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EXPLORING NATURE’S

PHARMACY: AN ENDEAVOUR THAT’S RICH WITH POTENTIAL

BY JANA MANOLAKOS

Since Canada legalized cannabis, a flurry of research activity has surrounded this mysterious plant and its signature leaves, a psychedelic gold rush that in some cases has overshadowed studies of other vegetation and their medicinal qualities.

There are currently 252 drugs considered as basic and essential by the World Health Organization. Of these, 11% are exclusively of plant origin and a large number are synthetic drugs built from natural precursors. For example, 60% of anti-tumour and anti-infectious drugs already on the market, or under clinical trial, are of natural origin. More than 400 traditional plants or plant-derived products are being used worldwide in the management of type 2 diabetes.

While capitalizing on the marijuana craze seems to be la mode du jour, we must not forget that Canada’s rich variety of cultures, climates and environments make it ideal to expand our knowledge of other plants and their potential to aid what ails humanity. It’s a call taken up by a small army of scientists in the country – researchers like Roy Golsteyn (page 24), at the University of Lethbridge, who has turned to the Albertan grasslands for a unique plant and extract collection from prairie flora.

Guided by global botanical data, Christopher Gray, a member of the Natural Products Research Group at the University of New Brunswick (page 28) is on a relentless, lifelong search for new plant molecules that, in the distant future, may hold the key to innovative therapeutic drugs.

Looking for answers in nature, Stephen Withers from the University of British Columbia (page 17) has devoted decades to uncovering a better way for diabetics to take life-saving drugs – and it all stems from a common garden flower. Pierre Haddad from the Quebec Indigenous Health Research Network is working with Indigenous communities to harness the potency of plants in treating diabetes.

And as the cannabis market frenzy swirls in economic circles, it also opens the door for scientists to study the plant’s previously uncharacterized effects (page 10).

The therapeutic use of plants may be thousands of years old, but today Canadian scientists are working tirelessly to uncover their exciting and rich potential.

Jana Manolakos

MANAGING EDITOR