Forest Plot As a Tool to Demonstrate the Pharmaceutical Potential of Plants in a Tropical Forest of Panama Author(S): Angela I
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Forest Plot as a Tool to Demonstrate the Pharmaceutical Potential of Plants in a Tropical Forest of Panama Author(s): Angela I. Calderon, Cindy K. Angerhofer, John M. Pezzuto, Norman R. Farnsworth, Robin Foster, Richard Condit, Mahabir P. Gupta and Djaja D. Soejarto Reviewed work(s): Source: Economic Botany, Vol. 54, No. 3 (Jul. - Sep., 2000), pp. 278-294 Published by: Springer on behalf of New York Botanical Garden Press Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/4256322 . Accessed: 10/12/2012 14:47 Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at . http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp . JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact [email protected]. New York Botanical Garden Press and Springer are collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to Economic Botany. http://www.jstor.org This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.52.67 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 14:47:28 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions FOREST PLOT AS A TOOL TO DEMONSTRATE THE PHARMACEUTICALPOTENTIAL OF PLANTS IN A TROPICAL FOREST OF PANAMA1,2 ANGELA I. CALDERON, CINDY K. ANGERHOFER, JOHN M. PEZZUTO, NORMAN R. FARNSWORTH, ROBIN FOSTER, RICHARD CONDIT, MAHABIR P. GUPTA, AND DJAJA D. SOEJARTO Calderon, Angela I. and Mahabir P. Gupta (Centerfor PharmacognosticResearch on Pan- amanian Flora-CIFLORPAN,Apartado 10767, College of Pharmacy,University of Panama, Republic of Panama), Robin B. Foster (Environmentaland ConservationPrograms, Botany Department,Field Museum,Roosevelt Road at Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60612, USA, and SmithsonianTropical Research Institute,Balboa, Republicof Panama), Richard Condit (SmithsonianTropical Research Institute,Apartado 2072, Balboa, Republicof Panama), and Cindy K. Angerhofer, John M. Pezzuto, Norman R. Farnsworth, and Djaja Doel Soejarto (Programfor CollaborativeResearch in the PharmaceuticalSciences, College of Pharmacy, Universityof Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA). FOREST PLOT AS A TOOLTO DEM- ONSTRATETHE PHARMACEUTICALPOTENTIAL OF PLANTS IN A TROPICALFOREST OF PANAMA. Eco- nomic Botany 54(3):278-294, 2000. Based on literatureanalysis of 308 angiospermspecies inventoriedfrom a 50-hectareforest plot on Barro ColoradoIsland, Panama,40 species were selected and 80 samples (two samplesfor every species; leaf + twig and stembarksamples) were collectedfor investigationof their medicinal/pharmaceuticalpotential. Extractsof these 80 samples were tested in bioassay systems to assess cancer chemoprevention(eight assays), antiplasmodial,cytotoxicity, and anti-HIVactivities. Details of bioassay techniquesare de- scribed. Of the 40 species, 12 (30%) showed activityin one or more of the 11 bioassay systems used. These active species are Bombacopsis (= Pachira)quinata, Calophyllum longifolium, Caseariacommersoniana, Lozania pittieri, Maclura tinctoria, Mouriri myrtilloides, Olmedia as- pera (= Trophiscaucana), Pseudobombax septenatum, Spondias radlkoferi, Stylogyne standleyi, Turpiniaoccidentalis, and Vochysia ferruginea.Because literaturedata on the chemistryof Bombacopsis (= Pachira)quinata, Lozania pittieri, Mouririmyrtilloides, Olmedia aspera (= Trophiscaucana), Pseudobombax septenatum, and Stylogyne standleyi,are lacking,and similar data on the other six species are deficient,further fractionation and isolation work on these active species potentially may yield novel, biologically active structures.This study demon- strates that a plot-based selection of plant species for evaluationof their potential medicinal/ pharmaceuticalvalue has merit in achievingsuch a goal, and should be used in a programon plant drug discovery. PARCELADE BOSQUE COMOUN DISENO PARADEMOSTRAR EL POTENCIALMEDICINAL/FARMACEUTICO DE PLANTAS DE UN BOSQUE TROPICALDE PANAMA. A base de andlisis de 308 especies de an- giospermas inventariadasde una parcela de 50 hectareas de un bosque en la Isla de Barro Colorado,Panama, 40 especiesfueron seleccionadasy 80 muestras(hojas +ramitas y corteza de tallo, de cada especie) fueron coleccionadaspara la investigacionhacia su potencial me- dicinal/farmacetitico.Los extractos de estas 80 muestrasfueron suministradosa bioensayos para detectar sus actividades en la prevenci6n de cancer (8 tipos de ensayos), antipaluidica, citotoxicidad,y anti-HIV.Los detalles de los metodos de bioensayos se presentan.De las 40 especies, 12 (30%) demostraronactividad en uno o mds de los 11 bioensayosempleados. Estas especies son Bombacopsis (= Pachira)quinata, Calophyllum