Plants and Human Health Exam 2
what are some important precautions that need to be addressed when harvesting plants from the wild to be used as food or medicine?
-Plant ID -"5 times more than needed" -Professional holistic health practioner -some plant accumulate toxins -some may be grown in polluted waters
Why should we not consume plants growing on the side of the road?
-Plant health: automobile exhaust, metals
How does digitalis work in the body to help with congestive heart failure?
-Slow the heart rate, increase the strength of each contraction -improvement of blood flow to the lungs and extremities -improved kidney function
How long does it take for a new drug to get developed and how much money does it cost the pharmaceutical company to develop it?
-Takes ten or more years for the FDA to approve the drug -Cost 2.6 billion to develop
What are the few drawbacks of herbal remedies as used in the US?
-Treated as supplements US Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act -contaminants -not regulated -may results in self disgnosis -Don't require doctor visits -side effects -drug interactions -Allergic and toxic reactions
What are a few potential benefits of herbal remedies as used in the US?
-Widely available -Relatively inexpensive -Beneficial documented compounds -Do not require a prescription -Some may have few side effects compared to meds
Bayer withdrew what drug due to side effects? What is the major side effect? How many died?
-baycol-killed many-break down of muscle into the blood -bayer withdraws drug after 31 deaths -Rhabdomyolysis kidney failure and liver failure
What are the top 3 selling herbal remedies in US?
-echinacea -ginseng -ginkgo
What are some medical conditions which marijuana may be useful in treating?
-glaucoma -cancer -AIDS -Parkinson disease -epileptic seizures -asthma
Cyclosporin A has great success rates when used in what four organ transplants?
-liver -kidney -bone marrow -heart transplant
Tobacco causes ________ ______________ deaths in the US
.5 million
How many people die from malaria each year?
1 in 3 million Malaria kills one child every 30 seconds, about 3000 children every day. Over one million people die from malaria each year
What are the three leading cancer killers of Americans as we ranked gender?
1. Lung 2. Breast (female) or prostate (male) 3. Colorectal (colon)
What are 3 reasons why the antimalarial terpenes present in wormwood aren't effective as stand alone antimalarial treatments?
1. Resistance-can't use by itself 2. Does not reach liver phase 3. Re-administered a lot because clears out of blood stream quickly
What are several reasons we discussed toward the beginning of this lecture for the rather recent increase in interest and usage of native medicinal plants and herbal medicines in our country
1. View of modern medicine 2. Prescription drug prices and/or side effects 3. Herbal medicine availability 4. Belief that natural is better than man made 5. Lack of efficacy of same conventional meds
What are the 5 leading causes of death in the US?
1. heart disease 2. cancer 3. accidents 4. chronic respiratory 5. strokes
What percent of the population is allergic to penicillin?
10%
How many alcohol related deaths are there in the US on an annual basis? Worldwide?
100,000 3.3 million
Who discovered the first antibiotic?
1928 - Alexander Fleming
When did marijuana become illegal in the US and why?
1937, federal restrictions and taxes
How many people could be killed from intravenous injection of the nicotine found in a single cigar?
2
How long until a drug becomes generic?
20 years
What percent of our US economy is associated with health care spending?
30%
What are the active compounds found in quina?
36 alkaloids quinine, quinidine, cinchondine
____ of Americans favor legal marijuana
62%
_______ _____________ deaths worldwide due to smoking
7 million
How many states passed recreational laws?
9 states and DC
What is benign prostatic hyper-plasma (BPH)?
A common, noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. The enlarged prostate may compress the urinary tube (urethra), which courses through the center of the prostate, impeding the flow of urine from the bladder through the urethra to the outside.
what happened to the world coffee production and caused many European countries to shift to tea?
A disease outbreak caused that
phagocytosis
A type of endocytosis in which a cell engulfs large particles or whole cells white blood cells
Why are steroids necessary for someone who has Addison's disease?
Adrenal gland insufficient Adrenal glands produce too little cortisol
Where is most of cocoa grown today?
Africa
Why is alcoholism considered a chronic disease?
Alcoholism requires lifelong treatment.
What are several ways in which cortisone and hydro-cortisone may be medically useful?
