Journal of E3"HNO- PHARMACOLOGY

ELSEVIER Journal of Ethnopharmacology 55 (1997) 119--126

Medicinal of the eastern region of

Julia W. Novy

Center Jor Conservation Biology, Department o/' Biological Sciences, Stan/brd, CA 94305-5020, USA

Revised 25 August 1996; accepted 28 September 1996

Abstract

Sixty-eight plants used in the traditional medicinal practices of the Betsimisaraka and Tanala peoples of the eastern region of Madagascar are reported. Preparations and utilizations of these medicinal plants are as varied as the plants themselves. Some of the plants discussed are known to science, but because of the diversity of tribal groups in Madagascar, new preparations and utilizations of these plants were discovered based on the ethnobotanical data collected from the Betsimisaraka and Tanala. Many of the plants discussed remain to be chemically tested. Ethnopharmacological information is in danger of being lost in Madagascar as slash and burn agriculture destroys much of the forest, and the elder traditional healers, often illiterate, pass away without handing down their knowledge. Copyright © 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.

Keywords: Folk medicine; Ethnobotany; Madagascar rain forest; Traditional medicine; Pharmacology

1. Introduction The expansion of knowledge of Malagasy medici- nal plants, and the local production of pharma- Separated from the African continent for 165 ceuticals based on the derivatives of such plants, million years, Madagascar (Malagasy Republic) is offers an affordable alternative to Western home to a wealth of unique and animal medicine for the Malagasy people. Much of the species (De Schneidaner, 1982). Located approxi- ethnobotanical knowledge and medicinal plants in mately 400 km off of the coast of in Madagascar is in danger of being lost. Increasing southeastern , it is the fourth largest island degradation and cultivation of secondary forest in the world. Its population, while possessing coupled with deforestation and slash and burn great biological richness, is burdened by economic agriculture in primary forest is reducing the abun- poverty. Due to inaccessibility and the prohibitive dance of known medicinal plants, and limiting the costs of Western medicine, the majority of the potential for new discoveries. Furthermore, eth- country's 13 million inhabitants depend upon tra- nobotanical information is not always passed ditional medicine to meet their health care needs. down by word of mouth from one generation to

0378-8741/97/$17.00 Copyright © 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved Pli S0378-8741 (96)01489-4 120 Julia W. Novy / Journal r~/"Ethnopharrnacology 55 (I 997) 119 126 the next, so the need to record and utilize the southeastern Madagascar, including both dis- current wealth of ethnobotanical knowledge re- turbed habitat near the village of Ranomafana mains important for ethnopharmacological pur- and primary rain forest within and surrounding poses. the Park (Fig. 1). Masoala and Ranomafana are While Madagascar had many visitors during its inhabited by two different Malagasy tribes, the two millennia of human settlement, particularly Betsimisaraka ('the many inseparables') and the the Arab traders between the 1 lth and 14th cen- Tanala ('people of the forest'), respectively. Two turies (Dewar and Wright, 1993), the first known primary techniques were employed in the collec- efforts to systematically record ethnobotanical in- tion of ethnopharmacological data: (a) interviews formation from the Islands were were conducted with traditional healers and local made by Western researchers in the middle of the residents who rely on medicinal plants for their 19th century (Leclerq, 1864; Daruty, 1886). Later, health care in villages such as and ethnobotanical information specific to Madagas- Ranomafana and with local medicinal merchants car was published (Lasnet, 1900a,b; Ramisray, in towns such as , and 1901; Dandouau, 1913; Boiteau, 1937a,b). More recently, studies have focused on particular re- Fianarantsoa; b) treks were made throughout pri- gions or plants of Madagascar, and efforts to catalog and compile previously gathered ethnob- otanical information have been made (Boiteau et al., 1968; Rabesandratana, 1978; Quansah, 1988; Ratsimamanga-Urverg et al., 1991a,b,c). Unfortunately, despite the abundance of Mala- 0 gasy ethnobotanical literature, there remains a paucity of first-hand ethnological information 15os a (Quansah, 1988). A number of the earlier ethnob- otanical studies were conducted without field study accompanied by the collection of voucher specimens, and much of the contemporary litera- ture is derived from primarily laboratory-based studies. The present study, by combining the col- lection of voucher specimens with information gathered from interviews with traditional healers, aims to add integrated ethnobotanical research to :oo: ...... ::/-_ .... the existing literature. /i

