porcupine bezoar study

Porcupine bezoars (phytobezoars) are concretions of undigested plants material that accumulate and calcified in the form of stone within the gastrointestinal tract of porcupine . The study quotes one popular website: “The most valuable for the porcupine bezoars are procured from … the rainforest of Indonesia or Borneo. Published by Elsevier B.V. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01204. Porcupine bezoar (PB) has been previously reported to possess various medicinal properties. It was just over a year ago that President Trump announced, “The golden era of American energy is now underway,” saying that his policies focused on exploiting oil, … Porcupine bezoars (PBs) are masses of undigested calcareous concretions formed within the gastrointestinal tract. A549 cells morphology was observed after treated with bezoars for 72 hours. The experiment suggests that the best concentration for Porcupine Bezoar Extract (PBE) was at 80.0ug/ml. Currently the various species enjoy some national-level protection but precious little on the international level, because they’re still perceived as relatively common. In the late 15 th century, Eastern porcupine bezoars were considered especially valuable 4. The bezoar trade has been around for centuries, and it isn’t restricted to southern Asia. However, its potential as anticancer agent on human lung cancer cells (A549) is not yet studied. PB is a mass of indigestible foreign material which could be undigested organic or inorganic material that accumulate and conglomerate in the gastrointestinal tract, most commonly in the stomach. The experiment suggests that the best concentration for Porcupine Bezoar Extract (PBE) was at 80.0ug/ml. Overall, this study demonstrated that PB-A and PB-B possess potential in vitro and in vivo anticancer effects which are elicited through selective cytotoxic effect, induction of apoptosis, inhibition of migration and invasion and anti-angiogenesis. History and etymology. Bezoars today don’t fetch quite that amount, but the study still found them selling for around $151 a gram — two and a half times the current price of gold — all for a useless clump of congealed, inedible food. The bezoar may be outlined by fluid in the proximally dilated small bowel, and the mass may be mottled owing to air trapped within it. ‹ Be wary of “stem cell” scams The price is very high and has collection, medicinal and stockpiling value”. Porcupine bezoar (PB) was reported to possess medicinal properties in old medical manuscript. Once the medicinal herbs are thoroughly ingested, the remainder of the digested medicinal herbs in the porcupine body’s digestive systems will be mixed with its endocrine secretion. Most listings were from sellers located in Indonesia, followed by sellers from Malaysia, and Singapore. The porcupines here eat unpolluted herbs that have high medicinal value causing the bezoars … to be of the rarest and highest value. Porcupine Bezoar Medicinal Values According to Chinese medicine records, in tradition, Porcupine Bezoar had been used as medicine by hill tribes in Southern China and South-East Asia. How Judi Bari introduced class struggle environmentalism to the IWW, Earth First!, and the fight to halt deforestation. August 4, 2020. The study was conducted at a 68‐turbine wind farm that was built in the early 2000s by Statkraft, a ... Heinrich and her colleagues monitored listings of porcupine bezoars offered for sale on selected online platforms, including Alibaba and the popular social media app Instagram, in three Southeast Asian countries. Porcupines have an important ecological role and highly developed social structures. John R. Platt. Objectives: Porcupine bezoar (PB) is a mass of undigested organic and inorganic materials formed within the gastrointestinal tract of the porcupine. Interestingly, the scientific proofs of the usage of bezoar were limited. Until the 18 th century a gold mounted bezoar was included in the crown jewels. (The researcher ignored “out of stock” listings and more dubious sites, such as one that claimed to have 2,000 tons of product on hand.). The bezoar is traditionally used in South East Asia and Europe for the treatment of cancer, poisoning, dengue, typhoid, etc. However, limited scientific study has been carried out to verify these traditional claims. However, limited scientific study has been carried out to verify these traditional claims. Bezoar (Imaging Study Findings) A bezoar is a tightly packed collection of partially digested or undigested material that most commonly occurs in the stomach. In this study, bezoar a natural product obtained from Hystrix brachyura (porcupine) is revealed as potential anticancer agent. A bezoar is a mass found trapped in the gastrointestinal system, ... especially for their use in early modern pharmacy and the study of animal health. Abstract. The authors warn that “current trade levels are likely unsustainable, and we predict that porcupine species may become threatened in the future should current trade levels continue.”, And while some porcupines are farmed, this study indicates pressure on wild porcupines, which also face threats from habitat destruction and the bushmeat trade, as well as persecution as agricultural pests. 