People have used plants for their therapeutic qualities throughout history. Furthermore, we show no signs of stopping down.
Only a few years ago, researchers isolated Kadcyla, an anti-cancer drug, from an African plant belonging to the Maytenus genus.
In addition to fungi, plants are an essential source for the creation of novel drugs. Learn about some of the plant species that have provided us with essential medications.
Pacific yew (Taxus brevifolia) A tiny yew tree found in Pacific Northwest forests became the next big thing in cancer treatments in the second part of the 20th century.
The bark of Pacific yew trees contains paclitaxel, sometimes referred to as taxol, which has been found to be an effective treatment for a variety of malignancies.
Unfortunately, logging was already threatening the Pacific yew, endangering a potentially game-changing medication. Thankfully, the tree was spared overharvesting in the mid-1990s when researchers were able to synthesize paclitaxel in the lab using a more accessible natural precursor.
The bark of the European yew (Taxus baccata), a common species that can be harvested sustainably and is not in danger of going extinct, can now be used to synthesize paclitaxel.
Bark collection of Pacific yews (Taxus brevifolia), Walter Siegmund CC BY 2.5
Daffodils (Narcissus) and snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis)
The earliest spring blooms that cover gardens, meadows, and woodland floors with a blanket of white are common snowdrops.
However, did you know that a chemical found in snowdrops can also aid in the treatment of dementia?
Galantamine, a substance found in snowdrops, is employed in contemporary Alzheimer's medications and to treat traumatic nervous system damage.
The bulbs of daffodils and other plants in the Amaryllidaceae family also contain galantamine. A Welsh farmer discovered in 2022 that daffodils cultivated in stressful, windy settings produced more galantamine, which may contribute to the development of revolutionary treatments.
Daffodils and snowdrops are frequent sightings throughout Kew in the spring, particularly in the Alpine Garden.
Typical snowdrop blossoms, Zoe Stewart © RBG Ignacio Fernández Villar, Kew Narcissus cuneiflorus (CC)
Periwinkle from Madagascar (Catharanthus roseus)
Because it is essential to the manufacturing of anti-cancer drugs, the Madagascar periwinkle, which was once exclusively found on the island bearing the same name, is now widely grown worldwide.
The Madagascar periwinkle, like many other medicinal plants, is poisonous if consumed in any form. Before being employed in therapies, the pharmaceutical chemicals that can combat cancer must first be isolated in safe dosages.
Because the periwinkle only naturally produces trace amounts of these chemicals, cultivation is an expensive procedure. Scientists are therefore working to learn more about the synthesis of these substances and how we might improve it.
Because of its propensity to grow in disturbed habitats, the periwinkle has survived the human-induced extinction of many of Madagascar's native species.
On your next visit, check out the Madagascar periwinkle at Kew's Palm House.
CC BY Rafaël Govaerts, Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) variations
Women in the nude (Colchicum autumnale)
Naked women are utilized medicinally all throughout the world as a source of a substance called colchicine, even though they are hazardous to the touch.
When other medications are ineffective for treating gout, this substance is utilized because it reduces swelling and acts as an anti-inflammatory. The corm, a subterranean stem that resembles a plant bulb, contains colchicine.
Because it can be employed in plant breeding to produce larger and faster-growing plants, colchicine is also well-liked by horticulturists in addition to its medical use.
Because the flowers appear before the leaves, giving them a "naked" appearance, naked ladies receive their somewhat risqué common moniker.
Scratching the plant's seed pods and then gathering the white latex that results is how opium is extracted from poppies. For thousands of years, this chemical has been used as a medicinal and recreational narcotic. In the 17th century, it became extremely profitable, leading to multiple battles over its sale.
The poppy's particular name, somniferum, which translates to "sleep-bringing," alludes to the sedative effects of opium and the potential for pain alleviation.
Opium poppies are being utilized today to make opioid painkillers like codeine and morphine. Additionally, it is the origin of heroin. Opioids are helpful in managing pain, but they must be taken carefully because they are highly addictive.
The opium poppy is grown for its delicious seeds and is also a common ornamental plant, however it is mainly known for producing the drug of the same name.
Latex seed pod of the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum), CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons by George Chernilevsky
Papaver somniferum, or opium poppies, Kora27 on Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
The hundreds of species that humans have used as remedies are far more extensive than these five instances illustrate. And it doesn't even include the important remedies that have been developed from fungal species. Understanding what's out there is crucial because of this.
According to Kew's State of the World's Plants and Fungi 2023, experts believe that three of every four unidentified plant species are in danger of extinction. Furthermore, just 0.4% of all known fungal species have had their conservation status evaluated for inclusion on the IUCN Red List. These species could go extinct before we can even identify them, which would mean that potentially life-altering medications would never be found again.
Kew's job is therefore more important than ever. In order to preserve future medicinal advancements, we are trying to identify more plants and fungus and learn how to prevent their extinction.
