David Picking | The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica (original) (raw)

Papers by David Picking

Research paper thumbnail of TRAMIL ethnomedicinal survey in Jamaica

Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2015

ABSTRACT A survey was undertaken in Jamaica to document medicinal plantsfrequently used in the tr... more ABSTRACT A survey was undertaken in Jamaica to document medicinal plantsfrequently used in the treatment or prophylaxis of illness and trends in their use, following the methodology established by the TRAMIL network. TRAMIL, a Caribbean-wide applied research programme, scientifically evaluates and documents the efficacy and safety of medicinal plant remedies used for primary health care. Initial results from this survey, on an aspect of safety, focusing on the concomitant use and prevalence of medicinal plant use in combination with pharmaceutical drugs in Jamaica, were published in an earlier paper in 2011. This paper now reports survey results on the ethnobotanical use of medicinal plants by Jamaicans.

Research paper thumbnail of Hyptis verticillata Jacq: A review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology

Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Feb 2013

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Hyptis verticillata Jacq. (Lamiaceae) (John Charles) is an import... more Ethnopharmacological relevance: Hyptis verticillata Jacq. (Lamiaceae) (John Charles) is an important medicinal plant with a long history of traditional use, originating in Central America and now extending from Florida to Colombia and across the Caribbean. Records of its earliest use date back to the ancient Mayan and Aztec cultures of Mesoamerica. There is no indication that this plant is being used outside of the Americas. Aim of the review: This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the traditional use, phytochemistry, pharmacological activity and toxicology of Hyptis verticillata and to highlight the opportunities for greater development of the plant's medicinal properties at a local and international level. Materials and methods: An extensive and systematic review of the literature was undertaken and all relevant abstracts and full-text articles analysed and included in the review. Key findings: A wide range of traditional uses are cited in the literature, from internal uses for conditions affecting the respiratory system, digestive tract and gynaecological system to external uses for conditions affecting the skin and musculoskeletal system. Pharmacological studies to date have demonstrated significant activity which support the traditional use of the plant as an antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, antisecretory agent and hormone modulator. In addition studies have identified anticancer, acaricidal, insecticidal and molluscicidal activity. No clinical trials had been completed at the time of this review. A number of key phytochemicals have been isolated, identified and published to date including: 17 lignans; 4 triterpenes; 11 diterpenes, 3 sesquiterpenes, 3 monoterpenes, 2 flavonoids, 1 polyphenol and 1 alkaloid. Nine of these phytochemicals are novel to Hyptis verticillata. Plant extracts and isolated phytochemicals exhibit a broad range of activities that include

Research paper thumbnail of The prevalence of herbal medicine home use and concomitant use with pharmaceutical medicines in Jamaica

Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2011

The work described in this paper aimed to study the prevalence of herbal medicine use in treating... more The work described in this paper aimed to study the prevalence of herbal medicine use in treating illness and concomitant use with pharmaceutical medicines in Jamaica.A survey using a structured questionnaire was administered by a trained interviewer to randomly selected adults in systematically selected households within randomly selected urban and rural clusters. Categorical data analysis was performed using Stata version 10 software.91.4% (372/407) of selected people agreed to participate. 72.6% (270/372) self-medicated with herbs within the previous year. Commonly treated were illnesses of the respiratory system (RS, 77.8% (210/270)), gastro-intestinal tract (GIT, 53.3% (144/270)) and health maintenance using tonics (29.6% (80/270)). 26.7% (72/270) of respondents used pharmaceuticals concomitantly with medicinal plants. Commonly treated were illnesses of the RS (20.4% (55/270)), GIT (13.7% (37/270)) and hypertension (10.0%(27/270)). 19.4% (14/72) of physicians knew of such practices. There was significant association of herb use with/without drugs with age (p < 0.001), employment status (p < 0.001), religion (p = 0.004), gender (p = 0.02) and educational level (p = 0.031). Thus prevalence of herb use alone was greatest amongst people aged 35–44 and 45–54 years; those employed; Rastafarians; those without health insurance; males and people who had completed secondary education. Whilst prevalence of concomitant herb–drug use was greater amongst people aged 65 years and older; those retired; those of religions other than Rastafarians and Christians, females and people who had attained primary education and below.Self-medication with herbs in Jamaica is highly prevalent and highest for self-limiting conditions of the RS, GIT and health maintenance with tonics. Concomitant herb and drug use is highest for self-limiting conditions of the RS, GIT and hypertension, and the use of combined therapy highlights the need for investigations on potential drug–herb interactions. Physicians have limited awareness and knowledge of such concomitant usage, further highlighting the need for increased dialogue with patients, knowledge of medicinal plants and their uses and a heightened pharmacovigilance to avoid adversities that may arise from potential drug–herb interactions.

