Plants Producing Ribosome-Inactivating Proteins in Traditional Medicine

Abstract

Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) are enzymes that deadenylate nucleic acids and are broadly distributed in the plant kingdom. Many plants that contain RIPs are listed in the pharmacopoeias of folk medicine all over the world, mostly because of their toxicity. This review analyses the position occupied in traditional medicine by plants from which RIPs have been isolated. The overview starts from the antique age of the Mediterranean area with ancient Egypt, followed by the Greek and Roman classic period. Then, the ancient oriental civilizations of China and India are evaluated. More recently, Unani medicine and European folk medicine are examined. Finally, the African and American folk medicines are taken into consideration. In conclusion, a list of RIP-expressing plants, which have been used in folk medicine, is provided with the geographical distribution and the prescriptions that are recommended by traditional healers. Some final considerations are provided on the present utilization of such herbal treatments, both in developing and developed countries, often in the absence of scientific validation. The most promising prospect for the medicinal use of RIP-expressing plants is the conjugation of purified RIPs to antibodies that recognise tumour antigens for cancer therapy.

Ricin: An Ancient Story for a Timeless Plant Toxin

“…(i) as a galactogogue on the Mediterranean coasts of Europe, where fresh leaves or leaf juice are applied on the puerperal breast to promote lactation; (ii) as a remedy for various articular, cutaneous or ocular diseases in Africa, where crushed seeds or oil, sometimes in combination with other plants, are spread or rubbed on the sickling part of the body, or a root decoction is drunk to induce uterine contraction as an abortive; (iii) as a medicament to cure erysipelas, flu, inflammation of the womb and stomach aches in the Caribbean, where a leaf poultice is recommended; (iv) as an anthelmintic or a purgative in Brazil where the seed oil is orally assumed or locally applied with the purpose of contrasting the hair loss or of healing wounds or burns (reviewed in [11]).…”

Hyperuricaemia, Xanthine Oxidoreductase and Ribosome‐Inactivating Proteins from Plants: The Contributions of Fiorenzo Stirpe to Frontline Research

“…The symptoms of intoxication from castor seeds and pharmacological properties of castor oil have been known for a long time in traditional Indian, Egyptian and Chinese medicine (reviewed in [ 26 ]). The modern history of ricin began in the late nineteenth century, dating back to the first description of a toxic haemagglutinin obtained from the seeds of castor bean by Stillmark [ 27 ].…”

Neuroprotective effects of Momordica charantia: A review from preclinical studies

“…Tender fruits of M. charantia are emerald green in color while ripened fruits are yellow-orange in color (Nagarani et al, 2014). M. charantia grows in tropical and subtropical regions and has been widely used in folk medicine in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and China for ages (Polito et al, 2016). Different varieties of M. charantia are available in different habitats (Thakur, 2018).…”