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Siddiqui SA, Fernando I, Saraswati YR, Rahayu T, Harahap IA, Yao Q, Nagdalian A, Blinov A, Shah MA. Termites as human foods-A comprehensive review. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf 2023; 22:3647-3684. [PMID: 37350054 DOI: 10.1111/1541-4337.13199] [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: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
Global food production is anticipated to rise along with the growth of the global population. As a result, creative solutions must be devised to ensure that everyone has access to nutritious, affordable, and safe food. Consequently, including insects in diets has the potential to improve global food and nutrition security. This paper aims to share recent findings by covering edible termites as the main aspect, from their consumption record until consumer acceptance. A total of 53 termite species are reported as edible ones and distributed in 6 biogeographic realms. Generally, termites have a nutrient composition that is suitable for human consumption, and cooked termites are a better dietary choice than their raw counterparts. Besides, increasing customer interest in eating termite-based food can be achieved by making it more palatable and tastier through various cooking processes, that is, boiling, frying, grilling, roasting, smoking, and sun-drying. Moreover, edible termites can also be used as a new source of medication by exhibiting antimicrobial activity. Regarding their advantages, it is strongly encouraged to implement a seminatural rearing system to sustain the supply of edible termites. Overall, this paper makes it evident that termites are an important natural resource for food or medicine. Hence, the long-term objective is to stimulate scientific inquiry into the potential of edible insects as an answer to the problem of global food security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahida Anusha Siddiqui
- Technical University of Munich, Department of Biotechnology and Sustainability, Straubing, Germany
- German Institute of Food Technologies (DIL e.V.), D-Quakenbrueck, Germany
| | - Ito Fernando
- Department of Plant Pest and Diseases, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, East Java, Indonesia
| | - Yuniar Rizky Saraswati
- School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Teguh Rahayu
- CV HermetiaTech, Surabaya, Jawa Timur, Indonesia
| | | | - Qifa Yao
- Insect Engineers, Melderslo, The Netherlands
| | - Andrey Nagdalian
- Department of Food Technology and Engineering, Faculty of Food Engineering and Biotechnology, North-Caucasus Federal University, Stavropol, Russia
| | - Andrey Blinov
- Department of Food Technology and Engineering, Faculty of Food Engineering and Biotechnology, North-Caucasus Federal University, Stavropol, Russia
| | - Mohd Asif Shah
- Department of Economics, Kabridahar University, Kabridahar, Somali, Ethiopia
- School of Business, Woxsen University, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
- Division of Research and Development, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India
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Siddiqui SA, Li C, Aidoo OF, Fernando I, Haddad MA, Pereira JA, Blinov A, Golik A, Câmara JS. Unravelling the potential of insects for medicinal purposes - A comprehensive review. Heliyon 2023; 9:e15938. [PMID: 37206028 PMCID: PMC10189416 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15938] [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: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Entomotherapy, the use of insects for medicinal purposes, has been practised for centuries in many countries around the world. More than 2100 edible insect species are eaten by humans, but little is known about the possibility of using these insects as a promising alternative to traditional pharmaceuticals for treating diseases. This review offers a fundamental understanding of the therapeutic applications of insects and how they might be used in medicine. In this review, 235 insect species from 15 orders are reported to be used as medicine. Hymenoptera contains the largest medicinal insect species, followed by Coleoptera, Orthoptera, Lepidoptera, and Blattodea. Scientists have examined and validated the potential uses of insects along with their products and by-products in treating various diseases, and records show that they are primarily used to treat digestive and skin disorders. Insects are known to be rich sources of bioactive compounds, explaining their therapeutic features such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, and so on. Challenges associated with the consumption of insects (entomophagy) and their therapeutic uses include regulation barriers and consumer acceptance. Moreover, the overexploitation of medicinal insects in their natural habitat has led to a population crisis, thus necessitating the investigation and development of their mass-rearing procedure. Lastly, this review suggests potential directions for developing insects used in medicine and offers advice for scientists interested in entomotherapy. In future, entomotherapy may become a sustainable and cost-effective solution for treating various ailments and has the potential to revolutionize modern medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahida Anusha Siddiqui
- Technical University of Munich Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability, Essigberg 3, 94315 Straubing, Germany
- German Institute of Food Technologies (DIL e.V.), Prof.-von-Klitzing Str. 7, 49610 D-Quakenbrück, Germany
- Corresponding author. Technical University of Munich Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability, Essigberg 3, 94315 Straubing, Germany.
| | - Chujun Li
- Guangzhou Unique Biotechnology Co., Ltd, 510663, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Owusu Fordjour Aidoo
- Department of Biological, Physical and Mathematical Sciences, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, 00233, Somanya, Ghana
| | - Ito Fernando
- Department of Plant Pest and Diseases, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, 65145, East Java, Indonesia
| | - Moawiya A. Haddad
- Department of Nutrition and Food Processing, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Al-Balqa Applied University, 19117, Al-Salt, Jordan
| | - Jorge A.M. Pereira
- CQM – Centro de Química da Madeira, Universidade da Madeira, Campus da Penteada, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
| | - Andrey Blinov
- North Caucasus Federal University, Pushkina Street 1, 355009, Stavropol, Russia
| | - Andrey Golik
- North Caucasus Federal University, Pushkina Street 1, 355009, Stavropol, Russia
| | - José S. Câmara
- CQM – Centro de Química da Madeira, Universidade da Madeira, Campus da Penteada, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
- Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e Engenharia, Universidade da Madeira, Campus da Penteada, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
- Corresponding author. CQM – Centro de Química da Madeira, Universidade da Madeira, Campus da Penteada, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal.
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Adil S, Altaf M, Hussain T, Umair M, Ni J, Abbasi AM, Bussmann RW, Ashraf S. Cultural and Medicinal Use of Amphibians and Reptiles by Indigenous People in Punjab, Pakistan with Comments on Conservation Implications for Herpetofauna. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12162062. [PMID: 36009651 PMCID: PMC9405124 DOI: 10.3390/ani12162062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Humans have interacted with reptile and amphibian species for millennia. The current study was designed to collect knowledge about the use of amphibian and reptile species by the native peoples residing along the Jhelum and Chenab rivers in Punjab, Pakistan. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first quantitative assessment of the cultural uses of amphibian and reptile species in the study area. However, hunting, trade, and cultural use are the greatest threats to the diversity of the amphibians and reptiles in the studied area. These threats can potentially lead to their extinction. It is important to protect the highly endangered and vulnerable species employed in therapeutic medications, more specifically in terms of their conservation. Abstract Amphibians and reptiles have interacted with humans for millennia. However, humans interact with amphibian and reptile species in different manners, which depend on their culture and traditions. This study was designed to better understand the interactions between amphibian and reptile species and their usage among the native peoples in the vicinity of the Jhelum and Chenab rivers, Pakistan. Information was collected through semi-structured interviews and questionnaires, and was analyzed by using different indices, including the frequency of citation, corrected fidelity level, fidelity level, relative importance level, and informant major ailment. Two amphibians and twenty-six reptile species were used in therapeutic medicine in the study area. Based on the cultural analysis, we found that Naja naja (black cobra) was highly cited across all cultural groups. A 100% Fidelity Level was calculated for the following species: Naja naja (eye infection), Varanus bengalensis (joint pain), Eurylepis taeniolatus (cataract), and Acanthodactylus cantoris (cancer). We found five endangered species in the study area, i.e., Aspideretes gangeticus, A. hurum, Chitra indica, Varanus flavescens, and Geoclemys hamiltonii, that were used to cure joint pain, muscle stretching and pain, backbone pain, paralysis, and psoriasis, respectively. Likewise, Lissemys punctata andersoni, a vulnerable species as labelled by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, was extensively used for the treatment of joint pain, body pain, paralysis, and arthritis in the study area. In terms of conservation, it is critical to protect the highly vulnerable and endangered species that are being used in therapeutic medicines. Our findings may be helpful for the conservation of amphibian and reptile species by helping to make an effective plan to prevent their extinction. The main threats to the diversity of amphibian and reptile species in the area are hunting, trading, and cultural use. These threats could potentially lead to the extinction of these species. Therefore, with the involvement of concerned authorities, e.g., local stakeholders, the Ministry of Climate Change, provincial wildlife departments, academia, and conservation managers, immediate conservation measures should be taken for the protection and sustainable utilization of medicinal species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saba Adil
- College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China
- Department of Zoology, Sargodha Campus, University of Lahore, Sargodha 40100, 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
- Correspondence:
| | - Jian Ni
- College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China
| | - Arshad Mehmood Abbasi
- Department of Environment Sciences, Abbottabad Campus, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad 22060, Pakistan
| | - Rainer W. Bussmann
- Department of Ethnobotany, Institute of Botany and Bakuriani Alpine Botanical Garden, Ilia State University, Tbilisi 0105, Georgia
| | - Sana Ashraf
- Department of Zoology, Sargodha Campus, University of Lahore, Sargodha 40100, Pakistan
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Alien woody plants are more versatile than native, but both share similar therapeutic redundancy in South Africa. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0260390. [PMID: 34847163 PMCID: PMC8631623 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding why alien plant species are incorporated into the medicinal flora in several local communities is central to invasion biology and ethnobiology. Theories suggest that alien plants are incorporated in local pharmacopoeias because they are more versatile or contribute unique secondary chemistry which make them less therapeutically redundant, or simply because they are locally more abundant than native species. However, a lack of a comprehensive test of these hypotheses limits our understanding of the dynamics of plants knowledge, use and potential implications for invasion. Here, we tested the predictions of several of these hypotheses using a unique dataset on the woody medicinal flora of southern Africa. We found that the size of a plant family predicts the number of medicinal plants in that family, a support for the non-random hypothesis of medicinal plant selection. However, we found no support for the diversification hypothesis: i) both alien and native plants were used in the treatment of similar diseases; ii) significantly more native species than alien contribute to disease treatments particularly of parasitic infections and obstetric-gynecological diseases, and iii) alien and native species share similar therapeutic redundancy. However, we found support for the versatility hypothesis, i.e., alien plants were more versatile than natives. These findings imply that, although alien plant species are not therapeutically unique, they do provide more uses than native plants (versatility), thus suggesting that they may not have been introduced primarily for therapeutic reasons. We call for similar studies to be carried out on alien herbaceous plants for a broader understanding of the integration of alien plants into the pharmacopoeias of the receiving communities.
