[MPWG] mother nature's drugs

[Robyn Klein]

Thanks J.N.for listing some of the more well-known plants used to design 
drugs. A complete list is hard to find. I tried to put one together once.

I was just trying to point out that natural products are mostly not plants. 
Even so, it's not like the drug is actually made from the plant. The plant, 
foxglove, is not used, only one of the dozens of compounds it makes; and 
this is synthesized from some carbon starting material or the enzyme is 
spliced into a genetically-modified yeast and grown in vats to produce the 
drug.

Pharmacologists use the molecular structural design of the compound that the 
plant makes to produce drugs or synthesizes drugs related to these 
compounds. Though in some cases, it is cheaper to use a plant, such as wild 
yam or potato to start off the synthetic process.

See my review of Newman and Cragg's paper at:
www.rrreading.com
Click on Journal Reviews Volume 2

By the way, I'd like to point out that while ephedrine is allowed to be sold 
over the counter in cold medicines, and amphetamine drugs are big business 
(Ritalin), and methamphetamine use is popular (and terribly destructive to 
the body and our communities), dietary supplements containing raw Ephedra 
are now illegal.

Traditional Chinese herbalists were supposed to have access to Ephedra 
sinensis, but just ask them what happened. One told me they can't get the 
dried herb anymore, though it would be legal if they could get it. Something 
about importation problems. So, they effectively cut out even licensed 
practitioners from using Ephedra.

Best Regards, Robyn

Robyn Klein, M.S. Medical Botany, Adjunct Instructor
Department of Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology
Montana State University-Bozeman
www.rrreading.com
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <botresearchusa at academicplanet.com>
To: "Robyn Klein" <robyn at montana.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2007 12:28 PM
Subject: Re: Re: [MPWG] mother nature's drugs


> Robyn,
>
>
> You might also mention plant products such as:
> Ephedra sinica for Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) for colds and flu.
>
> Digitalis purpurea for Digitoxin (Lanoxin) used to treatatrial 
> fibrillation, atrial flutter, and congestive heart failure.
>
> Rawwolfia serpentine for Reserpine no longer used in the U.S. but used in 
> other areas of the world as an antipsychotic.
>
> Camptotheca acuminate for Irinotecan (Camptosar) as an inhibitor against 
> DNA replication in rapidly growing cancers.
>
> Cepohaltaxus hainanaensis for Homoharringtonine (Ceflatoxin) which is now 
> undergoing Phase II clinical trials for adults with myeloid and 
> promyelocytic leukemia.
>
> Papaver soniferum for Morphine (MS-Contin) a potent pain killer.
>
> Calophyllum lanigerum for Calanoide A (Costatolide) which is used to block 
> replication of the HIV-1 virus.
>
> These are but a few additions that could be made, and many additional 
> species are currently being looked at for their benefits.
>
> Regards,
> J.N.Covanes
> Director of Research
> Botresearch USA
>
>
>
> ---- Original Message -----
> From: Robyn Klein
> Sent: 3/21/2007 11:49:56 AM
> To: mpwg at lists.plantconservation.org
> Subject: Re: [MPWG] mother nature's drugs
>
>> I just briefly skimmed this new paper. Newman and Cragg have been 
>> producing
>> these reviews and encouraging the search for new drugs among natural
>> products. This paper is a good source of statistical information.
>>
>> However, do not misunderstand the term "natural product." The majority of
>> these drugs are from bacteria and fungi, not plants. The few exceptions
>> include the anti-malarial drugs mimicking artemisinin from Artemisia 
>> annua
>> (also anti-tumor drugs from this plant). There is also some drug made 
>> from
>> four Nigerian plants that is being used for sickle cell anemia.
>>
>> Even vincristine and camptotechin are now made via huge vats of yeast or
>> fungi.
>>
>> Gila monster venom has also supplied us with a new drug. Say thanks next
>> time you see one on the trail.
>>
>> Robyn Klein, M.S. Medical Botany, Adjunct Instructor
>> Department of Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology
>> Montana State University-Bozeman
>> www.rrreading.com
>>
>>
>>
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>
>
>