Medicinal Plant papers by Sylvia A D J O A Mitchell
and is leader of its Medicinal Plant Biotechnology Group ahe initiated in 1999. Dr, Mitchell was ... more and is leader of its Medicinal Plant Biotechnology Group ahe initiated in 1999. Dr, Mitchell was born in Ghana and came with her family to Jamaica, when she was nine. From UWI she received a double major BSc in Geography and Botany, and later a PhD in Biotechnology, and was named in February 2019 as one of the 70+ UWI Women of Distinction. Here areas of specialization are plant tissue culture (>35 yrs), ethnobotany (>20 yrs) and technology commercialization. Her area of focus is developing medicinal bio-businesses with rural folks using Jamaican-grown plants. The plants studied by the group include yam, neem, pineapple, ginger, turmeric, chainy root, sarsaparilla, sweet potato, fever grass, bottlebrush and bamboo. She believes we can harness the potential of plant biodiversity in a sustainable and environmentally-friendly way as nutritious food, herbs, spices, fine chemicals, medicinals, nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, aromatherapeuticals, furniture, bio-soil products and biofuels through the judicious and tailored use of biotechnology, a goal towards which she is diligently working.
IUCN, 2019
The designation of geographical entities in this book, and the presentation of the material, do n... more The designation of geographical entities in this book, and the presentation of the material, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the IUCN, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) or the UN Environment concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the IUCN, the GEF or the UNEnvironment. This product has been produced with the support of United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment), and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) under the framework of the project Advancing the Nagoya Protocol in Countries in the Caribbean Region.
Jamaican Gleaner, 2007
ALOE VERA is a plant that is native to East and South Africa, but is cultivated in the West Indie... more ALOE VERA is a plant that is native to East and South Africa, but is cultivated in the West Indies and in Southern United States. The plant is unable to withstand cold conditions which make the Caribbean ideal planting ground for this world-recognised plant. The aloe family belongs to the xeroids, which are desert plants. Almost all xeroids have a special chemical make-up to close any wound almost immediately so the plant will not lose its precious water. The wound heals quickly, and so will ours if aloe sap is placed on it. Aloe vera leaves are thick and fleshy with a gel-like substance which contains many of aloe's medicinal properties. The aloe plant is made up of 96 per cent water. The remaining four per cent contains active ingredients such as essential oils, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, enzymes, triperpenes, glycoproteins, glycosides and polysaccharides.
Jamaica Observer, 2020
Stop bashing the bush. All doctors are bush doctors and all medicine is bush medicine. God gave t... more Stop bashing the bush. All doctors are bush doctors and all medicine is bush medicine. God gave the leaves of the trees to us for the healing of the nations (Revelation 22:2).
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) grown in Jamaica was studied for its naturally occurring linear diarylhe... more Turmeric (Curcuma longa) grown in Jamaica was studied for its naturally occurring linear diarylheptanoid compounds namely curcumin, Bis-Demethoxy Curcumin (BDMC), Demethoxy Curucmin (DMC) and for its antioxidant activity. Evaluations were conducted on the basis of whether or not there were any potential effects of blanching, harvest time and location of growth on the quantity and quality of turmeric oleoresins. The highest antioxidant activity of 92.86% was obtained from turmeric rhizomes grown in the parish of Hanover while the highest turmeric oleoresin yields of 14.87% were obtained from the 15 minute blanched-treated turmeric rhizomes. With a new analog-selective RP-HPLC method, the curcumin, DMC, and BDMC were qualified and quantified. It was found that the highest yield of curcumin content of 22.69% was obtained from the 15 minute 'blanched' samples grown in the parish of Hanover from the 1 st harvest period of the study. An analytical method validation with linear equations and correlation of regressions of R 2 =0.9991, R 2 =0.9993, R 2 =0.9998 and R 2 =0.9992 for inter-day precision analyses were performed to validate the HPLC method.
in Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology-plant, 42(5): 467-472, 2006
This study investigated factors affecting the production of somatic embryos in Blighia sapida (ac... more This study investigated factors affecting the production of somatic embryos in Blighia sapida (ackee). Explants obtained from fully expanded leaves or cotyledons of immature zygotic embryos excised from brown (BSCZE) or green seeds (GSCZE) were cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 9, 18 and 36μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 4.4 or 22.1 μM benzylaminopurine (BAP) or 0.2–19.9 μM thidiazuron (TDZ). Leaf explants grown on media supplemented with the different combinations of 2,4-D and BAP formed callus, but they were non-embryogenic, while explants were not responsive on TDZ-supplemented media. GSCZE explants grown in the presence of 2,4-D/BAP combinations of 9/4.4, 18/4.4 or 36/4.4 μM formed non-embryogenic callus profusely, but explants gave rise to organized globular protuberances (GPs) and non-embryogenic callus on media containing TDZ, with the best concentration at 0.4 μM. BSCZE explants grown on TDZ-supplemented media also formed callus, but no GPs were detected. When GPs were cultured on media containing TDZ and abscisic acid they (ABA), gave rise to the highest number of somatic embryos. The medium was also beneficial for the development of somatic embryos from the globular to cotyledonary stage.
In Vitro Cell Dev Biol 44(2): 112-118, 2008
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2011, 137: 305-311, 2011
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The work described in this paper aimed to study the prevalence of... more ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The work described in this paper aimed to study the prevalence of herbal medicine use in treating illness and concomitant use with pharmaceutical medicines in Jamaica. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey using a structured questionnaire was administered by a trained interviewer to randomly selected adults in systematically selected households within randomly selected urban and rural clusters. Categorical data analysis was performed using Stata version 10 software. RESULTS: 91.4% (372/407) of selected people agreed to participate. 72.6% (270/372) self-medicated with herbs within the previous year. Commonly treated were illnesses of the respiratory system (RS, 77.8% (210/270)), gastrointestinal tract (GIT, 53.3% (144/270)) and health maintenance using tonics (29.6% (80/270)). 26.7% (72/270) of respondents used pharmaceuticals concomitantly with medicinal plants. Commonly treated were illnesses of the RS (20.4% (55/270)), GIT (13.7% (37/270)) and hypertension (10.0% (27/270)). 19.4% (14/72) of physicians knew of such practices. There was significant association of herb use with/without drugs with age (p<0.001), employment status (p<0.001), religion (p=0.004), gender (p=0.02) and educational level (p= 0.031). Thus prevalence of herb use alone was greatest amongst people aged 35–44 and 45–54 years; those employed; Rastafarians; those without health insurance; males and people who had completed secondary education. Whilst prevalence of concomitant herb–drug use was greater amongst people aged 65 years and older; those retired; those of religions other than Rastafarians and Christians, females and people who had attained primary education and below. CONCLUSIONS: Self-medication with herbs in Jamaica is highly prevalent and highest for self-limiting conditions of the RS, GIT and health maintenance with tonics. Concomitant herb and drug use is highest for self-limiting conditions of the RS, GIT and hypertension, and the use of combined therapy highlights the need for investigations on potential drug–herb interactions. Physicians have limited awareness and knowledge of such concomitant usage, further highlighting the need for increased dialogue with patients, knowledge of medicinal plants and their uses and a heightened pharmacovigilance to avoid adversities that may arise from potential drug–herb interactions.
Jamaica Journal, 2006
ABSTRACT Jamaica has a rich plant heritage – with over 2,888 known species of flowering plants of... more ABSTRACT Jamaica has a rich plant heritage – with over 2,888 known species of flowering plants of which 784 (27%) are endemic (found only in Jamaica). Jamaica also has a rich heritage in medicinal plant research, beginning with the foundation of the University of the West Indies in 1948 and continues this day with research conducted at UWI, SRC, UTECH and NCU. Most of this research has required many trips into the “bush” and many extractions to find out which natural products were responsible for what effect – and what the efficacy and toxicology of these products were. With the increasing interest in botanicals and the increased erosion of our “wild” areas, it has become imperative for further development of this industry to go hand-in-hand with conservation efforts.