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Deborah Daolapogy, Talukdar NR, Choudhury P. Ethnozoological use of primates in northeastern India. JOURNAL OF THREATENED TAXA 2021. [DOI: 10.11609/jott.6873.13.11.19492-19499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Ethnozoological practices to cure various diseases have a long history. Communities that reside near the forest collect wild animals and their derivatives to prepare medicines and get relief from diseases. Northeastern India is home to many tribes with vast traditional ethnobiological knowledge, and there are many reports of zootherapeutic uses in the region. In an attempt to understand primate-based ethnozoologic use in the area a literature survey was carried out using different sources. The findings revealed that Hoolock hoolock was the most used species among the primates (48 %), followed by Macaca assamensis (20 %) and Macaca mulatta (10 %). Among the materials used, the flesh of primates was the most dominant (43 %), followed by the blood (20 %) and brain (14 %). This paper highlights the negative effects of ethno-medicinal uses of primates to draw the attention of conservationists and encourage conservation education to address the damage to primates in the name of health care. Government agencies are also requested to strengthen health care systems to discourage the killing of valuable primate species.
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Coe MA, Gaoue OG. Phylogeny explains why less therapeutically redundant plant species are not necessarily facing greater use pressure. PEOPLE AND NATURE 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Michael A. Coe
- Department of Botany University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Honolulu HI USA
| | - Orou G. Gaoue
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Tennessee Knoxville TN USA
- Faculty of Agronomy University of Parakou Parakou Benin
- Department of Geography Environmental Management and Energy Studies University of JohannesburgAPK Campus Johannesburg South Africa
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Mahomoodally MF, Sanaa DA, Zengin G, Gallo M, Montesano D. Traditional Therapeutic Uses of Marine Animal Parts and Derived Products as Functional Foods – A Systematic Review. FOOD REVIEWS INTERNATIONAL 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/87559129.2021.1926486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamad Fawzi Mahomoodally
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Mauritius, Mauritius
| | - Dilmar Aniisah Sanaa
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Mauritius, Mauritius
| | - Gokhan Zengin
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Selcuk Universtiy, Konya, Turkey
| | - Monica Gallo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Domenico Montesano
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Section of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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Rocha R, López-Baucells A, Fernández-Llamazares Á. Ethnobiology of Bats: Exploring Human-Bat Inter-Relationships in a Rapidly Changing World. J ETHNOBIOL 2021. [DOI: 10.2993/0278-0771-41.1.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Rocha
- CIBIO-InBIO, Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, University of Porto, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
| | - Adrià López-Baucells
- Global Change and Conservation (GCC), Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Álvaro Fernández-Llamazares
- Global Change and Conservation (GCC), Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland
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Alves RRN, Borges AKM, Barboza RRD, Souto WMS, Gonçalves‐Souza T, Provete DB, Albuquerque UP. A global analysis of ecological and evolutionary drivers of the use of wild mammals in traditional medicine. Mamm Rev 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rômulo Romeu Nóbrega Alves
- Departamento de Biologia Universidade Estadual da Paraíba Av. das Baraúnas, 351 / Campus Universitário Campina Grande PB58109‐753Brasil
- Pós‐Graduação Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia) Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia Universidade Federal da Paraíba Bodocongó João Pessoa PB58051‐900Brasil
| | - Anna Karolina Martins Borges
- Pós‐Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia) Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia Universidade Federal da Paraíba João Pessoa PB58051‐900Brasil
- Programa de Pós‐graduação em Etnobiologia e Conservação da Natureza Departamento de Biologia Universidade Estadual da Paraíba Av. das Baraúnas, 351 / Campus Universitário Campina Grande PB58109‐753Brasil
| | - Raynner Rilke Duarte Barboza
- Colégio Aplicação – CAP Universidade Federal de Roraima ‐ Avenida Capitão Ene Garcês 2413 ‐ Aeroporto, Campus do Paricarana Boa Vista69310‐000Brasil
| | - Wedson Medeiros Silva Souto
- Laboratory of Zoology Wildlife Use and Conservation (ZUCON) Department of Biology Federal University of Piaui (UFPI) Campus Ministro Petrônio Portella Teresina Piaui64049‐550Brasil
| | - Thiago Gonçalves‐Souza
- Departamento de Biologia Laboratório de Síntese Ecológica e Conservação da Biodiversidade Departamento de Biologia Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco Rua Dom Manuel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmãos ‐ CEP Recife PE52171‐900Brasil
| | - Diogo B. Provete
- Instituto de Biociências Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul Campo Grande, 79002‐970 Mato Grosso do Sul Brasil
- Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre Box 100 GöteborgS‐405 30Sweden
| | - Ulysses Paulino Albuquerque
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Evolução de Sistemas Socioecológicos (LEA) Departamento de Botânica Universidade Federal de Pernambuco Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, Cidade Universitária Recife, Pernambuco50670‐901Brasil
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Rodriguez C, Ibáñez R, Rollins-Smith LA, Gutiérrez M, Durant-Archibold AA. Antimicrobial Secretions of Toads (Anura, Bufonidae): Bioactive Extracts and Isolated Compounds against Human Pathogens. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:antibiotics9120843. [PMID: 33255881 PMCID: PMC7761505 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9120843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Species of the family Bufonidae, better known as true toads, are widespread and produce bioactive substances in the secretions obtained from specialized skin macroglands. Some true toads have been employed as a folk remedy to treat infectious diseases caused by microbial pathogens. Recent publications based on in silico analysis highlighted the Bufonidae as promising sources of antimicrobial peptides. A review of the literature reveals that Bufonidae skin secretion extracts show inhibitory activity in vitro against clinical isolates of bacteria, resistant and standard strains of bacterial, and fungal and parasitic human pathogens. Secondary metabolites belonging to the classes of alkaloids, bufadienolides, and peptides with antimicrobial activity have been isolated from species of the genera Bufo, Bufotes, Duttaphrynus, and Rhinella. Additionally, some antimicrobial extracts and purified compounds display low cytotoxicity against mammal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candelario Rodriguez
- Centro de Biodiversidad y Descubrimiento de Drogas, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Clayton, Panama City 0843-01103, Panama;
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Exactas y Tecnología, Universidad de Panamá, Apartado 0824-03366, Panama
- Department of Biotechnology, Acharya Nagarjuna University, Nagarjuna Nagar, Guntur 522510, India
- Scientific Station COIBA, (COIBA AIP), Ciudad del Saber, Apartado 0816-02852, Panama
| | - Roberto Ibáñez
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), Balboa 0843-03092, Panama;
- Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Exactas y Tecnología, Universidad de Panamá, Apartado 0824-03366, Panama
| | - Louise A. Rollins-Smith
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, and Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA;
| | - Marcelino Gutiérrez
- Centro de Biodiversidad y Descubrimiento de Drogas, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Clayton, Panama City 0843-01103, Panama;
- Correspondence: (M.G.); (A.A.D.-A.)
