MÉTODOS QUANTITATIVOS NÃO SÃO A SALVAÇÃO DE TODA LAVOURA ETNOBOTÂNICA: O QUE DIZ JAVIER CABALLERO

Este trabalho refere-se à entrevista feita pelos autores com o Professor Javier Caballero Nieto, da Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), sobre assuntos relacionados a métodos quantitativos em Etnobotânica, algumas de suas principais características, e sua complementariedade com enfoques qualitativos de pesquisa, tema que tem sido objeto de aprofundamentos nos últimos anos no Brasil (e no mundo). Javier Caballero é biólogo formado pela própria UNAM, em 1974, e fez mestrado na mesma universidade (1980) e também na Universidade da Califórnia, Berkeley (1988), onde também terminou o doutorado em 1994. Tem demonstrado interesse em Etnobotânica desde o tempo de graduação e depois se concentrou em temas mais ligados aos métodos quantitativos na área, mas sempre envolvendo uma relação sólida com aspectos ecológicos e de domesticação das plantas e as comunidades tradicionais. Suas opiniões ajudam a esclarecer vários aspectos sobre o assunto e também a aprofundar e estimular o debate entre os interessados na área

Plants of the Araceae for malaria and related diseases:a review

We survey species of the Araceae family traditionally used for malaria and its symptoms. The aim is to reveal the large number of antimalarial Araceae species in use worldwide and their largely unexplored potential as sources of antimalarial natural products. The SciFinder Scholar, Scielo, PubMed, ScienceDirect and Google books search engines were consulted. Forty-three records were found of 36 species and 23 genera of Araceae used for malaria and symptoms. The neotropical genera Philodendron Schott and Anthurium Schott were the best represented for use in the treatment of malaria, fevers, liver problems and headaches. Leaves and tubers were the parts most used and decoction was the most common preparation method. Extracts of Araceae species inhibit the in vitro growth of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum Welch and significant median inhibitory concentrations (IC50) for extracts of guaimbê-sulcado (Rhaphidophora decursiva (Roxb.) Schott), aninga (Montrichardia linifera (Arruda) Schott), Culcasia lancifolia N.E. Br. and forest anchomanes (Anchomanes difformis (Blume) Engl.) have been reported demonstrating the antimalarial potential and cytotoxicity of extracts and sub-fractions. In the only report on the antimalarial components of this family, the neolignan polysyphorin and the benzoperoxide rhaphidecurperoxin exhibited strong in vitro inhibition of the D6 and W2 strains of Plasmodium falciparum (IC50 = 368-540 ng/mL). No study on the in vivo antimalarial activity in animal models has been conducted on a species of Araceae. More bioguided chemical composition studies on the in vitro and also in vivo antimalarial activity of the Araceae are needed to further the knowledge of the antimalarial potential of this family

Plants of the Araceae for malaria and related diseases:a review

We survey species of the Araceae family traditionally used for malaria and its symptoms. The aim is to reveal the large number of antimalarial Araceae species in use worldwide and their largely unexplored potential as sources of antimalarial natural products. The SciFinder Scholar, Scielo, PubMed, ScienceDirect and Google books search engines were consulted. Forty-three records were found of 36 species and 23 genera of Araceae used for malaria and symptoms. The neotropical genera Philodendron Schott and Anthurium Schott were the best represented for use in the treatment of malaria, fevers, liver problems and headaches. Leaves and tubers were the parts most used and decoction was the most common preparation method. Extracts of Araceae species inhibit the in vitro growth of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum Welch and significant median inhibitory concentrations (IC50) for extracts of guaimbê-sulcado (Rhaphidophora decursiva (Roxb.) Schott), aninga (Montrichardia linifera (Arruda) Schott), Culcasia lancifolia N.E. Br. and forest anchomanes (Anchomanes difformis (Blume) Engl.) have been reported demonstrating the antimalarial potential and cytotoxicity of extracts and sub-fractions. In the only report on the antimalarial components of this family, the neolignan polysyphorin and the benzoperoxide rhaphidecurperoxin exhibited strong in vitro inhibition of the D6 and W2 strains of Plasmodium falciparum (IC50 = 368-540 ng/mL). No study on the in vivo antimalarial activity in animal models has been conducted on a species of Araceae. More bioguided chemical composition studies on the in vitro and also in vivo antimalarial activity of the Araceae are needed to further the knowledge of the antimalarial potential of this family