longifolium, Caseariacommer- soniana, Lozania pittieri, Macluratinctoria, Mouriri myrtilloides, Olmedia aspera (= Trophis caucana),Pseudobombax septenatum, Spondias radlkoferi, Stylogyne standleyi,Turpinia occi- dentalis, y Vochysia ferruginea.En vista de que Bombacopsis (= Pachira)quinata, Lozania pittieri,Mouriri myrtilloides, Olmedia aspera (= Trophiscaucana), Pseudobombax septenatum, y Stylogyne standleyi,carecen de datos quimicosde la literatura,mientras que datos quzmicos sobre las otras seis especies son deficientes,un trabajode fraccionamientoy aislamientosobre estas especies potencialmentenos pueda dar compuestosnovedosos, biologicamenteactivos. Este estudio demuestraque el metodo de selecci6n de especies de plantas a partir de especies EconomicBotany 54(3) pp. 278-294. 2000 ?) 2000 by The New York BotanicalGarden Press, Bronx, NY 10458-5126 U.S.A. This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.52.67 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 14:47:28 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 2000] CALDERON ET AL.: PHARMACEUTICAL POTENTIAL OF PANAMANIAN FOREST 279 inventariadas de una parcela de bosque, para someterlas a pruebas biol6gicas, tiene sus mer- itos para empleo mds amplio. Key Words: Panama;plot-based plant selection;pharmaceutical potential; biological activity; bioassays;cancer chemoprevention;antiplasmodial; cytotoxicity; anti-HIV. In view of the increasingneed for investigat- is among the 25 most plant-richcountries in the ing plants of the tropical rain forests for their world (World ConservationMonitoring Centre nontimber economic potential, the present re- 1992:84). For the presentresearch, a list of iden- search was undertaken.In the present study, the tified angiospermspecies as a basis for selection potential economic value of plants from a trop- was obtainedfrom the 1990 census data of a 50- ical rain forest of Panama was assessed, focus- hectareforest plot on the BarroColorado Island ing on medicinal and pharmaceuticalvalue, by (BCI) tropical rain forest (Foster, Condit, and carrying out biological evaluation of samples Hubbell 1991). Similar plot-basedmethodology collected, utilizing a biodiversity-basedplant se- for the purposeof biological evaluationhas been lection approach. Specifically, plants were se- described and used previously (BohLke 1997; lected and collected from a large plot that had Bohlke et al. 1996; Horgen 1997; Horgen et al. been already established and inventoried. Al- 1997; Soejartoet al. 1996). though a numberof selection approaches(Soe- Barro Colorado is an island in the Panama jarto 1996) may be utilized in a program to Canal Zone, lying midway between the Atlantic screen plants for biological activities, a plot- and Pacific Oceans. At about 15.6 kM2, BCI is based selection approachwas utilized based on the largest island in Gatun Lake, which was the following rationale:(1) The results of such formedbetween 1911 and 1914 by the damming an approach may provide semiquantitativere- of the ChagresRiver to the Canal. BCI was set sults (percentof active species) on the potential aside as a biological preserve in 1923 and is pharmaceuticalvalue of plants found within the currentlysupervised by the SmithsonianTropi- plot, and hence, in a forest tract;(2) Recollection cal ResearchInstitute, which operatesa modem of active species, even from sterile plants, may field station at the LaboratoryClearing, on the be performed using the and still-standing northeast shore (Leigh, Rand, and Windsor marked plants in the plot as a living reference 1982). The vegetation on Barro Colorado has (Soejarto 1991). mature(> 500 years old) semievergreentropical In the present study, the choice of a Pana- forest (Fosterand Brokaw 1982). Thereare 1207 maniantropical rain forest was based on the fol- species of vascularplants in BCI, including409 lowing criteria:(a) high plant diversity in these tree and shrub species (Hubbell forests (D'Arcy 1987; Gupta 1995); (b) avail- and Foster 1992). A previous field ability of a large forest plot and census data study by a team of ecol- ogists at the (Foster and Hubbell 1990; Foster, Condit, and SmithsonianInstitution's Tropical Hubbell 1991); (c) availability of botanist col- Research Station on this island in the early laboratorsin Panama; (d) familiarity with the 1980s (Hubbell and Foster 1983) showed that country.Proof of a high biodiversityis given by 108 species of trees with diametersof 20 cm and the total numberof vascularplant species in this above were found in a 50-hectareplot. A census country,estimated between 8000 and 10 000, of in 1990 of free-standingwoody plants of 1 cm which 17.3% are considered endemic (Gupta diameter at breast height (dbh) from the same 1995). Among the nonvascularplants are 350 50-hectareplot