Phytochemistry and Conservation Concerning Medicinal Plants of Pinus ponderosa Forests

1. 10 9 8 7 6 1 2 3 4 5 Introduction Figure 4 Figure 1 • Juniperus scopulorum • Grow in dry, open, rocky sites • From the foothills to the montane • Elevations up to 8,900 feet • Decoction (extraction via boiling) of berries was used to treat lung/venereal diseases • Decoction of roots, leaves, branches, and bark could treat ulcers and heartburn • Most commonly used as a treatment for urinary tract infections: a teaspoon of crushed berries was steeped—covered—in a cup for 15 minutes, then consumed • Pinus ponderosa • Grow in semiarid to moist climates • Mountainous and plateau regions • Elevations up to 9,800 feet • Used as a respiratory cleanser and antiseptic • Pitch (thick resin) was chewed to relieve coughs and sore throats • Branches used in steam baths to relieve muscular pain • Resin was also applied to skin to treat rashes and burns • Pseudotsuga menziesii • Grow in relatively moist to very dry areas • From the foothills to subalpine • Primarily used as an antiseptic • Resin could be chewed to treat coughs • Infusions (extraction via soaking) of the green inner bark was used to treat excessive menstruation, bleeding bowels, and stomach issues • Infusions of young sprouts treated colds Aspect: 40, Slope: 34 Aspect: 330, Slope: 20 Figure 2 Figure 5 Aspect: 310, Slope: 19 Aspect: 285, Slope: 20 Figure 3 Figure 6 Aspect: 340, Slope: 18 Aspect: 60, Slope: 15 Acknowledgments I would like to sincerely thank the Adolph Coors Foundation for sponsoring my research efforts as well as providing me with the opportunity to attend FSI. I would like to thank my mentor, Mario Bretfeld, and his assistant, Michone Duffy, for allowing me to participate in research and for teaching me along the way. I would like to thank all of the FSI staff! Lori Ball, thank you for coordinating such an amazing camp and for your dedication. Karen Allnut and Nicholas Broeker, thank you for being outstanding R.A.’s and for helping to lead all of the students to success. Abby Davidson, thank you, so much, for editing my paper and always giving me constructive feedback. Nathan Kirkley, thank you for assisting me in identifying plant species. Zabedah Saad, thank you for educating me and answering my questions regarding research tactics. Nickolas True and Kayla Schinke, thank you for your support and dedication. I would like to thank all of the members of FSI for being supportive, helpful, and for undergoing this journey with me. I would not be where I am today without my friends and family who never stopped believing in me. I would especially like to thank my brothers Alex and Jacob West for constantly inspiring and encouraging me! I could not express the gratitude I feel towards my biology teacher Tamara Pennington. Thanks for being there for me and for helping me excel in both life and science! Also, I’d like to thank Glenn Peterson and Meg Jacobson for helping and teaching me. Phytochemistry and Conservation Concerning Medicinal Plants of Pinus ponderosa Forests Hannah West 1, Mario Bretfeld2 Frontiers of Science Institute1, Department of Ecology2, UNC FSI 2011 Abstract Pinus ponderosa, Juniperus scopulorum, and Pseudotsuga menziesii were under observation to determine whether or not the species prevailed in Pinus ponderosa forests of the Colorado portion of the Rocky Mountains. Their reproductive rates and current populations were analyzed, and it was determined that the species are not threatened with extinction in Pinus ponderosa forests based upon the overall data collected from individual plots. Terpene, a chemical found in all three species’ resin, was identified as being responsible for providing the organisms with medicinal value. This study not only applies to medicinal plants of the Rocky Mountains, but encompasses all plants and the idea that phytochemistry should be studied and medicinal uses of natural organisms should be preserved. Results • Conclusion • Neither hypothesis was rejected • H1: Juniperus scopulorum, Pinus ponderosa, and Pseudotsuga menziesii were growing in the majority of the plots at a rate necessary to survive • They prevailed in a variety of sizes, indicating healthy variety. • Juniperus scopulorum were less common than Pinus ponderosa and Pseudotsuga menziesii, as predicted. • H2: all three species’ resin had a chemical composition consisting mainly of terpene • Terpene is used in today’s medicine, and there is no reason why the other chemicals that provide medicinal