Back to Search
Start Over
Medicinal plants of Papua New Guinea's Miu speaking population and a focus on their use of plant-slaked lime mixtures.
- Source :
-
Journal of ethnopharmacology [J Ethnopharmacol] 2015 Nov 04; Vol. 174, pp. 217-23. Date of Electronic Publication: 2015 Aug 20. - Publication Year :
- 2015
-
Abstract
- Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Here we present the results of an ethnobotanical survey of the medicinal plants used by the Miu, a virtually unresearched ethnolinguistic group who live in the mountainous interior of Papua New Guinea's West New Britain Province. We compare the findings for those previously reported for the neighbouring inland Kaulong speaking population. Three species, Trema orientalis, Spondias dulcis and Ficus botryocarpa are used in combination with locally prepared slaked lime to produce intensely coloured mixtures which are applied to dermatological infections. Their effects on dermal fibroblast viability with and without slaked lime are examined. The sap of F. botryocarpa which is used to treat tropical ulcers was examined further with assays relevant to wound healing.<br />Materials and Methods: Focus groups and semi-structured interviews were used to acquire information on the uses of plants, vouchers of which were collected and identified by comparison with authentic herbarium specimens. LC-MS and NMR were used to identify chemical components. Cell viability assays were used to examine the effects of added slaked lime on dermal fibroblasts. For the sap of F. botryocarpa, fibroblast stimulation assays and antibacterial growth inhibition with Bacillus subtilis were carried out.<br />Results: The survey identified 33 plants and one fungal species, and clear differences with the inland Kaulong group despite their close proximity. Added slaked lime does not greatly increase the cytotoxicity of plant material towards dermal fibroblasts. The sap of F. botryocarpa contains the alkaloid ficuseptine as a single major component and displays antibacterial activity.<br />Conclusions: The results demonstrate the potential for variation in medicinal plant use amongst Papua New Guinea's numerous language groups. The addition of slaked lime to plant material does not appear to present a concern for wound healing in the amounts used. The sap of F. botryocarpa displays antibacterial activity at concentrations that would occur at the wound surface and could be used as a highly accessible alternative to conventional antiseptics for remote communities in Papua New Guinea.<br /> (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)
- Subjects :
- Bacillus subtilis drug effects
Calcium Compounds isolation & purification
Cells, Cultured
Fibroblasts drug effects
Fibroblasts physiology
Humans
Oxides isolation & purification
Papua New Guinea ethnology
Plant Extracts chemistry
Plant Extracts isolation & purification
Plant Extracts pharmacology
Plant Preparations
Surveys and Questionnaires
Calcium Compounds chemistry
Calcium Compounds pharmacology
Ethnobotany methods
Oxides chemistry
Oxides pharmacology
Plants, Medicinal
Population Surveillance
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1872-7573
- Volume :
- 174
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 26297846
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2015.08.019