Allergic reactions Arthritis Addison's disease antinflammatory
Tobacco was a significant cultural importance to ___________ ____________
American Tribes
What historical event really prompted the further development of antibiotics?
Anne Miller of New Haven, Connecticut: first patient saved-first to get penicillin
What cellular process can be prevented with the vinca alkaloids? What part of this process is halted?
Antimitotics-blocks mitosis by binding to tublin and prevent micro tubule assembly The division of abnormal cells
Which coffee species dominates world production?
Arabica
What are the sexual structures produced by the fungi phyla?
Ascospores Zygospores Basidiospores Chytridiomycota-fertilization female and male gamates-->zygote
How important of a disease is leprosy today?
Bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae Endemic to tropical and subtropical western Pacific, Marshall Islands, India and Brazil
What phylum of fungi do you typically buy at the grocery store to consume?
Basidiomycota common cap field mushrooms
Why do chemotherapy drugs dis-proportionally affect the malignant cells in comparison to the benign cells?
Because the cancerous cells divide at a metabolic cost the healthy cells.
Why are herbal remedies so poorly studied in the US?
Because they cannot be patented and money
What are a few ways in which disogenin from yams has been used? (Drugs)
Birth control hormones to regulate periods component of fertility
Which plant may help with influenza?
Black Elderberry
Can you name the plant that may be considered effective as a prophylactic agent against an URI?
Black elderberry
Can you name one plant that may be useful for gastrointestinal purposes and why might it be helpful?
Blackberry Medicinal properties: diarrhea, mouth and pharynx inflammation
What is the compound in marijuana that is especially useful for its medicinal properties?
CBD
What are the top 3 psychoactive substances used in the world today in their ranking order of popularity?
Caffeine nicotine alcohol
What are some problems associated with ephedra and its alkaloids?
Can cause heart arrhythmia, heart attacks, seizures, stroke Drug abuse
Camptotheca had been used in China for centuries as a treatment for what disease?
Cancer (ovarian, rectal, colon)
Smoking causes which of the top five causes of death?
Causes -heart disease -cancer -chronic respiratory disease -stroke
What plant can treat leprosy? What part of the plant is used?
Chaulmoogra the oil
What are some areas in the world where tobacco use is actually on the rise rather on the decline?
China, India
What are several potential health benefits of stain drugs?
Cholesterol-lowering drugs Mode of action: inhibits key enzyme Uses: - Reduce cholesterol by up to 60% - Stroke prevention - Reduce artery inflammation - Reduce fracture risk - Reduce Alzheimer's disease risk
What is cancer? what does it rank in the causes of death in the US?
Chronic disease- division of abnormal cells Ranks #2 killer
What are the 4 phyla in the Fungi kingdom
Chytridiomycota Zygospore Ascomycota Basidiomycota
Which fungal phylum is the least specialized? The most?
Chytridiomycota Basidiomycota
What is the major alkaloid extracted from the coca plant?
Cocaine
For which two cancers is the Mayapple notably useful in treating?
Colon cancer and tumors
What is the common yard weed that may be really useful in preventing urinary tract infections because it acts like a diuretic?
Dandelion
Why are there concerns with the contamination of herbal remedies with adulterant chemicals as well as the potential allergen problem?
Dangerous If an ingredient isn't labeled and it happens to be an allergen for someone consuming the supplement, it could prove emergent. Also, if a supplement is adulterated with drugs to make it more potent, that could prove especially troublesome.
How are the alkaloids present in ephedra useful as medicines (what are their medical properties/how do they work in the body to help with various ailments)?
Decongestant stimulatory effect migraine relief appetite suppressant
What is the primary drug called from this plant? (foxglove)
Digitalis-congestive heart failure
What is at least one major problem with garlic supplementation?
Drug interaction with anticoagulants
From what continent does coffee originate? Where is it mostly grown today?
East Africa south america
Why was Commission E established?
Efficiency and safety of herbs
How do our recent laws in the US regarding marijuana possession compare to our developed counterparts in the world?
Europe, UK, Canada, US decriminalization
Other than the Pacific Yew what are all the additional sources of taxol and semi-synthetic taxol-like molecules that we discussed in class?