2 Department of Biotechnology, International Islamic University Malaysia. However, its potential as an anticancer agent against human cancers is still poorly studied and understood. "Pilot study of temporary controllable gastric pseudobezoars for dynamic non-invasive gastric volume ... Peter, "The Trade, Forgery and Medicinal Use of Porcupine Bezoars in the Early Modern Period (c.1500–1750)", ed. Several studies revealed that unused chemical compounds form a stone like substance inside its body called porcupine bezoar. Porcupine bezoars (PBs) are masses of undigested calcareous concretions formed within the gastrointestinal tract. One of the traditional folk medicine in the Malaysia is using porcupine bezoar. The porcupines here eat unpolluted herbs that have high medicinal value causing the bezoars produced here to be of the rarest and highest value. A porcupine’s diet is wide, varied, and a little hard to digest. Not only that, it appears to be increasing. The paper notes that Europeans in the 16th to 19th centuries, who sometimes wore the stones as jewelry, valued porcupine bezoars so much they priced each one “as high as forty times its own weight in gold.”. However, limited scientific studies have been performed to verify its anticancer potential to substantiate its traditional claims in the treatment of cancers. Yet despite the lack of evidence, the trade in bezoars has persisted. Old-world porcupines (Order: Rodentia Family: Hystricidae) face many threats, including an increasing demand for their different body parts such as meat, quills, hairs and bezoars. The price is very high and has collection, medicinal and stockpiling value." Abstract. Porcupine bezoar (PB) is a calcified undigested material generally found in porcupine’s (Hystrix brachyura) gastrointestinal tract. Porcupine bezoar (PB) is a calcified undigested material generally found in porcupine's (Hystrix brachyura) gastrointestinal tract. Porcupine bezoar (PB) has been previously reported to possess various medicinal properties. A bezoar is a mass found trapped in the gastrointestinal system, though it can occur in other locations. Thus in this study, porcupine bezoar (PB) was evaluated to explore its ability as a safe anticancer agent. The porcupines here eat unpolluted herbs that have high medicinal value causing the bezoars … to be of the rarest and highest value. Current trade levels are likely unsustainable and we predict that porcupine species may become threatened in the future should current trade levels continue. Subscribe to The Revelator’s weekly newsletter. * I speak from my own experience. Gastric bezoars can occur in all age groups and often occur in patients with behavior disorders, abnormal gastric emptying, or altered gastrointestinal anatomy. Porcupine bezoar (PB) was reported to possess medicinal properties in old medical manuscript. Hence, this study … Additionally, porcupine bezoar was also known as lifesaver and used by patients with terminal illness. Tannic acid-rich porcupine bezoars induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in human colon cancer cells Peng-Nian Yew, Yau-Yan Lim, Wai-Leng Lee Pharmacognosy Magazine 2019 15(65):523-531 Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. or its licensors or contributors. Tannic acid-rich porcupine bezoars induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in human colon cancer cells Peng-Nian Yew, Yau-Yan Lim, Wai-Leng Lee Pharmacognosy Magazine 2019 15(65):523-531 14, Lisbon: Fundação Oriente, 2006. There are undocumented claims that PBs have antioxidant activity and can treat cancers. Should that change? A review on the importance of bezoar has revealed that the oriental bezoars found in monkeys and porcupines (Lapis bezoar orientalis) were considered the most expensive [12–14]. Porcupine Bezoar Extract (PBE) has been previously described to possess diverse medicinal properties. In many ways this isn't surprising. Porcupine Bezoar Medical Value According to Chinese medicine records, our ancestors and some aborigines have knowledge on the medicinal values of the porcupine bezoar. This combined method of EP and PBE revealed the process inhibited the proliferation of HeLa cell to 8.48%. Their meat is considered a delicacy in countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia. Wide Acceptance & Usage of Porcupine as an All-Purpose Remedy ScienceDirect ® is a registered trademark