From traditional knowledge to modern drug discovery, the natural world is a constant source of inspiration for medicine. Plants have proven especially useful in combating malaria, a disease caused by Plasmodium parasites and transmitted by mosquitoes: the widely-used antimalarial artemisinin was extracted from sweet wormwood, a plant used in traditional Chinese medicine, and promising candidates may yet emerge from a different culture. Dwarf Labrador tea (Rhododendron subarcticum, pictured) is traditionally used by Inuit and First Nations people in Canada to treat a wide range of ailments. Studying the composition of its essential oil uncovered 53 different molecules, dominated by ascaridole, a compound also found in other medicinal plants. Laboratory tests revealed both the essential oil and isolated ascaridole were toxic to Plasmodium falciparum, suggesting potential for antimalarial activity. As Plasmodiumbecome increasingly resistant to current treatments, drugs inspired by this tough northern plant could add useful weapons to our arsenal.
Written by Emmanuelle Briolat
Image from work by Jean-Christophe Séguin and colleagues
Département de chimie and PROTEO, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
Image originally published with a Creative Commons Attribution – NonCommercial – NoDerivs (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)
Published in ACS Omega, May 2023
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Brazilian pepper tree cuttings are progressing quite nicely. Love how strong these new leaves are looking 💪🏾 Thanks again to @nadine_ayiti_dominique for sharing 🌱 ・・・ #growninhaiti #Brazilianpeppertree #Schinusterebinthifolia #cuttings #propagation #growth #neelife #diversity #foodforest #medicinal #antimalarial #haiti #ayiti #nogmos #sharingiscaring #manyhandsmakelightwork #sustainable #abundance https://www.instagram.com/p/CAkYIepF1Qp/?igshid=c2hdvsnmzg40
Aҫaí is a berry native to Brazil with high antioxidant content. Extracts from it reduce parasites in the blood and prolong the survival of infected mice.
“ is a species of flowering plant native to mainland Southeast Asia and used particularly in the cuisines of northeast Thailand and Laos. In the Isan dialect of Lao, the language of northeastern Thailand, it is called bai yanang or bai ya nang (ใบย่านาง, literally “yanang leaf”), or simply yanang or ya nang (ย่านาง). In Laos, it is also called bai yanang (ໃບຢານາງ). In Khmer, it is called voar yeav (វល្លិយាវ). It is a climbing plant with deep green leaves and yellowish flowers, tolerating only very mild frost.
In the Lao Isan culture of northeastern Thailand, the leaves are used in the preparation of kaeng no mai (Thai แกงหน่อไม้, sometimes called kaeng Lao (Thai: แกงลาว)), after the ethnic Lao majority of northeastern Thailand, is a chili-hot tasting soup contained bamboo shoots, chilis, salt, and sometimes also oyster mushrooms, straw mushrooms, cha-om, or other ingredients. Generally the leaves are not used whole, but rather a juice (or extract) made from the leaves is used to make the broth, primarily as a thickening agent rather than for its flavor. This juice may be prepared from scratch, from fresh leaves, or purchased in canned form.
In Vietnam, the plant is called dây sương sâm, and can be made into a kind of jelly called: “sương sâm”.
In Cambodia, it is used as an ingredient in a sour soup called samlar machu.
In Laos and Thailand, the leaves are extracted with water using both hands rubbing on leaves back and forth until all the green part in the leaves are out in the water, this is called nam yanang (Lao: ນໍ້າຢານາງ; Thai น้ำย่านาง), meaning “yanang water”. The yanang water is used to make bamboo soup.”