The Environmental Foundation of Jamaica is very cognizant of this fact and charged The Biotechnology Centre, UWI to begin work towards the “Establishment of medicinal Plant Gene Banks” beginning with a two year project running from July 2003 – June 2006. This funding has allowed for a concerted effort to be made to preserve our plants and knowledge about our plants.by the establishment of ex situ conservation gene banks. During this project, gene banks of medicinal trees, shrubs, herbs and vines are being established on the Mona Campus of UWI, Hope Gardens and a smaller collection will be established at the Institute of Jamaica. While there have been previous attempts to gather some of our medicinal plants into one location – those efforts were neither comprehensive nor long-lasting. It is hoped, by having a medicinal plant gene bank on the Mona Campus of UWI, the effort can be more permanent and can be a feeder for more extensive efforts.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Feb 2013
Ethnopharmacological relevance: Hyptis verticillata Jacq. (Lamiaceae) (John Charles) is an import... more Ethnopharmacological relevance: Hyptis verticillata Jacq. (Lamiaceae) (John Charles) is an important medicinal plant with a long history of traditional use, originating in Central America and now extending from Florida to Colombia and across the Caribbean. Records of its earliest use date back to the ancient Mayan and Aztec cultures of Mesoamerica. There is no indication that this plant is being used outside of the Americas. Aim of the review: This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the traditional use, phytochemistry, pharmacological activity and toxicology of Hyptis verticillata and to highlight the opportunities for greater development of the plant's medicinal properties at a local and international level. Materials and methods: An extensive and systematic review of the literature was undertaken and all relevant abstracts and full-text articles analysed and included in the review. Key findings: A wide range of traditional uses are cited in the literature, from internal uses for conditions affecting the respiratory system, digestive tract and gynaecological system to external uses for conditions affecting the skin and musculoskeletal system. Pharmacological studies to date have demonstrated significant activity which support the traditional use of the plant as an antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, antisecretory agent and hormone modulator. In addition studies have identified anticancer, acaricidal, insecticidal and molluscicidal activity. No clinical trials had been completed at the time of this review. A number of key phytochemicals have been isolated, identified and published to date including: 17 lignans; 4 triterpenes; 11 diterpenes, 3 sesquiterpenes, 3 monoterpenes, 2 flavonoids, 1 polyphenol and 1 alkaloid. Nine of these phytochemicals are novel to Hyptis verticillata. Plant extracts and isolated phytochemicals exhibit a broad range of activities that include
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2013; 147(1):16-41. , 2013
ABSTRACT ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Hyptis verticillata Jacq. (Lamiaceae) (John Charles) is ... more ABSTRACT ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Hyptis verticillata Jacq. (Lamiaceae) (John Charles) is an important medicinal plant with a long history of traditional use, originating in Central America and now extending from Florida to Colombia and across the Caribbean. Records of its earliest use date back to the ancient Mayan and Aztec cultures of Mesoamerica. There is no indication that this plant is being used outside of the Americas. AIM OF THE REVIEW: This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the traditional use, phytochemistry, pharmacological activity and toxicology of Hyptis verticillata and to highlight the opportunities for greater development of the plant's medicinal properties at a local and international level. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An extensive and systematic review of the literature was undertaken and all relevant abstracts and full-text articles analysed and included in the review. KEY FINDINGS: A wide range of traditional uses are cited in the literature, from internal uses for conditions affecting the respiratory system, digestive tract and gynaecological system to external uses for conditions affecting the skin and musculoskeletal system. Pharmacological studies to date have demonstrated significant activity which support the traditional use of the plant as an antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, antisecretory agent and hormone modulator. In addition studies have identified anti-cancer, acaricidal, insecticidal and molluscicidal activity. No clinical trials had been completed at the time of this review. A number of key phytochemicals have been isolated, identified and published to date including: 17 lignans; 4 triterpenes; 11 diterpenes, 3 sesquiterpenes, 3 monoterpenes, 2 flavonoids, 1 polyphenol and 1 alkaloid. Nine of these phytochemicals are novel to Hyptis verticillata. Plant extracts and isolated phytochemicals exhibit a broad range of activities that include: antimitotic; antiproliferative; cytotoxic; antioxidant; antiinflammatory; antibacterial; antifungal; antiviral; anti-HIV; antisecretory; hepatoprotective; insecticidal and acaricidal. CONCLUSIONS: Hyptis verticillata is a medicinal plant with current widespread traditional use in the Americas that warrants further research, clinical trials and product development to fully exploit its medicinal value.
Journal of Medical and Biological Sciences, 3(1): 1-7, 2009
Antimicrobial resistance is a major cause of significant morbidity and mortality globally. Ethnom... more Antimicrobial resistance is a major cause of significant morbidity and mortality globally. Ethnomedicine provides avenues for identification of compounds with antimicrobial properties and potential new antibiotics. Callistemon viminalis is an ethnomedicinal plant used in Jamaica to treat intestinal illnesses. Methanol, hexane and aqueous extracts of Callistemon viminalis were tested against eight common bacteria and a single fungus of medical importance using a quantitative agar well diffusion test and tube dilution assay. All plant extracts showed antimicrobial activities against the selected microorganisms; the methanol extracts were most effective. The aqueous extract on the other hand, was very effective as a bactericidal agent against the intestinal pathogens. These results support the ethnomedicinal claim that C. viminalis is an effective treatment for bacterial causes of intestinal illnesses.
Ethnopharmacological relevance: A survey was undertaken in Jamaica to document medicinal plants f... more Ethnopharmacological relevance: A survey was undertaken in Jamaica to document medicinal plants frequently used in the treatment or prophylaxis of illness and trends in their use, following the methodology established by the TRAMIL network. TRAMIL, a Caribbean-wide applied research programme , scientifically evaluates and documents the efficacy and safety of medicinal plant remedies used for primary health care. Initial results from this survey, on an aspect of safety, focusing on the concomitant use and prevalence of medicinal plant use in combination with pharmaceutical drugs in Jamaica, were published in an earlier paper in 2011. This paper now reports survey results on the ethnobotanical use of medicinal plants by Jamaicans. Materials and methods: A survey using a structured and modified TRAMIL questionnaire was administered to 407 adults selected randomly from systematically selected households within randomly selected clusters. The clusters were selected from each of the three areas that were purposefully selected. Key findings: Respondents identified their use of 107 botanically identified medicinal plants distributed in 51 plant families to treat illnesses or maintain health in the previous twelve months. Fourteen plants, with significant use equal to or greater than 20% for a specified health issue were shortlisted, representing Jamaica's first submission to the TRAMIL database. Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees (Rice Bitters) was reported as a plant remedy with significant use for the first time in a TRAMIL survey. Informant consensus factor (ICF) values were high for a number of health issues such as mental health (nerves, insomnia, etc.), respiratory system (cold/flu/cough etc.) and for health maintenance with tonics (washout and blood cleanse), indicating strong cultural coherence in medicinal plant selection for these categories. Forty two per cent (113/270) of medicinal plant users utilised mixtures, combining more than one plant. Leaf material was the most commonly used plant part (69%), with fresh material (98%) most commonly prepared as a tea for internal use by decoction (87%). The majority of medicinal plant respondents sourced plants from their backyards (75%) and cited grandmothers (33%) and mothers (32%) as their main sources of information. Jamaicans reported limited use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), supporting the assertion that a significant number of citizens in developing countries continue to rely on the use of medicinal plants for primary healthcare. Conclusions: Medicinal plant use continues to play an important role in primary healthcare in Jamaica. Fourteen plant remedies with significant use are reported, five previously reported elsewhere and recommended (REC) for the same health condition. Eight plant remedies, including one Jamaican endemic, are reported for different health issues for the first time to TRAMIL and will be investigated (INV) for the new health conditions, together with one plant remedy reported for the first time. This latest survey will be followed by literature reviews, appropriate laboratory screens (TRIG) and community outreach activities (TRADIF) in Jamaica.
