Eulalee ThompsonTHE ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY and Biotechnology Research
Groups of the University of the West Indies' (UWI's)
Basic Medical Sciences Faculty were recently awarded
US$125,000
($5.6 million), the third tranche of a grant by the
Organisation of American States (OAS), to continue their
research to identify the genetic profiles of local plants and
develop therapeutic drugs from them. The project is co-ordinated in the
Prime Minister's office by the National Commission on Science and
Technology. The results, so far, are very promising.
The superior quality of Jamaica's ginger has been acknowledged internationally but this hot-tasting root can do more than spice up a meal or brew a warm cup of ginger tea - local scientists are investigating the plant for possible analgesic (pain-relieving) properties.
Dr. Oswald Simon, lead scientist in UWI's Ethnopharmaco-logy Research Group, said that some screening tests on ginger for pharmacological activities (which might be exploited for therapeutic benefits) have been conducted and so far, the research team is convinced that it does in fact have pain-relieving qualities.
Other local plants, already popular in the folk culture, were also screened by the research team and they too are coming up positive for various medicinal properties.
Spirit weed or fit weed (Eryngium foetidum) was screened for anti-convulsion (epilepsy) property and this property was identified.
Nichol (Caesalpinia bunduc) was screened for anti-diabetic property and some effect was found.
Ramoon (Trophis racemosa) was screened for anti-glaucoma properties and found to be useful. Dr. Simon said that this plant has been in use in the rural parts for many years. People boil it and then use a rag, wet with the brew, to wipe their eyes. They say that this improves their vision. Dr. Simon's team is finding that the plant has properties that lowers intraocular pressure and may have some use in glaucoma.
Noni or hog apple is still being screened for anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties and found to be useful.
"We are continuing to investigate Noni. We are trying to isolate the active ingredient which is useful in treating inflammation. It may be useful in chronic inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis but we would also want to investigate any possible side effects and toxicity. We see it as promising at the moment," Dr. Simon said.
Cannabis sativa (ganja) is being screened for possible analgesic properties. Dr. Simon said that currently there are quite a few studies in England, Canada and the United States, all in a race to isolate the analgesic and other properties in ganja. He said that the plant seems to be useful in illnesses where there is pain and the team is trying to investigate how it works.
However, while the results are positive so far, Dr. Simon said that this doesn't mean that all the plants are of therapeutic value. The scientists will have to isolate the products evaluate their usefulness versus their toxicity to ensure that their effectiveness is greater than their toxic effect before human beings can take them therapeutically.
"Our broader objective is to identify active pharmacological compounds that can be used as ethical pharmaceutical (prescriptions) as opposed to nutraceuticals," he said.
The scientists are hoping that their research will eventually stimulate the agricultural and local pharmaceutical industries to produce more of these plants and to do more research, respectively. They are also planning to commercialise the products, in the long run, through international pharmaceutical companies.
