NOV 11, 2024

The symbiotic relationship between humans and plants

WRITTEN BY: Greta Anne

A study on medicinal plants published in Cell highlights the symbiotic relationship between humans and plant species, particularly in the context of medicine. This relationship, which spans millennia, underscores how traditional medicinal knowledge has laid the foundation for many modern pharmaceuticals, emphasizing the critical role of ethnopharmacology and Indigenous wisdom in today’s medical field. Medicinal plants such as quinine, artemisinin, and digitoxin exemplify the influence of traditional knowledge on contemporary treatments for diseases like malaria and cardiovascular conditions. 

According to the study, around 60% of the ≈14,000 medicinal plant species cataloged in the Natural Products ALERT database have been chemically or biologically analyzed, with 75% of these used in ways that align with traditional applications, demonstrating that Indigenous and traditional knowledge often precedes scientific validation.

The integration of Indigenous perspectives in the study of medicinal plants is essential, as traditional practices frequently encompass intimate knowledge about plant life cycles, medicinal properties, and socio-cultural relevance. Indigenous communities not only identify the specific plants with medicinal value but also contribute details on how and when they should be harvested, prepared, and administered. 

To preserve medicinal plants and the knowledge surrounding them, the study proposes a six-part strategy. The first recommendation is to establish a global germplasm repository for the ex-situ conservation of medicinal plants. The study advocates for expanding comparative genome sequencing projects, such as the 10,000 Plants Genome Project, to facilitate medicinal plant conservation. Additionally, researchers should continue cataloging plant metabolite diversity, particularly within clades with known therapeutic benefits, to support the development of substitutes for endangered species. 

The study proposes a paradigm shift in how humans view medicinal plants, suggesting that they should be seen not merely as resources but as symbiotic partners. This perspective emphasizes a form of socioecological mutualism where both humans and plants benefit; humans receive health benefits from these plants, while plants expand their habitats through cultivation and conservation. For instance, plants like the opium poppy and cannabis have been selectively cultivated and propagated by humans, who, in turn, have derived significant medical and socio-cultural value. 

An interdisciplinary approach combining molecular biology, biochemistry, evolutionary ecology, and ethnopharmacology is essential for uncovering the origins, evolution, and ecological context of medicinal plant use. By advancing knowledge of these relationships, researchers not only open the door to potential lifesaving treatments but also reinforce the importance of Indigenous and traditional knowledge systems. 

Sources: Cell