/"/ Fianarantsoa ~ R';nomafana 2. Methodology ( °oZ/ Ethnomedical information was collected from : : August 1993 to June 1994 in two regions in eastern Madagascar: (1) the region of the Ma- .... (:_\. __l t soala Peninsula in northeastern Madagascar, in- N.. cluding the undisturbed primary rain forests of I~lometres 0 100 200 the western side of the peninsula near Ambani- =, , . zana (15°38'S, 49°95'E), as well as the disturbed o 16o 2'oc miles habitats around Maroantsetra (15°25'S, 49°40'E) 45OE 50°E and Antalaha (14°90'S, 50°30'E); (2) the region of Ranomafana National Park (21°20'S, 47°20'E) in Fig. 1. The study sites where data collection took place. Julia W. Novy ,' Journal of Ethnopharmacology 55 (1997) 119 126 121 mary and secondary forest with local botanists, Of the 68 medicinal species, 39 appear to have traditional healers and villagers familiar with been studied biologically and chemically, based medicinal plant collection and usage. The prepa- on data in the PetitJean et al. database (Petit Jean ration and utilization of the plants were discussed et al., 1990). and recorded, and an interpreter was used to translate the local Malagasy dialects into French. The interpreter transcribed or verified Malagasy 4. Discussion and conclusions spellings for the vernacular names of collected specimens. Voucher specimens were collected, Twenty-nine of the 68 plants collected remain identified, and all fertile specimens were deposited to be studied chemically and pharmacologically. at the Department of Botany, Parc Botanique et Such studies are believed to lead to the discovery Zoologique de Tsimbazaza in of potentially valuable pharmaceuticals. Although (TAN). Finally, the Petit Jean et al. (1990) data- the other 39 have been studied and shown to have base was utilized in Antananarivo. Data on the active compounds, ethnobotanical information, as history of chemical analysis of each plant were presented in this study, aids scientists in honing in retrieved from the database as were data pertain- on the most significant properties of a given spe- ing to previously recorded preparations and uti- cies. This was true in the discovery of the wound- lizations of each collected plant. Previously healing properties of Madagascar's Lantana recorded information was then compared with the camara (Verbenaceae), a plant introduced from information gathered from the present study. tropical America, which serves as the basis for a French drug, Mad6casol, utilized as a cicatrizant (Gladding, 1995). 3. Results Because the native Malagasy flora is so rich and because Madagascar has a rich ethnological diver- A total of 68 plant species were recorded to sity, the amount of ethnobotanical information in have medicinal use (Table 1). Of these 68 species, Madagascar is extensive. Dianella ens~dia (Lili- 50 either do not appear in the ethnobotanical aceae), for example, is utilized differently by the literature to date or have at least one medical Tanala and Betsimisaraka peoples. At Ra- use that has not yet been formally documented nomafana, the Tanala prepare a tea from the (Petit Jean et al., 1990). These newly discovered leaves which is used against dysentery, while preparations and utilizations stem from the eth- in Maroantsetra, the Betsimisaraka prepare a nomedical knowledge held among the culturally tea from the roots and stem which is used to diverse Malagasy. Regionally separated cultural reduce fever. Furthermore, certain plants are groups often use and prepare plants in different used for treating men (e.g. Pachytrope dimepate, manners. Moraceae, is used to treat jaundice in men), while Thirty-four of the medicinal plants used in the others are used exclusively for women (e.g. study regions are species introduced to Madagas- Lygodium hmceolatum, Schizaeaceae, is used to car and many are found in secondary forest or treat general fatigue in women), revealing the disturbed habitat, indicating that ethnobotanical specificity with which medicinal plants are pre- practice has evolved as degradation or introduc- scribed. Further analysis of such gender-specific tion of exotic species took place. This, however, plants could enhance our understanding of the does not minimize the ethnobotanical importance different effects of various compounds on the of primary forest which harbors currently utilized male and female systems. and potentially significant plants with medicinal The eastern rain forests of Madagascar host a properties. Rather, it illustrates that medicinal diversity of flora that begs further study. In par- practice on the island is evolving as new species ticular, the Masoala Peninsula is an important are incorporated into the ethnopharmacological area for further research. It remains largely un- system. studied due to its relatively sparse settlement and 122 Julia W. Novy /Journal of Ethnopharmacology 55 (1997) 119 126

