Medicinal plants with antidiabetic properties used by Guarayos community in Bolivia: An Ethnobotanical perspective

Daniel Filipi

Bakalářská práce

Abstract:

Generations of skills, knowledge, and practices focusing on natural remedies with the aim of treating ailments and diseases are commonly known as traditional medicine. Today, they still play a key role in 90% of developing countries as a primary method of healthcare, and in Bolivia, these healing methods are even recognised under the law. This thesis aimed to create an ethnobotanical inventory of the Guarayos community in Santa Cruz department, Bolivia, specifically focusing on the meliorative effects of medicinal plants in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The necessary ethnobotanical data was collected through structured interviews guided by a pre-designed questionnaire. The research, conducted in three municipalities: Ascensión de Guarayos, Yaguarú and Urubichá, addressed 78 native respondents, 56% female and 44% male. As many other ethnobotanical studies, this work uncovered that leaves (61%) were the most common plant part used in traditional healing processes, and that infusion (82%) was the main preparation method. This research identified 29 botanical families, from which Asteraceae represented the most plant species. Such botanical families comprised 41 medicinal plants, 20 of which were found to have antidiabetic potential, based on available scientific papers. Furthermore, Moringa oleifera Lam., Psidium guajava L., Persea americana Mill., Mangifera indica L., and Annona muricata L., were scientifically proven as viable alternatives in T2DM treatment. Acquired results should help fill the gap of missing ethnobotanical knowledge around the Guarayos Province, Bolivia. However, the absence of scientific proof among the medicinal plants delays the use of their potential, therefore it is vital to clear it up with more phytochemical and clinical studies to ensure the verity of their proposed antidiabetic properties.

Keywords

diabetes mellitus, indigenous knowledge, traditional medicine, Bolivia

Jazyk práce: angličtina

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 17. 4. 2026

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Vedoucí: prof. Ing. Eloy Fernández Cusimamani, Ph.D.
• Oponent: Goldis Perry Davila, MSc.

Česká zemědělská univerzita v Praze

Fakulta tropického zemědělství

Bakalářský studijní program:
Tropické zemědělství