Research paper thumbnail of A journey through the Medicinal Plant Industry of the Caribbean highlighting Mona's Contribution

Caribbean …, 2008

CITATIONS 2 READS 193 6 authors, including:

Research paper thumbnail of TRAMIL ethnomedicinal survey in Jamaica

Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2015

ABSTRACT A survey was undertaken in Jamaica to document medicinal plantsfrequently used in the tr... more ABSTRACT A survey was undertaken in Jamaica to document medicinal plantsfrequently used in the treatment or prophylaxis of illness and trends in their use, following the methodology established by the TRAMIL network. TRAMIL, a Caribbean-wide applied research programme, scientifically evaluates and documents the efficacy and safety of medicinal plant remedies used for primary health care. Initial results from this survey, on an aspect of safety, focusing on the concomitant use and prevalence of medicinal plant use in combination with pharmaceutical drugs in Jamaica, were published in an earlier paper in 2011. This paper now reports survey results on the ethnobotanical use of medicinal plants by Jamaicans.

Research paper thumbnail of Hyptis verticillata Jacq: A review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology

Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Feb 2013

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Hyptis verticillata Jacq. (Lamiaceae) (John Charles) is an import... more Ethnopharmacological relevance: Hyptis verticillata Jacq. (Lamiaceae) (John Charles) is an important medicinal plant with a long history of traditional use, originating in Central America and now extending from Florida to Colombia and across the Caribbean. Records of its earliest use date back to the ancient Mayan and Aztec cultures of Mesoamerica. There is no indication that this plant is being used outside of the Americas. Aim of the review: This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the traditional use, phytochemistry, pharmacological activity and toxicology of Hyptis verticillata and to highlight the opportunities for greater development of the plant's medicinal properties at a local and international level. Materials and methods: An extensive and systematic review of the literature was undertaken and all relevant abstracts and full-text articles analysed and included in the review. Key findings: A wide range of traditional uses are cited in the literature, from internal uses for conditions affecting the respiratory system, digestive tract and gynaecological system to external uses for conditions affecting the skin and musculoskeletal system. Pharmacological studies to date have demonstrated significant activity which support the traditional use of the plant as an antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, antisecretory agent and hormone modulator. In addition studies have identified anticancer, acaricidal, insecticidal and molluscicidal activity. No clinical trials had been completed at the time of this review. A number of key phytochemicals have been isolated, identified and published to date including: 17 lignans; 4 triterpenes; 11 diterpenes, 3 sesquiterpenes, 3 monoterpenes, 2 flavonoids, 1 polyphenol and 1 alkaloid. Nine of these phytochemicals are novel to Hyptis verticillata. Plant extracts and isolated phytochemicals exhibit a broad range of activities that include

Research paper thumbnail of The prevalence of herbal medicine home use and concomitant use with pharmaceutical medicines in Jamaica

Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2011

The work described in this paper aimed to study the prevalence of herbal medicine use in treating... more The work described in this paper aimed to study the prevalence of herbal medicine use in treating illness and concomitant use with pharmaceutical medicines in Jamaica.A survey using a structured questionnaire was administered by a trained interviewer to randomly selected adults in systematically selected households within randomly selected urban and rural clusters. Categorical data analysis was performed using Stata version 10 software.91.4% (372/407) of selected people agreed to participate. 72.6% (270/372) self-medicated with herbs within the previous year. Commonly treated were illnesses of the respiratory system (RS, 77.8% (210/270)), gastro-intestinal tract (GIT, 53.3% (144/270)) and health maintenance using tonics (29.6% (80/270)). 26.7% (72/270) of respondents used pharmaceuticals concomitantly with medicinal plants. Commonly treated were illnesses of the RS (20.4% (55/270)), GIT (13.7% (37/270)) and hypertension (10.0%(27/270)). 19.4% (14/72) of physicians knew of such practices. There was significant association of herb use with/without drugs with age (p < 0.001), employment status (p < 0.001), religion (p = 0.004), gender (p = 0.02) and educational level (p = 0.031). Thus prevalence of herb use alone was greatest amongst people aged 35–44 and 45–54 years; those employed; Rastafarians; those without health insurance; males and people who had completed secondary education. Whilst prevalence of concomitant herb–drug use was greater amongst people aged 65 years and older; those retired; those of religions other than Rastafarians and Christians, females and people who had attained primary education and below.Self-medication with herbs in Jamaica is highly prevalent and highest for self-limiting conditions of the RS, GIT and health maintenance with tonics. Concomitant herb and drug use is highest for self-limiting conditions of the RS, GIT and hypertension, and the use of combined therapy highlights the need for investigations on potential drug–herb interactions. Physicians have limited awareness and knowledge of such concomitant usage, further highlighting the need for increased dialogue with patients, knowledge of medicinal plants and their uses and a heightened pharmacovigilance to avoid adversities that may arise from potential drug–herb interactions.

Research paper thumbnail of A journey through the Medicinal Plant Industry of the Caribbean highlighting Mona's Contribution

Caribbean …, 2008

CITATIONS 2 READS 193 6 authors, including: