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Forest plot as a tool to demonstrate the pharmaceutical potential of plants in a tropical forest of Panama

Parcela de bosque como un dlseño para demostrar el potencial medicinal/Farmaceutico de plantas de un bosque tropical de Panama

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Abstract

Based on literature analysis of 308 angiosperm species inventoried from a 50-hectare forest plot on Barro Colorado Island, Panama, 40 species were selected and 80 samples (two samples for every species; leaf + twig and stembark samples) were collected for investigation of their medicinal/pharmaceutical potential. Extracts of these 80 samples were tested in bioassay systems to assess cancer chemoprevention (eight assays), antiplasmodial, cytotoxicity, and anti-HIV activities. Details of bioassay techniques are described. Of the 40 species, 12 (30%) showed activity in one or more of the 11 bioassay systems used. These active species areBombacopsis (= Pachira) quinata, Calophyllum longifolium, Casearia commersoniana, Lozania pittieri, Maclura tinctoria, Mouriri myrtilloides, Olmedia aspera (= Trophis caucana), Pseudobombax septenatum, Spondias radlkoferi, Stylogyne standleyi, Turpinia occidentalis, andVochysia ferruginea. Because literature data on the chemistry ofBombacopsis (= Pachira) quinata, Lozan ia pittieri, Mouriri myrtilloides, Olmedia aspera (= Trophis caucana), Pseudobombax septenatum, andStylogyne standleyi, are lacking, and similar data on the other six species are deficient, further fractionation and isolation work on these active species potentially may yield novel, biologically active structures. This study demonstrates that a plot-based selection of plant species for evaluation of their potential medicinal/ pharmaceutical value has merit in achieving such a goal, and should be used in a program on plant drug discovery.

Resumen

A base de análisis de 308 especies de angiospermas inventariadas de una parcela de 50 hectáreas de un bosque en la Isla de Barro Colorado, Panama, 40 especies fueron seleccionadas y 80 muestras (hojas + ramitas y corteza de tallo, de coda especie) fueron coleccionadas para la investigaci00F3;n hacia su potencial medicinal/farmaceútico. Los extrados de estas 80 muestras fueron suministrados a bioensayos para detectar sus actividades en la prevención de cancer (8 tipos de ensayos), antipalúdica, citotoxicidad, y anti-HIV. Los detalles de los métodos de bioensayos se presentan. De las 40 especies, 12 (30%) demostraron actividad en uno o más de los 11 bioensayos empleados. Estas especies sonBombacopsis (= Pachira) quinata, Calophyllum longifolium, Casearia commersoniana, Lozania pittieri, Maclura tinctoria, Mouriri myrtilloides, Olmedia aspera (= Trophis caucana), Pseudobombax septenatum, Spondias radlkoferi, Stylogyne standleyi, Turpinia occidentalis, y Vochysia ferruginea. En vista de queBombacopsis (= Pachira) quinata, Lozania pittieri, Mouriri myrtilloides, Olmedia aspera (= Trophis caucana), Pseudobombax septenatum, y Stylogyne standleyi, carecen de datos químicos de la literatura, mientras que datos químicos sobre las otras seis especies son deficientes, un trabajo de fraccionamiento y aislamiento sobre estas especies potencialmente nos pueda dar compuestos novedosos, biologicamente activos. Este estudio demuestra que el método de selectión de especies de plantas a partir de especies inventariadas de una parcela de bosque, para someterlas a pruebas biológicas, tiene sus méritos para empleo más amplio.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Pharmacognostic Research on Panamanian Flora—CIFLORPAN, 10767, Apartado

    Angela I. Calderon

  2. College of Pharmacy, University of Panama, Republic of Panama

    Mahabir P. Gupta

  3. Environmental and Conservation Programs, Botany Department, Field Museum, Roosevelt Road at Lake Shore Drive, 60612, Chicago, IL, USA

    Robin Foster

  4. Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Republic of Panama

    Robin Foster

  5. Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado 2072, Balboa, Republic of Panama

    Richard Condit

  6. Program for Collaborative Research in the Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, 60612, Chicago, IL, USA

    Cindy K. Angerhofer, John M. Pezzuto, Norman R. Farnsworth & Djaja D. Soejarto

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  1. Angela I. Calderon
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  2. Cindy K. Angerhofer
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  7. Mahabir P. Gupta
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  8. Djaja D. Soejarto
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Additional information

Part of a M.Sc. thesis in Pharmacognosy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago.

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Calderon, A.I., Angerhofer, C.K., Pezzuto, J.M. et al. Forest plot as a tool to demonstrate the pharmaceutical potential of plants in a tropical forest of Panama. Econ Bot 54, 278–294 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02864782

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