Psychotria colorata
Encyclopedia
Psychotria colorata is a species of plant in the Rubiaceae
family. It has been documented in an ethnobotanical context among the Ka'apor
people of Maranhão
, Brazil by Dr. William Balée
, the Tulane University
anthropologist
and historical ecologist
:
"Fishhooks (pinar) and line (pina-ham) are obtained through trade. The bait is usually worms, but two species of plants serve an intermediate role. Fruits of the rubiaceous forest herb Psychotria colorata and seeds of Ricinus communis, a treelet of dooryard gardens, are used for baiting hooks and catching small fish: characins called pirapisi. Fishermen cut chunks of the characins as bait for hooking larger, more desirable fish" (Balée 1994: 61).
"It is said that a boy should rub leaves of tapesi'i (Cephalia sp. 1) or leaves of Psychotria colorata (tapi'ika'a), both of which are in the madder
family, between his hands so that upon maturity he will be able to fashion well the manioc press (tapesi), an exclusive task of men" (Balée 1994: 107).
Extracts from the leaves, flowers, fruits and root of Psychotria colorata are traditionally used as an analgesic
by Amazonian cabaclos native peoples. This analgesic effect has been studied in animals and shown to be reversible by naloxone
, suggesting a mu opioid receptor
mediated effect. Subsequent research has identified several active alkaloid
s in the plant, the most important of which are hodgkinsine
, which acts as both a mu-opioid agonist and NMDA antagonist, and psychotridine
which is an NMDA antagonist with little or no mu-opioid affinity.
Rubiaceae
The Rubiaceae is a family of flowering plants, variously called the coffee family, madder family, or bedstraw family. The group contains many commonly known plants, including the economically important coffee , quinine , and gambier , and the horticulturally valuable madder , west indian jasmine ,...
family. It has been documented in an ethnobotanical context among the Ka'apor
Ka'apor
The Ka'apor are a distinct ethnic group of indigenous Brazilians living on a protected reserve in the state of Maranhão. They were the subject of a book by anthropologist Dr...
people of Maranhão
Maranhão
Maranhão is a northeastern state of Brazil. To the north lies the Atlantic Ocean. Maranhão is neighbored by the states of Piauí, Tocantins and Pará. The people of Maranhão have a distinctive accent...
, Brazil by Dr. William Balée
William Balée
William Balée is a professor of anthropology and environmental studies at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was born in the Miami, Florida area and educated at the University of Florida, Gainesville, where he received a B.A. in Anthropology before moving on to Columbia University in...
, the Tulane University
Tulane University
Tulane University is a private, nonsectarian research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States...
anthropologist
Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humanity. It has origins in the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. The term "anthropology" is from the Greek anthrōpos , "man", understood to mean mankind or humanity, and -logia , "discourse" or "study", and was first used in 1501 by German...
and historical ecologist
Historical ecology
Historical ecology is a research program that focuses on the interaction between humans and the environments in which they live. Rather than concentrating on one specific event, historical ecology aims to study and understand this interaction across both time and space in order to gain a full...
:
"Fishhooks (pinar) and line (pina-ham) are obtained through trade. The bait is usually worms, but two species of plants serve an intermediate role. Fruits of the rubiaceous forest herb Psychotria colorata and seeds of Ricinus communis, a treelet of dooryard gardens, are used for baiting hooks and catching small fish: characins called pirapisi. Fishermen cut chunks of the characins as bait for hooking larger, more desirable fish" (Balée 1994: 61).
"It is said that a boy should rub leaves of tapesi'i (Cephalia sp. 1) or leaves of Psychotria colorata (tapi'ika'a), both of which are in the madder
Madder
Rubia is a genus of the madder family Rubiaceae, which contains about 60 species of perennial scrambling or climbing herbs and sub-shrubs native to the Old World, Africa, temperate Asia and America...
family, between his hands so that upon maturity he will be able to fashion well the manioc press (tapesi), an exclusive task of men" (Balée 1994: 107).
Extracts from the leaves, flowers, fruits and root of Psychotria colorata are traditionally used as an analgesic
Analgesic
An analgesic is any member of the group of drugs used to relieve pain . The word analgesic derives from Greek an- and algos ....
by Amazonian cabaclos native peoples. This analgesic effect has been studied in animals and shown to be reversible by naloxone
Naloxone
Naloxone is an opioid antagonist drug developed by Sankyo in the 1960s. Naloxone is a drug used to counter the effects of opiate overdose, for example heroin or morphine overdose. Naloxone is specifically used to counteract life-threatening depression of the central nervous system and respiratory...
, suggesting a mu opioid receptor
Mu Opioid receptor
The μ-opioid receptors are a class of opioid receptors with high affinity for enkephalins and beta-endorphin but low affinity for dynorphins. They are also referred to as μ opioid peptide receptors. The prototypical μ receptor agonist is the opium alkaloid morphine; μ refers to morphine...
mediated effect. Subsequent research has identified several active alkaloid
Alkaloid
Alkaloids are a group of naturally occurring chemical compounds that contain mostly basic nitrogen atoms. This group also includes some related compounds with neutral and even weakly acidic properties. Also some synthetic compounds of similar structure are attributed to alkaloids...
s in the plant, the most important of which are hodgkinsine
Hodgkinsine
Hodgkinsine is an alkaloid found in plants of the Psychotria genus, particularly Psychotria colorata, although it is also found in Psychotria lyciiflora and probably other species in this family, as well as in the related species Calycodendron milnei.Hodgkinsine has antiviral, antibacterial and...
, which acts as both a mu-opioid agonist and NMDA antagonist, and psychotridine
Psychotridine
Psychotridine is a alkaloid found in some species of the Psychotria genus, namely Psychotria colorata, but also Psychotria forsteriana, Psychotria lyciiflora, Psychotria oleoides, and Psychotria beccarioides...
which is an NMDA antagonist with little or no mu-opioid affinity.