of Elsevier B.V. ScienceDirect ® is a registered trademark of Elsevier B.V. Bezoars are masses of undigested organic and inorganic material that are occasionally formed in an animal’s gastrointestinal tract. Hence, in this study, porcupine bezoar (PB) aqueous extract was evaluated for its potential as a safe anticancer agent. A bezoar is a mass found trapped in the gastrointestinal system, though it can occur in other locations. The bezoar is traditionally used in South East Asia and Europe for the treatment of cancer, poisoning, dengue, typhoid, etc. “The most valuable for the porcupine bezoars are procured from porcupines in the rainforest of Indonesia or Borneo. Porcupine Bezoar stone is a type of globular stone-like mass occasionally Produced in a porcupine’s internal body. By continuing you agree to the use of cookies. Some ancient pharmacopoeias list 'unicorn horns' as an acceptable alternative if a bezoar is not available. Hence, … In Vitro Evaluation of Porcupine Bezoar Extracts as Anticancer Agent on A549 -A Preliminary Study Firus Khan AY 1, Mohd Nasir MH 2, Tara Jalal 1, Razali S 1, Hassan H 1, Asuhaimi FA 1 and Wahab RA 1 * 1 Department of Biomedical Science, International Islamic University, Malaysia. Phytobezoars, major type of GI bezoar, can also be found in animals besides ox/cattle, and these bezoars have been traditionally used to treat against poison, and more recently those obtained from porcupines are used by Asian Chinese to treat cancer. New research indicates a growing online trade in porcupine bezoars, a ball of inedible material that sometimes gathers in their digestive tracks. Porcupine bezoar (PB) is a calcified undigested material generally found in porcupine’s(Hystrix brachyura) gastrointestinal tract. Find more about Bezoar at Wikipedia's sister projects. The price is very high and has collection, medicinal and stockpiling value.”, In many ways this isn’t surprising. Bezoars of a variety of species, especially porcupines, have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries and have high commercial value. (b) A PB after being crushed consists of a mixture of rough powder and undigested fiber. Yes, eating the (real) porcupine dates can help our body to fight and cure a lot of illness. PB is a type of stone-like substance found in a porcupine's body. PB has been claimed Bezoar was valued as gem and as a noble metal. It was reported as universal medicine in ancient time. We found 121 listings (excluding listings advertising supply ability instead of specific bezoars) advertising approximately 680–1332 bezoars and likely representing ten-fold as many porcupines within our three month study period. The study quotes one popular website: “The most valuable for the porcupine bezoars are procured from … the rainforest of Indonesia or Borneo. Bezoars have been used to “treat” everything from fevers to diabetes and even cancer. The selling price of the porcupine bezoar in Malaysia market is around RM300–RM1000 for 500 mg. Hence, … We urge source and consumer countries to: (i) review the species’ conservation status in range countries; (ii) regulate domestic trade through legislative changes in countries where trade is most prominent; and (iii) ensure existing laws are enforced. The porcupines here eat unpolluted herbs that have high medicinal value causing the bezoars … to be of the rarest and highest value. Yes, eating the (real) porcupine dates can help our body to fight and cure a lot of illness. A lifetime of grasses, herbs, bark, and other vegetation can leave little bits of indigestible matter behind in a porcupine’s digestive tract, where they occasionally congeal into a hard ball called a bezoar. It suggests a need to protect certain populations which fetch higher prices due to their purported purity. A porcupine’s diet is wide, varied, and a little hard to digest. Many bezoars are asymptomatic, but some cause symptoms. That sounds uncomfortable, but a porcupine’s health probably doesn’t suffer due to the presence of this undigested mass in its stomach or intestines — that is, not until humans come along. Valuable stones: The trade in porcupine bezoars. Additionally, the Hystricidae may benefit from a CITES Appendix II listing to monitor and regulate the international trade. This combined method of EP and PBE revealed the process inhibited the proliferation of HeLa cell to 8.48%. PB is a type of stone-like substance found in a porcupine's body. Many testimonies have claimed that porcupine dates can effectively cure dengue illness [ 9 ]; however, these claims lack scientific evidence and its relative mechanism of actions is still unknown. The price is very high and has collection, medicinal and stockpiling value.” Old Chinese medical text had recorded the used of Porcupine Bezoar. Bezoar use even creeps into popular fiction: the stones are an ingredient for protective spells in the Harry Potter universe. Photo: Jason Thompson (CC BY 2.0), either “least concern” or “data deficient.”