The goal of this thesis was to understand and quantify to what extent plants are used for the treatment of mental and folk illnesses such as susto and mal aire in the Neotropics and to investigate the anxiolytic and antiepileptic potential of previously unstudied Neotropical members of the genera Piper and Peperomia. Firstly, the literature was reviewed and a regression analysis method was used in order to quantitatively determine which plant families are preferred for the treatment of mental, behavioral and neurological health disorders in the Neotropics. This analysis identified Piperaceae, among others, as an important taxonomic group for the treatment of such disorders. Following that lead, a botanical survey was conducted in Peru, where 47 species of Piperaceae and 21 plants traditionally used for folk illnesses by the Yanesha of Peru, an Amazonian ethnic group, were collected. In order to target potential anxiolytic and antiepileptic plants, two high throughput bioassays were used to evaluate the extracts’ in vitro activity on the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system. Plant extracts in general demonstrated moderate to high affinity to the GABA-BZD receptor. Additionally, extracts demonstrated low to moderate activity in the inhibition of the GABA-T enzyme, with a few plants exhibiting promising activity. Plants selected by the Yanesha showed comparable activity to the other Piperaceae plants with Piper cremii being the most active plant in the GABAA assay, and Drymaria cordata in the GABA-T assay. Finally, four phytochemicals from Piper tuerckheimii, a plant regarded as one of the most effective traditional remedy for the treatment of epilepsy and susto by the Q’eqchi’ Maya of Belize presented, were isolated for the first time.

Ph.d.

The goal of this thesis was to understand and quantify to what extent plants are used for the treatment of mental and folk illnesses such as susto and mal aire in the Neotropics and to investigate the anxiolytic and antiepileptic potential of previously unstudied Neotropical members of the genera Piper and Peperomia. Firstly, the literature was reviewed and a regression analysis method was used in order to quantitatively determine which plant families are preferred for the treatment of mental, behavioral and neurological health disorders in the Neotropics. This analysis identified Piperaceae, among others, as an important taxonomic group for the treatment of such disorders. Following that lead, a botanical survey was conducted in Peru, where 47 species of Piperaceae and 21 plants traditionally used for folk illnesses by the Yanesha of Peru, an Amazonian ethnic group, were collected. In order to target potential anxiolytic and antiepileptic plants, two high throughput bioassays were used to evaluate the extracts’ in vitro activity on the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system. Plant extracts in general demonstrated moderate to high affinity to the GABA-BZD receptor. Additionally, extracts demonstrated low to moderate activity in the inhibition of the GABA-T enzyme, with a few plants exhibiting promising activity. Plants selected by the Yanesha showed comparable activity to the other Piperaceae plants with Piper cremii being the most active plant in the GABAA assay, and Drymaria cordata in the GABA-T assay. Finally, four phytochemicals from Piper tuerckheimii, a plant regarded as one of the most effective traditional remedy for the treatment of epilepsy and susto by the Q’eqchi’ Maya of Belize presented, were isolated for the first time.

Orientador: Luis Claudio Di Stasi / Banca: Maria Del Carmen Velazquez Pereda / Banca: Vera Lucia Borges Isaac / Resumo: A pele é uma importante barreira biológica que interage com inúmeros estímulos ambientais. O desequilíbrio entre essas interações pode resultar em alterações metabólicas importantes, como processos inflamatórios freqüentes e agressivos ao tecido cutâneo. Assim, produtos com atividade anti-inflamatória tópica são de grande interesse farmacêutico e cosmético. Physalis angulata L. (camapú) da família Solanaceae ocorre principalmente nas regiões Norte e Nordeste do Brasil, onde é usado na medicina popular como anti-inflamatório e no tratamento de problemas da pele. Com base nestas informações, a espécie foi escolhida para esse estudo, onde avaliamos a atividade anti-inflamatória do extrato de camapú em culturas de queratinócitos humanos. Culturas de queratinócitos foram sensibilizadas com LPS (200 μg/ml) e depois tratadas com o extrato hidrometanólico (70%) liofilizado de camapú nas concentrações 15,23; 7,62; 3,81 μL/mL. Avaliamos a atividade anti-inflamatória no sobrenadante das culturas pela quantificação dos mediadores: Interleucinas 1 alfa (IL-1α), 6 (IL-6) e 10 (IL-10), prostaglandina E2 (PGE2) e histamina através de ensaios imunoenzimáticos (ELISA). Os dados foram submetidos à análise estatística (ANOVA e Dunnett). As duas menores concentrações do extrato foram capazes de reduzir a síntese de histamina em até 70% e, em média, 50% da síntese de PGE2, em comparação aos controles incubados apenas com LPS.A maior concentração avaliada do extrato reduziu em 60% a produção de IL-6 e houve diminuição de 30% para as outras duas concentrações quando comparadas ao controle inflamado, enquanto que as duas maiores concentrações do extrato