value in the species could not be applied to synthetic medicines as well. • This research not only pertains to the species that were studied, but encompasses the idea that all plants should be conserved. Using plants in their natural state as medicines is a dying art while the study of phytochemistry is relatively new. If humans are able to conserve the knowledge of the functions of various plants that are not commonly used in medicines, but do have medicinal value, and couple that knowledge with the chemicals that make them that way, a whole world of medicine and natural treatments could exist. In 1972, Robert K. Peet classified Pinus ponderosa, Pseudotsuga menziesii, and Juniperus scopulorum as being endemic to Pinus ponderosa forests. The researcher was seeing if the species still prevailed in these forests and was also analyzing their medicinal properties. • Hypotheses and Rationale • It is hypothesized that there will be less of the mentioned species than during 1972 and that Pinus ponderosa and Pseudotsuga menziesii will be growing in smaller sizes than in previous years. • Succession occurs naturally, but human and natural disasters can act as catalysts and result in more dramatic succession • The forests are primarily made of both Pseudotsuga menziesii and Pinus ponderosa, and the researcher does not believe that they are in any danger of extinction. Juniperus scopulorum is not as common in Pinus ponderosa forests, and may be in danger of leaving this particular type of forest. • It is hypothesized that the chemical composition giving the three observed plants medicinal value will be similar to one another. • The current research shows that all of the trees can be used to treat a lot of the same symptoms and that they have similar woody, vascular structures. • All the species are coniferous trees with medicinal resin; since the trees are so similar, their chemical compositions are assumed to be as well. Methods The researcher returned to the coordinates of the plot s taken by Robert K. Peet and followed the Carolina Vegetation Survey (CVS) protocol. Data was collected by establishing a plot outline and preforming level 5 sampling. Level 5 sampling involved identifying all of the vascular plants at all layers of the plot as well as measuring the DBH (diameter breast height) of woody tree species. Discussion Species population The majority of the plots had healthy populations of both Pinus ponderosa and Pseudotsuga menziesii, and half of them had healthy populations of Juniperus scopulorum. Figure 1 shows a low abundance of Pinus ponderosa. This may be due to the 34 degree slope, as it was the steepest of all the plots observed, and the only plot with few Pinus ponderosa. Figure 3 shows the plot with the smallest and least diverse population of Pseudotsuga menziesii. Figure 3, 4, and 5 each have only one Juniperus scopulorum. These plots have aspects that equal around 325, as opposed to the other plots that all equaled under 300. At least one of the species prevailed in a variety of ages in every observed plot. Terpene The chemical terpene can exist as any class of hydrocarbons in plants and animals. The resins of the plants are classified as diterpenes. Abietic acids are commonly found in medicinal herbs with antiseptic properties, including Pinus pallasiana (pine tree), Salvia cornosa (sage), and Rosmaris officinalis (rosemary). Juniperus scopulorum contains a terpene that the other two species do not: citronellol. This chemical is especially effective as an insect repellant. Eucalyptus citriodora, known as eucalypt, is the richest source of citronellol. Most plants of this species are composed of 85% of the chemical. Juniperus scopulorum cones contain a little less than10% which is still a significant amount. References Anonymous. (2009). Medicinal plants and healthcare. Appropriate Technology, 36(1), 4. Breitmaier, E. (2006). Terpenes: flavors, fragrances, pharmaca, pheromones. Weinheim: WILEY-VCH. Carolina Vegetation Survey. Web. 11 July 2011. <http://cvs.bio.unc.edu/>. Douglas Fir/Juniper/Ponderosa Pine. (n.d.). Medicinal herbs - natural healing power. Retrieved July 6, 2011, from http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net Moerman, D. (2009). Native American medicinal plants:an ethnobotanical dictionary. Oregon: Timber Press. Moore, M. (1979). Medicinal plants of the mountain West. Santa Fe: Museum of New Mexico Press. Sell, C. S. (2003). A fragrant introduction to terpenoid chemistry . Cambridge: Royal Society of Chemistry.