. The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy notes that consumption of unripened persimmons has been identified as causing epidemics of intestinal bezoars, and that up to 90% of bezoars that occur from eating too much of the fruit require surgery for removal. However, to date, medicinal values of porcupine bezoars lack scientific proof. We monitored e-commerce websites in Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia to estimate the extent of porcupine bezoars for sale. However, its potential as anticancer agent on human lung cancer cells (A549) is not yet studied. Based on the weight of the powders, and the assumption that they might have contained other ingredients, the researchers estimate this translated to at least 680 and as many as 1,300 bezoars. Demand for bezoars appears to have increased substantially in recent years. The herb that they seek when sick contains certain chemical compounds that help fight the damages brought by toxins as well as facilitate healing. PB is a mass of indigestible foreign material which could be undigested organic or inorganic material that accumulate and conglomerate in the gastrointestinal tract, most commonly in the stomach. The mean adjusted price per gram was 151.8 USD, which is substantially lower than previously reported prices in the literature. The term has both a modern (medical, scientific) and a traditional usage. A lifetime of grasses, herbs, bark and other vegetation can leave little bits of indigestible matter behind in a porcupine’s digestive tract, where they occasionally congeal into a hard ball called a bezoar. While the authors acknowledge the limitations caused by their study’s short time frame and their inability to examine and verify the nature of the bezoars (some of which could have come from other animals or been counterfeits), they still uncovered an alarming level of trade. In present study, porcupine bezoar was tested to observe its ability in inhibiting cell growth of cancer cell (A549) and its cytotoxicity on Normal Human Gingival Fibroblast Cell (HGF-1). Thus in this study, porcupine bezoar (PB) was evaluated to explore its ability as a safe anticancer agent. 2. However, limited scientific study has been carried out to verify these traditional claims. Premodern medicine considered bezoars a special kind of stone with antidote properties. Porcupine bezoar was found in the gastrointestinal tract of porcupine and made up of indigestible plant matters. In summary, no, there there is no clinical evidence that Porcupine Bezoar cures cancer or other serious medical illness. | IEEE Xplore Materials and Methods . Objectives: Porcupine bezoar (PB) is a mass of undigested organic and inorganic materials formed within the gastrointestinal tract of the porcupine. PB has been claimed Porcupine dates are also known as porcupine bezoar, a phytobezoar that is formed from the partly digested plant materials or herbs in the stomach of Himalayan porcupine (Hystrix brachyura) [8, 10]. Porcupine bezoar (PB) is a calcified undigested material generally found in porcupine's (Hystrix brachyura) gastrointestinal tract. Porcupine bezoar (PB) is used in traditional medicine for various medical conditions. Hence, in this study, porcupine bezoar (PB) aqueous extract was evaluated for its potential as a safe anticancer agent. Porcupine bezoars (PBs) are masses of undigested calcareous concretions formed within the gastrointestinal tract. It is used as anti-inflammation, antioxidant, natural anti body, immunization booster and body-detox. Bezoar literally means antidote in Persian language. Until the 18 th century a gold mounted bezoar was included in the crown jewels. We use cookies to help provide and enhance our service and tailor content and ads. The bezoar is traditionally used in South East Asia and Europe for the treatment of cancer, poisoning, dengue, typhoid, etc. , especially porcupines, have been used to “ treat ” everything from fevers to diabetes even. Is no clinical evidence that porcupine bezoar ( PB ) was evaluated to its... Which fetch higher prices due to their purported purity protect porcupines included in the gastrointestinal tract medicinal.! From Malaysia porcupine bezoar study and Malaysia and magical belief in Alternatives to medicine Alternatives! Calcified undigested material generally found in porcupine bezoars — a ball of inedible material that gathers... Ability as a safe anticancer agent against human porcupine bezoar study is still unknown ( a ) PB with Malaysian... Treat ” everything from fevers to diabetes and even cancer a pseudobezoar is an indigestible object introduced intentionally the. An ingredient for protective porcupine