Introducción a la etnofarmacología de la Sierra de Albera (Gerona) / Introduçao à etnofarmacologia da Serra de Albera (Girona, Espanha) / Introduction to ethnopharmacology in the Sierra de la Albera (Girona, Spain)

Se ha realizado un studio etnobotánico preliminar en la vertiente sur de la sierra de la Albera, situada al noroeste de Cataluña, y noroeste de la comarca del Alto Ampurdán (Gerona). Esta zona cubre 277 km2 y tiene una población de 12.452 habitantes. Para ello, se ha entrevistado a 18 personas, se han identificado las plantas reportadas y se han analizados los resultados en comparación con los de otros territorios. Se ha recogido la información etnobotánica sobre 155 especies de plantas pertenecientes a 67 familias, con 655 informes de uso de los cuales 7 son de elementos inorgánicos o de origen animal. Las especies más veces citadas han sido: Thymus vulgaris, Rosmarinus officinalis, Sambucus nigra y Urtica dioica y las familias más citadas han sido las Compuestas y las Labiadas; las enfermedades con más usos reportados han sido las relacionadas con el aparato digestivo (AU)

Foi efectuado um estudo introductorio etnobotánico no sul da Serra de Albera, localizad no noroeste da Catalunha e regiao nordeste do Alto Ampurdán (Girona). A área abrange 277 km2, com uma populaçao de 15.452 habitantes. Foram entrevistadas 18 pessoas, identificaram-se as plantas utilizadas, e compararam-se os resultados com os de outros territórios. Foram recolhidas informaçoes etnobotánicas sobre 155 espécies pertencentes a 67 famílias, com 655 relatórios de uso dos quais 7 correspondem a productos inorgánicos ou animais. As espécies mais citadas foram Thymus vulgaris, Rosmarinus officinalis, Sambucus nigra e Urtica dioica, sendo as famílias as famílias Compositae e Labiatae as mais citadas; as doenças com mais utilizaçoes relatadas foram as gastrointestinais (AU)

An ethnobotanical introductory study has been conducted in Southern Sierra de la Albera, located in the northwest of Catalonia and northeastern región of Alto Ampurdán (Gerona). The area covers 277 km2 with a population of 12.452 inhabitants. We have interviewed 18 people, identifying the plants reported, and we have compared results with those of other territories. Information on 155 species belonging to 67 botanical families has been collected with 655 use reports of which 7 correspond to inorganic or animal products. The most cited species were Thymus vulgaris, Rosmarinus officinalis, Sambucus nigra and Urtica dioica with Compositae and Labiatae the most cited families. Gastrointestinal diseases were those with more reported uses (AU)

[Characteristics and innovation in projects of ethnomedicine and ethnopharmacology funded by National Natural Science Foundation of China].

The overall situation of projects of ethnomedicine and ethnopharmacology funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) since 2008 has been presented in this paper. The main source of characteristics and innovation of the funded projects were summarized, which may come from several aspects, such as the ethnomedical theories, the dominant diseases of ethnomedicine, special diseases in ethnic minorities inhabited areas, unique ethnomedical therapy, special methods for applying medication, endemic medicinal materials in ethnic minorities inhabited areas, same medicinal materials with different applications. Examples have been provided to give references to the applicants in the fields of ethnomedicine and ethnopharmacology.

Variability in the efficacy of psychopharmaceuticals: contributions from pharmacogenomics, ethnopsychopharmacology, and psychological and psychiatric anthropologies.

Psychological and psychiatric anthropology have long questioned the universality of psychiatric diagnoses, bringing to light the fluidity of mental disorder, and recognizing that the experience and expression of psychopathology is influenced by complex and interacting genetic, environmental, and cultural factors. The majority of our discussions, however, have remained centered around the role of culture in shaping mental illness: drawing attention to subjective experiences of mental illness and culturally patterned modes of symptom presentation, and interrogating the cogency of universal diagnostic rubrics. Psychological and psychiatric anthropology have yet to robustly engage the broadly assumed universal validity of psychiatric medications and the ways in which they are prescribed and experienced. This article provides an introduction into the fields of pharmacogenomics and ethnopsychopharmacology, areas of inquiry seeking to understand the ways in which genetic variability occurring between, and within, large population groups influences individual ability to metabolize psychotropic medications. This piece further addresses the complex issue of psychopharmaceutical efficacy, stressing the ways in which, just as with psychopathology, medications and their outcomes are likewise influenced by the complex interactions of genes, environment, and culture. Lastly, ways in which anthropology can and should engage with the growing fields of pharmacogenomics and ethnopsychopharmacology are suggested.

A role for physicians in ethnopharmacology and drug discovery.

Ethnopharmacology investigations classically involved traditional healers, botanists, anthropologists, chemists and pharmacologists. The role of some groups of researchers but not of physician has been highlighted and well defined in ethnopharmacological investigations. Historical data shows that discovery of several important modern drugs of herbal origin owe to the medical knowledge and clinical expertise of physicians. Current trends indicate negligible role of physicians in ethnopharmacological studies. Rising cost of modern drug development is attributed to the lack of classical ethnopharmacological approach. Physicians can play multiple roles in the ethnopharmacological studies to facilitate drug discovery as well as to rescue authentic traditional knowledge of use of medicinal plants. These include: (1) Ethnopharmacological field work which involves interviewing healers, interpreting traditional terminologies into their modern counterparts, examining patients consuming herbal remedies and identifying the disease for which an herbal remedy is used. (2) Interpretation of signs and symptoms mentioned in ancient texts and suggesting proper use of old traditional remedies in the light of modern medicine. (3) Clinical studies on herbs and their interaction with modern medicines. (4) Advising pharmacologists to carryout laboratory studies on herbs observed during field studies. (5) Work in collaboration with local healers to strengthen traditional system of medicine in a community. In conclusion, physician's involvement in ethnopharmacological studies will lead to more reliable information on traditional use of medicinal plants both from field and ancient texts, more focused and cheaper natural product based drug discovery, as well as bridge the gap between traditional and modern medicine.