A Review on Prospects of Zoo Therapy

 

Mamillapalli Vani^1*, Mannem Vijaya Sai Sri¹, Padma Latha Khantamneni²

¹Department of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, Vijaya Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences for Women, Enikepadu, Vijayawada, Krishna (Dt.), Andhra Pradesh, India.

²Department of Pharmacology, Vijaya Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences for Women, Enikepadu, Vijayawada, Krishna (Dt.), Andhra Pradesh, India.

 

ABSTRACT:

The traditional medical knowledge of indigenous people throughout the world has played an important role in identifying biological resources worthy of commercial exploitation. Indeed, the search for new pharmaceuticals from naturally occurring biological material has been guided by ethno biological data. Animal-based medicines continue to play an important role in diverse systems of traditional medicine worldwide, as well as in modern pharmaceuticals. The various types of zoo therapy and therapy using animal derived rugs has been presented in the article.

 

 

 

1.      INTRODUCTION

Chemicals from nature have been a part of human civilization ever since our early ancestors began exploiting natural compounds to improve and enrich their own lives¹. A major part of these chemicals come from animals. Indeed, animals are therapeutic arsenals that have been playing significant roles in the healing processes, magic rituals, and religious practices of peoples from the five continents. The healing of human ailments by using therapeutics that are obtained from animals or ultimately are derived from them is known as zoo therapy. Animal-based medicines have been elaborated from parts of the animal body, from products of its metabolism (corporal secretions and excrements), or from non-animal materials (nests and cocoons)^2;3.

 

The traditional medical knowledge of indigenous peoples throughout the world has played an important role in identifying biological resources worthy of commercial exploitation. Indeed, the search for new pharmaceuticals from naturally occurring biological material has been guided by ethno biological data. For example, Alexiades (unpublished data) recorded the medicinal use of 50 animals by the Ese Eja people from Peru. The blood   of the black caiman Melanosuchus Niger is used to treat epilepsy and stroke; ants of the genus Pseudomyrmex are smashed and put in toothache, poisonous the animal, the more potent its ant poison'' .In India nearly 15-20 percent of the Ayurvedic medicine is based on animal-derived substances. In the area of Sierra Madre people use to say ''The more or are left to bite painful joints⁴.                          

 

2.      HISTORY:

Records of zoo therapeutic practices have been identified in the surviving texts of ancient cultures, beginning with the earliest written records. For example, historical documents of ancient Egypt such as the Embers Papyrus (1550 B.C.) include medicinal descriptions of animal substances such as honey, lizard blood, sperm whale ambergris, and musk deer glands, among others ^5;6;7. Animals have clearly played a central role in the medical pharmacopeias of mankind for at least the past 3,000–4,000 years. Today, animal-based medicines continue to play an important role in diverse systems of traditional medicine worldwide, as well as in modern pharmaceuticals. Two good examples of this include ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors from pit viper snake, Bottrop’s jararacas venom ⁸ and dietary supplements of Omega-3 PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids) from certain fish oils ⁹. The continued use of zoo therapeutics from ancient times to present day suggests that their use may be associated with some medical efficacy.

 

Table 1: Zoo therapy using various animals by ancestors¹⁰

Bees wax	Liquefied and arranged on the top of a small piece of cloth which is inserted (still warm) in the ear	To treat earache
Blood	The blood gathered after having cut the ear of the animal is put in the mouth of the same animal	to treat fever in animals
Cheese (fresh)	Applied extremely eaten raw or cooked with flour and eaten hot	To heal wounds, “to strengthen the stomach”; anti-diarrheic
Cobwebn	Applied externally	Hemostatic
Cow feces	Used fresh and applied	To heal burns
Cow milk	Drunk	To treat intestinal pains and poisonings (especially in Children, and also in animals)
	Drunk very hot	to treat mumps
Dog hair	applied externally	to treat wounds from dog bites
Donkey milk	Drunk fresh	to heal coughs in the elderly
Egg	eaten raw	Antidote against poisoning
		Also used for cattle and sheep
	The raw egg is put on a piece of raw wool which is adhered to the body with the help of oil (ritual)	To treat pains )the egg moves on the wool and where the yolk stops, the yolk “takes the pain away” and comes out of the membrane; the whole treatment last at least 1 h!)
	Cooked	Anti-diarrheic
	Eaten	To treat stomach ache
Fish	Left alive in a small amount of water	Diagnostic means to establish the length of hepatitis. While the fish is still alive, the affected person will remail ill (ritual
Goat fat	Heated and drunk (one spoonful)	To treat asthma
Hen muscular stomach	The membrane of the muscular stomach is extracted and dried, the ground and made into a decoction	To treat kidney stones
Honey	Applied externally under the ears	Mumps
	Applied on the mucosa	To treat mouth inflmmations

