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Using ecological criteria to design plant collection strategies for drug discovery

2003; Wiley; Volume: 1; Issue: 8 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1890/1540-9295(2003)001[0421

1540-9309

Phyllis D. Coley, María V. Heller, Rafael Aizprúa, Blanca Araúz, Nayda Flores, Mireya Correa, Mahabir P. Gupta, Pablo N. Solís, Eduardo Ortega-Barrı́a, Luz Romero, Basilio Gómez, Marla Ramos, Luis Cubilla‐Rios, Todd L. Capson, Thomas A. Kursar,

Transgenic Plants and Applications

Tropical forests are one of the most diverse and endangered habitats on earth. They have also been portrayed as a source of future pharmaceuticals, yet finding useful compounds can be both scientifically and politically challenging. Increasingly, over the past decade, the potential value of medicinal compounds derived from plants, microorganisms, and animals has been proposed as a tangible benefit of biodiversity, and therefore a basis for promoting its preservation. Ecological theories of plant defense can increase the probability of discovering compounds with activity in bioassays against human disease targets. In addition, conducting research in tropical countries with local scientists provides immediate and lasting benefits for the sustainable use of biodiversity. This new approach to drug discovery has been effective in identifying bioactive leads. It is both an important step towards understanding the medicinal value of biodiversity, and a practical way to link drug discovery with conservation.