European, Mexican, and Himalayan Yew
From what part of the papaya tree is the drug papain obtained?
From the immature papaya fruit When they are green they are ready for harvest-then extraction
Common Yarrow
Gastrointestial
Blackberry
Gastrointestinal
In what country were the Commission E monographs complied?
Germany
Penicillin:inhibits ___________ bacteria via transpeptidase therefore inhibits cell wall formation
Gram positive
What type of tea has tannins that may be linked with decreased chances to certain cancers as well as decreased risk of heart disease?
Green tea
Why is tobacco lethal?
Hazardous Compounds
Where was marijuana first cultivated?
In China 5000 years ago
Who was probably the first to exploit marijuana's biology to maximize drug concentration?
Indians in 600 BC
What is one plant that may be useful in treating dyspepsia?
Juniper
What part of the plant is used when extracting drugs from Madagascar periwinkle?
Leaf/mouse vinblastine, vincristine (alkaloids)
Can you name three herbs that may help with stress and insomnia?
Lemon Balm Bugleweed Hops
What group of fungi is very well known for its production of antibiotics and mycotoxins?
Lichens
Compared to other countries, where does the US rank in life expectancy and infant mortality rates?
Life expectancy= #43, 80 years Mortality= #55, 5.80 births
Which plants discussed in lecture today provide cancer chemotherapy medications?
Mayapple Camptotheca
What are some drugs (legal and nonlegal) derived from Papaver somniferum (opium poppy)?
Morphine and opium and heroine
What are the primary forms of heart disease we talked about in class and what is the most common form?
Most common is coronary artery disease congestive heart disease congenital heart disease cardiomyopathy (enlargement)
What are a couple of plants that are useful in treating symptoms associated with upper respiratory infections?
Mullein Tamarack Black Elderberry
What are two very well known and studied symbiotic relationship between fungi and other organisms?
Mycorrhizae (which helps plants grow much better) and Lichens
Should it be used to treat morning sickness? why?
NO. x2 more miscarriages
Mayapple yields important anti-cancer compounds that were learned by ethnobotantical uses from whom?
Native Americans
Hops
Nervous
___________ was the first alkaloid to be isolated from tobacco
Nicotine
Is papain available in the US? Why or why not?
No, it was eliminated in 1975 hypersensitivity resulting in anaphylactic reactions. hypertension rapid heart beat
Has the Coca always been such a lethal drug?
No, made as tea or chewing helps with thirst and pain Erythroxylaceace
Do Americans typically eat yams?
No, native to Africa
Should the herbs that help with stress and insomnia be combined with other strong sedatives? why?
No; over-sedation is dangerous
How useful is quina today as an antimalarial?
Not as effective do to resistance
How effective is St. John's wart in treating severe depression?
Not, effective for mild moderate depression
Which plants roots and leaves helps reduce diarrhea?
One such plant is blackberry
From what fungi were stain drugs from?
Originally isolated from fungi Aspergillus terreus
What was the name of the antibiotic he discovered?
Penicillium notatum killed bacteria in petri dish-by dumb luck
When did marijuana become especially popular in the US?
Prohibition
What is fair trade chocolate and why is it important?
Properly made without slaves of not fair trade most likely came from human traffickers that use children as slaves and horribly abuse them chocolate is "made from their blood" literally
What is papain used for? How does it work?
Proteolytic enzyme ruptured or slipped disc Reduces mass in disc-injected into spine-75% benefit
What are three descriptive terms of addiction?
Psychological dependence Physiological dependence Tolerance
Black Elderberry
Pulmanary
Tamarack
Pulmanary
Mullein
Pulmonary
What are some problems associated with antibiotic use?
Resistance -bacteria divide rapidly -conjugation -allergies that result in severe or fatal reactions
What percent of our current global population lives in an areas in which malaria may be transmitted?
Roughly 1/3
What plant is the source of cola? Popular beverage?
Several species-cola nitida coca cola
What is the leading preventable cause of death today in the US?
Smoking
Where are the majority of the malaria deaths and for what age range? Why?
South America, South Asia, India, Africa ages under 5 No healthcare available
Where is the region of origin of cocoa?
South America-Mayans
Where does the Coca plant originate?
