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Dr Jonni Koia, Research Fellow at Waikato University, is blending traditional Māori methodologies with scientific molecular cell approaches, in an exciting project to find new treatments for diabetes and other metabolic disorders. Johanna Knox finds out more.
RONGOĀ COMES TO THE FORE
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or centuries, Māori have made medicines – for numerous ailments – from the unique native plants of Aotearoa. This mātauranga (knowledge) has been passed down through generations. Various native trees and plants have long been known by Māori to have anti-diabetic properties – whether they help to prevent it or ease its progression or symptoms. Dr Jonni Koia (Waikato-Tainui) is working to support and verify mātauranga surrounding rongoā (healing) from a biomedical molecular scientific point of view. Alongside this, she’s developing systems to try to ensure that mātauranga passed down, and the people who hold it, are protected from exploitation. ANTI-DIABETIC RĀKAU RONGOĀ
Dr Koia is working in collaboration with a team at the University of Auckland, led by Professor Peter Shepherd, that specialises in biomedical research on diabetes and cancer. This year, with the team, she published The Potential of Anti-Diabetic Rākau Rongoā (Māori Herbal Medicine) * https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.00935
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DIABETES WELLNESS | Summer 2020
to Treat Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) Mate Huka: A Review.* The review points out that, before European settlement, the prevalence of diabetes among Māori was low. Today, rates of type 2 among Māori are three times higher than for other New Zealanders, and the age of onset is significantly earlier. Type 2 prevalence among Māori children under the age of 15 is also increasing: “Adaptation to a western-style diet and lifestyles is thought to have contributed towards high rates of diabetes among Māori. A case study has indeed confirmed T2DM can be improved by lifestyle changes, with Māori reverting to traditional food intake and physical activity.” The research looks closely at the anti-diabetes potentials of three taonga plants: kūmarahou, karamū, and kawakawa. Dr Koia says “Preliminary evidence is already showing us rongoā like kūmarahou and kawakawa may play a role in glucose uptake within adipocyte fat cells. That is encouraging. I am yet to test the same effects in beta islet cells, intestinal gut, and skeletal muscle.
RESTORING RONGOĀ TO ITS PLACE
Dr Koia says, “The kaupapa of my research is to support the work of kairongoā (rongoā Māori practitioners) and the knowledge they hold. For many reasons, but mainly political, the availability of rongoā Māori services has been a long-term issue for many. “Rongoā Māori services ought to hold an equal place alongside western medicine in terms of funding, particularly with Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations.” She outlines numerous reasons for this need. “The development of western medicines has often not taken into account differences between individuals, such as genetic variance. There is growing evidence that there are genetic factors unique to Māori patients that could impact on treatment strategies. Together with anecdotal reports that Māori and Pasifika respond worse to metformin, this raises the possibility of unique genetic factors regulating these responses to medications. “Given that Māori have been using rongoā for hundreds of years with good effect, it is possible there are gene variants or clusters