IMPACTOS DA LEGISLAÇÃO NA PESQUISA ETNOBOTÂNICA NO BRASIL, COM ÊNFASE NA REGIÃO AMAZÔNICA

The Amazon region has a large sociobiodiversity, where lives people with traditional knowledge about the uses of its natural resources. The Conven­tion on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1992 recognized the autonomy of each nation over its genetic resources and the rights of traditional populations about the knowledge of the use of these natural resources. In 2001 it was published the law M.P. 2.186-16/2001 which created the Conselho Nacional de Gestão do Patrimônio Genético (CGEN) and the first rules about access to genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge in Brazil. Since his creation, the actions of CGEN have received criticism from various sectors, both private and public, and, unlike its initial proposal, has become one of the main obstacles of ethnobotanical studies, the bureaucracy, the long pro­cess analysis and communication difficulties with this organ. Keywords: law, biodiversity, access to genetic resources, traditional knowledge, ethnobotany, Amazon.La región amazónica tiene una gran sociobiodiversidad, donde habitan per­sonas con los titulares de conocimientos tradicionales sobre el uso de sus recursos naturales. Con el Convenio sobre la Diversidad Biológica (CDB) en 1992, reconoció la autonomía de cada país sobre sus recursos genéticos y los derechos de las poblaciones y el conocimiento sobre el uso de estos recursos naturales tradicionales. Se promulgó la Medida Provisional 2.186-16/2001 que creó el Consejo Nacional de Gestión del Patrimonio Genético (CGEN) y las primeras normas sobre el acceso a los recursos genéticos y conocimien­tos tradicionales asociados en Brasil en 2001. Desde su creación, las acciones de CGEN han recibido críticas por parte de diversos sectores, tanto privados como públicos, y, a diferencia de su propuesta inicial, se ha convertido en una de las principales barreras de estudios etnobotánicos, la burocracia, el análisis de procesos de largo y las dificultades de comunicación con este órgano. Palabras clave: ley, biodiversidad, acceso a los recursos genéticos, cono­cimientos tradicionales, etnobotánica, Amazonia.The Amazon region has a large sociobiodiversity, where lives people with traditional knowledge about the uses of its natural resources. The Conven­tion on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1992 recognized the autonomy of each nation over its genetic resources and the rights of traditional populations about the knowledge of the use of these natural resources. In 2001 it was published the law M.P. 2.186-16/2001 which created the Conselho Nacional de Gestão do Patrimônio Genético (CGEN) and the first rules about access to genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge in Brazil. Since his creation, the actions of CGEN have received criticism from various sectors, both private and public, and, unlike its initial proposal, has become one of the main obstacles of ethnobotanical studies, the bureaucracy, the long pro­cess analysis and communication difficulties with this organ. Keywords: law, biodiversity, access to genetic resources, traditional knowledge, ethnobotany, Amazon.A região amazônica possui uma grande sociobiodiversidade, com povos detentores de conhecimentos tradicionais sobre os usos de seus recursos naturais. Com a Convenção sobre a Diversidade Biológica (CDB) em 1992, foi reconhecida a autonomia de cada nação sobre seu patrimônio genético e o direito das populações tradicionais sobre o uso e conhecimento destes recursos naturais. Em 2001 foi editada a Medida Provisória 2.186-16/2001 que criou o Conselho Nacional de Gestão do Patrimônio Genético (CGEN) e as primeiras regras sobre o acesso ao patrimônio genético e ao conhecimento tradicional associado no Brasil. Desde sua criação, as ações do CGEN têm recebido críticas de vários setores, tanto privados quanto públicos e, ao contrário de sua proposta inicial, tem se constituído em um dos principais entraves das pesquisas etnobotânicas, pela burocracia, pelo longo período de análise dos processos, e pela dificuldade de comunicação com este órgão. Palavras-chave: legislação, biodiversidade, acesso ao patrimônio genético, conhecimento tradicional associado, etnobotânica, Amazônia