reduziram em 45% a síntese de IL-1 α. Para o perfil da citocina anti-inflamatória IL-10 apenas a menor concentração do extrato foi capaz de aumentar em 40% a concentração dessa interleucina no ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The skin, as the primary interface between the body and the environment can respond to a great range of environmental stimuli. Altered responses can lead to important alterations in the tissue physiology such as an excessive inflammation condition, which can produce effects ranging from mild discomfort to permanent impairment of tissue integrity. The pharmaceutical and cosmetic use of natural products is increasing; therefore, products with potential anti inflammatory activity are very significant for the research in this area. Physalis angulata L. belongs to the Solanaceae family and grows in the North and Northeast regions of Brazil where it is known as Camapu. It is used in popular medicine as anti inflammatory and for skin disorders. Based on this information the extract of this species was assayed in the search for anti inflammatory activity on human keratinocytes cultures. Theses cultures were incubated with LPS (200μg/ml) and then treated with hydromethanolic (70%) extract of lyophilized P. angulata at three concentrations (1.523x10-2, 7.62x10-3, e 3.81x10-3 mg/ml). We evaluated the anti inflammatory activity in cultures supernatants through quantification of inflammatory mediators: Interleukine-6 (IL-6) and 10 (IL-10), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and histamine.Statistical analysis was performed (ANOVA e Dunnett) and significant difference was taken as p < 0.05. At the lower concentrations the extract was able to reduce 70% the concentration of histamine and 50% of prostaglandin E2. IL-6 concentrations were reduced by the three concentrations of the extract compared to LPS controls, while the two higher concentrations of the extract reduced by 45% the synthesis of IL-1α.For the profile of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 the lowest concentration of the extract was able to increase 40% its concentration in the culture supernatant.These result ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:25:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-05-27Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:53:17Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 checon_jt_me_botib.pdf: 672285 bytes, checksum: d13a0ee5c101a54f8aed60e3139a2121 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / A pele é uma importante barreira biológica que interage com inúmeros estímulos ambientais. O desequilíbrio entre essas interações pode resultar em alterações metabólicas importantes, como processos inflamatórios freqüentes e agressivos ao tecido cutâneo. Assim, produtos com atividade anti-inflamatória tópica são de grande interesse farmacêutico e cosmético. Physalis angulata L. (camapú) da família Solanaceae ocorre principalmente nas regiões Norte e Nordeste do Brasil, onde é usado na medicina popular como anti-inflamatório e no tratamento de problemas da pele. Com base nestas informações, a espécie foi escolhida para esse estudo, onde avaliamos a atividade anti-inflamatória do extrato de camapú em culturas de queratinócitos humanos. Culturas de queratinócitos foram sensibilizadas com LPS (200 μg/ml) e depois tratadas com o extrato hidrometanólico (70%) liofilizado de camapú nas concentrações 15,23; 7,62; 3,81 μL/mL. Avaliamos a atividade anti-inflamatória no sobrenadante das culturas pela quantificação dos mediadores: Interleucinas 1 alfa (IL-1α), 6 (IL-6) e 10 (IL-10), prostaglandina E2 (PGE2) e histamina através de ensaios imunoenzimáticos (ELISA). Os dados foram submetidos à análise estatística (ANOVA e Dunnett). As duas menores concentrações do extrato foram capazes de reduzir a síntese de histamina em até 70% e, em média, 50% da síntese de PGE2, em comparação aos controles incubados apenas com LPS.A maior concentração avaliada do extrato reduziu em 60% a produção de IL-6 e houve diminuição de 30% para as outras duas concentrações quando comparadas ao controle inflamado, enquanto que as duas maiores concentrações do extrato reduziram em 45% a síntese de IL-1 α. Para o perfil da citocina anti-inflamatória IL-10 apenas a menor concentração do extrato foi capaz de aumentar em 40% a concentração dessa interleucina no... / The skin, as the primary interface between the body and the environment can respond to a great range of environmental stimuli. Altered responses can lead to important alterations in the tissue physiology such as an excessive inflammation condition, which can produce effects ranging from mild discomfort to permanent impairment of tissue integrity. The pharmaceutical and cosmetic use of natural products is increasing; therefore, products with potential anti inflammatory activity are very significant for the research in this area. Physalis angulata L. belongs to the Solanaceae family and grows in the North and Northeast regions of Brazil where it is known as Camapu. It is used in popular medicine as anti inflammatory and for skin disorders. Based on this information the extract of this species was assayed in the search for anti inflammatory activity on human keratinocytes cultures. Theses cultures were incubated with LPS (200μg/ml) and then treated with