Zoopharmacognosy (IC)

Zoopharmacognosy

The use of natural materials by animals to treat medical conditions

Grass consumption

This behavior done by cats and some dogs stimulates retching, increases intestinal motility, enhances rapid expulsion of worms.

1. plant is not normal part of the diet

2. correlation w/ improved health

3. known secondary compounds are efficacious

4. used by indigenous people

5. experimental evidence

How scientists know that an animal is purposely consuming a plant for medical self-treatment

whole leaf swallowing and bitter pith-chewing

These behaviors were exhibited by chimpanzees who were in poor health, depressed, isolated, or sick

Aspilia mossambicensis and Manniophyton fulvum

Plants used in whole-leaf swallowing by sick chimpanzees; there was individual recovery within 24 hours

Thiarubrine A

A potent antifungal and antibiotic agent that chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, and humans used; found in whole-leaf swallowing plants (Aspilia and Manniophyton)

Aspilia

leaves of this plant are very hairy; method of purging adult parasites by scraping of the leaves against intestines

Bitter pith-chewing

Sick chimpanzees removed the leaves and outer bark of Vernonia amygdalina, pith was exposed, and bitter juice sucked out; recovery w/in 24 hours.

Vernonioside B

Vernonia has antiparasitic activity because of this compound; it suppresses movement of egg-laying (lower fecal egg counts), leaves and roots highly toxic. Humans use for parasitic infections, stomach aches, malaria, anti-helminthic efficacy

evidence for medicinal use of plants by chimps

1. leaf/pith consumption increased during rainy/parasitic larval season

2. plants not regular component of diet

3. sick individuals frequently seen swallowing Aspilia & Vernonia

4. fewer worms in feces

5. both plants used medicinally by local humans

Red colobus monkeys of Zanzibar

prefer to eat Indian almond & mango leaves; high in protein but secondary compounds (phenols) interfere w/ digestion. They consume charcoal from charred logs which absorb the phenols and reduce leaf toxicity

consume charcoal

What odd behavior do Red colobus monkeys exhibit in order to absorb phenols of Indian almond & reduce toxicity of mango leaves?

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evidence that red colobus monkeys benefit from charcoal

1. foraging for charcoal is abnormal for monkeys

2. birth rates and population was higher where there was charcoal available

3. charcoal used by humans to inactivate toxins

Wooly spider monkeys

Animals of Brazil that modify fertility by eating plants; Apulia leiocarpa contains isoflavanoids similar to estrogen that promotes infertility; Enterlobium contortisilquim contains stigmasterol that promotes fertility

Apulia leiocarpa

plant eaten by Wooly spider monkeys to decrease fertility because it contains estrogen-similar isoflavanoids

Enterlobium contortisilquim

plant eaten by Wooly spider monkeys to increase fertility because it contains stigmasterol (precursor to progesterone)

African Elephant

Pregnant females of this animal seek a particular tree to consume at end of gestation; it induces labor (female walked 17 miles in 1 day to find tree). Kenyan women also used it for this purpose.

Starlings

birds that line their nest with fresh vegetation, queen anne's lace (kills mites because of Steroid B-sitosterol) and cigarette butts which are an antiseptic.

Senecio longilobus

When this caterpillar (Wooly bear) gets attacked by parasitoids, it will eat this plant to decrease larval parasitoids; hinders its own growth rate though.

Baboons

consume mind-altering euphoric drugs like datura, etc.

chimpanzees

these animals can consume fermented fruit containing alcohol or steal alcohol from humans and experience the same intoxicating/drunk feeling

"Drunkard monkeys of Borneo"

These animals brew their own "beer" by mashing fruits and leaving them in a pit to ferment.

Green vervet monkeys

steal alcohol in the Caribbean and enjoy getting drunk

What should dogs and cats NOT eat?

• Dieffenbachia, Philodendron, Pothos

• -chocolate

• -too much aspirin -

• many spring flowering bulbs

• -Datura, Yew, Morning glories

• -grapes and raisins

True

True or False:
Animals are affected differently than humans to certain compounds because they have different body weights and they metabolize them differently.

aloe vera

used for skin irritations in dogs and cats, however, dogs should not eat the leaves.

phenols or benzyl alcohol

These compounds can cause liver damage in cats and should not be used as a topical oil on them.

witch hazel

used to treat feline acne

kava

contains kavalactones in pills, powders, or lotion form. treats anxiety disorders in dogs, cats, and horses. muscle relaxant, topical anesthetic, anti-convulsant

peppermint

this plant soothes the respiratory tract in dogs (menthol form); vaporized menthol form stimulates respiratory tract receptors in cats and dogs. prepared as an infusion, tincture, or vapor.

catnip (Nepta cataria)

Leaves of this plant are attractive to cats; known since 1700s, affects 67-80% of domestic cats; gene-linked, lasts 10 minutes. contains Nepetalactone

Nepetalactone

Compound in Nepta cataria (catnip) that makes cats attracted to the leaves.

valerian

Root of this plant is used in some herbal treatments for calming effects. In cats, intravenous use increases coronary blood flow while reducing heart rate and blood pressure; useful in treating hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

valerian

Some cats become intoxicated with the plant when it gets bruised, similar to catnip. Stimulates the release of GABA; attractive to rats too, used in bait traps.

Camellia sinensis tea

Treatment for pruritus (severe itching of the skin, rashes) in dogs. Common causes: flea, food/seasonal allergies, mites

Camellia sinensis tea

Infusions from this tea act as a strong astringent; contains tannic acid (tannin)

Tannic acid

This is extracted from the Camellia sinensis tea leaves and used to treat pruritis in dogs (itchy, rashy skin)

ginger

plant used to settle upset stomachs

taurine

Deficiency of this amino acid in cats leads to blindness, neurological damage, and suppressed immune function. Progressive degeneration of the retina and blindness w/in 2 years.