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Traditional anti-malarial medicine in Roraima, Brazil

Medicina traditional anti-malárica em Roraima, Brasil

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Abstract

Malaria is probably the most serious health problem facing northern Amazonia, and isolated populations can benefit greatly from the knowledge of local resources which may effectively be used to control it. The results of an ethnobotanical survey of the plant species used in the treatment of malaria in the Brazilian State of Roraima are presented. Fieldwork was carried out amongst seven savanna-and forest-dwelling indigenous groups, and among the Luso-Brazilian population. Ninety-nine species, of 82 genera and 41 families, were identified as having been used for this purpose in the region. The results are discussed in the context of previously published information on anti-malarial plants of northern Latin America, which was analysed by a broad literature survey whose overall results are also presented here. Of the species collected in Roraima, only 24 appear previously to have been reported as anti-malarials, although 49% of the represented genera are known to be used in this way elsewhere. The plants are currently undergoing laboratory screening for anti-malarial activity and toxicity.

Resumen

A malaria é, provavelmente, o problema de saúde mais grave que afeta o norte da Amazônia, e as populaÇões isoladas podem se beneficiar muito com o conhecimento dos recursos naturals que servem para combatěla. Os resultados de um levantamento etnobotănico das espécies de plantas utilizadas no tratamento de malária no estado de Roraima (Brasil) são aqui apresentados. Trabalho de campo foi realizado com sete grupos indígenas da savana e da floresta, e com a populaÇão Luso-brasi-leira. Noventa e nove espécies, de 82 gěneros e 41 famílias, foram identificadas como sendo utilizadas para esta finalidade na região. Os resultados são discutidos no contexto das infor-maÇões já existentes sobre plantas anti-maláricas do norte da América Latina, as quais foram analizadas através de um amplo levantamento bibliográfico cujos resultados principals também são aqui apresentados. Entre as espécies coletadas em Roraima, somente 24 parecem ter sido previamente documentadas como anti-maláricas, porém 49% dos gěneros representados säo conhecidos como anti-máldricos em outras regiões. As plantas estão sendo atualmente testadas em laboratório para verificar a presenca de atividade anti-malárica e de toxicidade.

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    William Milliken

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Milliken, W. Traditional anti-malarial medicine in Roraima, Brazil. Econ Bot 51, 212–237 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02862091

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