ISHS International Symposium on Medicinal and Nutraceutical Plants, 2007
Medicinal Plant Biotechnology Research in a tropical developing country is a challenge but there ... more Medicinal Plant Biotechnology Research in a tropical developing country is a challenge but there are many opportunities as well. This paper reviews research undertaken by the Medicinal Plant Research Group from its inception in 1999 to the end of 2006. A three-prong approach has been taken to maintain an international standard of research while ensuring local and regional relevancy: 1) formulation of antimicrobial products (including a neem Azadirachta indica) disinfectant); 2) tissue culture studies (
Journal of ethnopharmacology, 2012; 143(3):840-50. , 2012
ABSTRACT Enslaved Africans in the Americas had to reinvent their medicinal flora in an unknown en... more ABSTRACT Enslaved Africans in the Americas had to reinvent their medicinal flora in an unknown environment by adhering to plants that came with them, learning from Amerindians and Europeans, using their Old World knowledge and trial and error to find substitutes for their homeland herbs. This process has left few written records, and little research has been done on transatlantic plant use. We used the composition of aphrodisiac mixtures across the black Atlantic to discuss the adaptation of herbal medicine by African diaspora in the New World. Since Africans are considered relatively recent migrants in America, their healing flora is often said to consist largely of pantropical and cultivated species, with few native trees. Therefore, we expected Caribbean recipes to be dominated by taxa that occur in both continents, poor in forest species and rich in weeds and domesticated exotics. To test this hypothesis, we compared botanical ingredients of 35 African and 117 Caribbean mixtures, using Dentrended Correspondence Analysis, Cluster Analysis, Indicator Species Analysis and Mann-Whitney U tests. Very few of the 324 ingredients were used on both continents. A slightly higher overlap on generic and family level showed that Africans did search for taxa that were botanically related to African ones, but largely selected new, unrelated plants with similar taste, appearance or pharmacological properties. Recipes from the forested Guianas contained more New World, wild and forest species than those from deforested Caribbean islands. We recorded few 'transatlantic genera' and weeds never dominated the recipes, so we rejected our hypothesis. The popularity of bitter tonics in the Caribbean suggests an African heritage, but the inclusion of Neotropical species and vernacular names of plants and mixtures indicate Amerindian and European influence. We show that enslaved Africans have reinvented their herbal medicine wherever they were put to work, using the knowledge and flora that was available to them with great creativity and flexibility. Our analysis reveals how transplanted humans adapt their traditional medical practises in a new environment.
Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies, Dec 2011
Caribbean …, Jan 1, 2008
The Caribbean hosted 18,081,199 visitors in 2007, and this figure does not include those who took... more The Caribbean hosted 18,081,199 visitors in 2007, and this figure does not include those who took vacations within their own islands. More visitors came to Jamaica in 2007 than there were residents. While a few of these trips are taken for business, most are taken for pleasure. In fact, tourism accounts for over 21 per cent of all Caribbean capital formation while comparable figures are Oceania (13%) and North America/Europe (10%). A large part of the draw of the Caribbean is its extensive and often unique flora; and it is this flora which has been a source of health and wealth for the Caribbean for a very long time.
Journal of ethnopharmacology, Jan 1, 2008
"Psidium guajava, is an important food crop and medicinal plant in tropical and subtropical count... more "Psidium guajava, is an important food crop and medicinal plant in tropical and subtropical countries is widely used like food and in folk medicine around of the world. This aims a comprehensive of the chemical constituents, pharmacological, and clinical uses. Different pharmacological experiments in a number of in vitro and in vivo models have been carried out. Also have been identified the medicinally important phyto-constituents. A number of metabolites in good yield and some have been shown to possess useful biological activities belonging mainly to phenolic, flavonoid, carotenoid, terpenoid and triterpene. Extracts and metabolites of this plant, particularly those from leaves and fruits possess useful pharmacological activities. A survey of the literature shows P. guajava is mainly known for its antispasmodic and antimicrobial properties in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery. Has also been used extensively as a hypoglycaemic agent. Many pharmacological studies have demonstrated the ability of
this plant to exhibit antioxidant, hepatoprotection, anti-allergy, antimicrobial, antigenotoxic, antiplasmodial, cytotoxic, antispasmodic, cardioactive, anticough, antidiabetic, antiinflamatory and antinociceptive activities, supporting its traditional uses. Suggest a wide range of clinical applications
for the treatment of infantile rotaviral enteritis, diarrhoea and diabetes."
