Herbal Remedies: Modern Insights on Ancient Medicine

The debate regarding herbal versus synthetic medicine has led to the disrespect of traditional wisdom, and fear of modern science. My family believes that Chinese Ginseng will cure any ailment. My initial reaction is often to disregard any medicine recommended on the basis of traditional wisdom, but I've had to remind myself that the scientific method does not end with a hypothesis. Researchers Xiachang Wang, Lihong Hu and colleagues investigated a different traditional Chinese medicinal herb called the Stemona Root (Stemona sessilifolia) that, for hundreds of years, has been used as a treatment for parasitic infections.

Figure 1: Stemona Root, sold at $16.98

A ScienceDaily artcile produced by the American Chemical Society follows this investigation of what became the discovery of a potential source of natural pesticides. Endophytes are symbiotic microorganisms that provide many plants with resistance to droughts or pests. Wang and Hu searched for endophytes within S. sessifolia (Fig. 1) because of their scientific use in agriculture and medicine. The researchers discovered, through the use of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, that the bacteria Streptomyces lavuligerus produced ten compounds similar to a class of insecticides called Pyrroles.

Figure 2: Pyrrole formula 

Pyrroles are substituted derivatives of the compound pyrrole (Fig 2.) with uses ranging from chlorophyll to heme production. Pyrroles are known to act as an agrochemical by interrupting oxidative phosphorylation (the process by which the powerhouse of the cell generates ATP) in many insects.

The ten new compounds found within the endophyte showed strong toxicity in aphids and moderate toxicity in spider mites, more lethal as a combination than any one compound would be alone. It is proven then that within the nonscientific realm of Traditional Chinese Medicine a nugget of wisdom is present. Research such as this may provide a point of connection that may show consumers that science removes the barrier between the natural and the synthetic. Yes, the Stemona Root did contain compounds that remedy parasitic infections, and now we can research a way to make the use of those compounds more practical. Using technology to investigate the efficacy of herbal treatments will lead to new discoveries and lessen the fear that a consumer feels when they do not understand how a product was developed.

Sources:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200129091449.htm
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemistry/agrochemical
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Pyrrole

Rhino Horns: A Means to Salvation or Condemnation

In an article published on nytimes.com by Rachel Nuwer scientists may have found the means to stop  the poaching of African Black Rhinos. Poaching of animals has been a problem and has caused the extinction of many different species throughout the history of humanity. African Black Rhinos have been considered endangered for some time now. These animals are poached in desire of their horns. Many wealthy elites in Vietnam and China desire these horns because they are rare. They are used as a symbol for social status and are given as gifts for medical reasons (preventing hangovers).

 

Rhino horns are made from the animals nose hair that is stuck together by a “glue” (collagen) that is secreted by the animal’s nose glands. There is also cellulose in the horns of these animals as they sharpen their horns on various plants. Interestingly enough, horses are actually a close relative to rhinos so in hopes to stop the poaching of these horns, scientists have created fake horns from horse hair. These fake horns are made from tightly bundled horse hair which is then bound together by mixture of liquefied silk to imitate the mixture of cellulose and collagen in real horns.  

Scientists believe that if they can introduce these fake horns into the market then it will undermine the value of real rhino horns, thus making the desire to have them decrease, and decrease poaching of rhinos. While conservationists appreciate the attempt in saving these animals, this method has been met with some serious concern from conservationists. Conservationists believe this will only encourage poaching of rhinos. They believe this because it is already a known fact that there are various fakes of rhino horns already on the market and it has not stopped poaching yet. A similar experiment was done with ivory to stop the poaching of elephants and it actually increased the poaching of elephants due to an increase in demand of real ivory. 

Conservationists instead urge law enforcement to target those who are in high demand of rhino horns, which are usually very wealthy men. There was an interview done with 20 extremely wealthy Vietnamese men and it was found that none of the 20 fall for fakes. To ensure that their product is real they often request the tail of the rhino upon purchase to make sure there is not a fake being purchased. 

There still is hope in stopping the poaching of rhinos. Many people believed rhino horns cure cancered and various of other things upon consumption. These beliefs are now diminishing which could warrant a decline in demand for these animal parts however, as long as the wealthy hold rhino horns in such high regard these animals will always be in danger.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/25/science/synthetic-rhino-horn.html