| | - Armando A. Durant-Archibold
- Centro de Biodiversidad y Descubrimiento de Drogas, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Clayton, Panama City 0843-01103, Panama;
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Exactas y Tecnología, Universidad de Panamá, Apartado 0824-03366, Panama
- Correspondence: (M.G.); (A.A.D.-A.)
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Liu C, Ren Y, Li Z, Hu Q, Yin L, Wang H, Qiao X, Zhang Y, Xing L, Xi Y, Jiang F, Wang S, Huang C, Liu B, Liu H, Wan F, Qian W, Fan W. Giant African snail genomes provide insights into molluscan whole-genome duplication and aquatic-terrestrial transition. Mol Ecol Resour 2020; 21:478-494. [PMID: 33000522 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Whole-genome duplication (WGD), contributing to evolutionary diversity and environmental adaptability, has been observed across a wide variety of eukaryotic groups, but not in molluscs. Molluscs are the second largest animal phylum in terms of species numbers, and among the organisms that have successfully adapted to the nonmarine realm through aquatic-terrestrial (A-T) transition. We assembled a chromosome-level reference genome for Achatina immaculata, a globally invasive species, and compared the genomes of two giant African snails (A. immaculata and Achatina fulica) to other available mollusc genomes. Macrosynteny, colinearity blocks, Ks peak and Hox gene clusters collectively suggested a WGD event in the two snails. The estimated WGD timing (~70 million years ago) was close to the speciation age of the Sigmurethra-Orthurethra (within Stylommatophora) lineage and the Cretaceous-Tertiary (K-T) mass extinction, indicating that the WGD may have been a common event shared by all Sigmurethra-Orthurethra species and conferred ecological adaptability allowing survival after the K-T extinction event. Furthermore, the adaptive mechanism of WGD in terrestrial ecosystems was confirmed by the presence of gene families related to the respiration, aestivation and immune defence. Several mucus-related gene families expanded early in the Stylommatophora lineage, and the haemocyanin and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase families doubled during WGD, and zinc metalloproteinase genes were highly tandemly duplicated after WGD. This evidence suggests that although WGD may not have been the direct driver of the A-T transition, it played an important part in the terrestrial adaptation of giant African snails.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conghui Liu
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuwei Ren
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zaiyuan Li
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qi Hu
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lijuan Yin
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hengchao Wang
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xi Qiao
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Longsheng Xing
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yu Xi
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Fan Jiang
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Sen Wang
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Cong Huang
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bo Liu
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hangwei Liu
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Fanghao Wan
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wanqiang Qian
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wei Fan
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
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Medeiros MFT, Alves RÔRN. Nineteenth century zootherapy in Benedictine monasteries of Brazil. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2020; 92:e20181113. [PMID: 32785429 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202020181113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Research on the past use of animals in medicine, particularly in Brazil, is still scarce. This work aimed to perform a dialogical analysis of information retrieved from historical documents composed in the nineteenth century about the therapeutic use of animal species in Benedictine monasteries in Brazil and their contemporary medicinal applications. Cross-referencing of seven written codices from the nineteenth century Benedictine monasteries infirmaries was performed for taxonomic identification and with therapeutic indications. Animal species provided 13 zootherapeutic resources, which were related to 17 therapeutic indications. Insects, birds and mammals concentrated the greatest number of pharmaceutical actions (37%, 32% and 16% of the therapeutic indications). Medicinal animals used in the past are species commonly applied in the European medicine over centuries. This reveals that the practiced medicine in Benedictine monasteries was influenced by medical concepts from Europe. Also, it shows that still today this European medicine is the basis of therapeutic practice. Such research is essential for a better scientific understanding of the history of medicine, focusing on how different cultures have contributed to the actual therapeutic practice. In this way it is possible to trace a history zootherapy in Brazil, demonstrating the persistence of their use over the time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria F T Medeiros
- Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - RÔmulo R N Alves
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil
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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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da Silva JS, do Nascimento ALB, Alves RRN, Albuquerque UP. Use of game fauna by Fulni-ô people in Northeastern Brazil: implications for conservation. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2020; 16:18. [PMID: 32303237 PMCID: PMC7164412 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-020-00367-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Due to the influence of several factors on the hunting of game meat, we investigated how the seasonality of the environment, the abundance, and the biomass of wild animals, as well as the proximity to these resources, can affect the hunting. METHODS The research was developed with the Fulni-ô people in the municipality of Águas Belas, Agreste of Pernambuco, Northeast of Brazil. In order to do this, we applied snowball sampling to select the participants. Data from potentially useful game species were obtained from lists and semi-structured interviews to register their particular kind of uses, capture periods (daytime, night, or both), preferences, and perceived abundance. The hunters who allowed their game meat captured to be weighed and identified were followed for 1 year. RESULTS Our records pointed to a vast repertoire of potentially hunting animals. However, we did not verify relationships between the abundance, seasonality, and biomass of the animals that were hunted by the Fulni-ô. We observed a total of 209,866 (kg) of game meat hunted in the studied group, belonging to 23 species, distributed in three taxonomic groups, the birds being the most representative group with 59% of total reported. CONCLUSION Such consumption by the group is well below in terms of biomass when compared to other ethnic or local groups in other regions of Brazil, or in Caatinga areas, characterizing an activity much more of cultural character than subsistence. Also, the use of game meat among the Fulni-ô seems to be actively directed to the preferred species, suggesting that in the case of an urbanized indigenous community, where other sources of income are available, the demand for game meat is lower when compared to other ethnic groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josivan Soares da Silva
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Etnobiologia e Conservação da Natureza, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
- Departamento de Botânica, Laboratório de Ecologia e Evolução de Sistemas Socioecológicos, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
| | - André Luiz Borba do Nascimento
- Departamento de Botânica, Laboratório de Ecologia e Evolução de Sistemas Socioecológicos, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
| | | | - Ulysses Paulino Albuquerque
- Departamento de Botânica, Laboratório de Ecologia e Evolução de Sistemas Socioecológicos, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
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de Oliveira WSL, Borges AKM, de Faria Lopes S, Vasconcellos A, Alves RRN. Illegal trade of songbirds: an analysis of the activity in an area of northeast Brazil. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2020; 16:16. [PMID: 32228669 PMCID: PMC7106812 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-020-00365-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to analyze the chain and dynamics of the trade of wild birds between keepers and traders in an area of northeast Brazil. Profit from the purchase and sale of these animals in the trade chain was also estimated. METHODS The information was obtained through interviews with direct participants in the wild bird trade chain. RESULTS We recorded a total of 34 bird species involved in illegal trade. In general, the purchase and sale values of songbirds are associated with the attractiveness and songs of the birds. Regarding the commercial potential of the species, those with high numbers of traded individuals had higher average purchase values and, especially, sale values. Birds with lower purchase values showed higher sale profits and were sold in large numbers. The purchase and sale values of songbirds in the present study show a significant economic return for those involved in this activity. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study may provide data to support future studies on the conservation of wild birds, assisting in monitoring illegal trade, a persistent problem in the region studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wallisson Sylas Luna de Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia), Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Via Expressa Padre Zé, s/n, Cidade Universitária, João Pessoa, PB, 58059-970, Brazil
| | - Anna Karolina Martins Borges
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia), Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Via Expressa Padre Zé, s/n, Cidade Universitária, João Pessoa, PB, 58059-970, Brazil
| | - Sérgio de Faria Lopes
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Av. Baraúnas, 351, Campus Universitário I, Bodocongó, Campina Grande, PB, 58109-753, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Vasconcellos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia), Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Via Expressa Padre Zé, s/n, Cidade Universitária, João Pessoa, PB, 58059-970, Brazil
| | - Rômulo Romeu Nóbrega Alves
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia), Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Via Expressa Padre Zé, s/n, Cidade Universitária, João Pessoa, PB, 58059-970, Brazil.