Anticancer , makes the cancer (multi drug resistant) cells more sensitive to chemo (excerpt from research:” The sensitivity of A549RT-eto cancer cells to etoposide was partially restored in the presence of the hexane extract (F1) of T. triandra. This is the first report of the biological activity from the leaves of T. triandra as a potential source of a novel chemosensitizer “) * see research link PMC4189271/ & 25298673
Cognitive enhancer, improves memory and reduces cognitive damage caused by alcohol (excerpt from research:” Interestingly, all doses of T. triandra extract treatment significantly counteracted the decreased neuron density induced by alcohol consumption in hippocampus “) * see research link PMC4477251/
Extraction by water and encapsulation with Arabic gom is the best * see research link 25371566
Antimicrobial= antifungal, antibacterial & antiviral against for example tuberculosis (excerpt from research:” Tiliacora triandra and Clerodendrum petasites were the most effective antimicrobial activity among other ethanolic extracts. “) *see research link 22619925, /22418278
Anti-parasitic against the parasite that causes malaria ( excerpt from research:” T. triandra was the most active and exhibited an IC50<5µg/mL against both strains of parasites “) * see research link 27396349
Mosquitos carrying malaria cause hundreds of thousands of deaths each year. While bed nets offer some protection from night bites, soaking them in insecticide poses a risk to human health, while insects grow resistant to some 'safer' insecticides like pyrethroid. Here a surprisingly simple solution blocks female Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes as they try to feed on a human volunteer. Adding a vertical panel to a bed net – strategically positioned over the sleeper’s torso, where the insects circle – interferes with the coloured flight paths of these 25 mosquitos. Treating this top panel with insecticide – rather than the whole net – provides a safer and cheaper way to use powerful chemicals, and if adopted by the World Health Organisation, could provide widespread protection in parts of the world affected by malaria.
Written by John Ankers
image from work by Gregory P.D. Murray and colleagues
Vector Biology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
Image copyright held by the original authors
Research published in Nature Microbiology, December 2019
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Azadirachta indica, also known as Neem,Nimtree, Ineem and Indian Lilac
Antelaea azadirachta, Arishta, Arishtha, Bead Tree, Holy Tree,Indian Neem, Lilas des Indes, Lilas de Perse, Margosa, Margosa Tree, Margousier, Margousier à Feuilles de Frêne, Margousier d’Inde, Melia azadirachta, Neem Tree, Melia azadirachta, Nim, Nimb, Nimba, Persian Lilac, Pride of China.
“is a tree in the mahogany family Meliaceae. It is one of two species in the genus Azadirachta, and is native to the Indian subcontinent , i.e. India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. It typically is grown in tropical and semi-tropical regions. Neem trees now also grow in islands located in the southern part of Iran. Its fruits and seeds are the source of neem oil.
Neem is a fast-growing tree that can reach a height of 15–20 metres (49–66 ft), and rarely 35–40 metres (115–131 ft). Neem can grow in many different types of soil, but it thrives best on well drained deep and sandy soils. It can tolerate high to very high temperatures and does not tolerate temperature below 4 °C (39 °F).
Neem leaves are dried in India and placed in cupboards to prevent insects eating the clothes, and also in tins where rice is stored. Neem leaves are dried and burnt in the tropical regions to keep away mosquitoes.
As an ayurvedic herb, neem is also used in baths. The tender shoots and flowers of the neem tree are eaten as a vegetable in India. A souplike dish called Veppampoo charu (Tamil) (translated as “neem flower rasam”) made of the flower of neem is prepared in Tamil Nadu.
Products made from neem trees have been used in India for over two millennia for their medicinal properties.
Neem (Ineem) is a key ingredient in non-pesticidal management (NPM), providing a natural alternative to synthetic pesticides.
Other uses: Toiletries, Cosmetics, animal treatment, Toothbrush, food additive , bird repellent, lubricant,fertilizer ,plant protectant, against pox viruses.”
Note of caution: do not ingest neem/oil when you’re pregnant, as it might cause an abortion.
