"Biodiversity prospecting [bioprospecting] is the exploration of wild plants and animals for commercially valuable genetic and biochemical resources.”
It is search for commercially valuable biochemical and genetic resources in plants, animals and microorganisms In other words, we can say that bio-prospecting is searching for answers from nature.
Bioprospecting began when prehistoric people noticed that one plant root tasted better than another, or that some plants could be used as medicines. Later, scientists identified the active ingredients in these plants. People learned that the delicious plant root had a higher sugar content, or they discovered that a plant used for medicine contained aspirin (salicylic acid from Salix). Most best selling drugs across the globe have a biological source. Fortunately, there are some who are more inclined towards nature and exploring her gifts for the benefit of mankind by looking out for the right bark, leaf, twig or seed rather than some chemical composition. These resources may be used in food production, pest control, the development of new drugs and for other related applications.
According to IUCN / UNEP 80% of the world’s population still relies principally on traditional medicines derived from plants & animals as their primary source of treatment. More than 5000 spp. in china are used for medicinal purposes , while 2000 spp. in Amazonian basin.
CASE OF Catharanthus roseus (The Rosy Periwinkle) native to Madagascar, The use of the plant as a cure for diabetes was the original stimulus for research, but cures for cancer were the most important results. The Hodgkin's disease is also derivable from the rosy periwinkle.
Latest Plant Drug : Taxol to treat ovarian & breast cancer (Cehivian 2001)
In case of animals Conotoxin from Cone Snail venom – Wide Variety of peptides found in the venom which block the ion channels , receptors & pumps in the neuromuscular systems. Omega Conotoxin a calcium channel, blocker is a potent analgesic & prevents neuro cell death following coronary artery bypass surgery. It’s NOT A HABIT FORMING DRUG.
Thus BIOPROSPECTING is important especially in areas of Cancer treatment , clinical trials from tunicates & preclinical trials from sponge & mollusc.
It is search for commercially valuable biochemical and genetic resources in plants, animals and microorganisms In other words, we can say that bio-prospecting is searching for answers from nature.
Bioprospecting began when prehistoric people noticed that one plant root tasted better than another, or that some plants could be used as medicines. Later, scientists identified the active ingredients in these plants. People learned that the delicious plant root had a higher sugar content, or they discovered that a plant used for medicine contained aspirin (salicylic acid from Salix). Most best selling drugs across the globe have a biological source. Fortunately, there are some who are more inclined towards nature and exploring her gifts for the benefit of mankind by looking out for the right bark, leaf, twig or seed rather than some chemical composition. These resources may be used in food production, pest control, the development of new drugs and for other related applications.
According to IUCN / UNEP 80% of the world’s population still relies principally on traditional medicines derived from plants & animals as their primary source of treatment. More than 5000 spp. in china are used for medicinal purposes , while 2000 spp. in Amazonian basin.
CASE OF Catharanthus roseus (The Rosy Periwinkle) native to Madagascar, The use of the plant as a cure for diabetes was the original stimulus for research, but cures for cancer were the most important results. The Hodgkin's disease is also derivable from the rosy periwinkle.
Latest Plant Drug : Taxol to treat ovarian & breast cancer (Cehivian 2001)
In case of animals Conotoxin from Cone Snail venom – Wide Variety of peptides found in the venom which block the ion channels , receptors & pumps in the neuromuscular systems. Omega Conotoxin a calcium channel, blocker is a potent analgesic & prevents neuro cell death following coronary artery bypass surgery. It’s NOT A HABIT FORMING DRUG.
Thus BIOPROSPECTING is important especially in areas of Cancer treatment , clinical trials from tunicates & preclinical trials from sponge & mollusc.