hydromethanolic (70%) extract of lyophilized P. angulata at three concentrations (1.523x10-2, 7.62x10-3, e 3.81x10-3 mg/ml). We evaluated the anti inflammatory activity in cultures supernatants through quantification of inflammatory mediators: Interleukine-6 (IL-6) and 10 (IL-10), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and histamine.Statistical analysis was performed (ANOVA e Dunnett) and significant difference was taken as p < 0.05. At the lower concentrations the extract was able to reduce 70% the concentration of histamine and 50% of prostaglandin E2. IL-6 concentrations were reduced by the three concentrations of the extract compared to LPS controls, while the two higher concentrations of the extract reduced by 45% the synthesis of IL-1α.For the profile of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 the lowest concentration of the extract was able to increase 40% its concentration in the culture supernatant.These result ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-03T11:52:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2014-08-01Bitstream added on 2015-03-03T12:07:30Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000810656_20160801.pdf: 86798 bytes, checksum: c95dbe3dea15115000f5beb4b44d8ca2 (MD5) Bitstreams deleted on 2016-08-01T11:30:01Z: 000810656_20160801.pdf,. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2016-08-01T11:30:57Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000810656.pdf: 583088 bytes, checksum: 21d7bafc560f11cd4f878818b559b086 (MD5) / Dentre os vários sintomas indesejáveis presentes no climatério, o aumento do peso corporal, principalmente concentrado no abdômen, como também o aumento da ansiedade e da depressão incomodam e prejudicam o bem estar e a saúde da mulher nesta fase. Considerando que a terapia de reposição hormonal encontra muita resistência devido a seus potenciais efeitos adversos, principalmente relacionados à manifestação do câncer de mama, torna-se premente a busca por novas alternativas terapêuticas de reposição hormonal que minimizem os sinais e sintomas presentes no climatério, especialmente controlando o perfil lipídico, como também, se possível, regulando e mitigando a manifestação da ansiedade e da depressão, sem o comprometimento/prejuízo de outras funções orgânicas. Dentre os componentes já descritos do Solanum lycocarpum, o alcaloide esteroidal solasodina é precursor de esteroides farmacologicamente ativos, e assim, poderia se constituir em um potencial fitoterápico a ser utilizado por mulheres em períodos de baixa concentração hormonal (esteroides sexuais). Existem relatos que o Solanum lycocarpum apresenta ação hipoglicemiante, calmante e sedativa, mas ainda não se identificou estudos que envolvam uma abordagem dessa planta nesta fase de vida da mulher. Considerando a disponibilidade acessível e abundante dessa planta no cerrado regional, foi delineado um estudo experimental com o objetivo de identificar os biocompostos presentes nos frutos de Solanum lycocarpum e avaliar o efeito do uso do extrato hidroalcoólico deste, sobre o peso corporal e também sobre respostas comportamentais relacionadas à ansiedade e depressão de ratas, utilizando-se modelos animais de ansiedade e depressão: Labirinto em Cruz Elevado (LCE) e o Teste do Nado Forçado (TNF). As doses foram administradas cronicamente através de gavagem (sondagem orogástrica). Além da análise do comportamento... / Among the many undesirable symptoms during the climacterium, body weight gain, mainly concentrated in the abdominal area, as well as increased anxiety and depression, annoy and harm the well-being and health of women at this stage. Whereas hormone replacement therapy deals with much resistance because of its potential adverse effects, mainly related to the manifestation of breast cancer, it is urgent the search for new therapeutic alternatives for hormone replacement in order to minimize the signs and symptoms during menopause, especially controlling the lipid profile, but also, if possible, regulating and mitigating the manifestation of anxiety and depression, without compromising / losing any other bodily functions. Among the components already described of Solanum lycocarpum A. St.-Hil., the alcaloide esteroidal solasodina is precursor of pharmacologically active steroids and thus it could constitute a potential herbal medicine to be used by women during periods of low hormone concentrations (sex steroids). There are reports in which Solanum lycocarpum A. St.-Hil. shows hypoglycemic, soothing and sedative action, but there is a lack of studies investigating the potencial use of this plant at this stage of woman"s life. Considering the affordable and abundant availability of this plant in the regional cerrado, an experimental study was designed aiming to identify biocompounds in the fruits of Solanum lycocarpum A. St.-Hil. and evaluate the effect of using its hydroalcoholic extract. In addition, this study assessed the effects of administering this extract on body weight and behavioral responses related to anxiety and depression in rats, using animal models of anxiety and depression: the elevated plus maze (EPM) and the forced swimming test (FST). Doses were administered chronically by gavage (orogastric probe). Besides the analysis of behavior and body weight other variables were observed...