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Av. Baraúnas, 351, Campus Universitário I, Bodocongó, Campina Grande, PB, 58109-753, Brazil.
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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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da Silva Policarpo Brito I, Borges AKM, de Faria Lopes S, Dias TLP, Alves RRN. Environmental influence on the choice of medicinal animals: a case study from northeastern Brazil. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2019; 15:55. [PMID: 31771592 PMCID: PMC6880416 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-019-0337-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Animals from various taxonomic groups are commonly used in folk medicine, and their selection seems to be directly linked to their availability and accessibility. In the present study, we analyzed the use of animals as a source of folk medicines in a community in northeastern Brazil with access to aquatic and terrestrial animals. We hypothesize that the medicinal fauna is well represented by species of both habitat types. METHODS For the collection of information, semi-structured questionnaires were applied to local residents. RESULTS We recorded the use of 22 animals used as medicinal resources in the community, distributed among eight taxonomic categories, which are used to treat 38 types of diseases. Of the therapeutic animals, 14 species are terrestrial and 8 species can be considered aquatic occurring in marine or estuarine habitats. CONCLUSIONS Our data confirm the tendency of human communities to use affordable medicinal animals in local ecosystems. We also found that medicinal use represents a strategy of optimizing the use of resources and is related to the economic, historical, social, cultural, and ecological contexts in which the community is inserted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iamara da Silva Policarpo Brito
- Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia), Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia da Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, 58051-900, Brazil.
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Av. das Baraúnas, 351/Campus, Universitário, Bodocongó, Campina Grande, PB, 58109-753, Brazil.
| | - Anna Karolina Martins Borges
- Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia), Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia da Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, 58051-900, Brazil
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Av. das Baraúnas, 351/Campus, Universitário, Bodocongó, Campina Grande, PB, 58109-753, Brazil
| | - Sérgio de Faria Lopes
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Av. das Baraúnas, 351/Campus, Universitário, Bodocongó, Campina Grande, PB, 58109-753, Brazil
| | - Thelma Lúcia Pereira Dias
- Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia), Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia da Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, 58051-900, Brazil
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Av. das Baraúnas, 351/Campus, Universitário, Bodocongó, Campina Grande, PB, 58109-753, Brazil
| | - Rômulo Romeu Nóbrega Alves
- Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia), Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia da Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, 58051-900, Brazil
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Av. das Baraúnas, 351/Campus, Universitário, Bodocongó, Campina Grande, PB, 58109-753, Brazil
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Nieman WA, Leslie AJ, Wilkinson A. Traditional medicinal animal use by Xhosa and Sotho communities in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2019; 15:34. [PMID: 31288841 PMCID: PMC6617652 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-019-0311-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of animals and animal-derived materials in traditional medicine constitutes an important part of the belief systems of indigenous African cultures. It is believed to be rapidly expanding in South Africa, where traditional healers are estimated to outnumber western doctors by 2000:1 in some areas, with an overall clientele consisting of 60-80% of South African citizens. Despite concerns about the impact of the trade in traditional medicine on biodiversity, there has been only limited research on this topic in South Africa. METHODS Traditional Xhosa and Sotho healers operating from impoverished, rural communities in the Boland Region of the Western Cape Province were consulted to provide a comprehensive inventory of the number and frequency of animals used and sold. Species richness estimators, diversity indices, and a relative cultural importance (RCI) index were used to highlight species of concern and assess market dynamics. RESULTS A total of 26 broad use categories for 12 types of animal parts or products from 71 species or morphospecies were recorded. The most commonly sold items were skin pieces, oil or fat, and bones. Results showed that leopard, chacma baboon, Cape porcupine, monitor lizard species, puff adder, African rock python, and black-backed jackal were the species most used in the traditional medicinal trade. CONCLUSIONS This study extends existing knowledge on the trade of animals in South African healing practices and provides the first attempt in the Western Cape to quantify wildlife use for cultural traditions. The results have relevance for setting conservation priorities and may assist in effective policy development inclusive of ecological sustainability priorities, as well as cultural demands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willem A. Nieman
- Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, University of Stellenbosch, Matieland, Western Cape 7602 South Africa
| | - Alison J. Leslie
- Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, University of Stellenbosch, Matieland, Western Cape 7602 South Africa
| | - Anita Wilkinson
- The Cape Leopard Trust, P.O. Box 31139, Tokai, Cape Town, 7966 South Africa
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Alves RRN, de Araújo BMC, da Silva Policarpo I, Pereira HM, Borges AKM, da Silva Vieira WL, Vasconcellos A. Keeping reptiles as pets in Brazil: Ethnozoological and conservation aspects. J Nat Conserv 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2019.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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GC–MS analysis of the fixed oil from Sus scrofa domesticus Linneaus (1758) and antimicrobial activity against bacteria with veterinary interest. Chem Phys Lipids 2019; 219:23-27. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2019.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Revised: 01/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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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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de Oliveira WSL, de Faria Lopes S, Alves RRN. Understanding the motivations for keeping wild birds in the semi-arid region of Brazil. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2018; 14:41. [PMID: 29891010 PMCID: PMC5996533 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-018-0243-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Birds are kept as pets around the world, and bird-keeping is an ancient and widespread practice, constituting one of the main reasons for the decline of some species. In the semi-arid region of Brazil, this practice is very common and continues despite being designated as illegal in recent decades. This study aimed to identify the species and families of songbirds used as pets in the semi-arid region of Brazil, characterize the maintenance of the exploited species in captivity, and evaluate the sociocultural context associated with this practice. METHODS Data were collected from a total of 62 wild bird-keepers in the study area through interviews using semi-structured forms and informal conversations. RESULTS A total of 34 bird species are bred as pets in the study area. Thraupidae was the most represented family in this study followed by Icteridae, and together, these families accounted for 61.7% of the local specimens. As reported by the respondents, birds are acquired by capturing them in rural areas or through local and regional markets. The number of species identified by the respondents did not differ according to respondent income, educational level, or age (p > 0.05). Maintaining these birds in cages includes some care, such as providing feed, medicine, and in some cases, training to improve their song or to learn songs from other species. The species with the highest use values (UVs) were Sporophila albogularis (UV = 0.83), Paroaria dominicana (0.82), and Sporophila nigricollis (0.79), indicating their importance as wild animal pets. CONCLUSION The birds reported in this study have strong cultural importance and high economic value for the people involved in bird-keeping. In this sense, ethnoornithological studies are fundamentally important since they can provide basic information to inform plans and actions to promote the conservation and sustainable management of local avifauna, including the essential element of environmental education strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wallisson Sylas Luna de Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia), Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Cidade Universitária, João Pessoa, PB 58059-970 Brazil
| | - Sérgio de Faria Lopes
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Avenida das Baraúnas, 351, Campus Universitário, Bodocongó, Campina Grande, PB 58109-753 Brazil
| | - Rômulo Romeu Nóbrega Alves
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia), Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Cidade Universitária, João Pessoa, PB 58059-970 Brazil
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Avenida das Baraúnas, 351, Campus Universitário, Bodocongó, Campina Grande, PB 58109-753 Brazil
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Abstract
Human health and animal health are closely intertwined. We share hundreds of diseases with animals, and they are vectors for many diseases that assail humans—but, at the same time, they are essential to many treatments and cures. We discuss in this chapter various aspects of intimate relationship between human and animal health, giving examples of the importance of multidisciplinary studies in understanding these connections and the fundamental aspects of strategies for promoting the health and well-being of both groups.