West Indian Medical Journal, 2006
This review summarizes research carried out on Jamaican medicinal plants at the Faculty of Pure a... more This review summarizes research carried out on Jamaican medicinal plants at the Faculty of Pure and Applied Science, The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, Jamaica, between 1948 and 2001. The plants identified as being medicinal are listed along with their folk use and a summary of the scientific research done at UWI leading to the identification of natural products (NPs) and determination of their bioactivity. Natural product research on Jamaican medicinal plants began with the inception of UWI in 1948, leading to many postgraduate degrees being awarded (22 MPhil and 31 PhD). At least 334 plant species growing in Jamaica have been identified as having medicinal qualities, 193 of these have been tested for their bioactivity. Crude extracts from 80 of these plants have reasonable bioactivity and natural products (NP) have been identified from 44 plants. At least 29 of these NPs were found to be bioactive. Only 31 of the plants tested at UWI are endemic to Jamaica. Of these 23% were bioactive, as compared to 11% of the non-endemics. Based on these results, patents have been obtained and drugs have been developed. This review represents the first attempt to gather this information together in one place.
Jamaica Journal, 2008
Ackee (Blighia sapida) is Jamaica’s top fruit, its national fruit and when prepared together wit... more Ackee (Blighia sapida) is Jamaica’s top fruit, its national fruit and when prepared together with salt-fish it is called the national dish. In fact ackee is so much connected to Jamaica that Jamaica has been referred to as the “Big Ackee”, while the distribution of ackee world-wide can be regarded as an ‘indicator species for Jamaican connections’. The aim of this article is to summarize historical and up-to-date knowledge about this tree for the wider public in such areas as agriculture, trade, natural chemicals, toxicology, ethnomedical uses and biotechnological research. Jamaica has taken a tree, little known in its homeland, and made it into a major source of food and income. The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Chemistry Department, since the inception of the University in 1948, has been carrying out cutting-edge ackee research. They have found out what makes the ackee toxic (hypoglycin A – an unusual amino acid), and when levels of this toxin drop (on maturity), thus making the ackee fruit safe to eat. Other Jamaican scientists at several institutions have developed propagation and field cultivation methods, by-product research and produced somatic embryos of ackee. Continuing chemical and biotechnological research into this crop, establishment of purposefully-planted orchards and development of a mature export-orientated agro-processing industry is on-going, further elevating this crop so that it can continue to be what it has always been – Jamaica’s top fruit!!
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Medicinal Plant papers by Sylvia A D J O A Mitchell
The Environmental Foundation of Jamaica is very cognizant of this fact and charged The Biotechnology Centre, UWI to begin work towards the “Establishment of medicinal Plant Gene Banks” beginning with a two year project running from July 2003 – June 2006. This funding has allowed for a concerted effort to be made to preserve our plants and knowledge about our plants.by the establishment of ex situ conservation gene banks. During this project, gene banks of medicinal trees, shrubs, herbs and vines are being established on the Mona Campus of UWI, Hope Gardens and a smaller collection will be established at the Institute of Jamaica. While there have been previous attempts to gather some of our medicinal plants into one location – those efforts were neither comprehensive nor long-lasting. It is hoped, by having a medicinal plant gene bank on the Mona Campus of UWI, the effort can be more permanent and can be a feeder for more extensive efforts.
this plant to exhibit antioxidant, hepatoprotection, anti-allergy, antimicrobial, antigenotoxic, antiplasmodial, cytotoxic, antispasmodic, cardioactive, anticough, antidiabetic, antiinflamatory and antinociceptive activities, supporting its traditional uses. Suggest a wide range of clinical applications
for the treatment of infantile rotaviral enteritis, diarrhoea and diabetes."