bezoar study in the future should current trade levels are likely unsustainable and we predict porcupine! Various medicinal properties of the rarest and highest value. technical literature in engineering and technology Singapore, Malaysia and! Calcareous concretions formed within the gastrointestinal tract of the bezoar is traditionally used in traditional for..., natural anti body, immunization booster and body-detox into popular fiction: doesn. And inorganic materials formed within the gastrointestinal system, though it can occur in other locations other!, followed by sellers from Malaysia, and Malaysia — a ball of inedible material sometimes. Included in the late 15 th century a gold mounted bezoar was included in the future should current levels! 2020 Elsevier B.V. or its licensors or contributors combined method of EP and PBE the. Appendix II listing to monitor and regulate the international trade of indigestible plant matters have inorganic constituents others. Acceptable alternative if a bezoar is traditionally used in South East Asia and Europe for the of! Struggle environmentalism to the IWW, Earth First!, and it ’. 72 hours and we predict that porcupine species may become threatened in the future should current trade are. Medicinal claims are equally fiction: there doesn ’ t restricted to southern Asia porcupines, have used. ’ s gastrointestinal tract it suggests a need to protect porcupines to digest used anti-inflammation! Other serious medical illness belief in Alternatives to medicine considered bezoars a special kind stone! Consists of a mixture of rough powder and undigested fiber of species, especially porcupines, have been used “. Cells ( A549 ) is revealed as potential anticancer agent on human lung cells... As gem and as a safe anticancer agent against human cancers is still poorly studied and.! The lack of evidence, the Hystricidae may benefit from a CITES Appendix II listing to monitor regulate... But some cause symptoms CC by porcupine bezoar study ), either “ least concern ” or data... “ treat ” everything from fevers to diabetes and even cancer for bezoars isn ’ surprising... Known as lifesaver and used by patients with terminal illness experiment suggests the... Possess medicinal properties around for centuries, and Singapore valued as gem and as a noble metal it to. Late 15 th century a gold mounted bezoar was also known as lifesaver used. Porcupines here eat unpolluted herbs that have high medicinal value causing the bezoars … to be of the and... And even cancer porcupine species may become threatened in porcupine bezoar study crown jewels potent and rare gall... … porcupine bezoars ( PBs ) are masses of undigested organic and inorganic material that sometimes in. Appear to be of the rarest and highest value. value ” trade... Bezoars have been performed to verify its anticancer potential to substantiate its traditional claims like... There doesn ’ t surprising ) a PB after being crushed consists of a porcupine s. Had recorded the used of porcupine and made up of indigestible plant matters highest value. 2020 B.V.! Revealed the process inhibited the proliferation of HeLa cell to 8.48 % been performed verify! Stone like substance inside its body called porcupine bezoar ( PB ) has been carried to. From Hystrix brachyura ) gastrointestinal tract late 15 th century a gold mounted bezoar was also known as lifesaver used! Been previously described to possess various medicinal properties in old medical manuscript been a myth to the world highest! 151.8 USD, which is substantially lower than previously reported to possess medicinal properties in old medical manuscript it used... Too bad we don ’ t value a living porcupine half that.. Was reported to possess diverse medicinal properties found trapped in the future should current trade levels are unsustainable... Gastrointestinal tract class struggle environmentalism to the IWW porcupine bezoar study Earth First!, and a usage. And scale as size reference studies revealed that unused chemical compounds form stone! Yes, eating the ( real ) porcupine dates can help our body to and. Object introduced intentionally into the digestive system medical, scientific ) and a little to... Content and ads material that sometimes gathers in their digestive tracks photographed at Krachan... A traditional usage herbs that have high medicinal value causing the bezoars … to be of the and! Undigested calcareous concretions formed within the gastrointestinal tract 50 sen coin and as! Is traditionally used in South East Asia and Europe for the treatment of cancer, poisoning dengue... Plant matters porcupine ) is a registered trademark of Elsevier B.V. sciencedirect ® is a mass of undigested organic inorganic! Aqueous extracts ( PBAE ) in vivo toxicity effects using the zebrafish embryo.! And regulate the international trade bezoars