 

 

There are several excellent studies that describe the state of medical pharmacopeias in different eras ranging from the tenth to nineteenth centuries in the Mediterranean basin. This includes studies on Medieval zoo therapy in the Levant, zoo therapy using various animals was given in table 1. People who are allergic to certain substances, or who want to avoid certain animal products for religious or cultural reasons may need to know about the origin/source of drugs and excipients contained within their medicines. This document provides information to assist clinicians in dealing with these types of situations. A number of medicines (including tablets, injections, capsules, creams, mixtures and vaccines) contain animal products or are animal derived. For example, gelatin is a partially hydrolyzed collagen which is usually bovine (beef) or porcine (pig) in origin. Gelatin is used in making capsule shells and is one of many types of stabilizers added to pharmaceutical products such as vaccines. Heparin, an injectable anticoagulant, is prepared from a porcine source¹¹, Egypt¹².

 

 

 

3. TYPES OF ZOO THERAPY:

3.1 PET THERAPY AND MENTAL HEALTH:

Interactions with animals are considered to patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and psychiatric disorders. Animal therapy is used to treat depression, (Figure 1) (www.dogtime.com) and decrease BP (Blood pressure). Alzheimer patients who have pets in their home are less likely to suffer of anxiety^13;14.

 

 

Fig. 1 Pet therapy and mental health

 

 

 

3.2 LEECH THERAPY:

Leeches are undergoing a triumphant resurgence in medicine, particularly in microsurgery. Traditionally, leeches are usually used in conditions like abnormal swellings, piles, inflammatory abscess, skin diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, eye diseases, poisonous bites, erysipelas etc. The revival of interest in leech therapy was caused due to the unsatisfactory results of conventional treatment of many cardiovascular diseases, and to new findings about the leech salivary components and its influence on the human organism.

 

Leech compounds under study include an anticoagulant, a local anesthetic, a vasodilator and an antibiotic, all of which are useful to their producer's blood-sucking propensities and capable of being turned to therapeutic advantage. Indeed, Hirudo medicinalis Linnaeus 1758 has been described as a slithering pharmacopoeia. The leech agents are more effective than heparin at inhibiting fibrin formation because, being smaller, they penetrate the clot more effectively (Figure 2) (www.leechtherapy.com). Also, whereas heparin acts indirectly by activating the anticoagulant antithrombin III, leech anticoagulants inhibit specific steps in the coagulation ¹⁵.

 

 

Fig. 2 Leech therapy

 

3.3 HORSE THERAPY:

Horses are good imitators of children emotions. Horses have been used in Europe as a therapy animal in psychiatric   patients (Figure 3) (www.equestriantherapy. com). Riding a horse can improve patient’s motor abilities. Patient will pay attention on focusing abilities. Pets are good imitators of children emotions¹⁶.

 

 

Fig. 3 Horse therapy

3.4 CAT THERAPY:

Cats are used in reducing pain by simply setting them on a painful spot. Insomnia and heart          conditions are positively impacted by cat’s presence (Figure4) (www.catster.com)^13;17.

 

 

Fig. 4 Cat therapy

 

1.5   DOLPHIN THERAPY:

Dolphin therapy applied in 1978 by Doctor David Nathason. Used in special needs of children and adults in developing motor ability. (Figure 5)  (www.islanddolphincare.org) .Used in hyper sensitivity disorder in autistic children ^13;17.

