Gorillas Inspire Drug Discovery: Antibacterial and Antioxidant Properties in Gabonese Plants

In a groundbreaking study published  in PLOS ONE, researchers from the Interdisciplinary Medical Research Center of Franceville, Gabon, reveal that four plant species consumed by wild gorillas in Gabon—also utilized in local traditional medicine—exhibit promising antibacterial and antioxidant activities.

Great apes, including gorillas, are known for their consumption of medicinal plants to address health issues, mirroring practices in indigenous medicine. To explore this remarkable overlap, the research team conducted observations of western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) within Gabon's Moukalaba-Doudou National Park, documenting the flora ingested by these apes. Following this, the researchers engaged with 27 local villagers in Doussala, including traditional healers, to understand the plants' roles in traditional medicine.

The study identified four native plants as part of both gorilla diets and traditional remedies: the fromager tree (Ceiba pentandra), giant yellow mulberry (Myrianthus arboreus), African teak (Milicia excelsa), and various fig trees (Ficus species). Through scientific examination, the bark of these plants demonstrated antibacterial efficacy, particularly notable against multidrug-resistant strains of Escherichia coli. The fromager tree, in particular, exhibited impressive antibacterial activity across all tested E. coli strains.

Chemical analysis revealed that these plants contain medicinal compounds such as phenols, alkaloids, flavonoids, and proanthocyanidins, integral to their health-promoting properties. While it remains uncertain whether gorillas purposely consume these plants for medicinal benefits, their dietary habits align intriguingly with traditional medicinal practices.

Central Africa's biodiversity offers a significant reservoir of untapped medicinal plant potential. This study provides pioneering insights into the antibacterial and antioxidant properties of these plants, suggesting their viability for further drug discovery research—especially targeting the treatment of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.

The authors highlight the importance of alternative medicines and therapies, stating, "Alternative medicines and therapies offer definite hope for resolving many present and future public health problems. Zoopharmacognosy is one of these new approaches, aimed at discovering new drugs." This promising intersection of wildlife behavior and human health traditions paves the way for future medical advancements in combating resistant infections.