Table 1 Medicinal plants of the eastern region of Madagascar"

Botanical name and family Plant part Preparauon; Traditional use

I. LYCOPS1DA Lycopodiaceae Lycopodiella cernua b L. (Tanatrandraka); R (Novy 58) LF, RT, ST Tea; for stomach ulcers II. FILICOPSIDA Schizaeaceae Lygodium lanceolatum b Desv. (Famahitra ankanga); A LF Tea; for general fatigue in women (Novy 82) II1. ANGIOSPERMAE DICOTYLEDONAE Aizoaceae Mollugo nudicaulis bx Lamk. (Aferontany); M (Novy 1) LF, RT Tea; for malaria Amaranthaceae Amaranthus spinosus ~ L. (Anampatsy); Ant (Novy 2) RT Tea; for nervous tension regulation, stomach ulcer,. liver maladies Iresine herbstii c Hook. (Jean-Robert); R (Novy 3) LF Tea; for dysentery Anacardiaceae Anaeardium occidentale bx L. (Voambarika, Mabibo); LF, FR Tea; for diabetes Ant (Novy 4) Annonaceae Annona muricata ~ L. (Corossol); Ant (Novy 5) LF Tea; to treat heart palpitations, malaria, liver maladies Xylopia buxifolia H. Baill. (Azoambo mandinidravina); LF Tea; for jaundice, weight loss M (Novy 6) Apocynaceae Catharanthus trichophyllus b'c Baker (Pervanche); Ant LF, RT, ST Tea; to treat liver maladies, stabilize blood (Novy 7) composition Caricaceae Carica papaya bx L. (Papaya); Ant (Novy 9) LF Tea; for stomach ulcers Chenopodiaceae Chenopodium ambrosioides ~ L. (Taimborontsiloza); R RT Tea; as a vermifuge (Novy 113); Ant (Novy 10) Combretaceae Terminalia fatraea (Poiret) DC. (Voaffttra); M (Novy BK Tea; for intestinal colic, indigestion 11) Terminaliopsis tetrandra P. Danguy (Mantadia); M BK Tea as a wash and beverage; to treat excessive (Novy 12) salivation, skin and mouth boils Compositae (Asteraceae) Acanthospermum hispidum ~ DC. (Bakakely); Ant LF, RT, ST Tea; for dysentery (Novy 16) Ageratum conyzoides bx L. (Ahiboay); R (Novy 17) LF Juice as a coagulant Ageratum conyzoides b'~ L. (Fotsivoana, Hanitra- LF Tea; for diarrhea pantsaka); Ant (Novy 18) Bidens pilosa b L. (Tsipolitra); R (Novy 19) LF Soup; to treat hypertension Elephantopus scaber bx L. (Ahiboka); A (Novy 20) LF Tea for stomach ache, indigestion; juice for fever (with dysentery) Helichrysum faradiJhni b Sc. Ell. (Ahibalala); R (Novy LF Tea; for malaria 21) Mikania scandens Willd. (Vahia); R (Novy 22) LF Cold tea as a wash; to treat scabies Spilanthes acmella b'° Murr. (Kimotidoha); R (Novy LF Soup; as a fortifler for infants 24) Julia W. Novy /Journal of Ethnopharmacology 55 (1997) I19-126 123

Table 1 (continued)