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico / A depressÃo à uma doenÃa recorrente e incapacitante cujo tratamento està relacionado com modulaÃÃes nos sistemas monoaminÃrgicos em diversas Ãreas cerebrais. A riparina III (ripIII), isolada do fruto verde de Aniba riparia, apresentou, em estudos prÃvios, efeito antidepressivo. Dessa forma, objetivando investigar o potencial antidepressivo da ripIII, foram realizados testes comportamentais como o nado forÃado (TNF), suspensÃo da cauda (TSC), hipotermia induzida por apomorfina e campo aberto. Para avaliar o envolvimento das monoaminas, os animais foram prÃ-tratados com antagonistas especÃficos para receptores 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A/2C e 5-HT3 de serotonina (5-HT), D1 e D2 de dopamina (DA) e a1 e a2 de noradrenalina (NA) no TNF. AlÃm disso, os animais prÃ-tratados com ripIII e submetidos ou nÃo ao TNF tiveram as Ãreas cerebrais hipocampo, corpo estriado e cÃrtex prÃ-frontal retiradas para detecÃÃo dos nÃveis de monoaminas ou para realizaÃÃo dos experimentos de estresse oxidativo, investigando a atividade enzimÃtica da catalase e superÃxido dismutase, quantificando os nÃveis de glutationa reduzida (GSH) e nitrito/nitrato, alÃm do grau de lipoperoxidaÃÃo. A ripIII foi administrada agudamente, por via oral, na dose de 50 mg/kg, em todos os testes. Os resultados mostraram que a ripIII apresentou efeito antidepressivo nos modelos TNF e TSC sugerindo ser especÃfico, uma vez que os animais nÃo apresentaram alteraÃÃes na atividade locomotora no campo aberto. AlÃm disso, no TNF, os antagonistas sulpirida (D2), prazosina (a1), ioimbina (a2), NAN-190 (5-HT1A) e ondansentron (5-HT3) reverteram o tempo de imobilidade da ripIII sugerindo a participaÃÃo desses receptores para o efeito da substÃncia, enquanto nÃo houve alteraÃÃo deste efeito na presenÃa dos antagonistas SCH23390 (D1) e ritanserina (5- HT2A/2C) mostrando o nÃo envolvimento desses receptores no efeito da droga. A ripIII nÃo foi capaz de reverter a hipotermia induzida por apomorfina, que na dose utilizada, induz hipotermia por modular receptores b-adrenÃrgicos, sugerindo que o efeito da ripIII nÃo està relacionado com esses receptores. A ripIII apÃs o TNF, em corpo estriado e cÃrtex prÃfrontal, aumentou os nÃveis de DA, 5-HT e NA, diminuiu os metabÃlitos DOPAC, HVA, 5- HIAA e as taxas metabÃlicas e, no hipocampo, aumentou 5-HT e NA alÃm do metabÃlito 5- HIAA, mas manteve as taxas metabÃlicas. A administraÃÃode ripIII, antes do TNF, reverteu o aumento nos nÃveis de peroxidaÃÃo lipÃdica e nitrito-nitrato, reduziu a atividade da catalase mas aumentou os nÃveis de GSH em hipocampo, corpo estriado e cÃrtex prÃfrontal. Esses parÃmetros nÃo foram alterados nos animais nÃo submetidos ao estresse. Em conclusÃo, o estudo sugere uma aÃÃo moduladora, exercida por ripIII, sobre o funcionamento dos sistemas noradrenÃrgico, dopaminÃrgico e serotonÃrgico, em nÃvel central, como mecanismo para o efeito antidepressivo no TNF, bem como a participaÃÃo de propriedades antioxidantes diretas ou indiretas dessa droga, atravÃs da capacidade de modificar a resposta ao estresse oxidativo neuronal. / Depression is a disabling and recurrent disease whose treatment is related to modulations in monoaminergic systems in several brain areas. Riparin III (ripIII), isolated from unripe fruit of Aniba riparia, has shown previously antidepressant-like effects. Thus, in order to investigate the antidepressant effect of ripIII, behavioral experiments were performed, as the forced swim (FST), tail suspension (TST), apomorphine-induced hypothermia and open field tests. To assess the involvement of monoaminergic system, animals were pretreated with specific antagonists to 5-HT1A-, 5-HT2A/2C-, and 5-HT3-serotonin (5-HT) receptors, to D1- and D2-dopamine (DA) receptors and to &#61537;1- and &#61537;2-noradrenaline (NA) receptors in FST. Further, animals pretreated with ripIII and submitted or not to the FST had their brain areas such as hippocampus, striatum and prefrontal cortex removed for detection of monoamine levels or to carry out the experiments of oxidative stress, in which, it was investigated enzymatic activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase, measured the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and nitrite/nitrate, and lipid peroxidation degree. RipIII was acutely administered orally at a dose of 50 mg/kg in all tests. The results showed that ripIII presented antidepressant effect on the FST and