Intl. J. of Molecular Zoology, 2012, Vol.2, No.9, 70
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medicine. The healing of human ailments by using
therapeutics based on medicines obtained from animals
or ultimately derived from them is known as
zoo-therapy. As Marques (1994) states, "all human
culture which presents a structured medical system will
utilize animals as medicines". The phenomenon of
zoo-therapy is marked both by a broad geographical
distribution and very deep historical origins. In modern
societies, zoo-therapy constitutes an important
alternative among many other known therapies
practiced worldwide. Wild and domestic animals and
their by-products (For example, hooves, skins, bones,
feathers, and tusks) form important ingredients in the
preparation of curative, protective and preventive
medicine. In
medicine, the development of new drugs
and treatments depends greatly on wildlife and
wildlife habitat. In fact, most pharmaceutical products
were discovered or developed by studying wild
species, not invented on the basis of the principles of
chemistry. Many modern remedies contain one or more
ingredients derived from a wild plant or animal. One
familiar example is aspirin. Its active ingredient is
salicin, which is found in the bark of willow trees. A
more recent example is taxol, a compound derived
from the bark of the western yew in the old-growth
forests in British Columbia. Taxol damages cancerous
cells but not normal ones, and is being used to treat
various kinds of cancers (Lev and Owen, 2003). Of
Canada’s 134 native tree species, 38 have one or more
recorded medical uses according to aboriginal, folk, or
modern medical sources (Lev and Owen, 2003). Frogs
may one day be the source of some astonishing
medicines. Guo et al (1997) reported that researchers in
Australia, Japan, and the United States have found
numerous medical uses for compounds extracted from
the secretions of frogs, such as a non-addictive
painkiller 200 times more powerful than morphine,
antibiotics, a possible treatment for schizophrenia, and
natural glue that could replace stitches after surgery.
The natural world is indeed a potent medicine chest.
This study was done to bring to limelight wild animals
and their by-products that are used as alternative
therapy in the state capital of Oyo State, Nigeria.
1
Results and Discussion
Wild animals regarded as Mammals and their parts that
were in use in alternative therapy at the study area
(
Table 1) include: Grey duikers intestine which is used
in the treatment of stomach ache; Buffalo’s bone, used
in protecting against vomiting. Bushbuck’s head was
also on sale as part of ingredient used in curing leprosy.
In addition, the skin and placenta were also on sale for
the prevention of sleeping sickness. Other Mammals
and their by-products in use are: Leopard’s hide, Civet
cat’s anus, Mongoose’s anus, Gorilla’s penis, Patas
Monkey’s skull, Squirrel’s hair, whole Squirrel,
Porcupine’s intestine, Pangoline’s head, Aadvark’s
bone and Warthogs’s legs; which are used in the
treatment of anti snake venom, prevention of
convulsions, boost immunity against fever, preparation
of anti-poison drugs, cure for whooping cough,
preparation of anti-poison drugs, preparations for
preventing convulsion, treatment for stomach ache,
preparation of drug to control bleeding, treatment for
backache and prevention of lameness respectively
.
Table 1 Wild animals (mammals) and their by-products used in alternative therapy at the study area
Wild animals
Part used
Medicinal use
Grey duiker
Intestine
Treatment of stomach ache
Buffalo
Bone
To prevent vomiting
Bushbuck
Head
Ingredient in medicines for leprosy
Waterbuck
Skin and placenta
Prevention of sleeping sickness
Leopard
Skin
Anti snake venom
Civet
Anus
Prevention of convulsions
Mongoose
Anus
To ward off evil spirits and witches
Gorilla
Penis
Used in anti poison drugs
Patas monkey
Skull
Cure for whooping-cough
Squirrel
Hair
Used in anti poison drugs
Squirrel
Whole
Preparations for preventing convulsion
Porcupine
Intestine
Treatment for stomach ache
Pangolin
Head
To stop bleeding
Aardvark
Bone
Treatment for backache
Warthog
Legs
Prevention of lameness