Plantas da família Araceae para a malária e doenças relacionadas: Uma revisão

In the current work we performed a review of the Araceae family species traditionally used to treat malaria and its symptoms. The aim is to reveal the large number of antimalarial Araceae species used worldwide and their great unexplored potential as sources of antimalarial natural products. The SciFinder Scholar, Scielo, PubMed, ScienceDirect and Google books search engines were consulted. Forty-three records of 36 species and 23 genera of Araceae used for malaria and symptoms treatment were found. The neotropical genera Philodendron Schott and Anthurium Schott were the best represented for the use in the treatment of malaria, fevers, liver problems and headaches. Leaves and tubers were the most used parts and decoction was the most common preparation method. The extracts of Araceae species inhibit the in vitro growth of the human malaria parasite, the Plasmodium falciparum Welch, and significant median inhibitory concentrations (IC50) for extracts of guaimbê-sulcado (Rhaphidophora decursiva (Roxb.) Schott), aninga (Montrichardia linifera (Arruda) Schott), Culcasia lancifolia N.E. Br. and forest anchomanes (Anchomanes difformis (Blume) Engl.) have been reported demonstrating the antimalarial and cytotoxicity potential of the extracts and sub-fractions. In the only report about the antimalarial components of this family, the neolignan polysyphorin and the benzoperoxide rhaphidecurperoxin presented strong in vitro inhibition of the D6 and W2 strains of Plasmodium falciparum (IC50 = 368-540 ng/mL). No live study about antimalarial activity in animal modelshas been conducted on a species of Araceae. More bioguided chemical composition studies about the in vitro and also thein vivo antimalarial activity of the Araceae are needed in order to enhance the knowledge about the antimalarial potential of this family. © 2015, Instituto de Biociencias. All rights reserved

Plants traditionally used to treat Malaria (& related conditions):100 species from the ethnobotanical literature

The first Rapid Color Guide of “Plants traditionally used to treat Malaria (and related conditions) 100 species from the ethnobotanical literature (Guide #367)”, was published online in January 2015. This work was conducted by the Plant Chemicals Research Network for Malaria Control based on ethnopharmacology research in the Brazilian states of Amazonas and Acre. Work was funded by Brazil’s National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). Malaria still kills a huge number of people each year and this disease is therefore a major global health problem. This has motivated the development of research into new alternatives for the control and cure of this disease, which is the main objective of this research network. This guide is the result of an extensive literature survey conducted between 2010 and 2012 using scientific reference sites (SciFinder Scholar, Scielo, PubMed, Science Direct ISI Web of Science) as well as public and private libraries of research institutes and herbal, public and private libraries of research institutes and herbaria. Locations where photos were taken include: the botanical garden of the University of Amazonia (UNIAMAZONIA-Colombia); the "José Celestino Mutis" Botanical garden in Colombia, Kew Gardens (United Kingdom); The National Institute for Research in the Amazon (INPA-Brazil) as well as in other localities and local markets in the Brazilian and Colombian Amazon. This six page guide was organized by Gina Frausin, Renata Lima, Ari Hidalgo, Lin Chau Ming & Adrian Pohlit and assisted by the Action Center’s Juliana Philipp, Tatzyana Wachter, and Robin Foster, with support from Trustee Connie Keller, the Ellen Hyndman Fund, and the Mellon Foundation. It can be viewed and downloaded at this link: http://fieldguides.fieldmuseum.org/sites/default/files/rapid-color-guides-pdfs/367_antimalarial-e1.pd

In vitro susceptibility of Plasmodium falciparum Welch field isolates to infusions prepared from Artemisia annua L. cultivated in the Brazilian Amazon

Artemisinin is the active antimalarial compound obtained from the leaves of Artemisia annua L. Artemisinin, and its semi-synthetic derivatives, are the main drugs used to treat multi-drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum (one of the human malaria parasite species). The in vitro susceptibility of P. falciparum K1 and 3d7 strains and field isolates from the state of Amazonas, Brazil, to A. annua infusions (5 g dry leaves in 1 L of boiling water) and the drug standards chloroquine, quinine and artemisinin were evaluated. The A. annua used was cultivated in three Amazon ecosystems (várzea, terra preta de índio and terra firme) and in the city of Paulínia, state of São Paulo, Brazil. Artemisinin levels in the A. annua leaves used were 0.90-1.13% (m/m). The concentration of artemisinin in the infusions was 40-46 mg/L. Field P. falciparum isolates were resistant to chloroquine and sensitive to quinine and artemisinin. The average 50% inhibition concentration values for A. annua infusions against field isolates were 0.11-0.14 μL/mL (these infusions exhibited artemisinin concentrations of 4.7-5.6 ng/mL) and were active in vitro against P. falciparum due to their artemisinin concentration. No synergistic effect was observed for artemisinin in the infusions

