In-depth notes explaining how nature has provided medicines to treat disease for thousands of years, including the case study of the Prunus Africana tree. Also talks about biopiracy and intellectual property, conservation issues relating to the international trade in medicinal plants, and the best ...
Disease Dilemmas SG5
Can Diseases Ever Be Fully Eradicated?
Key Idea 5.a.: Nature Has Provided Medicines to Treat Disease for Thousands of Years
Key Terms
Alkaloids – a naturally occurring chemical compound. The active ingredient in many medicinal drugs e.g.
morphine
Glycosides – a compound made from sugar and another compound. Many medicinal drugs are glycosides
derived from plants
Medicinal Plants
Morphine – a narcotic pain reliever used to treat moderate to severe pain
Source in Nature Growing Conditions
Derived from alkaloids contained in the milky latex Warm (>30oC) and humid conditions
sap of opium poppy Long hours of sunlight
Moisture retentive & fertile soil, rich in
humus & well drained e.g. clay loam soil
Optimum soil pH 6-8
Digitalis – more often called digoxin, is a purified cardiac glycoside used to treat a variety of heart conditions
Source in Nature Growing Conditions
Foxgloves – the plant is rich in compounds called Temperate climatic conditions
glycosides which contain digoxin (a steroid bonded Tolerates high rainfall, cool summers and
to sugar) acidic soils
Quinine – a medication used to treat malaria
Source in Nature Growing Conditions
The bark is stripped from the cinchonas tree, dried Temperature >20oC, no frost and high
and ground into a powder annual rainfall over at least 8 months
Well drained fertile soils, rich in organic
matter and have good moisture retention
Caffeine – a central nervous system stimulant. It is a main ingredient in many migraine over-the-counter
medications that can help treat migraines and headaches
Source in Nature Growing Conditions
Occurs naturally in >600 plants, including coffee Tropical climate >20oC and high annual
beans, tea leaves and coca rainfall
Well drained fertile soils which are rich in
organic matter and nitrogen
Salicin – a medicine closely related in chemical make-up to aspirin and has a very similar action in the human
body – it is an anti-inflammatory agent. Used for pain relief and to treat gout and osteoarthritis
Source in Nature Growing Conditions
Produced in willow bark Temperate climate
Moist soils are usually found near a body of
water e.g. on riverbanks, floodplains and
wetlands throughout the temperate zone
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