South American-Incan use in the Andes Mts.
What are the three classes of psychoactive compounds?
Stimulants Hallucinogens Depressants
What plant did the professor suggest may be useful for someone with BPH symptoms?
Stinging nettle
How does this plant fight cancer?
Stop cell division at the beginning of meta-phase cause necrosis when applied to external carcinomas useful for treatment of tumors
What is the primary active principle of marijuana for psychoactive properties?
THC
Why was the 1964 US Surgeon General report regarding the dangers of tobacco use significant in the US?
The "shift" smoking is unhealthy
What are the 2 organisms that comprise lichens and what do each of the organisms gain from the relationship?
The algae get protection from the fungus and the fungus acquires sugars from the photosynthesizing algae
What did the professor mean when she said that maximum health may occur when the pendulum is in the center regarding conventional meds versus alternative meds?
They are both good for you and bad for you.
How are herbal remedies regulated in the US?
They are not regulated Safety is poorly understood Efficacy and dosing is very poorly understood
What industry nearly caused the Pacific yew to become extinct?
Timber industry-burned after clear cutting
Can you briefly describe the transmission of malaria, including the primary vector and the 4 major malarial parasitic species involved?
Transmission is through infected mosquito Malarial Parasite -falciparum -vivax -ovale -malarial
What types of immune responses does Echinacea elicit in the body?
URI-decrease length and severity
What two research organizations showed the plant to be a cure for cancer? What cancer is it useful for?
University Western Ontario and Eli lily Leukemia (Cured Childhood leukemia) and Hodgkin's disease used in chemotherapy for other cancers
How does uric acid play a role in this form of arthritis?
Uric acid builds up in the blood but will accumulate around the joints when it can't pass through the body as needed causing pain
Dandelion
Urinary system
Goldenrod
Urinary system
Stinging nettle
Urinary system
What is one medicinal property of sting nettle?
Uti ant-inflammatory stones of kidney
How toxic is the plant? When do we harvest the leaves to make the drugs? (foxglove)
Very-children die from licking it Concentrations for drugs are highest in leaves before flowering
What are a couple of plants that may be useful in treating dermatological conditions?
Witch hazel Horsetail Goldenseal
What type of research organizations conduct research on herbal remedies? Do pharmaceutical companies?
World Health Organization no
Are the antimalarial compounds in wormwood important today either way?
Yes
Does ginger meet Commission E approval for this medical reason?
Yes
Was it first cultivated for recreational purposes?
Yes fiber: rope, clothes, fishnets nutritious seeds oil: lamps, paints, resins
Can plants accumulate heavy metals?
Yes from the soil
Zygomycota
Zygospore forming fungi resting zygote-name of the phylum commonly found on bread molds-concern? -remaining portions still have it and may be laced with toxcins
What role do macrophages play in gout?
a large phagocytic cell found in stationary form in the tissues or as a mobile white blood cell, especially at sites of infection.
How do fungi obtain their nutrients?
absorption
What do we mean when we say sensitization may occur for people who regularly use golden rod?
acquisition of allergy to others pollen in same family
What organ causes problems with reduced effects pf drugs with St johns wort?
activates enzyme in liver and breaks down all types of drugs-->neutral
Maitake
adaptogen antitumorigenic HIV/AIDS fungal remedy not regulated drug
What hormone does caffeine mimic?
adrenaline
What is the most widely consumed depressant in the world?
alcohol
Psychoactive compounds are usually what type of secondary metabolite?
alkaloids
What are the active principles of the autumn crocus? How can they be used in modern medicine?
alkaloids anti inflammatory, acute gout, prevents macrophages into joints
What is goldenrod often mistaken for?
allergy producing rag weed
Why is a dose such a difficult thing to define?
amount varies per ailment age, weight, other medicines
What are 3 semi-synthetic penicillins discussed in class?
amoxicillin, ampicillin, and methicillin
What is the primary property of these drugs that are used in medicine today?
analgesic properties stimulants properties
what are some ways in which cocaine derivatives are used in modern medicine?
anesthetic for surgery, dentistry ex-novocaine, lanacaine treament of colds, asthma, hay fever
Why is kava kava used?
