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      Nests of “caba-leão” wasps (Sceliphron sp., Sphecidae) used in traditional medicine by riverine communities of the Jaú and Unini Rivers, Amazon, Brazil: ethnopharmacological, chemical and mineralogical aspects

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          Abstract

          ABSTRACT This research contributes to the study of substances present in homemade remedies used by the riverine communities of the Amazon, which are the result of insect–mineral–vegetable oil-interaction. The results of the analyses show the main components (inorganic and organic components) of the “caba-leão” wasps nests (Sceliphron sp., Sphecidae) used by “caboclos” as a topical medication to treat mumps and earaches. The ethnopharmacological data collection consisted of samples of wasps nests and soil, as a source of inorganic elements, from the Jaú and Unini Rivers, in the River Negro basin, Amazon, Brazil. The samples were qualitatively analyzed by infrared spectroscopy (organic and inorganic composition) as well as by X-ray diffraction (to identify minerals). Quantitative chemical analyses for ten major common elements were determined by X-ray fluorescence. The inorganic components are formed by minerals (quartz, kaolinite, illite and gibbsite), identified by X-ray diffraction and Infrared spectroscopy, which are common in the soil of the region. The analyses by X-ray fluorescence indicate that the most common oxides are SiO2, Al2O3, and Fe2O3 within minerals. This research contributed to the study of substances found in homemade remedies used by the riverine communities of the Amazon, which are the result of insect–mineral–vegetable oil-interaction.

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          Most cited references36

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          Natural products in drug discovery.

          Natural products have been the single most productive source of leads for the development of drugs. Over a 100 new products are in clinical development, particularly as anti-cancer agents and anti-infectives. Application of molecular biological techniques is increasing the availability of novel compounds that can be conveniently produced in bacteria or yeasts, and combinatorial chemistry approaches are being based on natural product scaffolds to create screening libraries that closely resemble drug-like compounds. Various screening approaches are being developed to improve the ease with which natural products can be used in drug discovery campaigns, and data mining and virtual screening techniques are also being applied to databases of natural products. It is hoped that the more efficient and effective application of natural products will improve the drug discovery process.
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            Clay minerals and their beneficial effects upon human health. A review

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              Traditional healing with animals (zootherapy): medieval to present-day Levantine practice.

              Efraim Lev (2003)
              Animals and products derived from different organs of their bodies have constituted part of the inventory of medicinal substances used in various cultures since ancient times. This article reviews the history of healing with animals in the Levant (the Land of Israel and parts of present-day Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan, defined by the Muslims in the Middle Ages as Bilad al-Sham) throughout history. Intensive research into the phenomenon of zootherapy in the Levant from early medieval to present-day traditional medicine yielded 99 substances of animal origin which were used medicinally during that long period. Fifty-two animal extracts and products were documented as being used from the early Muslim period (10th century) to the late Ottoman period (19th century). Seventy-seven were recorded as being used in the 20th century. Seven main animal sources have been exploited for medical uses throughout history: honey, wax, adder, beaver testicles, musk oil, coral, and ambergris. The first three are local and relatively easy to obtain; the last four are exotic, therefore, rare and expensive. The use of other materials of animal origin came to an end in the course of history because of change in the moral outlook of modern societies. Among the latter we note mummy, silkworm, stinkbug, scarabees, snail, scorpion, and triton.
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                Author and article information

                Contributors
                Role: ND
                Role: ND
                Role: ND
                Role: ND
                Journal
                rbfar
                Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia
                Rev. bras. farmacogn.
                Sociedade Brasileira de Farmacognosia (Curitiba, PR, Brazil )
                0102-695X
                1981-528X
                June 2018
                : 28
                : 3
                : 352-357
                Affiliations
                [1] Diadema São Paulo orgnameUniversidade Federal de São Paulo orgdiv1Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas Brazil
                [3] Santo André São Paulo orgnameUniversidade Federal do ABC orgdiv1Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas Brazil
                [2] Diadema São Paulo orgnameUniversidade Federal de São Paulo orgdiv1Departamento de Ciências Ambientais orgdiv2Centro de Estudos Etnobotânicos e Etnofarmacológicos Brazil
                [4] São Luís orgnameUniversidade Federal do Maranhão orgdiv1Centro de Ciências Exatas e Tecnologia Brazil
                Article
                S0102-695X2018000300352
                10.1016/j.bjp.2018.04.005
                5162fe0e-56a9-4528-b959-c8633330593e

                This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

                History
                : 25 April 2018
                : 17 July 2017
                Page count
                Figures: 0, Tables: 0, Equations: 0, References: 48, Pages: 6
                Product

                SciELO Brazil


                Silicate minerals,Insect products,Home remedies,Ethnopharmacology

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