, Shengnongjia, Hubei, China
| | - Le Shi
- Institute for Medicinal Plants, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Innovation Academy of International Traditional Chinese Medicinal Materials, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- National-Regional Joint Engineering Research Center in Hubei for Medicinal Plant Breeding and Cultivation, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Medicinal Plant Engineering Research Center of Hubei Province, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xuebo Hu
- Institute for Medicinal Plants, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Innovation Academy of International Traditional Chinese Medicinal Materials, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- National-Regional Joint Engineering Research Center in Hubei for Medicinal Plant Breeding and Cultivation, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Medicinal Plant Engineering Research Center of Hubei Province, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Liu Y, Gao J, Peng M, Meng H, Ma H, Cai P, Xu Y, Zhao Q, Si G. A Review on Central Nervous System Effects of Gastrodin. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:24. [PMID: 29456504 PMCID: PMC5801292 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 220] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhizoma Gastrodiae (also known as Tian ma), the dried rhizome of Gastrodia elata Blume, is a famous Chinese herb that has been traditionally used for the treatment of headache, dizziness, spasm, epilepsy, stoke, amnesia and other disorders for centuries. Gastrodin, a phenolic glycoside, is the main bioactive constituent of Rhizoma Gastrodiae. Since identified in 1978, gastrodin has been extensively investigated on its pharmacological properties. In this article, we reviewed the central nervous system (CNS) effects of gastrodin in preclinical models of CNS disorders including epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, affective disorders, cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, cognitive impairment as well as the underlying mechanisms involved and, where possible, clinical data that support the pharmacological activities. The sources and pharmacokinetics of gastrodin were also reviewed here. As a result, gastrodin possesses a broad range of beneficial effects on the above-mentioned CNS diseases, and the mechanisms of actions include modulating neurotransmitters, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, suppressing microglial activation, regulating mitochondrial cascades, up-regulating neurotrophins, etc. However, more detailed clinical trials are still in need for positioning it in the treatment of neurological disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Liu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China.,School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Jialiang Gao
- Department of Cardiology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Min Peng
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Hongyan Meng
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Hongbo Ma
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Pingping Cai
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yuan Xu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Qiong Zhao
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Guomin Si
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Matias M, Silvestre S, Falcão A, Alves G. Gastrodia elata and epilepsy: Rationale and therapeutic potential. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2016; 23:1511-1526. [PMID: 27765372 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2016.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Revised: 08/29/2016] [Accepted: 09/03/2016] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastrodia elata Blume (G. elata) is a traditional Chinese herb used for centuries in folk medicine. Due to the claimed anticonvulsant properties of G. elata, it is expected that this herb continues to be a target of research, aiming to deepen the available knowledge on its biological activity and safety. PURPOSE The current review aims to discuss the most recent advances on the elucidation of the phytochemical composition and anticonvulsant potential of G. elata. METHODS Available literature was reviewed from PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge and Science Direct, using combinations of the following keywords: Gastrodia elata, tianma, epilepsy, anticonvulsant and pharmacokinetics. Abstracts and full texts were evaluated for their clarity and scientific merit. RESULTS G. elata rhizome, as well as specific phenolic compounds isolated from this herb, have demonstrated anticonvulsant potential in a variety of in vitro and in vivo models. The pharmacological mechanisms potentially involved in the anticonvulsant activity have been extensively studied, being similar to the known mechanisms claimed for the available antiepileptic drugs. In addition, the pharmacokinetics of the main bioactive component of G. elata (gastrodin) has also been studied. CONCLUSION Due to its recognised therapeutic properties, G. elata has gained an increasing interest within the scientific community and, therefore, new medicinal preparations containing G. elata rhizome itself or its bioactive components are expected to be developed in the coming years. Moreover, specific phytochemical constituents isolated from G. elata may also be considered to integrate programs of discovery and development of new anticonvulsant drug candidates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Matias
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Rua Marquês d'Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal; CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Samuel Silvestre
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Rua Marquês d'Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal; CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Amílcar Falcão
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal; Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Gilberto Alves
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Rua Marquês d'Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal; CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Rapid authentication of Gastrodiae rhizoma by direct ionization mass spectrometry. Anal Chim Acta 2016; 938:90-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2016.07.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Revised: 07/24/2016] [Accepted: 07/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
|
8
|
Saslis-Lagoudakis CH, Klitgaard BB, Forest F, Francis L, Savolainen V, Williamson EM, Hawkins JA. The use of phylogeny to interpret cross-cultural patterns in plant use and guide medicinal plant discovery: an example from Pterocarpus (Leguminosae). PLoS One 2011; 6:e22275. [PMID: 21789247 PMCID: PMC3138776 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0022275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2011] [Accepted: 06/17/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The study of traditional knowledge of medicinal plants has led to discoveries that have helped combat diseases and improve healthcare. However, the development of quantitative measures that can assist our quest for new medicinal plants has not greatly advanced in recent years. Phylogenetic tools have entered many scientific fields in the last two decades to provide explanatory power, but have been overlooked in ethnomedicinal studies. Several studies show that medicinal properties are not randomly distributed in plant phylogenies, suggesting that phylogeny shapes ethnobotanical use. Nevertheless, empirical studies that explicitly combine ethnobotanical and phylogenetic information are scarce. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS In this study, we borrowed tools from community ecology phylogenetics to quantify significance of phylogenetic signal in medicinal properties in plants and identify nodes on phylogenies with high bioscreening potential. To do this, we produced an ethnomedicinal review from extensive literature research and a multi-locus phylogenetic hypothesis for the pantropical genus Pterocarpus (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae). We demonstrate that species used to treat a certain conditions, such as malaria, are significantly phylogenetically clumped and we highlight nodes in the phylogeny that are significantly overabundant in species used to treat certain conditions. These cross-cultural patterns in ethnomedicinal usage in Pterocarpus are interpreted in the light of phylogenetic relationships. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE This study provides techniques that enable the application of phylogenies in bioscreening, but also sheds light on the processes that shape cross-cultural ethnomedicinal patterns. This community phylogenetic approach demonstrates that similar ethnobotanical uses can arise in parallel in different areas where related plants are available. With a vast amount of ethnomedicinal and phylogenetic information available, we predict that this field, after further refinement of the techniques, will expand into similar research areas, such as pest management or the search for bioactive plant-based compounds.
Collapse
|