Lay use of Amazonian plants for the treatment of tuberculosis

The Brazilian State of Amazonas has a high incidence of Tuberculosis, 91.4 in 10,000 habitants (SESAU, 1994) and resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis are frequently being found in the region (SALEM et.al, 1990). These problems have been associated with side effects caused by the antibiotics used to treat Tuberculosis, which have in turn been associated with treatment non-compliance (PATTISAPU, 1984). To resolve this problem a cost effective alternative treatment for Tuberculosis with few or no side effects, needs to be found. Amazonas has an abundance of plants, many of which are used by the lay population for medicinal purposes. A survey was carried out in five towns of the region, interviewing patients receiving treatment for Tuberculosis, to find out whether and which plants have been used to treat Tuberculosis. Results showed that the majority of patients in the sample had used medicinal plants before or after diagnosis of Tuberculoses. Thirteen different plants were recorded for this purpose. Chenopodium ambrosioides L., popularly known as Mastruz, was the most commonly used, followed by Caesalpinia ferrea Mart. Jucá and Spilanthes acmella D.C. Jambu. This study concentrates on Mastruz as it was used more frequently than the other medicinal plants. No significant effects on baciloscopy test results were found when Mastruz was used before diagnosis. In-vitro laboratory tests have also not shown any tuberculocidal effects for Mastruz. Further tests are being carried out on the other medicinal plants

Lay use of amazonian plants for the treatment of tuberculosis

The Brazilian State of Amazonas has a high incidence of Tuberculosis, 91.4 in 10,000 habitants (SESAU, 1994) and resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis are frequently being found in the region (SALEM et.al, 1990). These problems have been associated with side effects caused by the antibiotics used to treat Tuberculosis, which have in rum been associated with treatment non-compliance (PATTISAPU, 1984). To resolve this problem a cost effective alternative treatment for Tuberculosis with few or no side effects, needs to be found. Amazonas has an abundance of plants, many of which are used by the lay population for medicinal purposes. A survey was carried out in five towns of the region, interviewing patients receiving treatment for Tuberculosis, to find out whether and which plants have been used to treat Tuberculosis. Results showed that the majority of patients in the sample had used medicinal plants before or after diagnosis of Tuberculoses. Thirteen different plants were recorded for this purpose. Chenopodium ambrosioides L, popularly known as Mastruz, was the most commonly used, followed by Caesalpinia ferrea Mart. Jucá and Spilanthes acmella DC. Jambu. This study concentrates on Mastruz as it was used more frequently than the other medicinal plants. No significant effects on baciloscopy test results were found when Mastruz was used before diagnosis. ln-vitro laboratory tests have also not shown any tuberculocidal effects for Mastruz. Further tests are being carried out on the other medicinal plants.

O Estado do Amazonas tem uma alta incidência de tuberculose, 91.4 por 10,000 habitantes (SESAU, 1994), e freqüentemente novas cepas de Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistentes a diversos antibióticos são encontrados (SALEM et.al, 1990). O abandono terapêutico está sendo relacionada aos efeitos colaterais desses antibióticos, contribui para este quadro (PATTISAPU, 1984). Assim faz-se necessário a descoberta de substâncias alternativas com baixo nível de efeitos colaterais negativos para o tratamento de tuberculose. Neste estado existe abundância de plantas utilizadas pela população no combate a várias doenças. Um levantamento foi feito com portadores de tuberculose emtratamento alopático em cinco municípios do estado do Amazonas, para descobrir quais são as plantas utilizadas por eles. Os resultados mostraram que a maioria dos pacientes entrevistados utilizavam plantas medicinas antes e/ou após tratamento alopático. Treze plantas foram citadas como plantas medicinais e utilizadas no tratamento de tuberculose. Chenopodium ambrosioides L., popularmente conhecida por mastruz, foi relatada como a planta mais utilizada, seguida pela Caesalpinia ferrea Mart., jucá e Spilanthes acmella D.C., jambu. Este estudo se concentra no mastruz por causa da baixa utilização das outras. Não encontramos um efeito significativo no comportamento baciloscópio quando o mastruz foi utilizada antes da diagnóstico. Testes de laboratórios "in-vitro" também não mostraram um resultado tubeculocida para mastruz. Outros testes estão sendo feito com as outras plantas citadas.