Botanical name and family Plant part Preparation; Traditional use

Connaraceae Agelaea pentagyna b Lamk. (Vahimainty); M (Novy WD Tea; for spinal curvature, urine retention, general 26) fatigue Convolvulaceae Ipomoea pes-caprae (L.) R.Br. ssp. brasiliensis (L.) RT Tea or poultice directly applied; to treat syphillis Oostrstr. (Tsomangaranto); A (Novy 27) lpomoea pes-caprae (L.) R.Br. ssp. brasiliensis (L.) LF Tea: for spinal curvature, backaches Oostrstr. (Tsomangaranto); M (Novy 28) Euphorbiaceae Denteromallotus acuminatus Pax et Hoffm. (Antevarad- ST Tea or crude material to chew; for malaria rano); A (Novy 31) Euphorbia hirta b'~ L. (Tsikatsakatsa); M (Novy 32), LF, RT, ST Tea; for urine retention, spinal curvature, general Ant (Novy 33) fatigue Jatropha curcas b'~ L. (Falavelona); A (Novy 34) LF Tea externally applied; to treat infected wounds Guttiferae (Clusiaceae) Garcinia mangostana c L. (Mangoustan); M (Novy 39) LF Tea; for stomach ulcers, liver diseases Harungana madagascariensis b Lamk. (Arongana); R LF, BK Tea; for dysentery (Novy 40) Harungana madagascariensis b Lamk. (Harongana); M BK Tea; for jaundice (Novy 41 ) Persea gratissima ~ Gaertn. (Avacado); Ant (Novy 43) LF Tea; for stomach ulcers Leguminosae (Fabaceae) Abrus precatorius b'c L. (Voamason'amboatorana); R ST Crude material to chew; for bronchitis (Novy 44) Cqianus indicus bc Sprengel (Amberivatry); R (Novy LF Crushed, heated, externally applied; to treat sprains 45) Cassia occidentalis b'c Sond. (Voantsironiangatra); Ant RT Tea; for malaria, kidney disease, fatigue (Novy 46) Cassia occidentalis bx L. (Vantsirokonangatra); Ant RT Tea; for indigestion, colic (Novy 47) Caesalpinia bonduc b L. (Vatolalaka); A (Novy 48) LF, ST, SD Tea (LF, ST) or cold drink (SD); for malaria Mimosa pudica ~ L. (Ramirena, Fatsimandry); R LF Tea; for urine retention, spinal curvature, general (Novy 50); M (Novy 51) fatigue Tamarindus indica bx L. (Madiro); M (Novy 115) LF, BK Tea; for jaundice Teramnus labialis bx Spreng. (Teloravina); Ant (Novy LF Tea as a wash; to treat conjunctivitis 52) Linaceae Hugonia castaneo H. Bn. (Vahifotsy); M (Novy 56) LF, WD Tea; for general fatigue, spinal curvature Loranthaceae Bakerella clavata (Desrouss.) S. Balle (Tongolahy); R LF, WD Tea; for dysentery (Novy 57) Malvaceae Hibiscus diversifolius ~ Jacq. (Tsirangodrangobalalana); LF, WD Tea; for bronchitis, chronic coughing Ant (Novy 59) Sida rhombiJblia b'~ L. (Tsindahory); R (Novy 60) LF, RT Juice externally applied; for abscesses Melastomataceae Clidemia hirta b'~ D. Don (Trotrobato); M (Novy 61) LF Juice, as a cicatrizant; tea, for common colds Clidemia hirta b'~ D. Don (Mazambody); R (Novy 62) LF, RT Tea; for stomach complaints Meliaceae Melia azedarach b L. (Voandelaka); M (Novy 63) LF Juice; as a vermifuge Menispermaceae Burasaia madagascariensis b Thouars (Azondahy); M RT Tea; for malaria, general fatigue, spinal curvature (Novy 64) 124 Julia W. Novy / Journal of Ethnopharmacology 55 (1997) 119 126

Table 1 (continued)