 

 

Fig. 5 Dolphin therapy

 

3.6 RABBIT THERAPY:

Rabbit therapy is a form of therapy when dog therapy is not available. Rabbits are very clean animals. They are ideal for immune-deficiency patients. (Figure 6) (www.thedodo.com). Used for chemo-therapy^13;17.

 

 

Fig. 6 rabbit therapy

 

3.7 DOG THERAPY

Patient recovery is quicker if he/she interacts with dogs. Dog can alert in time in case of stroke or of a epilepsy seizure. The Dog therapy was developed in 1976 by the nurse Elaine Smith used to decrease blood pressure, stress levels (Figure 7) (www.inataa.org.br) ^13;17.

 

Fig. 7 Dog therapy

 

3.      THERAPY USING ANIMAL DERIVED DRUGS (OR) MODERN PHARMACEUTICALS – ZOO THERAPEUTICS:

4.1 (a) INSECTS:                                                                                                                                                   

Animal kingdom also serves an important source of drugs. Insects have proven to be very important as sources of drugs for modern medicine since they have immunological, analgesic, antibacterial, diuretic, anesthetic, and anti-rheumatic properties ¹⁸. In fact, antimicrobial peptides were first discovered in insect larvae by Dr. Hans Broman of the Karolinska Institute ¹⁹. Chemical screening applied to 14 insect species has confirmed the presence of proteins, terpenoids (triterpenoids and steroids, carotenoids, iridous, trampolines), sugars, polyols and mucilage’s, saponins, polyphenolic glycosides, quinines, anthraquinone glycosides, carcogenic glycosides, and alkaloids²⁰.

 

4.1(b) BEES VENOM:

The major component of bee venom, the tetrameric polypeptide melitin, may be responsible for the often-reported anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory effects⁸.

 

 

Fig.8 Bees venom

 

·        MELETIN

BV can be useful in a wide variety of medical situations such as arthritis and rheumatism, pain and cancer.

 

Fig. 9 Bee venom (BV) with glucosamine

 

4.2 SNAKE VENOM:

Animals have been methodically tested by pharmaceutical companies as sources of drugs to the modern medical science. Snake venom (Bottrop’s jararaca  is that of the inhibitors of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). This enzyme is responsible for converting an inactive precursor into the locally active hormone angiotensin, which causes blood vessels to constrict and hence raises blood pressure. By pharmacologically blocking the enzyme's activity, blood pressure can be reduced²¹.                      

 

 

Fig. 10 Snake venom

 

Today  animal  based  medicines  continue  to  play  an  important  role  world wide  as modern pharmaceuticals.  These medicines are used to treat heart attacks and chest pain.

 

 

Eptifibatide                               Tirofiban

 

 

 

Nyloxin topical gel      Cobroxin oral spray   Cobroxin topical gel

Fig. 11 Modern Pharmaceuticals using snake venom

 

4.3 SCORPION VENOM:

A toxin named margatoxin has been isolated from the venom of the scorpion Centruroides margarita us . This chemical compound blocks lymphocyte activation and the production of interleukin-2 by human T-lymphocytes.  Margatoxin as an immunosuppressant, which may be potentially useful in treatment of autoimmune diseases or in preventing the rejection of organ transplants²².

 

 

Fig:12 Scorpion venom

 

 

·        MARGOTOXIN:

It is used as treatment drug for autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases. Chronic disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, other disorders such as Crohn´s disease, ulcerative colitis and psoriasis can also be cured.

 

 

Fig. 13 Structure of Margotoxin

 

5. THE THREATENING STATUS OF MEDICINAL ANIMALS:

Animals are being hunted for commercial purposes, governments should strengthen the environmental laws to protect the endangered species deers, monkeys, rhinos⁴ etc.

 

6. CONCLUSION:

Animals have long been part of the human experience, serving multiple purposes throughout history, from food to companionship. More recently, the therapeutic potential of animals in numerous clinical areas has been increasingly recognized, leading to more healthcare facilities.

 

7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

Authors are grateful to Vijaya Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences for Women, Enikepadu, Vijayawada, Krishna (Dt.), Andhra Pradesh, India., for their kind encouragement and support.

