Phytochemical characterization of some plant species used by the

indigenous Gnôble Bugle community of Bocas del Toro, Panama.

Dr. Francisco Farnum
Universidad de Panamá. [https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5879-2296]. frank0523@hotmail.com

INTRODUCTION

In Panama, as in other regions of the

world, there is limited evidence
documenting the use of medicinal plants in
general and even more in indigenous areas;
which has led to the loss of this knowledge.
Therefore, an ethnobotanical study was
proposed in the region of Gnöbe Bugle,
district of Changuinola, Province of Bocas
del Toro, Panama, focused on the collection
of knowledge of the species used by the
community for traditional medicinal
purposes.

METHODOLOGY
The data was obtained between 2015 and
2016 from interviews with residents and
key informants of that ethnic group, the
majority was falling within the age range of
18–69 years.

RESULTS

Information was recorded for 165 plant

species all with known ethnobotanical Some active ingredients present in plants used for medicinal purposes
Family Scientific name Vernacular name Plant form Active Plant Ingredients Diseases
uses, the most named botanical families Terpenes such as Cold, fever and
pimples on the skin
limonene and linalool,
were Arecaceae with 11 species, Fabaceae Rutaceae Citrus sp Limon Small tree organic acids such as
citric and malic and a

with 9 species, Malvaceae with 6 species high amount of vitamin C

Terpenes, polyphenols, Diarrhea, elimination
essential oils, muricin of parasites,
and Moraceae with 5 species, highlighting Annonaceae Annona muricata guanábana Small tree alkaloid acetogenins,
acetogenins and
hypertension, fever,
insomnia, among

uses in housing, crafts, industrial, medicine, flavonoids others

Toothache, against

among others. 81 of the 165 species were Myrtaceae Psidium sp Guayaba Small tree
Tannins, volatile oil,
sesquiterpenic alcohols,
infections and to
relieve snake bites.
flavonoids and triterpene
mentioned that have medicinal uses; but acids and monoterpenes
and sesquiterpenes

only 4 species were found with confirmed Burseraceae Protium asperum Caraña Tree
Essential oils,
acetogenins and Heal wounds, to
flavonoids relieve pain or spasms
relationship between the medicinal action
mentioned and the active ingredient CONCLUSION
documented in the Panamanian This study has identified a number of important medicinal
plants used by people of the Gnobe Bugle area for the
pharmacopoeia (Caraña, Protium asperum,
treatment of various human ailments. It provides a baseline
Guava, Psidium guajava L, lemon, Citrus
for future phytochemical investigations into the beneficial
spp, and Guanábana, Annona muricata) medicinal properties of such plants.