Self-medication in nonhuman primates: A systematic evaluation of the possible function of the use of medicinal plants.

Animal self-medication is thought to provide an adaptive advantage, as species would actively respond to a disease state or homeostatic imbalances. In wild nonhuman primates, it is challenging to differentiate plant use as part of the diet or as medication, especially because self-medication can be preventive or therapeutic. Here, we aimed to compile the available potential evidence on primate self-medication modes, investigating which proposed requirements are fulfilled for each plant species reported to date. We systematically reviewed the scientific literature on plant use for potential self-medication in wild nonhuman primates. To construct the extensive database, we extracted data on the primate species, study area, plant/plant's part used, the requirement(s) met for demonstrating self-medication modes, and self-medicative behavioral patterns. We also updated available information on plant's biological compounds and/or physical characteristics, pharmacological properties, and ethnomedical uses. We identified 575 plant species (135 families), used by 25 primate species (9 families). Plants were used by Old World monkeys (46.5%, n = 268 plant species), followed by apes (41%, n = 235), New World monkeys (13.4%, n = 77), and prosimians (1%, n = 6). We found three general types of self-medicative behaviors: ingestion (including, but not limited to, leaf-swallowing, seed-swallowing, and bitter pith chewing), topical (fur-rubbing), and nest fumigation. Plant uses were associated with antiparasitic, antibacterial, antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, insect repellent, among other properties. Self-medication is widespread in nonhuman primate species across Central and South America, Africa, Madagascar, and Asia. Long-term field research efforts and studies integrating different research sites and topics are urgent to advance our knowledge into the evolution of plant selection, medical traditions, and to bring insights into potentially novel medicinal plants and bioactive compounds to treat emergent or established primate and human diseases.

Crescimento e produção do maracujazeiro amarelo, sob diferentes fontes e doses de fósforo em cobertura / Growth and production of yellow passion fruits plants under different sources and doses of phosphorus

O Brasil é o maior produtor mundial do maracujazeiro amarelo, uma cultura exigente em nutrientes, mas pouco estudada quanto à adubação fosfatada, fundamental no estabelecimento da cultura. Nesse sentido, um experimento foi desenvolvido no período de março de 2010 a abril de 2011, no município de Remígio, PB, objetivando avaliar os atributos vegetativo e produtivo do maracujazeiro amarelo cultivar IAC 273/277 + 275 sob adubação com diferentes fontes e doses de fósforo em cobertura. O ensaio foi instalado em blocos ao acaso, em três repetições e 12 plantas por parcela, num arranjo fatorial de 2 x 5, referente às fontes de superfosfato simples e triplo, nas doses de 0, 12, 18, 24 e 30 g de P2O5 cova-1. Foram avaliadas as seguintes variáveis: diâmetro do caule, número de ramos produtivos, número de frutos por planta, massa média de frutos, produção por planta e produtividade. As fontes e doses de fósforo influenciam o crescimento e produção do maracujazeiro amarelo. O superfosfato triplo é a fonte fosfatada mais eficiente para o crescimento e produção do maracujazeiro amarelo. A dose com a máxima produtividade de maracujazeiro amarelo é 42,86 g de superfosfato triplo.

Brazil is the largest world producer of yellow passion fruit, a fruit crop which is exigent in nutrients, although little studied in relation to phosphorus fertilizing, fundamental on plant establishment. An experiment was carried out during the period of March/2010 to April/2011 in Remígio County, Paraiba State, Brazil, in order to evaluate the vegetative and productive attributes of yellow passion fruit plants under different sources and doses of phosphorus. Treatments were distributed in randomized blocks in tree replications and twelve plants by plot using the factorial design 2 x 5 referring the sources of superphosphate triple and superphosphate simple at levels P2O5 of 0, 12, 18, 24 and 30 g cave-1. The following variables were recorded: stem diameter, number of productive branches, number of fruits per plant, fruit mass and fruit yield. The sources and doses of phosphorus affected growth and fruit production of yellow passion plants. The triple superphosphate is the most phosphorus efficient source for growth and fruit production of yellow passion fruit. The triple superphosphate dose which promoted the maximum yield of yellow passion fruit is 42.86 g.