Animal-derived natural products of Sowa Rigpa medicine: Their pharmacopoeial description, current utilization and zoological identification
Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Short Title:
Journal of EthnopharmacologyAnimal-derived natural products of Sowa Rigpa medicine
Format:
Journal Article
Publication Date:
2017/07/31/
Pages:
192 - 202
Sources ID:
93686
Notes:
Accession Number: 124113709; Yeshi, Karma 1 Morisco, Paolo 2 Wangchuk, Phurpa 3; Email Address: phurpaw@yahoo.com; Affiliation: 1: Wangbama Central School, Thimphu District, Bhutan 2: Health and Wellbeing North Ward, 34 Gregory Street, Townsville, QLD 4810, Australia 3: Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns Campus, QLD 4870, Australia; Source Info: Jul2017, Vol. 207, p192; Subject Term: BIOLOGICAL products; Subject Term: ASIAN medicine; Subject Term: PHARMACOLOGY; Subject Term: BHUTAN; Author-Supplied Keyword: Bhutanese Sowa Rigpa medicine; Author-Supplied Keyword: Health implications; Author-Supplied Keyword: Medicinal animal; Author-Supplied Keyword: Uses of animal parts; Author-Supplied Keyword: Zootherapy; NAICS/Industry Codes: 325414 Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing; Number of Pages: 11p; Document Type: Article
Collection:
Himalayan and Tibetan Medicine
Visibility:
Public (group default)
Abstract:
(Show)
Ethnopharmacological relevance The Bhutanese Sowa Rigpa medicine (BSM) uses animal parts in the preparation of numerous polyingredient traditional remedies. Our study reports the taxonomical identification of medicinal animals and the description of traditional uses in English medical terminologies. Aim of the study To taxonomically identify the medicinal animals and their derived natural products used as a zootherapeutic agents in BSM. Materials and methods First, the traditional textbooks were reviewed to generate a list of animal products described as ingredients. Second, animal parts that are currently used in Bhutan were identified. Third, the ethnopharmacological uses of each animal ingredients were translated into English medical terminologies by consulting Traditional Physicians, clinical assistants, pharmacognosists, and pharmacists in Bhutan. Fourth, the animal parts were taxonomically identified and their Latin names were confirmed by crosschecking them with online animal databases and relevant scientific literature. Results The study found 73 natural products belonging to 29 categories derived from 45 medicinal animals (36 vertebrates and 9 invertebrates), comprising of 9 taxonomic categories and 30 zoological families. Out of 116 formulations currently produced, 87 of them contain one or more extracts and products obtained from 13 medicinal animals to treat more than 124 traditionally classified illnesses. Only five animal ingredients were found available in Bhutan and rest of the animal parts are being imported from India. Conclusions Out of 73 natural products described in the traditional textbooks, only 13 of them (some omitted and few substituted by plants) are currently included in 87 formulations of BSM.