Only a few years ago, researchers isolated Kadcyla, an anti-cancer drug, from an African plant belonging to the Maytenus genus.
In addition to fungi, plants are an essential source for the creation of novel drugs. Learn about some of the plant species that have provided us with essential medications.
Pacific yew (Taxus brevifolia) A tiny yew tree found in Pacific Northwest forests became the next big thing in cancer treatments in the second part of the 20th century.
The bark of Pacific yew trees contains paclitaxel, sometimes referred to as taxol, which has been found to be an effective treatment for a variety of malignancies.
Unfortunately, logging was already threatening the Pacific yew, endangering a potentially game-changing medication. Thankfully, the tree was spared overharvesting in the mid-1990s when researchers were able to synthesize paclitaxel in the lab using a more accessible natural precursor.
The bark of the European yew (Taxus baccata), a common species that can be harvested sustainably and is not in danger of going extinct, can now be used to synthesize paclitaxel.
Bark collection of Pacific yews (Taxus brevifolia), Walter Siegmund CC BY 2.5
Daffodils (Narcissus) and snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis)
The earliest spring blooms that cover gardens, meadows, and woodland floors with a blanket of white are common snowdrops.
However, did you know that a chemical found in snowdrops can also aid in the treatment of dementia?
Galantamine, a substance found in snowdrops, is employed in contemporary Alzheimer's medications and to treat traumatic nervous system damage.
The bulbs of daffodils and other plants in the Amaryllidaceae family also contain galantamine. A Welsh farmer discovered in 2022 that daffodils cultivated in stressful, windy settings produced more galantamine, which may contribute to the development of revolutionary treatments.
Daffodils and snowdrops are frequent sightings throughout Kew in the spring, particularly in the Alpine Garden.
Typical snowdrop blossoms, Zoe Stewart © RBG Ignacio Fernández Villar, Kew Narcissus cuneiflorus (CC)
Periwinkle from Madagascar (Catharanthus roseus)
Because it is essential to the manufacturing of anti-cancer drugs, the Madagascar periwinkle, which was once exclusively found on the island bearing the same name, is now widely grown worldwide.
The Madagascar periwinkle, like many other medicinal plants, is poisonous if consumed in any form. Before being employed in therapies, the pharmaceutical chemicals that can combat cancer must first be isolated in safe dosages.
Because the periwinkle only naturally produces trace amounts of these chemicals, cultivation is an expensive procedure. Scientists are therefore working to learn more about the synthesis of these substances and how we might improve it.
Because of its propensity to grow in disturbed habitats, the periwinkle has survived the human-induced extinction of many of Madagascar's native species.
On your next visit, check out the Madagascar periwinkle at Kew's Palm House.
CC BY Rafaël Govaerts, Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) variations
Women in the nude (Colchicum autumnale)
Naked women are utilized medicinally all throughout the world as a source of a substance called colchicine, even though they are hazardous to the touch.
When other medications are ineffective for treating gout, this substance is utilized because it reduces swelling and acts as an anti-inflammatory. The corm, a subterranean stem that resembles a plant bulb, contains colchicine.
Because it can be employed in plant breeding to produce larger and faster-growing plants, colchicine is also well-liked by horticulturists in addition to its medical use.
Because the flowers appear before the leaves, giving them a "naked" appearance, naked ladies receive their somewhat risqué common moniker.
Scratching the plant's seed pods and then gathering the white latex that results is how opium is extracted from poppies. For thousands of years, this chemical has been used as a medicinal and recreational narcotic. In the 17th century, it became extremely profitable, leading to multiple battles over its sale.
The poppy's particular name, somniferum, which translates to "sleep-bringing," alludes to the sedative effects of opium and the potential for pain alleviation.
Opium poppies are being utilized today to make opioid painkillers like codeine and morphine. Additionally, it is the origin of heroin. Opioids are helpful in managing pain, but they must be taken carefully because they are highly addictive.
The opium poppy is grown for its delicious seeds and is also a common ornamental plant, however it is mainly known for producing the drug of the same name.
Latex seed pod of the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum), CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons by George Chernilevsky
Papaver somniferum, or opium poppies, Kora27 on Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
The hundreds of species that humans have used as remedies are far more extensive than these five instances illustrate. And it doesn't even include the important remedies that have been developed from fungal species. Understanding what's out there is crucial because of this.
According to Kew's State of the World's Plants and Fungi 2023, experts believe that three of every four unidentified plant species are in danger of extinction. Furthermore, just 0.4% of all known fungal species have had their conservation status evaluated for inclusion on the IUCN Red List. These species could go extinct before we can even identify them, which would mean that potentially life-altering medications would never be found again.
Kew's job is therefore more important than ever. In order to preserve future medicinal advancements, we are trying to identify more plants and fungus and learn how to prevent their extinction.
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