Lay use of Amazonian plants for the treatment of tuberculosis

RESUMO

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