In vitro susceptibility of Plasmodium falciparum Welch field isolates to infusions prepared from Artemisia annua L. cultivated in the Brazilian Amazon

Artemisinin is the active antimalarial compound obtained from the leaves of Artemisia annua L. Artemisinin, and its semi-synthetic derivatives, are the main drugs used to treat multi-drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum (one of the human malaria parasite species). The in vitro susceptibility of P. falciparum K1 and 3d7 strains and field isolates from the state of Amazonas, Brazil, to A. annua infusions (5 g dry leaves in 1 L of boiling water) and the drug standards chloroquine, quinine and artemisinin were evaluated. The A. annua used was cultivated in three Amazon ecosystems (várzea, terra preta de índio and terra firme) and in the city of Paulínia, state of São Paulo, Brazil. Artemisinin levels in the A. annua leaves used were 0.90-1.13% (m/m). The concentration of artemisinin in the infusions was 40-46 mg/L. Field P. falciparum isolates were resistant to chloroquine and sensitive to quinine and artemisinin. The average 50% inhibition concentration values for A. annua infusions against field isolates were 0.11-0.14 μL/mL (these infusions exhibited artemisinin concentrations of 4.7-5.6 ng/mL) and were active in vitro against P. falciparum due to their artemisinin concentration. No synergistic effect was observed for artemisinin in the infusions

POTENCIAL E PROBLEMAS NA PRODUÇÃO COMERCIAL DE PLANTAS MEDICINAIS NA AMAZÔNIA

The potential of medicinal use of plant species from Amazon region is little explored. Several species are already, at least partly, known by the science and used in the production of medicines or industries of perfumeries. In the regional trade, markets and fairs barks, leaves, roots are marketed, the ones that the faith and the popular experience consecrated along the years and that comes provoking interest in international pharmaceutical industries. All the native species of medicinal use of amazon forest are explored through extraction, without the replacement concern, without management and without any orientation in the rational exploration. As they are, largely, arboreal species, the time to begin the production of seeds or to be explored the barks, the oil or other products, is relatively large, what doesn’t stimulate the managers to invest in the commercial exploration of long period of these species. Besides the extraction, other difficulty in the rational exploration is the lack of basic studies about the species, as phenology, production and the storage of seeds, production of young plants, plague and diseases, the handling of the plants in single cultivation or in consortium with few species. Also lacks studies on their, cultivation collects, processing, and as to join value to the products of the Amazon flora.O potencial de uso medicinal de espécies vegetais amazônicas é ainda pouco explorado. Diversas espécies já foram, ao menos em parte, estudadas pela ciência e utilizadas na produção de medicamentos ou em indústrias de perfumarias. No comércio regional, mercados e feiras são comercializadas cascas, folhas, raízes, etc., os quais a crença e a experiência popular consagraram ao longo dos anos e que vêm despertando interesse nas indústrias farmacêuticas internacionais. Todas as espécies de uso medicinal nativas da Amazônia são exploradas através de extrativismo, sem a preocupação de reposição, sem manejo e sem nenhuma forma de orientação na exploração racional. Como são, em grande parte, espécies arbóreas, o tempo para iniciar a produção de sementes ou para poder ser explorada a casca, o óleo ou outro produto, é relativamente grande, o que não estimula investimentos na exploração comercial de longo prazo destas espécies. Além do extrativismo, outra dificuldade na exploração racional é a falta de estudos básicos sobre as espécies, como fenologia, produção e o armazenamento de sementes, produção de mudas, pragas e doenças, o manejo das plantas em monocultivo ou em consórcio com poucas espécies. Faltam também estudos sobre colheita/coleta, processamento e como agregar valor aos produtos da flora amazônica