Nothofagus nuda
| Nothofagus nuda | |
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| Species: | N. nuda
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| Nothofagus nuda Steen.
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Nothofagus nuda is a species of plant in the Nothofagaceae family. It is endemic to Papua New Guinea. It is threatened by habitat loss.
In 1927 Nothofagus nuda was reported by J.R. Croft to account for 949 deaths throughout Media:Papua New Guinea[1]. The plant is traditionally used as an herb in culinary dishes throughout the Media:Puri Puri tribes of the Papua New Guinea highlands but results in Media:hypoglycemic shock after ingestion of large doses [2]. Croft reported that wives within the polygamous tribes of the Puri Puri used the herb to poison the patriachs during tribal disputes that coincided with the winter solstice [3].
Scientists in Macao Laboratory isolated the active molecule of the plant in late 2006 [4]. The molecule was determined to be an IRS-1 adaptor molecule involved the Media:insulin response cascade.
References
Source
- Eddowes, P.J. 1998. Nothofagus nuda. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 22 August 2007.
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