INDIGENA  BIODIVERSITY 

Ref: G412 POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL USE: Skin cream with insect repellent properties TRADITIONAL USES: The leaves are used as an insect-repellent, on crops and cattle. The plant is also used to treat skin diseases and as a wound healing agent. SCIENTIFIC STUDIES have confirmed those uses. In one study, the insect -repellent activity was shown to be slightly better than citronella SUMMARY: It is unlikely that a product could be patented, but there is a potential in the skincare market for a product which has skin-repairing properties and has insect-repellent activity as good as citronella

Ref: P111 POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL USE: OTC toothache relief or research lead for a local anaesthetic TRADITIONAL USES: Treating snakebites and toothache SCIENTIFIC STUDIES: Pipercallosine has been identified as active anaesthetic constituent. SUMMARY: A herbal local pain relief product could rely on the exclusivity of rights to genetic resources. Derivatization of the molecule could produce novel compounds and may lead to patent rights for a hospital product.

Ref: G701 POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL USE: A lead for epilepsy research TRADITIONAL USES: hysteria, epilepsy, vertigo, colic, intestinal worms, poisoning, headache, anxiety, and eye problems SCIENTIFIC STUDIES: The crude extract showed anticonvulsant activity comparable to that of the epilepsy drug, diazepam SUMMARY: No metabolites of the species with anti-epileptic activity are known. Isolation and identification of the active constituents could provide a lead for research which would be likely to provide a patentable result.

Ref: P102 POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL USE: An edible food or drink product TRADITIONAL USE: The fruit around the beans is tasty and is made into a drink, or eaten raw. The beans can be roasted as nuts, or mixed with cocoa beans in making cocoa. SCIENTIFIC STUDIES: A scientific paper confirms the antioxidant activity of extracts of the fruit, due to the presence of phenolic compounds. SUMMARY: This is a little used plant species, which can be used in various food products.

Ref: G512 POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL USE: Sexual stimulant TRADITIONAL USES: Malaria, snake bites, stomach pain, and lowering blood pressure. Generally, roots, bark and leaves are used. EXISTING COMMERCIAL USE: The main alkaloid constutuent, rauwolscine, is used as a dietary supplement and fat burner. THE NEW POTENTIAL USE The berries have been recently used by locals in Guatemala as a sexual stimulant. There may be an, as yet unidentified, constituent. Further research may lead to a patentable result.