Abstract
The use of threatened animals as a source of traditional medicines is accelerating the extinction of such species and imposes great challenges to animal conservation. In this study, we propose a feasible strategy for the conservation of threatened medicinal animals that combines trade monitoring and the search for substitutes. First, DNA barcoding provides a powerful technique for monitoring the trade of animal species, which helps in restricting the excessive use and illegal trade of such species. Second, pharmacological tests have been adopted to evaluate the biological equivalence of threatened and domestic animals; based on such testing, potential substitutes are recommended. Based on a review of threatened animal species and their substitutes, we find that the search for substitutes deserves special attention; however, this work is far from complete. These results may be of great value for the conservation of threatened animals and maintaining the heritage of traditional medicine.
Highlights
The use of threatened animals as a source of traditional medicines is accelerating the extinction of such species and imposes great challenges to animal conservation
DNA barcoding provides a powerful technique for monitoring the trade of animal species, which helps in restricting the excessive use and illegal trade of such species
Molecular techniques have promoted the identification of animal-derived drugs (ADDs); these techniques include protein electrophoresis, restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, and using specific primers such as those for 12S rDNA, 16S rDNA, valine tRNA and Cyt B to amplify specific regions in the mitochondrial genome
Summary
The use of threatened animals as a source of traditional medicines is accelerating the extinction of such species and imposes great challenges to animal conservation. Rhinoceros horn powder[5], saiga antelope horn powder[6] and bear bile crystals[7] are commonly used in traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) and occupy a special position in traditional Asian medicine; the biological origins of species have been decreasing rapidly in recent decades due to their increased use Several international unions, such as the World Society for the Protection of Animals and the Wildlife Conservation Society, have attached great importance to these problems. In addition to concerns about trade monitoring, the lack of substitutes has affected threatened animal species For this reason, we adopted various pharmacological methods to evaluate the bioactivities of several ADDs using their biological fingerprints and characteristics. Five state-protected species: black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis, listed as critically endangered in the IUCN Red List), Pere David’s deer (Elphurus davidianus, listed as extinct in the wild in the IUCN Red List), sika deer (Cervus nippon, listed at the first state protection level in China), red deer (Cervus elaphus, listed at the second state protection level in China), Chinese pond turtle
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