aniexty
Fungi are more related to ____________
animals
Specifically how does taxol stop cancer in the human body? For what cancers is it especially effective in treating?
anti-tumor properties (leaves, barks, roots) Prevents depolymerization of the micro-tubules Breast, ovarian, lung, and prostate cancer
What are a few drug types that St. Johns Wort reduces the effect of?
antidepressants anticoagulants suppressants birth control antibiotics
What are some medicinal properties we discussed in class regarding the plant?
antisemitic-stop vomiting analgesic-MS reduces intra-ocular pressure (eye health) appetite stimulant muscle relaxant Branchodilation
Echinocandins
aspergillosis treatment bird and bat feces or mold in lungs-->infection fungal growth in the lungs-->fatal
What are some examples of people who are more likely to contract thrush?
babies that come out of the birth canal
Cephalosporin
broader spectrum than penicillin inhibits enzymes involved in wall biosynthesis
What is the worlds most popular non-medical drug?
caffeine
What are two problems associated with taking peppermint?
can cause GERD-->heartburn-reflux stimulate of uterine contractions
Value of Wild plants
cheaper to forge than to buy survival hobby connections with traditions
Kingdom fungi have cell wall of _____________(__________ based polysaccharide cf, insect skeleton)
chitin, nitrogen
What came first: chocolate as a beverage or as a confection?
chocolate
What is the number one source of antioxidants in the average American diet?
coffee
what are four plant sources of caffeine?
coffee, tea, cocoa, cola
Basidiomycota
common cap field mushrooms most complex
How is Ginkgo biloba thought to be useful?
dementia claucidation-pain in arteries
Goldenseal
dermatologic
Horsetail
dermatologic
Witch hazel
dermatologic
What is gout?
disabling arthritis (abnormal uric acid metabolism)
What are the main reasons behind the banning of this herbal supplement in the US?
drug abuse death of 150 people
How are they used now in modern societies?
drug abuse medicinally
What is the largest medical concern with taking Ginkgo?
drug interactions anticoagulant diuretics-increase blood pressure Antidepressants-increased sedation
What common malady can enteric coated peppermint help with?
dypepsia IBS
Which two of the top three selling herbal remedies are native to north america?
echinacea and ginseng
Why did the Spanish unban the chewing of coca leaves by the mine workers?
ex. banned by Spanish until they realized it helped with miners--> thirst and pain
what is a metabolic process performed by microbes that occurs during the processing of coffee, black teas, cocoa, cola?
fermentation
So are Commission E monographs based on scientific evidence or folklore?
folklore-legends
Griseofulvin
fungistatic uses mycoses that affect skin and especially the nails
Chicory
gastroinstestinal
Juniper
gastronintestinal
Marshmellow
gastronintestinal
Chytridiomycota
has flagellated zoospores aquatic mold
The basic cell form of the kingdom fungi is _________
hypha Cell wall of chitin (nitrogen based polysaccharide cf, insect skeleton) Some hyphae have septa some are binucleate some are coenocytic classification is based on sexual reproduction
How might ginseng be useful in the body?
immune system stimulant enhance physical and cognitive performance
Ascomycota
important drugs, 40 thousand unknown
How do opium, opioids, heroin cause an overdose?
in the brain stem, it slows breathing and heart rate
What are some potential health benefits associated with consuming moderate amounts of dark chocolate?
increase in good cholesterol increases phenylethylaminal in the brain-fall in love Alzheimer
Why is ginseng a special concern for people who are taking antidepressants?
insomnia headache tremulousness mania
Why is kava kava potentially deadly if not used properly?
kills liver concerned depression-->suicide
Are severe adverse problems with herbal remedies a large problem or only a very small concern?
large
Does Ginkgo provide a large or modest benefit for it users?
large
Because snakeroot was met with some level of success in the treatment of psychiatric disorders, what inhumane medical procedure was used far less often as a result?
lobotomy
What cancer type causes more annual deaths of Americans than any other cancer type?
lung
What are some side effects of the drug?
lung cancers learning problems short term memory loss low sperm count pregnancy
What fungal remedies/therapeutic fungus did we cover in class and why is it medically useful for what numerous qualities?
