Special Issue "Ethnopharmacology in Latin America"

Human civilization relies on biodiversity in many ways. Sudden changes in species biodiversity result in environmental changes that can modify weather patterns and therefore human civilizations.

Multiple disease states can significantly influence the oral drug absorption process by affecting blood flow and the functionality of the gastrointestinal (GI) system. Various GI diseases, including conditions that alter GI motility, such as diarrhea, decreased acid secretions (achlorhydria), and infections, have been associated with reduced drug absorption.
Substances such as alcohol and specific drugs, including antineoplastics, can also negatively impact drug absorption. For instance,...

Drug dependence, abuse, and addiction are complex phenomena that can precipitate various abnormal states. Physical dependence refers to a state of pharmacological adaptation to a drug. This adaptation often results in tolerance—a reduced response to the drug after repeated administrations. When the drug use is abruptly stopped, withdrawal symptoms occur due to the body's need to readjust from the pharmacologically induced imbalance. However, tolerance and withdrawal symptoms do not...

Hallucinogens are psychoactive substances that profoundly alter perceptual experiences, generating unreal visual and sensory images. Often referred to as psychedelic drugs — a term derived from the Greek words "psyche" (mind) and "delos" (revealing) — these substances include marijuana and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), among others. These drugs vary in intensity and effects.
Marijuana, derived from the dried leaves and flowers of the hemp plant, contains...

Prescription drugs require a prescription from a medical practitioner and can only be obtained from a pharmacy. They have many applications, including treating pain, anxiety, and hypertension.
The misuse and addiction to prescription drugs is a growing problem that can affect people of all age groups, specifically teenagers. This can happen when prescription medications are used in ways not intended by the prescriber, such as taking someone else's prescription or using medication for...

Body tissues, comprising approximately 40% of the body weight, are crucial in drug distribution and localization. These tissues can serve as drug storage sites, competing with plasma binding sites for drug molecules.
Drugs can bind to different tissue components, enhancing their distribution and localization. The factors influencing drug localization in tissues include the drug's lipophilicity, structural characteristics, tissue perfusion rate, and pH differences. These factors determine...