Medical plants 'face extinction'

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Medical plants 'face extinction'

Hundreds of medicinal plants are at risk of extinction, threatening

the discovery of future cures for disease, according to experts.

Over 50% of prescription drugs are derived from chemicals first

identified in plants.

But the Botanic Gardens Conservation International said many were at

risk from over-collection and deforestation.

Researchers warned the cures for things such as cancer and HIV may

become " extinct before they are ever found " .

The group, which represents botanic gardens across 120 countries,

surveyed over 600 of its members as well as leading university experts.

They identified 400 plants that were at risk of extinction.

These included yew trees, the bark of which forms the basis for one of

the world's most widely used cancer drugs, paclitaxel.

Hoodia, which originally comes from Namibia and is attracting interest

from drug firms looking into developing weight loss drugs, is on the

verge of extinction, the report said.

And half of the world's species of magnolias are also under threat.

The plant contains the chemical honokiol, which has been used in

traditional Chinese medicine to treat cancers and slow down the onset

of heart disease.

The report also said autumn crocus, which is a natural treatment for

gout and has been linked to helping fight leukaemia, is at risk of

over-harvest as it is popular with the horticultural trade because of

its stunning petals.

Many of the chemicals from the at-risk plants are now created in the lab.

But the report said as well as future breakthroughs being put at risk,

the situation was likely to have a consequence in the developing world.

It said five billion people still rely on traditional plant-based

medicine as their primary form of health care.

Report author Belinda Hawkins said: " The loss of the world's medicinal

plants may not always be at the forefront of the public consciousness.

" However, it is not an overstatement to say that if the precipitous

decline of these species is not halted, it could destabilise the

future of global healthcare. "

And Ley, of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical

Industry, added: " Nature has provided us with many of our medicines.

" Scientists are always interested in what they can provide and so it

is a worry that such plants may be at risk. "

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7196702.stm

MIRACLE CURES MOST AT RISK

Yew tree - Cancer drug paclitaxel is derived from the bark, but it

takes six trees to create a single dose so growers are struggling to

keep up

Hoodia - Plant has sparked interest for its ability to suppress

appetite, but vast quantities have already been " ripped from the wild "

as the search for the miracle weight drug continues

Magnolia - Has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for 5,000

years as it is believed to help fight cancer, dementia and heart

disease. Half the world's species threatened, mostly due to deforestation

Autumn crocus - Romans and Greeks used it as poison, but now one of

the most effective treatments for gout. Under threat from horticulture

trade