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A. Levy, Ph.d and Ted Anders, Ph.d. have researched the medicinal properties of the Mangrove. They invite other researchers to join them in independent research.

Click "Read more" to read their research paper.

Medicinal Properties of Mangrove Trees
A. Levy, Ph.d & Ted Anders, Ph.d.

Healing properties are attributed to Rhizophora trees in popular/folk medicine. Root, leaf and stem extracts of Rhizophora trees have inhibitory properties, affecting the growth of various human pathogenic organisms. Among these are bacteria, fungi and viruses (Hernandez and Perez, 1978). A physician in Cali, Colombia, reported to cure throat cancer, with gargles of mangrove bark (Garcia-Barriga, 1975). Bark of red mangrove trees have been used in folk remedy for a wide array of diseases (Duke and Wain, 1981; Morton, 1981).

Recently in Japan, Premanathan et al. (1999) reported that a polysaccharide extracted from the leaf of Rhizophora apiculata (designated as RAP) inhibited HIV-1 or HIV-2 or SIV strains in various cell cultures and assay systems. According to this report, the RAP extract blocked the expression of HIV-1 antigen in MT-4 cells and abolished the production of HIV-1 p24 antigen in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC); RAP also reduced the production of viral mRNA when added before virus adsorption. These results suggest that RAP may inhibit AIDS virus in an early stage of its life cycle. Recently, Alarcon-Aguilara et al. (1998) reported that extracts of Rhizophora mangle had anti-diabetic and anti-hyperglycemic property.

In Fiji mangrove stalks are called 'Titi'. The Fijians traditionally prepare tea by extracting juice from the Titi, and drink the warm extract to cure various aliments. Titi is used routinely for symptoms associated with the common cold such as nasal congestion, bronchial congestion, runny nose, etc.

The medicinal properties of mangrove trees provide a wide domain for medical uses; most yet to be explored. Nature's Nurse, Inc. has begun contributing to the research effort through its contractual work with Industrial Labs of Denver, Colorado. Much more work remains to be done. Potential research partners are invited to contact us at Nature's Nurse, Inc. in Boulder.

The unique family of Rhizophoraceae includes the halophytic (salt tolerant) species of mangrove tree that are endemic to the tropical coasts of Fiji. The Rhizophora species are adapted to salt water. They possess a distinct property called 'vivipary' or 'live birth' where seeds germinate while still attached to the parent tree, avoiding the harsh salt-water environment. This unique property also enables the mature seedlings to settle in the immediate ecosystem viable for mangroves.

Like many other species of higher plants Rhizophora trees release through their roots and leaves chemical compounds which prevent the growth of invasive plants and algae that may compete with the Rhizophora in its immediate ecosystem. This phenomenon is termed 'allelopathy' and is refered to any biochemical interaction among plants, including micro-organisms (Rice, 1974). Chemical compounds released by plants have wide medical applications. One issue of interest pertaining to the "allelopathic" characteristic of Rhizophora is the observation that certain substances secreted by the plants suppresses new tissue growthÑthus the prevention of invasive plants in its ecosystem. Research needs to be conducted to determine the suppressive inhibitory compounds because of the obvious implications for applications with out-of-control tumor growth and pathogens in humans.

REFERENCES

Alarcon-Aguilara FJ, Roman-Ramos R, Perez-Gutierrez S, Aguilar-Contreras A, Contreras-Weber CC, Flores-Saenz JL. 1998. Study of the anti-hyperglycemic effect of plants used as antidiabetics. J Ethnopharmacol 61:101-110.

Caceres A, Lopez B, Juarez X, del Aguila J, Garcia S. 1993. Plants used in Guatemala for the treatment of dermatophytic infections. 2. Evaluation of antifungal activity of seven American plants. J Ethnopharmacol 40:207-13

Duke, J.A. and Wain, K.K. 1981. Medicinal plants of the world. Computer index with more than 85,000 entries. 3 vols.

Garcia-Barriga, H. 1975. Flora medicinal de Colombia. Botanica Medica. Talleres Editoriales de la Imprenta Nacional. Bogota.

Premanathan M, Arakaki R, Izumi H, Kathiresan K, Nakano M, Yamamoto N, Nakashima H. 1999. Antiviral properties of a mangrove plant, Rhizophora apiculata blume, against human immunodeficiency virus. Antiviral Res. 44:113-122.

Premanathan M, Kathiresan K, Yamamoto N, Nakashima H. 1999. In vitro anti-human immunodeficiency virus activity of polysaccharide from Rhizophora mucronata Poir. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 63:1187-91.

Rice, E.L.. 1974. Allelopathy. Academic Press. New-York. 353.

Rojas Hernandez NM, Coto Perez O. 1978. Antimicrobial properties of extracts from Rhizophora mangle L. Rev Cubana Med Trop. 30:181-187.