Rhynchophorus palmarum used in Traditional Medicine in the Peruvian Amazon

Abstract

Ethnoentomological research focuses on the wealth of knowledge about insects used by indigenous communities. Here, we examine the medicinal use of insects, with a particular focus on Rhynchophorus palmarum, also known as suri, by indigenous peoples in the Peruvian Amazon. Between January 2014 and November 2015, a semi-structured survey was conducted in six communities belonging to Kukama-kukamiria, Tikuna, and Awajum ethnic groups. Each participant answered three key questions: i) what insects do you use to treat your diseases; ii) what diseases do you treat; and iii) how do you treat each disease? A total of 63 people were interviewed. Over half of the interviewees from the three ethnic groups mentioned using the larva of the R. palmarum for medicinal purposes. The oil of the larva is used to treat more than ten diseases, particularly respiratory illnesses. Chemical analysis of the larvae indicates the presence of linoleic and linolenic acids, which confer antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Rhynchophorus palmarum (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae): Guarani-Kaiowá indigenous knowledge and pharmacological activities

“…However, the list of extracts and molecules isolated from animals is increasing [ 20 , 21 ]. RPLO is used by the Guarani-Kaiowá community and other indigenous communities for food [ 7 ] and medicinal purposes [ 6 ]. The chemical composition of RPLO revealed the presence of saturated [palmitic acid (C16:0), 42.7%], and unsaturated fatty acids [oleic acid (C18:1) [ω-9] 40%] in proportions similar to those observed by Due et al [ 22 ].…”

“…The use of Mbuku, the name given to the beetle Rhynchophorus palmarum (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in its larval stage is part of the Guarani-Kaiowá TK, whether in its sacred tales, in its rituals or for food and medicinal purposes. The oil extracted from the integument of R. palmarum larvae is used by other peoples of South America in food and as a treatment for respiratory diseases and skin infections [6][7][8][9]. While the use of animal fat in the treatment of diseases by indigenous people is part of TK, the literature describes the antioxidant properties of unsaturated and saturated fatty acids that compose the triglycerides of animals and attributes these compounds to the ability to neutralize oxidative damage [10], both after topical use and oral ingestion [11,12].…”

Unravelling the potential of insects for medicinal purposes – A comprehensive review

“…[ 27 ]. Rhynchophorus palmarum (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) larvae collected from the native palm tree Mauritia flexuosa (L.f.) (Arecaceae: Arecaceae) is with the best healing properties [ 272 ].…”

Larva de Rhynchophorus palmarum L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae): Efecto de la dieta en la síntesis de ácidos grasos esenciales

“…En la Amazonía peruana, pobladores rurales y grupos indígenas utilizan el aceite de esta larva para tratar enfermedades respiratorias (tos, asma, resfriados, tuberculosis, entre otros). Según Delgado et al (2019), estos atributos estarían relacionados con la presencia de estos ácidos grasos esenciales (linoleico y alpha linolénico). 1,45 ± 0,007b 1,34 ± 0,021c 1,72 ± 0,014a 17:0 Heptadecaenoico 0,26 --18:0 Esteárico 5,95 ± 0,255b 8,13 ± 0,106a 5,16 ± 0,064c 18:1w-9 Oleico 43,54 ± 0,248a 42,06 ± 0,276b 43,01 ± 0,057a 18:2w-6 Linoleico 1,96 ± 0,028a 0,67 ± 0,007c 0,76 ± 0,000b 18:3w-3 α-Linolénico 1,14 ± 0,007a 0,43 ± 0,035b 0,29 ± 0,007c 20:0 Araquídico 0,72 ± 0,007a 0,72 ± 0,000a 0,58 ± 0,007b Total MUFA 44,99 ± 0,180a 43,40 ± 0,210b 44,73 ± 0,050b Total PUFA 3,10 ± 0,025a 1,10 ± 0,030b 1,05 ± 0,005b n-6/n-3 1,72 ± 0,010b 1,56 ± 0,080b 2,62 ± 0,045a Total saturados (AGS) 50,82 ± 0,335c 55,51 ± 0,255a 53,03 ± 0,200b Total insaturados (AGI) 48,08 ± 0,205a 44,48 ± 0,240c 45,77 ± 0,045b AGS/AGI 1,06 ± 0,012c 1,25 ± 0,001a 1,16 ± 0,006b Datos expresados en promedio ± desviación estándar.…”