The Environmental Foundation of Jamaica is very cognizant of this fact and charged The Biotechnology Centre, UWI to begin work towards the “Establishment of medicinal Plant Gene Banks” beginning with a two year project running from July 2003 – June 2006. This funding has allowed for a concerted effort to be made to preserve our plants and knowledge about our plants.by the establishment of ex situ conservation gene banks. During this project, gene banks of medicinal trees, shrubs, herbs and vines are being established on the Mona Campus of UWI, Hope Gardens and a smaller collection will be established at the Institute of Jamaica. While there have been previous attempts to gather some of our medicinal plants into one location – those efforts were neither comprehensive nor long-lasting. It is hoped, by having a medicinal plant gene bank on the Mona Campus of UWI, the effort can be more permanent and can be a feeder for more extensive efforts.
this plant to exhibit antioxidant, hepatoprotection, anti-allergy, antimicrobial, antigenotoxic, antiplasmodial, cytotoxic, antispasmodic, cardioactive, anticough, antidiabetic, antiinflamatory and antinociceptive activities, supporting its traditional uses. Suggest a wide range of clinical applications
for the treatment of infantile rotaviral enteritis, diarrhoea and diabetes."
The new coronavirus which causes COVID-19 is about 0.125 microns wide. A micron is 0.001 mm. As reference, human hair is between 17-181 microns wide. This virus remains infective in large or small droplets from a cough, sneezing, talking or just breathing, which can be blown quite far from an infected person, who may or may not have visible symptoms. The large droplets are 5-10 microns wide and fall towards the earth quickly. The smaller droplets stay in the air longer and can float longer distances. Coughing, singing, or even raising one’s voice to be heard can cause these small droplets to travel further than the recommended 6 feet. This new virus can remain viable for several hours in these small droplets. We are fighting a virus that spreads easily.
Think about this: if you sneeze into your elbow and then offer the elbow instead of your hand as a way of greeting, what do you think will happen? When you accept change in the bus, the virus could be on the money. So what should you do? Accept it into a plastic bag and spray with 70% alcohol and wait a couple of hours before adding it to your purse.
We are asked to wear masks, but do we understand why, how, when, and what?
This work has been supported by IICA, UWI, CARDI, IDIAF who have provided financial aid and technical support. "
in 1990 and continuing to present. There is at the moment no regulatory or policy for biotechnology or biosafety framework in the region although several Caribbean countries (15) are developing regulatory frameworks with the assistance of UNEP/GEF for eventual signing of the CBD Cartagena protocol. Several national and regional bodies eg IICA, FAO, CARDI, UWI, IDIAF, and specialists in several Caribbean countries are now joining forces to establish a regional agenda in biotechnology and a Consultative Group for AgroBiotechnology in the Caribbean (CGABC) whose first order of business will be to develop a regional biosafety framework and establish regional projects in agrobiotechnology. The significance of these developments will be discussed.
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Conservation of plants, especially our endemic medicinal plants, whose medicinal use may not even be known at present, is an important component of environmental management. The Medicinal Plant Research Group at the Biotechnology Centre, UWI has initiated a project aimed at developing ex situ and in vitro germplasm collections of our medicinal plants. To date, over 60 plant species are in the ex situ germplasm collection and at least 10 of these have been initiated in vitro.
Another component of environmental management is to assess the effect of ‘foreign’ species on our indigenous plant species. We have been assessing the growth and development of neem (Azadirachta indica) to determine if this plant can be used for reforestation, and in agriculture as a source of medicinals and bio-pesticides, without becoming an invasive species. Many of the plants in Jamaica were introduced originally but none, so far, has become a nuisance. Our research suggests that neem has become acclimatized, and even though it seeds easily, it has not become invasive.
Another factor that can affect the environment and sustainable development is the use of tissue cultured plants. Use of biotechnology to develop high quality and sufficient quantity of planting material for agricultural and horticultural pursuits, and for conservation purposes needs to be weighed against their effects on the environment, real or perceived, present or future.
A simple micropropagation method for neem was developed. Maximum growth during initiation occurred using mature neem seeds on BM supplemented with 0.1 mg/l NAA (15.6% were clean and produced shoots, each seed bore shoots with an average of 4.1 nodes after 8 weeks in culture). A multiplication rate of 12.2 in four weeks was obtained using a new basal medium (NBM) and 0.5 mg/l BAP. Transfer of these plantlets to NBM and 0.1 mg/l NAA for four weeks, and then a one-week hardening period, produced a 96% survival rate ex vitro. This micropropagation method facilitates rapid and simple production of neem plants and will be used to provide elite neem trees to interested farmers of the Caribbean. The results obtained in neem micropropagation and field growth will be analyzed in terms of the above issues.