**5. Conclusion**

500 Pharmacology

purposes since antiquity (Antonio, 1994; Conconi & Pino, 1988; Gudger, 1925; Weiss, 1947). Despite the existence of several ethnopharmacological studies suggesting the bioactive potential of Brazilian fauna (Alves & Delima, 2006; Alves & Dias, 2010; Alves & Rosa, 2005; Costa-Neto, 2002, 2006; Hanazaki et al., 2009; Rodrigues, 2006), only marine animals have been investigated by chemical and pharmacological methods (Berllink et al., 2004; Gray, 2006; Kossuga, 2009). No pharmacological data was found in the literature for the five animals identified in the present study: rattlesnake (*Crotalus* cf. *durissus* L.), capybara (*Hydrochoerus* cf. *hydrochaeris* L.), iguana (*Iguana* cf. *iguana* L.), ant (*Atta sexdens*) and cockroach (*Periplaneta americana*). The lack of information available on medicinal animal products leads us to conclude that this is a largely unexplored topic in Brazil and that future pharmacological studies should confirm the potential therapeutic value of these species.

**specimen**

plants cited by the five Diadema's migrants (adapted of Garcia et al., 2010).

1-Respiratory problems bronchitis (7), asthma (4)

animals mentioned by the migrant PE2 (adapted of Garcia et al., 2010).

2-Central nervous system epilepsy (1) 3-Inflammatory processes rheumatism (1)

5-Analgesics back pain (1)

**Total** 18\*

than the number of animals indicated: 12.

**Category of use Complaints (number of animals)** 

4-Dermatological problems wounds in the body (1), skin cancer (1)

6-Cardiovascular problems treat heart problems (1), hemorrhage (1)

Table 5. The 6 categories of use comprising the 9 complaints, their respective number of

\* some animals have been cited for more than one complaint, so their total number above (18) is higher

Gastrointestinal disturbances 24 30.77 44 25.29 0.46 Inflammatory processes 19 24.36 28 16.09 0.33 Respiratory problems 18 23.07 31 17.82 0.43 Anxiolytic/hypnotics 11 14.10 19 10.92 0.44 Osteomuscular problems 10 12.82 13 7.47 0.25 Dermatological problems 8 10.26 11 6.32 0.3 Genitourinary disturbances 8 10.26 13 7.47 0.41 Endocrine system 4 5.13 5 2.87 0.25 Immunological problems 2 2.56 4 2.30 0.66 Cardiovascular problems 3 3.84 3 1.72 0 Analgesics 2 2.56 2 1.15 0 Fever 1 1.28 1 0.57 0 Table 4. Values of Informant consensus factor (Fic) for each category of use, considering the

**% All Species** 

**Use citation**  **% All use citation Fic** 

**SN Category of use Plant** 

The ethnobotanical/ethnopharmacological survey among migrants becomes important in that it rescues the knowledge and values that are rapidly disappearing with the death of older migrants and destruction of biomes around the world (Ososki et al. 2007; Reyes-Garcia et al. 2005).

The studies that rescue a large number of uses for different categories (for exemple: gastrointestinal disorders, inflammation, fever and others), can expand several lines of pharmacological and phytochemical investigations. In addition, it may be more important for the development of new drugs with large pharmacological/phytochemicals effects and safer, as well some therapeutic uses mentioned by the migrants were confirmed by previous studies in the literature. Retracted

The study of case in Diadema (São Paulo – Brazil) the migrant interviewees demonstrated a large knowledge about the toxic and medicinal properties of some plants and animals. Migration contributed to increase of knowledge regarding the use of natural resources, mainly through the processes of incorporation and/or resource replacement.

The seven plants [*Impatiens hawkeri* W. Bull., *Artemisia canphorata* Vill., *Zea mays* L., *Equisetum arvensis* L., *Senna pendula* (Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.) H.S. Irwin & Barneby, *Fevillea passiflora* Vell. and *Croton fuscescens* Spreng] showed maintenance of use among migrants and have not been studied by pharmacologists yet. These species should be highlighted in further investigations because the maintenance of use during human migrations can be indicative of bioactive potential.

The interviewed migrants had passed through several Brazilian cities and were exposed to distinct vegetation and cultures. In this migration, they have passed on and incorporated knowledge in an intensive exchange where formulas and uses are mixed and re-invented as a result of contact between cultures.

This chapter is an attempt to demonstrate based on some scientific papers, the importance of the field (ethnobotanical/ethnopharmacological) in search of new bioactive molecules and how the information about the use of natural resources for health promotion may be more diverse and enriched when human groups displace among regions. We hope this text can assist as a basis for future multidisciplinary research to development new drugs.