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Alves RRN, Oliveira TPR, Medeiros MFT. Trends in Medicinal Uses of Edible Wild Vertebrates in Brazil. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2017; 2017:4901329. [PMID: 28894470 PMCID: PMC5574265 DOI: 10.1155/2017/4901329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The use of food medicines is a widespread practice worldwide. In Brazil, such use is often associated with wild animals, mostly focusing on vertebrate species. Here we assessed taxonomic and ecological trends in traditional uses of wild edible vertebrates in the country, through an extensive ethnobiological database analysis. Our results showed that at least 165 health conditions are reportedly treated by edible vertebrate species (n = 204), mostly fishes and mammals. However, reptiles stand out presenting a higher plasticity in the treatment of multiple health conditions. Considering the 20 disease categories recorded, treatment prescriptions were similar within continental (i.e., terrestrial and freshwater) and also within coastal and marine habitats, which may reflect locally related trends in occurrence and use of the medicinal fauna. The comprehension of the multiplicity and trends in the therapeutic uses of Brazilian vertebrates is of particular interest from a conservation perspective, as several threatened species were recorded.
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Sales DL, Morais-Braga MFB, Santos ATLD, Machado AJT, Araujo Filho JAD, Dias DDQ, Cunha FABD, Saraiva RDA, Menezes IRAD, Coutinho HDM, Costa JGM, Ferreira FS, Alves RRDN, Almeida WDO. Antibacterial, modulatory activity of antibiotics and toxicity from Rhinella jimi (Stevaux, 2002) (Anura: Bufonidae) glandular secretions. Biomed Pharmacother 2017; 92:554-561. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.05.098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2016] [Revised: 05/19/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
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Rodríguez C, Rollins-Smith L, Ibáñez R, Durant-Archibold AA, Gutiérrez M. Toxins and pharmacologically active compounds from species of the family Bufonidae (Amphibia, Anura). JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2017; 198:235-254. [PMID: 28034659 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.12.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Revised: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 12/14/2016] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Among amphibians, 15 of the 47 species reported to be used in traditional medicines belong to the family Bufonidae, which demonstrates their potential in pharmacological and natural products research. For example, Asian and American tribes use the skin and the parotoid gland secretions of some common toads in the treatment of hemorrhages, bites and stings from venomous animals, skin and stomach disorders, as well as several types of cancers. OVERARCHING OBJECTIVE In addition to reviewing the occurrence of chemical constituents present in the family Bufonidae, the cytotoxic and biomedical potential of the active compounds produced by different taxa are presented. METHODOLOGY Available information on bioactive compounds isolated from species of the family Bufonidae was obtained from ACS Publications, Google, Google Scholar, Pubmed, Sciendirect and Springer. Papers written in Chinese, English, German and Spanish were considered. RESULTS Recent reports show more than 30% of amphibians are in decline and some of bufonid species are considered to be extinct. For centuries, bufonids have been used as traditional folk remedies to treat allergies, inflammation, cancer, infections and other ailments, highlighting their importance as a prolific source for novel drugs and therapies. Toxins and bioactive chemical constituents from skin and parotid gland secretions of bufonid species can be grouped in five families, the guanidine alkaloids isolated and characterized from Atelopus, the lipophilic alkaloids isolated from Melanophryniscus, the indole alkaloids and bufadienolides known to be synthesized by species of bufonids, and peptides and proteins isolated from the skin and gastrointestinal extracts of some common toads. Overall, the bioactive secretions of this family of anurans may have antimicrobial, protease inhibitor and anticancer properties, as well as being active at the neuromuscular level. CONCLUSION In this article, the traditional uses, toxicity and pharmacological potential of chemical compounds from bufonids have been summarized. In spite of being reported to be used to treat several diseases, neither extracts nor metabolites from bufonids have been tested in such illness like acne, osteoporosis, arthritis and other illnesses. However, the cytotoxicity of these metabolites needs to be evaluated on adequate animal models due to the limited conditions of in vitro assays. Novel qualitative and quantitative tools based on MS spectrometry and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy is now available to study the complex secretions of bufonids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candelario Rodríguez
- Centro de Biodiversidad y Descubrimiento de Drogas, Instituto de Investigaciones, Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT-AIP), City of Knowledge, Panama 0843-01103, Republic of Panama; Department of Biotechnology, Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur 522510, India
| | - Louise Rollins-Smith
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, and Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
| | - Roberto Ibáñez
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Ancon, Panama 0843-03092, Republic of Panama; Department of Zoology, College of Natural, Exact Sciences and Technology, University of Panama, Republic of Panama
| | - Armando A Durant-Archibold
- Centro de Biodiversidad y Descubrimiento de Drogas, Instituto de Investigaciones, Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT-AIP), City of Knowledge, Panama 0843-01103, Republic of Panama; Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural, Exact Sciences and Technology, University of Panama, Republic of Panama.
| | - Marcelino Gutiérrez
- Centro de Biodiversidad y Descubrimiento de Drogas, Instituto de Investigaciones, Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT-AIP), City of Knowledge, Panama 0843-01103, Republic of Panama.
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Meyer-Rochow VB. Therapeutic arthropods and other, largely terrestrial, folk-medicinally important invertebrates: a comparative survey and review. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2017; 13:9. [PMID: 28173820 PMCID: PMC5296966 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-017-0136-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Traditional healing methods involving hundreds of insect and other invertebrate species are reviewed. Some of the uses are based on the tenet of "similia similibus" (let likes be cured by likes), but not all non-conventional health promoting practices should be dismissed as superstition or wishful thinking, for they have stood the test of time. Two questions are addressed: how can totally different organ systems in a human possibly benefit from extracts, potions, powders, secretions, ashes, etc. of a single species and how can different target organs, e.g. bronchi, lungs, the urinary bladder, kidneys, etc. apparently respond to a range of taxonomically not even closely related species? Even though therapeutically used invertebrates are generally small, they nevertheless possess organs for specific functions, e.g. digestion, gas exchange, reproduction. They have a nervous system, endocrine glands, a heart and muscle tissue and they contain a multitude of different molecules like metabolites, enzymes, hormones, neurotransmitters, secretions, etc. that have come under increased scientific scrutiny for pharmacological properties. Bearing that in mind it seems likely that a single species prepared and used in different ways could have a multitude of uses. But how, for example, can there be remedies for breathing and other problems, involving earthworms, molluscs, termites, beetles, cockroaches, bugs, and dragonflies? Since invertebrates themselves can suffer from infections and cancers, common defence reactions are likely to have evolved in all invertebrates, which is why it would be far more surprising to find that each species had evolved its own unique disease fighting system. To obtain a more comprehensive picture, however, we still need information on folk medicinal uses of insects and other invertebrates from a wider range of regions and ethnic groups, but this task is hampered by western-based medicines becoming increasingly dominant and traditional healers being unable and sometimes even unwilling to transmit their knowledge to the younger generation. However, collecting and uncontrolled uses of therapeutic invertebrates can put undue pressure on certain highly sought after species and this is something that has to be borne in mind as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Benno Meyer-Rochow
- Department of Genetics and Physiology, Oulu University, Oulu, SF-90140, Finland.
- Research Institute of Luminous Organisms, Hachijo, Nakanogo, Hachijojima, Tokyo, 100-1623, Japan.
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Bonifácio KM, Freire EMX, Schiavetti A. Cultural keystone species of fauna as a method for assessing conservation priorities in a Protected Area of the Brazilian semiarid. BIOTA NEOTROPICA 2016. [DOI: 10.1590/1676-0611-bn-2014-0106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The Cultural Keystone Species (CKS) method of identification has been used to define culturally important species. The objective of this study was to identify and characterize CKS vertebrates in the communities surrounding the Environmental Protection Area of Chapada do Araripe and define conservation priorities using semi-structured interviews and free listings. Interviews were conducted with 246 people; 53 species were identified and then included in categories of use: food, medicinal, handicraft and symbolic. Food preference was identified for Mazama gouazoubira, Penelope superciliaris, Dasyprocta prymnolopha and Dasypus novencimctus. As medicinal resources, Salvator merianae and M. gouazoubira represented 51.85% of treatment recommendations. For use in handicrafts, M. gouazoubira, which is also the only species recorded for symbolic use, stands out. Use values (UV) varied from 0.03 to 1.34, and M. gouazoubira had the highest UV (1.34) and a 0.74 projection. Regarding cultural importance, M. gouazoubira was the species with the highest UV and projection, and was indicated as a CKS to be prioritized in research and conservation studies.