Neem might repell some mosquitos but from personal-jungle-experience I can tell it doesn’t assure 100% protection when applied on skin. The most effective way is to make tea from neem leaves or chew on a neem leaf and swallow it. Neem leaves also do not smell as pungent as neem-oil. It does taste bitter..Bugs? Not anymore! Smear some neem oil and see them flee :)
Antibacterial *see research link 691, 161
Anti-caries & anti-plaque (excerpt from research:“ Mucoadhesive dental gel containing Azadirachta indica is found to be beneficial in reducing the plaque index and salivary bacterial count comparatively better than chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash.”) *see research link 161
Anti-tumor against skin tumors *see research link 106
Inhibits cheek cancer in hamsters *see research link 007
Reduces Alzheimer’s, improves cognition and working memory and reduces depression (excerpt from research:“ deficits in active avoidance learning and retention of learned behavior were significantly reversed by A. indica. ”)*see research link 838
Inhibits acne and improves wound healing ,even the toughest of wounds * see research link PMC4492024/
Organic reversible anticonception & anti-fertility , kills sperm in humans and animals alike (excerpt from research:” The present study was carried out to evaluate the effective concentration of aqueous extract of old and tender Azadirachta indica (neem) leaves to immobilize and kill 100% human spermatozoa within 20 s. “) *see research link 14561544 , 11558322 , 1983033, PMC3761146/, 3225018/
Safe *see research link 15261960
Reduces and heals stomach ulcers *see research link 15454339
Does not act against cerebral malaria, but does protect neurons (excerpt :”the high dose levels of Neem extract (500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg) prevented Purkinje cells loss. “) *see research link PMC3338214/ & wiki link
Protects fish against fishy bacteria , for real , that cause tail rot and fin rot *see research link 10783742
Anti-parasitic against bovine strongylosis *see research link PMC4675597/ , 17041548
Contains compounds that have anti snake venom properties *see research link 18466944
Prevents meat spoilage by inhibiting bacteria *see research link 28231186
Lowers blood sugar levels * see research link 10919098
Repels insects, ants, mosquitos, etc * see research link 8245950, PMC5061770/
Antiviral against Coxsackie viruses, herpes simplex 1,Hepatitis C & Dengue *see reseach link 10810594, 20041417, 26274064,11801392
known commonly as ramontchi, governor’s plum, batoko plum, Madagascar plum and Indian plum,
“is a species of flowering plant native to much of Africa and tropical and temperate parts of Asia. F. indica and F. ramontchi are sometimes treated as separate species.
This is a bushy shrub or tree with a spiny trunk and branches. In shrub form it grows up to 25 feet (7.6 m) and as a tree it reaches a maximum height around 50 feet (15 m). The drooping branches bear oval leaves. The seeds are dispersed by birds
The Ramontchi fruit itself is a pome about an inch thick and red ripening purple. It is very fleshy and has 6 to 10 seeds in layered carpels. The pulp is yellow or white and sweet with an acidic tang. It is eaten raw or made into jelly or jam. It can be fermented to make wine.
The leaves and roots are used in herbal medicine for treatment of snakebite. The bark is believed to be effective for arthritis. Most parts of the plant are used for cough, pneumonia, and bacterial throat infection. It has also been used for diarrhea.
The tree is planted as a living fence; it was one of the species used for the Indian Inland Customs Line. The wood is used for firewood and small wooden tools such as plow handles.”
Anticancer against colon cancer (Excerpt from research:” The present study was aimed at investigating the anticancer effects of methanol extract of Flacourtia indica (FIM) aerial parts in human colon cancer (HCT116) cells. Treatment of cells with FIM at a concentration of 500 μg/ml for 24 hours significantly reduced cell viability and induced apoptosis “) *see research link 25227831/
Reduces lipid level in blood (Excerpt from research:” The F. indica extract at a dose of 150 mg/kg significantly lowers the plasma level of total cholesterol (17%), triglycerides (13%), and phospholipids (16%) “) *see research link 26490091
Antiparasitic against parasites of the genus Plasmodium *see link 23354072 & BioAssay-Results
Antiviral properties against Chikungunya and Dengue (Excerpt from research:” showed significant selective antiviral activity in the CHIKV virus-cell-based assay “) * see research link 22439591, 23354072 & _Flaviviral_Infections
Anti-malarial against the parasite that causes malaria in humans (Excerpt from research:” The poliothrysoside isolated from the AcOEt extract presented a strong antiplasmodial activity (IC(50)=7.4 microM) and a good selectivity index (>28) similar to chloroquine. “) * see research link 20457242 & wiki link
These beautiful rainbow squiggles, twirls and dots represent the precise three-dimensional structure of the malaria parasite’s ribosome – a critical component of its protein synthesis machinery. And the tiny pink blob (resembling a piece of discreetly discarded chewing gum) is a molecule of the antimalarial drug mefloquine. The drug is a frontline treatment for malaria, yet its mechanism of action was largely unknown. Having solved the atomic structure of the ribosome with the bound drug, scientists were able to observe, for the first time, the drug’s exact interaction site and could thus figure out how it inhibits protein synthesis to kill the parasite. Importantly, this structural map should enable researchers to create improved versions of mefloquine with more potent activity, fewer side effects and with less chance of the parasite developing resistance – a current problem associated with the use of this important drug.
Written by Ruth Williams
Image from work by Wilson Wong and colleagues
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
Image copyright held by original authors
Research published in Nature Microbiology, March 2017