 

8. FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND SPONSORSHIP

Nil

 

9. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST:

Authors have no conflicts of interest

 

10. REFERENCES:

1.       Acosta W. Bombardier beetles and fever trees: a close-up look at chemical warfare and signals in animals and plants, New York: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 224 p. 1996. 

2.       Costa-Net EM. Recursos animais utilizados na medicina tradicional dos índios Pankararé que habitam no nordeste do estado da Bahia, Brasil. Actual Biol 21: 69-79, 1999b.   

3.       Marque, jGW. A fauna medicinal dos indioss kuna de San Blas (Panama) e a hipotese da universalidade In: Anais da 46a reuniao annual da SBPC. Victoria, Brazil, 1994. 

4.       Blkaney M. What is Traditional Knowledge? Why should it be Protected? Who should Protect it? For Whom?: Understanding the Value Chain. UNESCO-WIPO/IPTK/RT/99/3. 1999.

5.       Lev E. healing with animals in the Levant from the 10^th to the 18^th century. Journal of Ethnobiology Ethnomedicine. 2:11, 2006.

6.       Nunn JF. Ancient Egyptian medicine. University of Oklahoma Press, Norman. 1996.

7.       Bryan CP. Ancient Egyptian medicine. The Papyrus Ebers. Ares. Chicago. 1930.

8.       Bisset NG. Oe man’s poison, another man’s medicine? Journal of Ethnopharmacology.32:71-81, 1991.

9.       Costa- Neto EM.  Animal basd medicines: biological prospection and the utainable use of zoo therapeutic resources. Anais da academia Brasileria de Ciencias. 77(1):33-43, 2005.

10.     Pieroni A, Dibra B, Grishaj G, Grishaj I, Gjon Maçai S.Traditional phytotherapy of the Albanians of Lepushe Northern Albanian Alps. Fitoterapia. 2005.

11.     Lev E. Traditional healing with aimals (zoo therapy):medieval to present-day Levantine practice. Journal of Ethno Pharmacology. 85:107-118, 2003.

12.     Lev E. Drug held and old by pharmacist of the Jewish community of medieval (11^th-14^th centuries) Carro according to list of material mdica found at the taylo-chechter genizah collection, Cambridge. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 110:275-293, 2007.

13.     Berry A, Borgi M, Francia N, Alleva E, Cirulli F. Use of Assistance and therapy dogs for children with autism spectrum disorders:a critical review of the current evidence. Journal of  Alternative and complementary Medicine. 19(2):73-80, 2013.

14.      Francis DG. Equoterapia: recurso inovador para reabilitação física e mental. Anais de Etologia. 14: 59-63, 1996.      

15.     Huxtable RJ. The pharmacology of extinction. Journal of Ethno Pharmacology.37: 1-11,1992.       

16.     Nicholas, Therapy Horses (horse power). New York;Beauport publishing company, 2007.

17.     Pavlides, M., Animal-Assisted interventions for individuals with autism .London and Philadelphia; Jessica kingless publishers, 2008.

18.     Yamakawa M. Insect antibacterial proteins: regulatory mechanisms of their synthesis and a possibility as new antibiotics. The Journal of sericultural science of Japan. 67: 163-182, 2005.

19.     Diamond G. Nature's antibiotics: the potential of antimicrobial peptides as new drugs. Biologist.48: 209-212,  2001.   

20.     Andary C, Motte-FloraC E, Ram-Elorduy J and Privat A. 1996. Chemical screening: updated methodology applied to medicinal insects. In: 3rd European Colloquium On Ethnopharmacology, 5., And International Conference Of Anthropology and History Of Health And Disease, 1., Gênova. Abstracts... Gênova: Erga Edizione, 1996, CD-ROM. 

21.     Harvey AL. From venoms to toxins to drugs. Chemistry and Industry. 1995.

22.     Javier Arbea. Review of the genus Onychiuru Gervais, 1841 (collembolan: Onychiuridae) with description of a new cave specie from Southern spain. Zoo taxa. 3564:33-46, 2012.      

 

 

 

 

 

Received on 02.03.2018       Modified on 19.03.2018

Accepted on 28.04.2018       ©A&V Publications All right reserved