Abstract A44: Practical habit and herbalism knowledge for prostate cancer-related problems among Bangladeshi immigrants to the United States: The experience of Bronx borough in New York City

Abstract

Abstract In the United States, herbalism use is most prevalent among the immigrants. Very few studies have been conducted in the Bangladeshi immigrants to the United States of America on herbalism knowledge. Therefore a gap in knowledge exists. This study deals with the field observations recorded on the therapeutic applications of the herbalism used in prostate cancer related problems by the Bangladeshi immigrants of Bronx borough in the New York City. Fieldwork was carried out from August 2011 to November 2011. Semi structured interviews and guided field-walk methods were used to gather information on herbalism used by the Bangladeshi immigrants. Along with herbalism, information was also collected on herbalism parts used, formulations, and dosages. Information on phytochemicals as well as pharmacologic activity studies on this herbalism (if any) was obtained from several data bases. The collected information indicates that the following herbalism is used to treat prostate-cancer related problems: Swertia chirata Buch.-Ham. ex Wall., Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Citrus aurantiifolia (Christm.) Swingle, Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f., Plantago major L., Cocos nucifera L., Apis dorsata Fabricius, Allium sativum L., Ocimum gratissimum L., Saccharum officinarum L., Allium cepa L., Momordica charantia L., Areca catechu L., Piper nigrum L., Nigella sativa L., Lactuca sativa L., Ipomoea aquatica Forssk., Persea americana Mill., Panax ginseng C.A.Mey., Carica papaya L., Piper betle L., Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.) Oken, Ficus racemosa L., Azadirachta indica A.Juss., Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze, Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai, Solanum melongena L., Ananas comosus (L.) Merr., Ophicephalus striatus Bloch, Zea mays L., Borassus flabellifer L., Cucumis sativus L., Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper, Brassica napus L., Amaranthus tricolor L., and Aegle marmelos (L.) Corrêa. This study further highlighted the importance of gathering such ethnopharmacology information for effective conservation of the Bangladeshi immigrants' medicinal knowledge and medicinally important herbalism. It is important that modern scientific studies be conducted on this herbalism towards isolation and identification of compounds through which multi-drug resistant prostate cancer related problems can be effectively treated. Note: This abstract was not presented at the conference because the presenter was unable to attend. Citation Format: Md. Ariful Haque Mollik, Douglas James Trainor. Practical habit and herbalism knowledge for prostate cancer-related problems among Bangladeshi immigrants to the United States: The experience of Bronx borough in New York City [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Prostate Cancer Research; 2012 Feb 6-9; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(4 Suppl):Abstract nr A44.