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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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Santos CAB, Alves RRN. Ethnoichthyology of the indigenous Truká people, Northeast Brazil. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2016; 12:1. [PMID: 26739346 PMCID: PMC4702390 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-015-0076-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2015] [Accepted: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Historically, fishing is an important activity for riverine communities established along the São Francisco River, including indigenous communities. In the present study, we researched fishing activities in two villages of the Truká ethnic group, both located in the State of Pernambuco along the sub-middle section of the São Francisco River, Northeast Brazil. We recorded the richness and uses of the fished species and the ecological knowledge on these species, the fishing techniques employed and the perception of the indigenous people regarding current environmental impacts on the São Francisco River that influence local fishing. METHOD The information was obtained through interviews with 33 Truká fishers (27 men and six women), including 17 interviewees from Central Village (Cabrobó) and 16 from Tapera Village (Orocó). RESULTS Using five fishing techniques, the interviewees caught 25 fish species, including 21 native and four exotic species. All species are used as food, and two species are used in traditional Truká medicine. The interviewees revealed that fishing currently has less importance in their subsistence. They indicated that this situation is occurring because of several factors, such as the introduction of exotic species, pollution and urbanization, that have impacted the São Francisco River, resulting in a decline of fishing resources. Nevertheless, we found that the indigenous people who are still fishing have a broad knowledge of the habitat and ecology of the target fishing. CONCLUSION Although fishing is declining in importance among the Truká, we found that the individuals who are still practicing this activity have a broad knowledge about the habitat and ecology of the target species and apply that knowledge to fishing methods. Knowledge about the ecology of the species and the environmental impacts that have affected them can support basic research on local fish populations and research investigating the environmental impacts, resource management and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources.
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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.
| | - Rômulo Romeu Nóbrega Alves
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Av. das Baraúnas, 351/Campus Universitário, Bodocongó, 58109-753, Campina Grande, Paraíba, 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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de Carvalho Nilo Bitu V, de Carvalho Nilo Bitu V, Matias EFF, de Lima WP, da Costa Portelo A, Coutinho HDM, de Menezes IRA. Ethnopharmacological study of plants sold for therapeutic purposes in public markets in Northeast Brazil. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2015; 172:265-72. [PMID: 26099635 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2015.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2015] [Revised: 06/13/2015] [Accepted: 06/14/2015] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Studies of ethnobiological nature favor the rescue of popular culture, preventing important cultural and biological information from being lost over time. Another interesting point is that it can support bioprospecting studies focusing on the discovery of new drugs. OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY Our aim was to conduct a survey of plants sold for therapeutic purposes in public markets in the Crajubar Triangle in Northeast Brazil. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using a questionnaire, data were collected regarding the part of the plant used, method of preparation, quantity needed, instructions for use and known adverse effects. From the data obtained, we calculated the relative importance of species and informant consensus factor. RESULTS Vendors indicated 91 useful species from a therapeutic point of view, distributed in 49 plant families. The preparation methods most frequently mentioned by informants were decoction, infusion, sauce with part of the plant in water and lozenge. The informants of this study mentioned bark, leaves, seeds and roots as parts of the plant most sold for therapeutic use. Disorders of the digestive system was the disease/disorder category with the highest consensus among the vendors, and the species Ximenia americana, Lippia gracillis, Stryphnodendron rotundifolium, Anacardium occidentale, Hymenaea courbail, Myracrodruon urundeuva, Amburana cearensis and Himatanthus drasticus were the most versatile among the plants sold in markets. CONCLUSIONS Vendors indicated 91 species belonging to 49 botanical families and 89 genera. The most frequent forms of preparation were decoction, infusion and sauce made with part of the plant in water. The most common form of administration was oral. Bark and leaves were the plant parts most used. Thirteen species showed great versatility regarding their use. We noted 291 indications for use in 13 disease/disorder categories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa de Carvalho Nilo Bitu
- Faculdade de Ciências Aplicadas Doutor Leão Sampaio, Lab. Bioquímica/Fisiologia, Avenida Leão Sampaio, Km 03 - Lagoa Seca, Juazeiro CEP 63180-000, Ceará, Brasil
| | - Valdeneide de Carvalho Nilo Bitu
- Faculdade de Ciências Aplicadas Doutor Leão Sampaio, Lab. Bioquímica/Fisiologia, Avenida Leão Sampaio, Km 03 - Lagoa Seca, Juazeiro CEP 63180-000, Ceará, Brasil
| | - Edinardo Fagner Ferreira Matias
- Faculdade de Ciências Aplicadas Doutor Leão Sampaio, Lab. Bioquímica/Fisiologia, Avenida Leão Sampaio, Km 03 - Lagoa Seca, Juazeiro CEP 63180-000, Ceará, Brasil
| | - Wenderson Pinheiro de Lima
- Faculdade de Ciências Aplicadas Doutor Leão Sampaio, Lab. Bioquímica/Fisiologia, Avenida Leão Sampaio, Km 03 - Lagoa Seca, Juazeiro CEP 63180-000, Ceará, Brasil
| | - Aline da Costa Portelo
- Faculdade de Ciências Aplicadas Doutor Leão Sampaio, Lab. Bioquímica/Fisiologia, Avenida Leão Sampaio, Km 03 - Lagoa Seca, Juazeiro CEP 63180-000, Ceará, Brasil
| | - Henrique Douglas Melo Coutinho
- Faculdade de Ciências Aplicadas Doutor Leão Sampaio, Lab. Bioquímica/Fisiologia, Avenida Leão Sampaio, Km 03 - Lagoa Seca, Juazeiro CEP 63180-000, Ceará, Brasil
| | - Irwin Rose Alencar de Menezes
- Universidade Regional do Cariri, Departamento de Química Biológica, Laboratório de Farmacologia e Química Molecular (LFQM), Rua Coronel Antonio Luiz s/n, Pimenta, Crato CEP 63106-100, Ceará, Brasil
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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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Chaves TP, Clementino EL, Felismino DC, Alves RR, Vasconcellos A, Coutinho HD, Medeiros ACD. Antibiotic resistance modulation by natural products obtained from Nasutitermes corniger (Motschulsky, 1855) and its nest. Saudi J Biol Sci 2015; 22:404-8. [PMID: 26150745 PMCID: PMC4486467 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2014.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2014] [Revised: 12/05/2014] [Accepted: 12/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Insects and their products are included in the traditional pharmacopoeia of various ethnic groups worldwide. In the Brazilian semiarid region can be highlighted the use of the termite Nasutitermes corniger for the treatment of various diseases. This study evaluated the ethanol extract of N. corniger and its nest as an antimicrobial agent and as a modulator of bacterial resistance against multidrug strains. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of the extract on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli by microdilution was determined, as well as MIC of antibiotics in the presence and absence of extract. Despite having no significant antimicrobial activity (MIC ⩾ 1000 μg mL(-1)), the extract showed additive activity to the antibiotic efficacy, significantly reducing its MIC. These results suggest that N. corniger and its nest are promising natural products for use in antimicrobial therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiago P. Chaves
- Universidade Federal do Piauí, Campus Professora Cinobelina Elvas, Bom Jesus, PI 64900-000, Brazil
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento e Ensaios de Medicamentos, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Campina Grande, Paraíba 58.429-500, Brazil
| | - Elaine L.C. Clementino
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento e Ensaios de Medicamentos, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Campina Grande, Paraíba 58.429-500, Brazil
| | - Delcio C. Felismino
- Departamento de Biologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Campina Grande, Paraíba 58.429-500, Brazil
| | - Rômulo R.N. Alves
- Departamento de Biologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Campina Grande, Paraíba 58.429-500, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Vasconcellos
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Departamento de Botânica, Ecologia e Zoologia, Natal, RN 59072-900, Brazil
| | - Henrique D.M. Coutinho
- Laboratório de Microbiologia e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Regional do Cariri, Crato, CE 63105-000, Brazil
| | - Ana Cláudia D. Medeiros
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento e Ensaios de Medicamentos, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Campina Grande, Paraíba 58.429-500, Brazil
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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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Santoro FR, Ferreira Júnior WS, Araújo TADS, Ladio AH, Albuquerque UP. Does plant species richness guarantee the resilience of local medical systems? A perspective from utilitarian redundancy. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0119826. [PMID: 25793930 PMCID: PMC4368708 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2014] [Accepted: 01/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Resilience is related to the ability of a system to adjust to disturbances. The Utilitarian Redundancy Model has emerged as a tool for investigating the resilience of local medical systems. The model determines the use of species richness for the same therapeutic function as a facilitator of the maintenance of these systems. However, predictions generated from this model have not yet been tested, and a lack of variables exists for deeper analyses of resilience. This study aims to address gaps in the Utilitarian Redundancy Model and to investigate the resilience of two medical systems in the Brazilian semi-arid zone. As a local illness is not always perceived in the same way that biomedicine recognizes, the term "therapeutic targets" is used for perceived illnesses. Semi-structured interviews with local experts were conducted using the free-listing technique to collect data on known medicinal plants, usage preferences, use of redundant species, characteristics of therapeutic targets, and the perceived severity for each target. Additionally, participatory workshops were conducted to determine the frequency of targets. The medical systems showed high species richness but low levels of species redundancy. However, if redundancy was present, it was the primary factor responsible for the maintenance of system functions. Species richness was positively associated with therapeutic target frequencies and negatively related to target severity. Moreover, information about redundant species seems to be largely idiosyncratic; this finding raises questions about the importance of redundancy for resilience. We stress the Utilitarian Redundancy Model as an interesting tool to be used in studies of resilience, but we emphasize that it must consider the distribution of redundancy in terms of the treatment of important illnesses and the sharing of information. This study has identified aspects of the higher and lower vulnerabilities of medical systems, adding variables that should be considered along with richness and redundancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flávia Rosa Santoro
