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VOL. 67 (1) 2001 BIODIVERSITY AND NATURAL PRODUCTS

Medicinal Chemistry and Biodiversity

Realizing that biodiversity can be lost by man-made cataclysms
such as the construction of large public works or by natural catastrophes
such as fires, volcanoes etc., Medicinal Chemistry can function as a great
ally by emphasizing the eco-balance between life and its surroundings,
plants and micro-fauna and other relationships. Medicinal Chemistry also
recognizes the symbiotic interaction between native communities and cul-
tures as a foundation and wellspring for potential discoveries. These
interrelationships must be nurtured and their key elements preserved.
Researchers studying natural medicinal agents subscribe to this rationale.
Their analysis, evaluation and effective utilization of available resources
can greatly assist toward maintaining the elements of biodiversity while
promoting scientific advances. Alternatively, in developing countries
whose economies are based on the exploitation of agricultural and live-
stock resources principally geared to the production of cash crops and
immediate products, there is great pressure on their natural space. Conse-
quently, there is also great pressure toward the potential elimination of
their natural flora. Thus, the relationships between biodiversity, opportu-
nity and the structuring of various alliances become especially important
relative to the immediate financial needs of a developing country. In this
light, however, biodiversity and Medicinal Chemistry must find a way to
collaborate and optimize opportunities based on new alliances and tech-
nology transfer that is not based-upon pure economics. Enormous bene-
fits can accrue in the fields of education, scientific research, and innova-
tion when an approach, other than immediate financial gain is taken.

Some examples can be illustrative. The “uña de gato,” Uncaria
tomentosa, DC, is a liana which has long been used by native communi-
ties of South America. However, the people from the countries where the
plant grows became wary of exporting extracts for Medicinal Chemistry
research because they thought they might not receive commensurate
benefits. Ultimately the plant became offered on the net, in any quantity
anywhere in the world by a few financially opportunistic companies. The
result is that the opportunity toward incorporating technology and techno-
logical development for the countries that originally possessed the plant

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