Viral hepatitis in the Peruvian Amazon: Ethnomedical context and phytomedical resource.

Area of Science:

• Ethnobotany
• Pharmacology
• Hepatology

Background:

• Extensive ethnopharmacological survey conducted in the Peruvian Amazonian district of Loreto.
• Focus on plant therapy for hepatitis among diverse cultural groups and riverine communities.
• Identified 35 plant species (45 extracts) for antiviral screening against Hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Purpose of the Study:

• Inventory plants used for hepatitis treatment in Loreto.
• Evaluate the antiviral activity of selected plant extracts against HCV.
• Propose improvements for local therapeutic strategies against viral hepatitis.

Main Methods:

• Ethnographic survey employing "participant-observation" methodology.
• Methanol extraction of 45 plant parts and in vitro testing for anti-HCV activity.
• Cytotoxicity evaluation using Huh-7 and HepG2 cell lines.

Main Results:

• 18 extracts demonstrated significant in vitro antiviral activity against HCV (50% inhibition at 25 μg/mL) with low cytotoxicity for 15.
• 60% of plant extracts inhibited HCV by at least 30% at 25 μg/mL.
• Targeted therapies with accurate dosing showed higher activity than symptom-alleviating remedies.

Conclusions:

• Study supports traditional medicinal uses of plants and enhances understanding of local medical systems.
• Refined therapeutic plant indications based on liver injury and patient vulnerability.
• Identified 13 novel plant species with potential for further antiviral research against hepatitis.