A gorilla munching on leaves and bark in the wild, not just to satisfy hunger but to heal itself. Sounds like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, right? Well, it’s happening in real life. Gorillas in the dense forests of Central and West Africa seem to have cracked the code for self-medicating, and scientists believe they may hold the key to unlocking new medicines for humans. Yep, you read that right—gorillas could be the next big thing in drug discovery.

Nature’s Pharmacy: Gorillas Self-Medicating

Researchers in Gabon, one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth, have been keeping an eye on western lowland gorillas to see what plants they’re eating. Why? Because these gorillas aren’t just eating for nourishment; they’re self-medicating. And that’s pretty cool.

In Gabon’s Moukalaba-Doudou National Park, scientists recorded the plants consumed by these gorillas and cross-referenced them with traditional medicinal plants used by local human healers. It turns out that gorillas are choosing plants with powerful healing properties, just like human herbalists. This has led scientists to wonder: what if these plants, selected by gorillas, could help us develop new medicines?

The Healing Plants: What Did They Find?

The study focused on four plants: the fromager tree (Ceiba pentandra), giant yellow mulberry (Myrianthus arboreus), African teak (Milicia excelsa), and fig trees (Ficus). These trees are well-known among local healers and have been used for centuries to treat various ailments, from stomach issues to infertility. So, when gorillas are munching on these leaves and barks, they’re not just snacking—they’re healing themselves.

Here’s the kicker: when scientists tested the chemical compounds found in these plants, they discovered some impressive medicinal properties. These plants were high in antioxidants and antimicrobials. But the most exciting find? One of these plants, the fromager tree, showed remarkable potential against multi-drug-resistant bacteria—yes, those nasty superbugs that are giving modern medicine a run for its money.

Superbugs Beware: The Fromager Tree Shows Promise

Superbugs are one of the biggest threats in modern medicine. These bacteria have evolved to resist antibiotics, leaving doctors with fewer and fewer options to treat serious infections. But here’s where the fromager tree comes in. When researchers tested the bark from this tree, they found it had significant antibacterial properties against some of these superbugs, including strains of E. coli that are resistant to multiple drugs. That’s a big deal.

The fact that gorillas are munching on the bark of the fromager tree for health benefits suggests that nature might hold the answer to fighting these antibiotic-resistant bacteria. And while more research is needed, this discovery has opened up a new realm of possibilities for drug development.

Lessons from the Wild: What Gorillas Can Teach Us

Great apes, including gorillas and orangutans, have long been observed using plants to self-medicate. A recent story about a wounded orangutan using plant paste to heal its injuries made headlines. These animals seem to have an innate knowledge of which plants help with healing. And we humans? We’re just starting to catch on.

Dr. Joanna Setchell, an anthropologist from the University of Durham in the UK, has been working with Gabonese scientists on this project. She believes that gorillas have evolved to eat plants that benefit them, filling in gaps in our knowledge about the Central African rainforest. As she puts it, “This study highlights the huge gaps in our understanding of the rainforests, and just how much we still have to learn from the animals living in them.”

Gabon: A Hidden Treasure Trove of Medicinal Plants

Gabon, where this research took place, is home to some of the most untouched forests in the world. These forests are filled with thousands of plant species, many of which haven’t even been studied yet. It’s like a giant, unexplored pharmacy just waiting to be unlocked.

With the help of the gorillas, scientists are now paying closer attention to the medicinal properties of the plants found in this region. Who knows how many other plants in these rainforests could hold the key to curing diseases we haven’t even thought of yet?

A Conservation Issue, Too

But here’s the unfortunate part: western lowland gorillas, the very animals helping scientists make these discoveries, are critically endangered. Poaching, habitat destruction, and disease have led to a sharp decline in their numbers. Fewer than 150,000 of these gorillas survive in the wild today. If we lose these animals, we may be losing more than just an iconic species—we could be losing vital clues for new medical treatments.

That’s why conservation efforts are so important. Protecting these gorillas and their habitat isn’t just about saving a species; it’s about preserving a natural laboratory that could help us fight some of the biggest health challenges of our time.

The Road Ahead: What’s Next for Drug Discovery?

This research, published in the journal PLOS ONE, is just the beginning. Scientists are now looking into how we can further study the plants consumed by gorillas and other great apes. There’s so much we don’t know about the natural world, and animals like gorillas are giving us clues that we need to pay attention to.

For now, the focus is on learning more about the fromager tree and its potential in fighting superbugs. If further studies confirm its effectiveness, it could pave the way for new antibiotics. And let’s not forget the other plants gorillas are eating—each one could be a stepping stone to another medical breakthrough.

Conclusion: Gorillas as Our Unexpected Allies

So, what’s the takeaway here? Gorillas aren’t just incredible animals; they may be holding secrets to new medicines. By watching what they eat and learning from their natural behaviors, scientists are uncovering plants that could help humans in the fight against superbugs and other diseases.

But there’s a catch: we need to protect these animals and their habitats if we want to continue learning from them. The forests of Gabon, with their vast array of plant life, are one of the last frontiers for discovering new medicines. And thanks to the self-medicating habits of gorillas, we may just be on the brink of some major medical breakthroughs. Nature’s pharmacy is open for business—if we’re smart enough to keep it running.

Sources:

• Quicknews: Self-medicating Gorillas and Traditional Healers Provide Clues for New Drug Discovery​(Quicknews)
• GBC Ghana: Self-medicating Gorillas May Hold New Drug Clues​(GBC Ghana Online)