- Laboratory of Applied and Theoretical Ethnobiology, Department of Biology, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Dois Irmãos, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Washington Soares Ferreira Júnior
- Laboratory of Applied and Theoretical Ethnobiology, Department of Biology, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Dois Irmãos, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Thiago Antônio de Souza Araújo
- Laboratory of Applied and Theoretical Ethnobiology, Department of Biology, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Dois Irmãos, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Ana Haydée Ladio
- Ecotono Laboratory, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, CONICET, Quintral 1250, Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina
| | - Ulysses Paulino Albuquerque
- Laboratory of Applied and Theoretical Ethnobiology, Department of Biology, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Dois Irmãos, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
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Sales DL, Oliveira OP, Cabral MES, Dias DQ, Kerntopf MR, Coutinho HDM, Costa JGM, Freitas FRD, Ferreira FS, Alves RRN, Almeida WO. Chemical identification and evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of fixed oil extracted from Rhinella jimi. PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY 2015; 53:98-103. [PMID: 25289527 DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2014.911331] [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] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT The toad Rhinella jimi (Stevaux, 2002) (Bufonidae) is used in traditional medicine to treat a number of illnesses (inflammation, infections, and wounds) in humans as well as animals. OBJECTIVES The present work examined the antimicrobial actions of the extracted oils from the body fat of R. jimi (ORJ) against fungi and standard and multi-resistant lines of bacteria, as well as their effects when combined with aminoglycosides. MATERIALS AND METHODS The toads were collected in the municipality of Exu in Pernambuco State, Brazil, and their body fat oils extracted in a Soxhlet apparatus using hexane. A gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer was used to identify the fatty acids, based on their methyl esters. The antimicrobial activities of the oil were analyzed against standard and multi-resistant lines of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as well as against fungal lines of Candida albicans and Candida krusei using the broth micro-dilution method. RESULTS The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of ORJ were 512 µg/mL for Candida krusei and ≥1024 µg/mL for the other microorganisms. When associated with amikacin, ORJ demonstrated an increase in its ability to inhibit E. coli growth (from 156.25 to 39.06 µg/mL), indicating synergistic interaction. In the same way, when allied with amikacin, gentamicin, and neomycin, the ORJ reduced the MICs meaningly, against P. aeruginosa. CONCLUSIONS These data will enable searches to be made to obtain new products in combination with antibiotics, enhancing the efficacy of these drugs against drug-resistant microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Débora Lima Sales
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Etnobiologia e Conservação da Natureza, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco - UFRPE , Recife, PE , Brazil
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Teixeira PHR, Thel TDN, Ferreira JMR, de Azevedo SM, Junior WRT, Lyra-Neves RM. Local knowledge and exploitation of the avian fauna by a rural community in the semi-arid zone of northeastern Brazil. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2014; 10:81. [PMID: 25540070 PMCID: PMC4364094 DOI: 10.1186/1746-4269-10-81] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2014] [Accepted: 12/10/2014] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The present study examined the exploitation of bird species by the residents of a rural community in the Brazilian semi-arid zone, and their preferences for species with different characteristics. METHODS The 24 informants were identified using the "snowball" approach, and were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires and check-sheets for the collection of data on their relationship with the bird species that occur in the region. The characteristics that most attract the attention of the interviewees were the song and the coloration of the plumage of a bird, as well as its body size, which determines its potential as a game species, given that hunting is an important activity in the region. RESULTS A total of 98 species representing 32 families (50.7% of the species known to occur in the region) were reported during interviews, being used for meat, pets, and medicinal purposes. Three species were used as zootherapeutics - White-naped Jay was eaten whole as a cure for speech problems, the feathers of Yellow-legged Tinamou were used for snakebite, Smooth-billed Ani was eaten for "chronic cough" and Small-billed Tinamou and Tataupa Tinamou used for locomotion problems. The preference of the informants for characteristics such as birdsong and colorful plumage was a significant determinant of their preference for the species exploited. Birds with cynegetic potential and high use values were also among the most preferred species. Despite the highly significant preferences for certain species, some birds, such as those of the families Trochilidae, Thamnophilidae, and Tyrannidae are hunted randomly, independently of their attributes. CONCLUSION The evidence collected on the criteria applied by local specialists for the exploitation of the bird fauna permitted the identification of the species that suffer hunting pressure, providing guidelines for the development of conservation and management strategies that will guarantee the long-term survival of the populations of these bird species in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Hudson Rodrigues Teixeira
- Departamento de Biologia, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco – UFRPE, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmãos, Recife/PE, CEP: 52171-900 Brasil
| | - Thiago do Nascimento Thel
- Departamento de Biologia, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco – UFRPE, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmãos, Recife/PE, CEP: 52171-900 Brasil
| | - Jullio Marques Rocha Ferreira
- Departamento de Biologia, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco – UFRPE, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmãos, Recife/PE, CEP: 52171-900 Brasil
| | - Severino Mendes de Azevedo
- Departamento de Biologia, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco – UFRPE, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmãos, Recife/PE, CEP: 52171-900 Brasil
| | - Wallace Rodrigues Telino Junior
- Departamento de Biologia, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco – UFRPE, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmãos, Recife/PE, CEP: 52171-900 Brasil
| | - Rachel Maria Lyra-Neves
- Departamento de Biologia, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco – UFRPE, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmãos, Recife/PE, CEP: 52171-900 Brasil
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Ferreira FS, Brito SV, Sales DL, Menezes IRA, Coutinho HDM, Souza EP, Almeida WO, Alves RRN. Anti-inflammatory potential of zootherapeutics derived from animals used in Brazilian traditional medicine. PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY 2014; 52:1403-1410. [PMID: 25026349 DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2014.894091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Animals are used for the treatment of diseases caused by inflammatory processes, although few studies evaluate their potential for these purposes. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of zootherapeutic products derived from vertebrates used in Brazilian traditional medicine. MATERIAL AND METHODS The species analyzed were Tupinambis merianae, Iguana iguana, Crotalus durissus, Boa constrictor, and Euphractus sexcinctus. The methods used in anti-inflammatory assays were ear edema (topical) and paw (systemic). RESULTS With regard to topical anti-inflammatory activity, the fat from T. merianae, C. durissus, I. iguana, B. constrictor, and E. sexcinctus reduced inflammation, while for systemic anti-inflammatory activity, only the fat and the skin of C. durissus, the skin of I. iguana and the fat from B. constrictor reduced inflammation. CONCLUSIONS Studies should be conducted to evaluate the mechanisms of action for each product that demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity as well as against other inflammatory processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe S Ferreira
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Universidade Regional do Cariri , Pimenta, Crato, CE , Brazil
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Mixed Methods in CAM Research: A Systematic Review of Studies Published in 2012. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2013; 2013:187365. [PMID: 24454489 PMCID: PMC3881584 DOI: 10.1155/2013/187365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2013] [Accepted: 10/20/2013] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Background. Mixed methods research uses qualitative and quantitative methods together in a single study or a series of related studies. Objectives. To review the prevalence and quality of mixed methods studies in complementary medicine. Methods. All studies published in the top 10 integrative and complementary medicine journals in 2012 were screened. The quality of mixed methods studies was appraised using a published tool designed for mixed methods studies. Results. 4% of papers (95 out of 2349) reported mixed methods studies, 80 of which met criteria for applying the quality appraisal tool. The most popular formal mixed methods design was triangulation (used by 74% of studies), followed by embedded (14%), sequential explanatory (8%), and finally sequential exploratory (5%). Quantitative components were generally of higher quality than qualitative components; when quantitative components involved RCTs they were of particularly high quality. Common methodological limitations were identified. Most strikingly, none of the 80 mixed methods studies addressed the philosophical tensions inherent in mixing qualitative and quantitative methods. Conclusions and Implications. The quality of mixed methods research in CAM can be enhanced by addressing philosophical tensions and improving reporting of (a) analytic methods and reflexivity (in qualitative components) and (b) sampling and recruitment-related procedures (in all components).
