Primate's use of Medicine in Nature
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Transcript of Primate's use of Medicine in Nature
MEDICINAL PLANT USE:PAN TROGLODYTE
Luke Buchanan4/10/11
Introduction:
Zoopharmacognosy Chimpanzee=best studied
1. Bitter Pith Chewing2. Swallowing Leaves Whole
Swallowing Leaves Whole
Research
Michael Huffman 1997 2 anti-parasitic bx
1. Bitter pith chewing2. Whole leaf swallowing
3 study sites: Mahale, Gombe, Kibale Severe climatic variation
among sites
Kibale
Bitter Pith Chewing, Results:
Vernonia amygdalina Chimpanzees must search for this plant Does not have nutritional benefit & does not taste
good Observed in adults experiencing diarrhea, depression, &
sickness Musa
Seasonal Use Grows year round 67% of cases occurred in Rainy Season
November to February Higher incidence of parasite infection
MUSA!!
Pith Chewing, Conclusion:
Anti-parasitic properties of Veronia pith Vernonioside B1 (left) Vernodaline (right)
inhibits movement in adult worms inhibits females capacity to lay eggs
Especially effective against Nematodes
Leaf Swallowing, Results: Aspilia mossambicensis
“Wild Sunflower” Best data—63% of LF cases
Process: Slowly selected in morning Rainy Season “Capsulated Leaf Pill” Leaves found in tact in feces
Leaf Swallowing, continued
The Aspilia “Leaf Pill” Rough surface
Trichomes Folded accordion style
Easier to Swallow Harder to digest
Protect secondary compound thiarubrine-A Newton and Nishida (1990)
Rubbing leaf against gums Trichomes:Aspilia as Plexiglass:Dip
Leaf Swallowing, conclusion:
Anti-Parasitic Mechanisms:1. Physical Mechanism:
Nematodes become trapped within the folds of the leaf
Nematode's attach to the trichomes like velcro Most effective mechanism
Anti-Parasitic Mechanism, cntnd
2. Phytochemical Mechanism: Thiarubrine-A
Potent antifungal and worming agent Evidence against Phytochemical Activity:
Worms are alive in dung Presence of chemical in African aspilia
speciesrare NO studies have confirmed that the chemical is
active during ingestion or digestion. Very poorly supported.
Concluding Remarks:
The process of “capsulating” demonstrates social learning (Huffman, 2004)
Zoopharmacognosy can open up pharmaceutical possibilities for humans Developing countries Agriculture
Medicinal Plant Use in Primates Bibliography
Huffman, Michael. Current Evidence for Self-Medication in Primates (1997). Yearbook of Physical Anthropolology
Huffman, etal. Leaf-Swallowing by Chimpanzee: A Behavioral Adaptation for the Control of Strongyle Nematode Infection (1996). International Journal of Primatology. Vol 17m No. 4
Huffman, Michael. The Medicinal Use of Plants by Chimpanzees in the Wild (1996). www.CHIMPP.com. 4-8-11
Huffman; Hirata. An experimental study of leaf swallowing in captive chimpanzees: insights into the origin of self-medicative behavior and the role of social learning (2004)