The effects of Cecropia obtusifolia and Cecropia polyphlebia on lung capacity in relation to alkaloid concentration, May 2009

Alternative Title

Los efectos de Cecropia obtusifolia y Cecropia polyphlebia en la capacidad pulmonar en relación con la concentración de alcaloides

Creator

Mai Lee Xiong

Files

Publication Date

May 2009

Abstract

For centuries, people have depended on nature to alleviate their ailments. A popular natural remedy for asthma is the use of Cecropia adenopus (Rivero 2008). In this study, I looked at two Cecropia spp., C. obtusifolia and C. polyphlebia, found in Monteverde, Costa Rica. Cecropia obtusifolia is found at lower elevation and has a mutualism with Azteca ants while C. polyphlebia is found at higher elevation in the Cloud Forest with no ant mutualism. A previous study by Ross (2003) found that ingestion of C. obtusifolia leaf decoction increased lung capacity by three to four percent compared to a placebo group. A possible reason is the presence of alkaloids (Schmeller & Wink 1998) in leaves of Cecropiaceae (Morton 1981). I predicted that since C. obtusifolia has a mutualism with ants, it would have less alkaloids compared to C. polyphlebia, thus rendering it less effective as an anti-asthmatic agent. I followed the protocols from Ross (2003) for tea preparation and lung capacity measurement and Gottheiner (1998) for alkaloid extraction. I found no increase in lung capacity from drinking Cecropia decoctions. The mean rate of change, which is the final lung capacity measurement minus the initial divided by the number of samples in a group, for the control is 0.136 L with a standard error of 0.066; C. obtusifolia, 0.180 L and 0.090; and C. polyphlebia, 0.172 L and 0.100 (one-way ANOVA; F2,52 = 0.056, p = 0.946). Further, while C. polyphlebia may have more alkaloids, this was not significant enough to make a difference in lung capacity.

Resumen

Durante siglos los seres humanos han dependido de la naturaleza para aliviar sus dolencias. Un remedio natural popular para el asma es el uso de Cecropia adenopus. Estudie Cecropia obtusifolia y Cecropia polyphlebia en Monteverde, Costa Rica.

Keywords

Asthma, Herbs--Theapeutic use, CIEE Spring 2009

Palabras claves

Asma, Hierbas--Usos terapéuticos, CIEE Primavera 2009

Extent

6 pages

Geographic Location

Monteverde (Puntarenas, Costa Rica)

Holding Location

Monteverde Institute

Language

English; Spanish

Media Type

Articles

Format

Digital Only

Identifier

M39-00516

Type

Book

Recommended Citation

Xiong, Mai Lee, "The effects of Cecropia obtusifolia and Cecropia polyphlebia on lung capacity in relation to alkaloid concentration, May 2009" (2009). Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation. 34.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/tropical_ecology/34