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Sajem Betlu AL. Indigenous knowledge of zootherapeutic use among the Biate tribe of Dima Hasao District, Assam, Northeastern India. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2013; 9:56. [PMID: 23938109 PMCID: PMC3751812 DOI: 10.1186/1746-4269-9-56] [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: 05/17/2013] [Accepted: 08/09/2013] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The present study addresses the use of zootherapy in the traditional healthcare system of the Biate tribe of Dima Hasao district, Assam, India. It sought to identify the different species used for zootherapeutic use with the detailed methods of usages to create awareness and contribute to the conservation and sustainable utilization of the resources. METHOD 15 Biate villages within the district of Dima Hasao were surveyed through semi-structured questionnaires and informal interviews. Detailed information on the uses of each animal was recorded. Species were identified using standard literature. Fidelity level (FL) was calculated to demonstrate the percentage of respondents claiming the use of a certain animal for the same major purposes. RESULT The study documents 34 species for the treatment of about 34 different ailments. The largest number of species reported was mammals with17 species. Maximum number of species has been reported for the treatment of diabetes and its high fidelity levels warrants in-depth studies to establish its pharmacological activity. The usages documented herein are unique to the Biate tribe. Very often, these animals are hunted and sold openly at the local markets in the lure of quick money. A 300 gm live Gekko gecko may fetch a sum of 2,50,000 Indian Rupees (INR), and smoked meat of Hoolock hoolock cost approximately 250-300 INR per kg. Animals are also hunted for its hide. The unrestricted hunting of species like Capricornis sumatraensis has almost wiped out the population within the district. Some species are also reared as pets while some are used for display as a sign of expertise in hunting. The present study has documented the usage of at least 15 animals listed in the IUCN Red List. CONCLUSION The study illustrates the in-depth knowledge of the Biate tribe on zootherapy. Systematic investigation to identify the active ingredient may lead to the development of new drugs, which would prompt protection of these valuable resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Lalduhawma Sajem Betlu
- North Cachar Hills Community Resource Management Society (NCHCRMS-NERCoRMP), Sarkari Bagan, Haflong, Dima Hasao, India
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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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Alves RRN, Leite RCL, Souto WMS, Bezerra DMM, Loures-Ribeiro A. Ethno-ornithology and conservation of wild birds in the semi-arid Caatinga of northeastern Brazil. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2013; 9:14. [PMID: 23445769 PMCID: PMC3599943 DOI: 10.1186/1746-4269-9-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2012] [Accepted: 02/23/2013] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The utilization of birds as pets has been recognized as one of the principal threats to global avifauna. Most of the information about the use and sale of birds as pets has been limited to areas of high biodiversity and whose impacts of anthropic actions have been widely broadcast internationally, for example for the Amazon Forest and forest remnants of Southeast Asia. The Caatinga predominates in the semi-arid region of Brazil, and is one of the semi-arid biomes with the greatest biological diversity in the world, where 511 species of birds exist. Many of these birds are used as pets, a common practice in the region, which has important conservationist implications but has been little studied. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to detail aspects of the use of birds as pets in a locality in the semi-arid region of Northeast Brazil. Information on the use of avifauna was obtained through interviews and visits to the homes of 78 wild bird keepers. A total of 41 species of birds were recorded, mostly of the families Emberizidae (n = 9 species), Columbidae (n = 7 species), Icteridae (n = 6 species) and Psittacidae (n = 3 species). The birds that were most often recorded were Paroaria dominicana (n = 79 especimens), Sporophila albogularis (n = 67), Aratinga cactorum (n = 49), Sporophila lineola (n = 36), Sicalis flaveola (n = 29) and Sporophila nigricollis (n = 27). The use of wild birds in the area studied, as an example of what occurs in other places in the semi-arid Northeast, demonstrates that such activities persist in the region, in spite of being illegal, and have been happening in clandestine or semi-clandestine manner. No statistically significant correlation were found between socioeconomic factors and keeping birds as pets reflects the cultural importance of this practice of rearing wild birds for pets in the region, which is widespread among the local population, independent of socioeconomic factors. Obviously, human pressure on the avifauna exploited has ecological implications and makes it clear that conservationist measures should consider the cultural, economic and social aspects of these practices. These measures should be carried out by both directly combating the illegal traffic of animals and promoting educational campaigns aimed at all the players involved, from the collectors up to the consumer and wild bird keepers.
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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
| | - Railson Cidennys Lourenço Leite
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Av. das Baraúnas, 351/Campus Universitário, Bodocongó, 58109-753, Campina Grande-PB, Brazil
| | - Wedson Medeiros Silva Souto
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia), Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia da Universidade Federal da Paraíba, 58051-900, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Dandara M M Bezerra
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia), Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia da Universidade Federal da Paraíba, 58051-900, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Alan Loures-Ribeiro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia), Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia da Universidade Federal da Paraíba, 58051-900, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
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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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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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Sánchez-Pedraza R, Gamba-Rincón MR, González-Rangel AL. Use of black vulture (Coragyps atratus) in complementary and alternative therapies for cancer in Colombia: a qualitative study. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2012; 8:20. [PMID: 22651097 PMCID: PMC3473314 DOI: 10.1186/1746-4269-8-20] [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: 01/11/2012] [Accepted: 05/12/2012] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although Coragyps atratus has been used as a traditional therapy for patients with cancer, the scientific literature does not contain enough information on how this therapy is used or the mechanisms that explain this therapeutic practice. OBJECTIVES To understand the methods of use and the reasons given by patients and caregivers for the use of Coragyps atratus in cancer treatment. METHODS This study used a qualitative design based on twenty in-depth interviews of patients with cancer or caregivers of patients with the disease. The analysis of the text was based on an inductive thematic approach. RESULTS Resistance to disease and immune enhancement are properties attributed to Coragyps atratus when used for cancer treatment. The most recommended method of use is fresh blood ingestion, and the associated mechanism of action is transfer of immune factors to the individual who consumes it. CONCLUSIONS Use of Coragyps atratus as a treatment for cancer is a popular alternative therapy in Colombia. More studies are needed to understand the clinical effects of this intervention in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Sánchez-Pedraza
- Department of Medicine, National University of Colombia, Bogotá, DC, Colombia
- Clinical Research Group, National Cancer Institute, Ave 1 # 9 – 85, Bogotá, DC, Colombia
| | - Magda R Gamba-Rincón
- Department of Human Nutrition, National University of Colombia, Bogotá, DC, Colombia
- Clinical Research Group, National Cancer Institute, Ave 1 # 9 – 85, Bogotá, DC, Colombia
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