2023-07-23 17:00:00
For thousands of years, plants have been used in the composition of treatments with proven efficacy. They even give birth to revolutionary drugs.
Cinchona bark against malaria
In the 17th century, the bark of Cinchona officinalis – or cinchona – is already known to lower fever. In 1820, two Frenchmen isolated a fundamental substance: quinine. Then, around 1930, the Germans designed a synthetic version to create two antimalarials, including chloroquine. Marketed in 1949 in France, it helped fight malaria but proved ineffective against Covid-19.
Black elderberry, an ally against the common cold
The leaves, bark or roots of this shrub are used in various forms, particularly in herbal teas et hydrosol. “Black elderberry has long been used to treat upper respiratory tract infections, the flu and to strengthen the immune system“, says Karin Greiner, a German biologist. It also helps relieve kidney problems, rheumatism and sciatica. The World Health Organization itself recognizes this traditional use of black elderberry flowers “to fight fever and as an expectorant”. But beware of berries and seeds that can be toxic.
The black elderberry. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Willow, precursor of aspirin
From antiquity, the the sun is used as an analgesic, in particular to fight against the pains of childbirth. In 1829, a French pharmacist, Pierre-Joseph Leroux, succeeded in isolating soluble crystals of salicin from its bark. The remedy is then judged effective against fever. About ten years later, a Neapolitan chemist managed to synthesize salicylic acid. In 1899, the German laboratory Bayer marketed aspirin in powder form. THE tablets appeared in 1915. It is still today one of the most prescribed analgesics and anti-inflammatories in the world.
European yew at the heart of the fight against cancer
In 1964, American researchers discovered by chance that extracts of the bark ofpacific yew are effective against cancerous tumors. In 1971, the substance capable of blocking the proliferation of cancer cells, called “taxol”, was identified. But there is a catch: eight tons of dried bark are needed to obtain 1,300 grams of taxol. It was out of the question to exhaust all the resources of the globe… Scientists from all over the world were working on the subject. In 1979, a French team collected enough needles ofeuropean yew to attempt a synthesis. And the results are there: the product obtained, a little different, is even more active! Millions of people with cancer have been treated with docetaxel since it was introduced in 1995.
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Linden, a miracle plant against infections, coughs, palpitations, nervousness
“This tree has long held healing status, although the source of its therapeutic virtues“, recognizes Karin Greiner, specialist in medicinal trees. Anyway, there is no shortage of indications: febrile infectionscough, palpitationsnervousness… In addition to its flowers, the lime tree has other advantages: its charcoal was once used to treat teethits hydrosol for skin and against the swelling, but also to sweat in case of fever. Today, it is mainly consumed as an infusion, known to be calming.
Linden. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Birch bark against Staphylococcus aureus
The properties of the bark of certain trees are of interest to medical research to combat nosocomial infections. These diseases contracted in the hospital via bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotics are the cause of many deaths. A team from the Institute of Molecular Chemistry in Reims (Marne) is currently studying the virtues of ten species of trees. Among these, the cherry : its bark kills some of these bacteria, in particular the famous and dreaded Staphylococcus aureus, responsible for 14% of the most serious nosocomial infections.
Tramadol in the African peach tree?
This synthetic drug, developed in the 1970s to relieve chronic pain and rebels, would have been (re)discovered by chance in a african tree. Nature stronger than chemistry? It was an Inserm research director who, in 2013, during a study on the african peach – present in sub-Saharan Africa – identifies a similar molecule, with a very high concentration of active ingredients. If this work is confirmed, it would be the first time that a product synthesized by chemists has been spotted at thenatural state.
An anti-cancer molecule in white birch
At the heart of the white bark of birch verrucous hides an organic compound with high potential: betulinol. “Work on this molecule has been underway for fifteen years already, indicates Jacques Fleurentin, pharmacist and president of the French Society of Ethnopharmacology. Clinical studies have just demonstrated its effectiveness on certain skin and brain cancers.” Interesting point: the betulinol would be active on cancerous cells without damaging healthy cells.
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