TST suggesting that this effect is specific, since the animals showed no changes in locomotor activity in open field test. In the evaluation of monoaminergic systems, the results showed that the antagonists sulpiride (D2), prazosin (&#61537;1), yohimbine (&#61537;2), NAN-190 (5-HT1A) and ondansentron (5-HT3) reversed the immobility time of ripIII on the FST suggesting the involvement of these receptors, while no change of this effect in the presence of the antagonists SCH23390 (D1) and ritanserin (5-HT2A/2C) was observed, suggesting non-participation of these receptors in the drug effect. RipIII was unable to reverse the hypothermia induced by apomorphine that at the dose used, modulates &#61538;-adrenergic receptors inducing hypothermia, suggesting that the effect of ripIII is not related to these receptors. RipIII, after FST, in the striatum and prefrontal cortex, increased levels of DA, 5-HT and NA, decreased DOPAC, HVA, 5-HIAA metabolites and decreased metabolic rates, and in the hippocampus, increased 5-HT and NA and 5-HIAA metabolite, but maintained metabolic rates. The prior administration of ripIII before the forced swimming, reversed the increased levels of lipid peroxidation and nitrite-nitrate, reduced the activity of catalase but increased levels of GSH in hippocampus, striatum and prefrontal cortex. These parameters were not altered in animals not exposed to stress. In conclusion, the study suggests a modulating action exerted by ripIII on the functioning of the noradrenergic, dopaminergic and serotonergic levels in the brain, as a mechanism for the antidepressant effect in the FST, as well as the participation of direct or indirect antioxidant properties of this drug through the ability to modify the neuronal response to oxidative stress

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2016-02-17T10:25:39Z No. of bitstreams: 1 alinemoreiradesiqueira.pdf: 2105727 bytes, checksum: 29acaed509de36f8cddd92593252a185 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2016-02-26T12:42:27Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 alinemoreiradesiqueira.pdf: 2105727 bytes, checksum: 29acaed509de36f8cddd92593252a185 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-02-26T12:42:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 alinemoreiradesiqueira.pdf: 2105727 bytes, checksum: 29acaed509de36f8cddd92593252a185 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-22 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Comunidades tradicionais, tais como os quilombolas, descendentes de escravos, utilizam recursos naturais como recursos terapêuticos para o tratamento de doenças. O objetivo dessa pesquisa foi realizar um estudo etnofarmacológico na comunidade quilombola São Sebastião da Boa Vista, município de Santos Dumont, MG/Brasil. O trabalho de campo, com duração de 19 meses, foram orientados por métodos da antropologia, botânica e zoologia. Um entrevistado autointitulado ou indicado pela família foi selecionado em cada uma das 26 casas da comunidade para o estudo. Foram utilizadas análises estatísticas para obtenção do Valor de Uso e Concordância de Usos principais corrigidos das plantas. Um total de 106 plantas e três animais foi relatado em 366 receitas compreendidas em 53 fins terapêuticos. Estes foram incluídos em 15 categorias de uso, destacando-se: doenças do aparelho respiratório, doenças do sistema circulatório, doenças da pele e do tecido, doenças do aparelho geniturinário, doenças infecciosas intestinais. Dos 26 que fazem uso da medicina local, há uma bruxa e uma benzedeira. Do total de plantas, 101 foram identificadas até nível especifico sendo dessas, 40% são nativas do Brasil e a maioria das exóticas é proveniente da Ásia e Europa, totalizando 49 famílias botânicas. Os recursos terapêuticos não vegetais mencionados com seus respectivos usos foram: “chifre de boi” para verme e dor de barriga, “casco de tatu” para sinusite, “espinha de peixe” para a memória e “barro” para anemia. Das 22 espécies selecionadas para confrontar com a literatura científica, 21 foram encontradas confirmação quanto ao uso principal. Portanto, a comunidade faz uso de plantas e animais para fins terapêuticos e o uso destas plantas está respaldado pelo conhecimento científico, porém o estudo revelou o uso relevante de espécies exóticas. / Traditional communities, such as the quilombolas, descendants of slaves, use natural resources as therapeutic resources for the treatment of diseases. The objective of this research is to realize a quilombola community ethnopharmacological study in São Sebastião da Boa Vista , the city of Santos Dumont, MG / Brazil . 