Biological Interactions
Medicinal plants- unlocking plant potential
Kew
explores the building blocks of plants and is able to identify elements
which will enable them to be used in beneficial ways. Plant compounds
already play an important component in many medicines. Taxol, derived
from the yew, has been used to treat breast cancer, and is now being used
to treat many other forms of cancer. The Madagascar periwinkle is the
source of vincristine and vinblastine which are being used to treat leukaemia.
More humble plants also have their role to play: a recent Kew project
has identified how wild relatives of rice contain anti-cancer compounds
which have been lost in the highly refined milling process.
- Kew is currently looking at plants used traditionally by the Yamahami Indians of South American to combat malaria
- The Morton Bay Chestnut has provided a new lead for an anti-HIV compound and Kew is now researching its uses in treating TB
- Kew's research recently found anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties in rosemary and lavender
- Kew is looking at uses of British plants including how figwort can be used to treat wounds and why plants used by Harry Potter may be associated with real magic
- Ephedrine, from the ephedra plant is being explored as a treatment for hayfever
- Salvias are being explored for their use in treating Alzheimer's disease
