Pharmacognosy

Perhaps 25% of all pharmaceutical medications have their origin in natural materials obtained fromplants and animals. For thousands of years, cultures throughout the world have passed downknowledge regarding the use of these materials in the management of disease and optimal health.Often, this knowledge was transferred in oral traditions, from one generation to the next.

The Emerging Science of Pharmacognosy

Over the past century, advances in chemistry detroit real estate agent and refined researchprocedures have allowed for the intense analysis of plant and animal materials for biological activity.Constituents may now be identified, isolated, and then examined objectively. This field of studywhich includes traditional use and pharmacological activity is termed pharmacognosy.

Organisms Create Chemicals for Activities like Defense

These compounds are usually classified as secondary metabolites. Secondary metabolites arechemicals that don't directly participate in the metabolism of an organism but provide importantfunctions like defense. For instance, nicotine, an alkaloid from tobacco plants (Nicotiana attenuata)appears to poison herbivores that eat it, suppressing their growth and decreasing lifespan.

These secondary metabolites may elicit positive effects in the treatment of health conditions whendosed adequately.

Secondary Metabolites have Pharmacological Effects

Secondary metabolites from plants and animals often have diverse effects on other living organisms.Some examples include:

Hypericin: anthroquinone derivative of St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum), immunity and moodenhancement

Echinacoside: phenylethanoid found in various Echinacea species, immune enhancement

Azadirachtin: tetratriterpenoid derivative of neem (Azadirachta indica), inhibits feeding of variousinsects

Digoxin: cardiac glycoside of foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), regulates rhythm and strengthens beat ofheart

Exendin-4: a hormone-like protein derived from Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum) saliva,hypoglycemic effects

Isolated Compounds verses Crude Materials

Crude materials are a complex mix of chemical compounds with varying and often synergisticeffects. Controversy exists regarding the use of isolated compounds verses crude forms of materials.Proponents of isolated constituents often speak on the varying potency and relative scarcity of plantsand animals. Other complexities impacting the use crude materials include adulteration, use ofwrong species, and improper harvesting procedures. Isolated compounds often may be massproduced using organisms or laboratory methods.

Opponents of isolated constituents point to the increased chance of adverse effects when usingisolated compounds, and the synergistic effects associated with the soup of constituents in crudematerials.

Sources:

Bond, "Exenatide (Byetta) as a novel treatment option for type 2 diabetes mellitus," BaylorUniversity Medical Center Proceedings 19, no. 3 (July 2006): 281-4.

Brockman, H. et al. 1939 Hypericin, the photodynamically active pigment from Hypericumperforatum. Naturwiss.27:550-555

Edith Beckmann Gemma E. Veitch and Gemma E. Veitch, Edith Beckmann, Brenda J. Burke, AlistairBoyer, Sarah L. Maslen, Steven V. Ley, "Synthesis of Azadirachtin: A Long but Successful Journey,"Angewandte Chemie International Edition 46 (2007): 7629.

Goodman, RM Rossen, DS Cannom, AK Rider and DC Harrison, "Effect of digoxin on atioventricularconduction." Circulation 1975;51;251-256

Yu Wu et al., "Protective effects of echinacoside on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity inrats," Toxicology 232, no. 1-2 (March 22, 2007): 50-56.

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James Pendleton

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