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Traditional Knowledge and Formulations of Medicinal Plants Used by the Traditional Medical Practitioners of Bangladesh to Treat Schizophrenia Like Psychosis

Md. Nasir Ahmed
Ethnobotany & Ethnomedicine Division, TechB Herbal Solution, Bheramara, Kushtia 7040, Bangladesh

Md. Nur Kabidul Azam
Ethnobotany & Ethnomedicine Division, TechB Herbal Solution, Bheramara, Kushtia 7040, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Schizophrenia is a subtle disorder of brain development and plasticity; it affects the most basic human processes of perception, emotion, and judgment. In Bangladesh the traditional medical practitioners of rural and remote areas characterized the schizophrenia as an insanity or a mental problem due to possession by ghosts or evil spirits and they have used various plant species’ to treat such symptoms. The aim of the present study was to conduct an ethnomedicinal plant survey and documentation of the formulations of different plant parts used by the traditional medical practitioners of Rangamati district of Bangladesh for the treatment of schizophrenia like psychosis. It was observed that the traditional medical practitioners used a total of 15 plant species to make 14 formulations.The plants were divided into 13 families, used for treatment of schizophrenia and accompanying symptoms like hallucination, depression, oversleeping or insomnia, deterioration of personal hygiene, forgetfulness, and fear due to evil spirits like genies or ghost. A search of the relevant scientific literatures showed that a number of plants used by the medicinal practitioners have been scientifically validated in their uses and traditional medicinal knowledge has been a means towards the discovery of many modern medicines. Moreover, the antipsychotic drug reserpine, isolated from the dried root of Rauvolfia serpentina species, revolutionized the treatment of schizophrenia. So it is very much possible that formulations of the practitioner, when examined scientifically in their entireties, can form discovery of lead compounds which can be used as safe and effective antipsychotic drug to treat schizophrenia.

Keywords: Traditional Knowledge, Formulations, Medicinal Plants, Traditional Medical Practitioners, Bangladesh. Schizophrenia Like Psychosis

Location: Rangamati which is located in the CHT region.

Start Date: 00-03-2013

End Date: 00-04-2013

Program Area: Development of Host and Medicinal Plants

Commodity: Medicinal Plants

Objectives:

The aim of the present study was to document the traditional medicine knowledge as well formulations of medicinal plants used by the traditional medical practitioners of Rangamati district in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) region of Bangladesh for the treatment of schizophrenia like psychosis.

Methodology:

2.1. Study Area. For the present study, survey was done between March to Mid-April’ 2013, in the largest district of the country called Rangamati which is located in the CHT region. It is consists of 10 upazilas and bordered by the Tripura state of India to the north and Bandarban district to the south. The area of the district is 6116 km2 of which 1292 km² is riverine and 4825 km2 is under forest vegetation. The main survey was conducted in the Rangamati Sadar Upazila, which consists of 6 unions, on the information about medicinal plants commonly used for treatment of psychotic disorders with particular attention to schizophrenia. The study area for this specific ethnomedicinal survey was selected by the authors themselves regarding information on the noted traditional medical practices. Moreover, the study area as well as the total CHT region is very rich in species diversity. We are conducting systematic ethnomedicinal survey of Bangladesh since 2011 as to explore how do the Kabirajes of Bangladesh select medicinal plants for treatment of any ailment. In order to address such question we conducted this specific survey among Kabirajes of Rangamati Sadar Upazila of Bangladesh. The above question is more important from the viewpoint that how and why medicinal plants are selected by the TMPs can lead the way towards a better linking between traditional knowledge with biomedical science.

2.2. Mode of Interview and Plant Data Collection. The collection of data through interviews of 3 traditional medical practitioners (TMP; aged between 61–67) was conducted by the researchers themselves with the help of a semistructured questionnaire. The number of 3 TMPs was chosen on the basis of recommendation of the local inhabitants as to being more proficient and reputed to their practices. In the preliminary survey, the TMPs were specifically asked as to whether they know and treat schizophrenia, the basis for their diagnosis, and their mode of treatment when the disease has been diagnosed as schizophrenia. According to folk medical practitioners, the symptoms were hallucinations, over sleeping in the day, insomnia, staying alone in the dark room, anxiety, being silent or not so much interested to keep attached with family members, and most commonly getting fear due to invisible person (as per patient’s thoughts). The traditional medical practitioners defined this fear to be due to evil spirits, genies, or ghosts. The basic method followed was one of guided fieldwork. Information collected from the Kabirajes consisted of medicinal plants or plant parts used, formulations, and dosage. The information was noted down during the daytime interviews. At the end of each interview plant specimens shown by the traditional medical practitioners were collected, dried, and later brought back to the Dhaka for identification at the Bangladesh National Herbarium and all the voucher specimens were deposited there. Nomenclature of plants was compiled from the plant list database. For this specific ethnomedicinal survey, the number of visits was made to the traditional medical practitioners to gain their confidence.

Source of Information: Schizophrenia Research and Treatment Volume 2014, Article ID 679810, 10 pages

Article Link (Online Journal): http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/679810

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The use of psychoactive plants is practically a universal human phenomenon. Except for a few cultures lacking access to psychoactive plants, humans tend to use them routinely. The psychological and behavioral effects of such plants have been long recognized and information about their uses has been passed down through generations. However, with the advent of modern science we are able to better understand the composition of these plants and how they interact with the nervous system. The available scientific literature strongly suggests that at least some of the plants used by the traditional medical practitioners of Bangladesh may have strong scientific basis for their use in the treatment of schizophrenia like psychotic episodes. This ethnobotanical data provides an interesting basis for further phytotherapeutical research towards discovery of novel and efficacious antipsychotic drugs, especially concerning uncommonly used species (i.e., A. augusta L.f, L. polyantha Juss., P. retrofractum Vahl., F. hirta Vahl., T. peruviana (Pers.) K. Schum, and Datura metel L.). Although some formulations have drawn attention, in depth clinical trials of each one of the plants presented in the table should be conducted which will be a major tool to prove the benefits for a schizophrenia patient as well as to evaluate more scientific researches for discovering the new antipsychotic drugs with giving less side effects.

Knowledge Management: Journal