Botanical name and family Plant part Preparation; Traditional use

Moraceae Fit'us megapoda u Bak. (Aviary, Mandresy beravina); LF Tea; for jaundice M (Novy 66) Fit'us megapoda b Bak. (Mandresy); R (Novy 67) LF, FR Tea (LF); as an appetite restorer; (Fr); to treat voice loss from over-coughing Pachytrophe dimepate b Bureau (Odipaso); M (Novy LF, BK Tea; for jaundice in men 68) Myrsinaceae Maesa lanceolata b Forst. (Voarafy); R (Novy 70) LF Tea; as a memory restorer Myrtaceae Psidium cattleianum b,~ Sabine (Goavitsinahy); R (Novy LF Juice; for dysentery 71) Psidium guajava b Berg. (Goavabe, Goavy); A (Novy LF, FR Juice diluted in water; for dysentery 72) Passifloraceae Passiflora Joetida ~ L. (Bongambosy); Ant (Novy 73) LF Tea; as tension regulator Rubiaceae Paederia thouarsiana Baillon (Vahamantsina); M LF Tea or juice; for liver diseases, stomach ulcers (Novy 114) Rutaceae Toddalia asiatica b Lamk. (Anakatsimba); R (Novy 79) LF Tea and steam bath, for malaria; tea, as an appetite restorer; gargle, for toothache litchi bx Comb. (Lychee); Ant (Novy 80) LF Tea; for diarrhea Sarcolaenaceae Xyloolaena richardii Baill. (Voantaimbody); M (Novy BK Tea; for anemia 81) Solanaceae Solanum auriculatum b-~ Aiton (Sevabe); R (Novy 83) FR Juice externally applied; to treat cracked skin Umbelliferae (Apiaceae) Centella asiatica b L. (Talapetraka); Ant (Novy 85) LF Tea or crude material to chew; for stomach ulcers Phellolophium madagascariensis b Bak. (Tsileon- LF Tea as a wash; for scabies dreoaho); R (Novy 86) Verbenaceae Lantana camara b'c L. (Radriaka); R (Novy 87) LF Tea as a beverage and wash; for scabies Lantana camara b'~ L. (Fankataviakoho); M (Novy 88) LF Juice, as a cicatrizant; tea, for common colds Lantana camara b'~ L. (Fankataviakoho); A (Novy 89) LF, ST Tea and steam bath; for fever and shakes MONOCOTYLEDONAE Araceae Pothos scandens L. (Vahimitampina); M (Novy 8) LF Juice; as a vomit inducer, for acid stomach Commelinaceae Commelina benghalensis c L. (Tsimativonoina); R ST Soaked in water and externally applied; for conjunc- (Novy 13) tivitis ('ommelina madagascarica Clarke (Tsimativonoina); R ST Soaked in water and externally applied; for conjunc- (Novy 14) tivitis Commelina madagascarica Clarke (Velon'ahantana); A LF, RT, ST Tea; for fatigue, dehydration, as a vermifuge (Novy 15) Dioscoreaceae Dioscorea bulb!/era b L. (Aranarana, H6fika); A, LF, FR Juice and crushed leaves externally applied; to treat (Novy 29), R (Novy 30) abscesses, infected wounds Flagellariaceae L. (Vahiz6); M (Novy 36) LF, WD Tea; for spinal curvature, general fatigue Julia W. Now / Journal o/" Ethnopharmacology 55 (1997) 119 126 125

Table 1 (continued)

Botanical name and family Plant part Preparanon:Traditional use

Gramineae (Poaceae) Eleusine indica b Gaertn. (Tsimpipiny); Ant (Novy 37) LF, RT, ST Juice and crushed leaves externally applied; to treat sprains, strained joints Stenotaphrum dimidiatum L. (Ahipisaka); A (Novy 38) LF Tea: for general fatigue, dehydration Liliaceae Dianella ens(/olia L. (Rangazaha, Voamasonomby); M RT, ST Tea; for persistent fever (Novy 53) Dianella ens~fi)lia h L. (Voananana an'ala); R (Novy LF Tea; for dysentery 54) Sansevieria tr(li~sciata ~ Prain (Folera Amandroto); M LF Juice from heated leaves externally applied; to treat ear (Novy 55) infections Musaceae Musa paradisiaca ~ L. (Banana); R (Novy 69) FL, FR Tea (FL), for urinary tract maladies; gargle (burnt ), to treat sore throat; cold beverage (burnt peel), for dysentery Taccaceae Tacca leontopetaloides (L.) Kuntze (Tavolotady): M LF Tea: for diarrhea (Novy 84) Zingiberaceae Curcuma longa ~" L. (Tamotamo); R (Novy 90) LF Tea: for yellow fever