19 months of fieldwork were driven methods of anthropology, botany and zoology . A self-styled reference of each of the 26 homes in the community was selected for the study. Value of Use and Agreement Uses major fixed plant analyzes were used. A total of 108 plants and three animals were cited in 139 recipes comprising 31 therapeutic purposes. These were included in 15 categories of use, especially: respiratory diseases, diseases of the circulatory system, diseases of the skin and tissue, genitourinary diseases, intestinal infectious diseases. Of the 26 that make use of local medicine, there is a witch and a prayer maker. 106 plants, 101 of which were identified to specific level and seis to genus were raised. Of these 101 species, 40 % are native to Brazil and most exotic is from Asia and Europe, totaling 49 botanical families. Therapeutic resources vegetables not mentioned with their respective uses were " bull's horn " to worm and stomachache , " hull Armadillo " for sinusitis , " herringbone " into memory and " clay " to anemia. Based on the Value of Use, the 10 plants that stood out and all four are native showed coincidence as the principal use and their pharmacological activity reported in the scientific literature. Therefore, the community makes use of plants and animals for therapeutic purposes and the use of these plants is backed by scientific knowledge, but the study revealed the relevant use and compromising of exotic species.

The goal of this thesis was to understand and quantify to what extent plants are used for the treatment of mental and folk illnesses such as susto and mal aire in the Neotropics and to investigate the anxiolytic and antiepileptic potential of previously unstudied Neotropical members of the genera Piper and Peperomia. Firstly, the literature was reviewed and a regression analysis method was used in order to quantitatively determine which plant families are preferred for the treatment of mental, behavioral and neurological health disorders in the Neotropics. This analysis identified Piperaceae, among others, as an important taxonomic group for the treatment of such disorders. Following that lead, a botanical survey was conducted in Peru, where 47 species of Piperaceae and 21 plants traditionally used for folk illnesses by the Yanesha of Peru, an Amazonian ethnic group, were collected. In order to target potential anxiolytic and antiepileptic plants, two high throughput bioassays were used to evaluate the extracts’ in vitro activity on the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system. Plant extracts in general demonstrated moderate to high affinity to the GABA-BZD receptor. Additionally, extracts demonstrated low to moderate activity in the inhibition of the GABA-T enzyme, with a few plants exhibiting promising activity. Plants selected by the Yanesha showed comparable activity to the other Piperaceae plants with Piper cremii being the most active plant in the GABAA assay, and Drymaria cordata in the GABA-T assay. Finally, four phytochemicals from Piper tuerckheimii, a plant regarded as one of the most effective traditional remedy for the treatment of epilepsy and susto by the Q’eqchi’ Maya of Belize presented, were isolated for the first time.

No / An ethnobiological field study on food plants and medicinal foods traditionally consumed in three Arbëresh (ethnic Albanian) communities in northern Lucania (southern Italy) document approximately 120 botanical taxa used for these purposes. Non-domesticated food vegetables (liakra), mostly gathered during the spring season, play a central role as traditional functional food. Quantitative ethnobotanical, ethnotaxonomical, ethnoecological, ethnogastronomical, and ethnopharmacological aspects related to gathering, processing, cooking and consumption of liakra are discussed. Unusual food species, such as Lycium europeaum, Centaurea calcitrapa, and a few spontaneous weedy Asteraceae and Brassicaceae species are locally used in the kitchen. Most of these are very poorly known phytochemically and phytopharmacologically. Moreover, an analysis of taste perception of the most commonly used botanical foods was conducted in the village of Ginestra. Arbëresh taste classification and indigenous criteria related to the perception of bitter taste in considering non-cultivated plants as food or medicine are discussed as well.