maitake
Between alcohol, nicotine, and marijuana which is the least statistically the least deadly
marijuana
What are the two prescription drugs that contain marijuana derivatives?
marinol-oral pill sativex-spray
Why is Echinacea use a special concern for people who suffer from autoimmune conditions or are on immunosuppressant drugs?
may cause rejection of transplanted organ or destroy immune system
How much does the average american spend on health care? is this consistent in other countries?
more then ten thousand a year yes and no
What are the characteristics of the kingdom fungi?
mulitcellular-except yeasts no flagella-except chytrids eukaryotic heterotroph
Hyphae may form complex structure comprising of __________
mycelim
How do we distinguish between the four phyla in the Kingdom Fungi?
mycology asexual small and light life is spent mostly underground two-sexual and asexual mainly carried by wind and water-spores
Ginger is mainly used for what remedy?
nausea
Bugleweed
nervous
Lemon Balm
nervous
What is the rank of nicotine, alcohol, and marijuana?
nicotine alcohol marijuana
Do the federal laws match the state laws?
no, there is a tension currently a schedule 1 drug New England Journal of Med reclassify as schedule 2 drug Previously not a federal priority however greater enforcement has been a shift forth new administration
Why do so many agree with the popular notion that no exact dosages exist with herbal medicines as they are administered in US?
not covered, not regulated time and method of harvest---> variation of concentration, purity
Soy is used to decrease cholesterol but is it effective in systematic reviews for menopausal symptoms?
not effective for menopause
Of the depressants what is the oldest in history?
opium
How many states allow for medical marijuana use?
over 20
What are the active principles in foxglove?
over 30 glyocides most important- digoxin and digitoxin
Why can the trees in china no longer be used for export?
over-collection
What is the #1 cause of anaphylaixs in humans?
penicillin
What is Deuteromycota a catch all phylum of? Is it a true phylum? What does this group of fungi not perform?
perfect and imperfect they dont have sexual structures imperfect because they dont have sexual reproduction
What are the active principles in tropical yams?
saponins-steroidal compounds
While snakeroot is no longer a main stay in human medicine today in the US, it greatly contributed because of its treatment of what two medical conditions?
schizophrenia
How are the drugs made: plant extraction, semi-synthetically or synthetically?
semi-synthetically
Some hyphae have _________ some are _________ some are _____________
septa, binucleate, coenocytic
Kingdom fungi's classification is based on _________ _____________
sexual reproduction
What are some special concerns with soy supplementation?
short term-constipation, bloating, and nausea. long term-might cause abnormal tissue growth in the uterus.
What are two types of cancers for which the plant is said to induce apoptosis of malignant cells?
skin, prostate, blood and brain.
What are some methods of its delivery medicinally?
smoking and eating it
Can you name two plants that may be useful for ailments of the urinary system? Why are they helpful in a medicinal concept?
stinging nettle and goldenrod
Are mycorrhizae so important for plant health?
symbiosis between a fungus and root "living together" plants and fungi mainly in root system some dont penatrate roots and some do increase absorption of nutrients, minerals and water
What is the worlds most important caffeinated beverage?
tea
What are the two organisms involved in this symbiotic relationship and what do each of the organisms gain from the relationship?
the two organisms are fungi and algae
What are the modern medical applications of quina?
tonic water during WWI drug- kills parasite in blood, effect prophylactic, appetite stimulant, arrhythmia
What enzyme do camptothecins interfere with? What cancers are camptothecins used against?
topoisomerase enzymes (topoisomerase I and II) Ovarian, rectal, and colon
How many trees did it take to treat one person?
two pounds of bark
Why did early humans use hallucinogenic plants?
views on disease purpose of us
What are the four types of teas?
white tea-least caffeine green tea Oolong tea black tea-most caffeine
What is considered to be one of the more widely used topical herbal remedies in the US? Why and how is it useful?
witch hazel it is useful for the treatment of hemorrhoids, cuts, bites, acne, etc
Does garlic effectively reduce cholesterol?
yes
Is St. johns wart an effective as a prescription medication? Does it have the same side effects?
yes yes SSRI and MAOI rx mechanisms
Are most people allergic/horribly allergic to golden rod?
yes usually in late summer and fall