~'Malagasy vernacular name(s) are given in parentheses following the botanical name. Abbreviations for collection site follow the Malagasy vernacular name(s): R, Ranomafana; M, Maroantsetra, Masoala: A, Ambanizana, Masoala: Ant, Antalaha, Masoala. The collector and collection number of the voucher specimen is indicated within the second set of parentheses. Abbreviations used for plant parts are as follows: LF, leaves; FL, flowers: FR, fruits; SD. : ST, stems; WD, wood; RT, roots; BK, bark. All preparations are taken by mouth unless otherwise specified. bplants have been studied biologically and chemically. ~Plants introduced to Madagascar. the steep slopes of the montane forest on the Medicinal plants have a link with conservation. western side of the peninsula. An understanding The valorization of medicinal plants, in both pri- and documentation of ethnopharmacological- mary and secondary forests, may increase local knowledge is crucial to Madagascar's progress incentives to preserve and manage this habitat. If toward improved self-sufficiency in health care income derived from domestic and international and to discoveries of treatments for globally sig- trades of medicinal plants collected from the nificant diseases. The current importance and po- forests is greater than potential income from culti- tential importance of medicinal plants has been vation, local people may choose to maintain and internationally recognized. The World Health Or- manage forests as sources of medicinal plants. ganization (WHO) initiated programs world-wide Furthermore, agreements between local institu- to increase the medical self-sufficiency of develop- tions and international pharmaceutical companies ing countries and to utilize the vast stores of can be made, by which local institutions collect indigenous ethnobotanical knowledge within these and process plant samples, then deliver them to countries. Madagascar, with the support of the multinational companies for evaluation as WHO, established a Centre National Appliqu6 prospective medicines. The developing country is pour la Recherche Pharmaceutique (CNARP). paid a fee for the provision of the processed plant The CNARP, through bioassays and structure material, in addition to a share of royalties for elucidation of medicinal plants, works to develop each pharmaceutical derived from the samples local pharmaceuticals derived from indigenous supplied. Such an agreement was made between plants. Merck and Company and the Instituto Nacional 126 Julia W. NovA' /Journal of Ethnopharmacology 55 (1997) 119-126 de Biodiversidad in Costa Rica (INBio) in 1991 f6brifuges de la Flore Malgache. Bulletin Economique de (Blum, 1993). Madagascar 30, 155 175. Furthermore, in addition to providing an alter- Boiteau, P. (1937b) Introduction /t l'6tude des plantes f6brifuges de la flore malgache. Bulletin de la Socibtk de native source of income for local populations, the Pathologie Exotique 30, 739 741. sustainable harvesting of medicinal plants and the Boiteau, P., S6pacer, K., Rarimampianina and Rakoto-Ratsi- development of pharmaceuticals based on their mamanga, A. (1968) Notes d'Ethnobotaniques Malgaches. derivatives, offer a number of benefits to a wide Journal d'Applications Agrieulturales et Botaniques Trop- range of people: (1) affordable and accessible icale 15(9 11), 337-~349. Dandouau, A. (1913) Ody et Fanafody. Bulletin de l'Acadbmie health care; (2) a potential foreign currency earner Malgache 11, 153 226. for Madagascar (currently a net importer of phar- Daruty, C. (1886) Plantes Mkdicinales de File Maurice et des maceuticals despite the famous rosy periwinkle, Pays lntertropicaux. R. de Sp6ville et Co, Maurice, pp. Catharanthus roseus, Apocynaceae, a Malagasy 3-61. plant used to combat leukemia; El Sayed et al., Dewar, R. and Wright, H. (1993) The culture history of Madagascar. Journal of Worm Prehistory 7, 417 466. 