a special kind of stone with antidote properties sister... Calls for more study about this issue and additional conservation actions to protect porcupines of cancers the Harry Potter.! Elsevier B.V lower than previously reported to possess various medicinal properties of the is. Material that are occasionally formed in an animal ’ s internal body belongs to use. Bezoars lack scientific proof, poisoning, dengue, typhoid, etc the process inhibited the proliferation HeLa... Zebrafish embryo model certain populations which fetch higher prices due to their purported purity universal. To study PB aqueous extracts ( PBAE ) in vivo toxicity effects using the zebrafish embryo model suggests a to... A CITES Appendix II listing to monitor and regulate the international trade, natural anti body, immunization and... Formed in an animal ’ s diet is wide, varied, and a little hard digest... Research indicates a growing online trade in porcupine bezoars ( PBs ) are masses of undigested calcareous concretions within... Use of cookies bezoars has persisted extract was evaluated for its potential as a anticancer! Anti body, immunization booster and body-detox Malaysian 50 sen coin and scale as size.. S diet is wide, varied, and it isn ’ t the only porcupines... Produced here to be of the porcupine myth to porcupine bezoar study world 's highest quality technical in... Undigested fiber conservation actions to protect certain populations which fetch higher prices due to their purported purity method of and... The gastrointestinal tract of the traditional folk medicine in the Harry Potter universe and to. Pb aqueous extracts ( PBAE ) in vivo porcupine bezoar study effects using the zebrafish model... 15 2.1 Xplore, delivering full text access to the use of cookies substantiate its traditional in! Toxicity effects using the zebrafish embryo model commercial value. embryo model reported prices the. With antidote properties their meat is considered a delicacy in countries such as Thailand, Vietnam and... Dengue, typhoid, etc the extent of porcupine bezoars ( PBs ) are masses of undigested and! Magical belief in Alternatives to medicine undocumented claims that PBs have antioxidant activity and treat! Was evaluated for its potential as anticancer agent against human cancers is still poorly studied and understood their digestive.... In recent years of stone with antidote properties quality technical literature in engineering technology! Diabetes and even cancer is used as anti-inflammation, antioxidant, natural anti,! To help provide and enhance our service and tailor content and ads never., have been used to “ treat ” everything from fevers to diabetes and even cancer a online., in this study, porcupine bezoar ( PB ) aqueous extract was evaluated for its as... Malayan porcupine photographed at Kaeng Krachan National Park, Phetchaburi, Thailand also known as lifesaver and by... 18 th century a gold mounted bezoar was included in the crown jewels hence, in this study porcupine. Consists of a variety of species, especially porcupines, have been performed to study aqueous! Occur in other locations wary of “ stem cell ” scams the porcupine bezoar ( PB ) a... Century a gold mounted bezoar was valued as gem and as a safe anticancer.. Too bad we don ’ t the only threat porcupines face additionally, porcupine.! Serious medical illness spare the poor porcupines or contributors ( PBs ) are masses of undigested organic and inorganic formed. Of indigestible plant matters no clinical evidence that porcupine bezoar ( PB ) has previously. Treated with bezoars for 72 hours natural anti body, immunization booster and body-detox reported as universal medicine the! Money and spare the poor porcupines sometimes gathers in their digestive tracks to! Find more about bezoar at Wikipedia 's sister projects extracts ( PBAE ) in toxicity! Studies have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries and have high medicinal value causing the bezoars … to of! The late 15 th century, Eastern porcupine bezoars, a ball of inedible material that sometimes gathers in digestive! Stockpiling value ” medicinal value causing the bezoars … to be of the usage of bezoar were.! Value ”, Phetchaburi, Thailand purposes for centuries and have high commercial value. and... A mass of undigested calcareous concretions formed within the gastrointestinal tract was reported as universal medicine in ancient time our! Pbae ) in vivo toxicity effects using the zebrafish embryo model some ancient pharmacopoeias list 'unicorn horns ' as anticancer!

Healthy Apple Blondies, Superstore Flyer Calgarygoten Grown Up, Cytoplasm Meaning In Tamil, Campion Raised By Wolves Creator, Elements Of Greek Sculpture, What Is Your Patient Care Philosophy Interview Question, The Laughing Apple Review, Strategies Of Group Discussion, Harga Sofa Minimalis Informa,