1983); (3) new pharmaceuticals available to the De Schneidaner, T.R. (1982) Guide-nature de l'Ockan Indien. world. It is hoped that further ethnobotanical lnstitut Royal des Sciences Naturelles de Belgique, Brux- research would be conducted in the eastern region elles, 115 pp. of Madagascar that would include documentation E1 Sayed, A., Cordell, G.A. and Handy, G.A. (1983) Catha- of the indigenous knowledge as well as of the ranthus alkaloids-38. Journal of Natural Products 46, 517 527. botanical information (voucher herbarium speci- Gladding, S. (1995) Lantana camara. Australian Journal of mens). Medical Herbalism 7, 5-9. Lasnet (1900a) Notes sur la pharmacopee des Sakalava du nord-ouest de Madagascar. Annales d'Hygikne de M~decine Coloniales 6, 17 44. Acknowledgements Lasnet (1900b) Revue de Culture Coloniale 6, 171 175 (20 Mars), 209 213 (5 Avril), 233 238 (20 Avril). The author wishes to thank Dr. Claire Kremen, Leclerq, J. (1864) Des Plantes Mbdicinales de l'lles de la the Xerces Society, and Wildlife Conservation ROunion et de leur Application gtla Thbrapeutique. La Society (WCS) for their provision of contacts and Malle, Saint-Denis, 73 pp. PetitJean, A., Rakotovao, L.H. and Andrianarivo, C. (1990) facilities on the Masoala Peninsula. Beverley Introduction au Fichier Flore de Madagascar. The Journal Lewis, of the Missouri Botanical Gardens, and of Nature 2, 49 58. the botanists from the Antananarivo herbarium Quansah, N. (1988) Ethnomedicine in the Maroantsetra Re- located within the Department of Botany, Parc gion of Madagascar. Economic Botany 42, 370 375. Botanique et Zoologique de Tsimbazaza in An- Rabesandratana, R.N. (1978) R6sultats d'enqu6tes et de local- isations de plantes m6dicinales de la r6gion de Toliara. tananarivo, Madagascar (TAN) are appreciated Annales de I'Universit~ de Madagascar 13, 131-150. for their technical support. To Mr. Alain Pe- Ramisray, G. (190l) La m6decine des Malgaches. Revue de tit Jean, who made his medicinal plant database Madagascar 3, 549 555. readily available, .the author wishes to express her Ratsimamanga-Urverg, S., Rasoanaivo, P., Le Bras, J., Rami- thanks and appreciation. The project was financed aramanana, L., Rakoto-Ratsimamanga, A. and Coulaud, J.P. (1991a) In vitro antimalarial activity and cytotoxicity by the J. William Fulbright Foundation and was of Srychnos mostuoides, Avicennia marina and Urophyllum facilitated by the United States Information lyallii. Discovery and Innovation 3, 81-83. Agency. Ratsimamanga-Urverg, S., Rasoanaivo, P., Le Bras, J., Rakoto-Ratsimamanga, A., Ramiliarisoa, O. and Savel, J. (1991b) Antimalarial activity and cytotoxicity of Fieus pyriJblia and Rhus (Baronia) taratana leaf extracts. Phy- References totherapy Research 5, 32-34. Ratsimamanga-Urverg, S., Rasoanaivo, P., Le Bras, J., Blum, E. (1993) Making biodiversity conservation profitable: a Rakoto-Ratsimamanga, A., Ramiliarisoa, O., Savel, J. and case study of the Merck/INBio agreement. Environment Coulaud, J.P. (1991c) Antimalarial activity and cytotoxic- 35(4), 16-45. ity of Evodia fatraina stem bark extract. Journal of Boiteau, P. (1937a) Introduction /~ l'6tude des plantes Ethnopharmacology 33, 231-236.