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Contents

1. An orangutan and a remarkable approach to wound care
2. What is self-medication in animals?
3. “Secondary” does not mean unimportant
4. From plant observations to modern medicine
5. So much potential. But how can we make use of it?
6. An apple comes with its own complete package
7. Why this drives us at iüLabs
8. Put plant diversity on your plate first
9. FAQs about plant compounds
10. There is more to plants than meets the eye

An orangutan and a remarkable approach to wound care

Sumatra, June 2022. An orangutan called Rakus has an open wound on his face. Researchers watch as he chews leaves from the climbing plant Fibraurea tinctoria and repeatedly applies the juice to the injured area. He then covers the wound with the chewed leaves, almost like a homemade dressing. His choice of plant is particularly intriguing: Fibraurea tinctoria is also used in traditional medicine in the region. Laboratory studies have described antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity for some of its constituents. Five days after the application, the wound has closed. The research team publishes its observations in Scientific Reports in 2024. ^[1]

Illustrative photograph; not a documented image of Rakus' wound treatment.

Yet the most interesting scientific questions cannot be answered by this observation alone. Did Rakus choose the plant because of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties? Had he learnt something about its effects? Did it help the wound heal, or would it have healed just as quickly without it? His targeted application supports the interpretation of self-medication, although it does not establish that the plant accelerated healing. The observation opens up a fascinating possibility: humans may not be the only animals to use plants in ways that could benefit their health. What role do biologically active compounds play? How do these behaviours arise? And what can researchers learn from them? These questions connect animal behaviour with natural products research. Before we follow the path from plant to medicine, it is worth looking more closely at the animal kingdom. Rakus is far from the only intriguing example.

What is self-medication in animals?

The scientific term is zoopharmacognosy: the study of behaviours in which animals use natural substances that may benefit their health. Plants are one of the main sources. ^[2]

Researchers therefore look closely at how a plant is used. Is the animal simply eating it as food, or doing something unusual with it? Is the animal ill or infected with parasites? And does its condition improve afterwards? Together, these observations can build a meaningful picture. Eating an unusual plant does not, on its own, show that an animal is selecting it for a health benefit. But repeated observations, including in other individuals, can give researchers a promising reason to investigate that plant more closely.

Chimpanzees: an unusual taste for bitter plant pith

One classic observation concerns a female chimpanzee in Tanzania's Mahale Mountains. She appeared lethargic, had little appetite and showed abnormal bowel movements. She then chewed the pith of young Vernonia amygdalina shoots, swallowed the bitter juice and spat out the fibrous remains. Huffman and Seifu described the case in 1989. ^[3] What stood out was the combination of her condition, her choice of plant and the way she consumed it. She was using a particular part of the plant in a distinctive way. Later laboratory work identified constituents with antiparasitic activity in experimental tests, supporting the hypothesis of medicinal use. ^[4]

Butterflies: choosing plants for the next generation

Self-medication is not confined to great apes. In monarch butterflies, researchers investigated a different behaviour: the choice of plants on which females lay their eggs. In experiments, parasite-infected females preferred certain milkweed plants that reduced parasite growth in their offspring. This did not cure the adult butterflies' own infection, but their choice benefited the next generation. The study was published in 2010 as evidence of “trans-generational medication”. ^[5] A later study examined the role of the plants' cardenolides more closely. Increasing intake of these compounds reduced parasite growth in the experimental system. Infected butterflies subsequently lived longer, while uninfected butterflies showed no equivalent general benefit in lifespan. ^[6]

“Secondary” does not mean unimportant

These stories open a window onto a world of plant compounds that we encounter more often than we might realise. The blue-purple colour of blueberries, the orange of carrots and the sharp taste of radishes are linked to different secondary plant compounds, also known as phytochemicals. Examples include anthocyanins in blueberries, carotenoids in carrots and glucosinolates in radishes. ^[7]

These bioactive compounds are called “secondary” because, unlike sugars or proteins, they are not directly involved in the plant's basic energy and building processes. That certainly does not make them unimportant. They help plants defend themselves against herbivores, respond to environmental stresses such as UV exposure, or attract pollinators. Many also contribute to the extraordinary range of colours found in plants. Their potential relevance to human health is one reason they attract scientific interest. ^[7,8]

For researchers, this diversity is a rich source of possibilities. Molecules that perform biological functions in a plant or its environment may also be relevant to human biology. Observations of animals using plants in potentially beneficial ways add another reason to investigate their chemistry. They offer clues about where interesting biological activity might be found.

More than antioxidants

Plant compounds are often reduced to a single description: “antioxidants”. Today's research questions reach much further. Scientists investigate effects on cellular signalling, inflammatory processes and blood vessel function, among other areas. The range of compounds is vast, and their properties differ. Some findings come from laboratory or animal studies; others come from research in humans. Understanding those differences is part of uncovering their potential. ^[8]

From plant observations to modern medicine

Medical history shows how important applications can emerge from this research. Some compounds were isolated from plants with a history of traditional use. Others became starting points for chemical developments that led to medicines. Four examples show how different these paths can be.

From willow bark to aspirin

Long before painkillers came in tablets, people boiled willow bark to make a preparation for pain and fever. In the nineteenth century, researchers isolated a constituent called salicin. The body converts it through intermediate steps into salicylic acid, providing a chemical explanation for the traditional use. ^[9]

Salicylic acid could later be manufactured on an industrial scale. It was used for pain relief but caused problems including stomach irritation, prompting researchers to seek a better-tolerated alternative.

They modified the molecule by attaching an acetyl group to its hydroxyl group. This reaction is called acetylation. The result was acetylsalicylic acid, usually abbreviated to ASA in English. First described in 1853, it was produced in a highly pure form in Bayer's laboratory in 1897. Aspirin reached the market in 1899 and became one of the world's best-known medicines. ^[10]

The story shows what can grow out of investigating a traditional remedy. From the study of willow bark and salicin, through chemical analysis and development, came a medicine that could be manufactured and dosed precisely. The natural source provided a starting point for a development that still matters today.

Opium poppy and morphine: isolating an active compound

The pain-relieving and other effects of the opium poppy have been known for centuries. Its dried latex, known as opium, was used long before the compounds responsible were understood. In the early nineteenth century, the pharmacist Friedrich Wilhelm Sertürner isolated morphine from opium.

A complex mixture had yielded an individual active compound that could be characterised and dosed precisely. It was an important step in the development of modern pain treatment. ^[11]

Sweet wormwood and artemisinin: an old clue leads further

The researcher Tu Youyou and her team investigated sweet wormwood, Artemisia annua, for its activity against malaria. Their early results varied considerably. A historical preparation method then suggested a new possibility: could high temperatures during extraction be a problem?

She changed the method and worked at lower temperatures. In the 1970s, the team succeeded in isolating artemisinin, a compound that would play a major role in malaria treatment. ^[12]

Once again, traditional knowledge provided a clue, and research identified the active compound. The resulting medicine should not be equated with a herbal preparation: the WHO does not support using Artemisia plant material to prevent or treat malaria. ^[13]

From goat's rue to metformin

The diabetes medicine metformin also has a plant story behind it. Goat's rue, Galega officinalis, was traditionally used for symptoms we now associate with diabetes. The blood glucose-lowering properties of its guanidine compounds provided researchers with an important lead.

Investigating related compounds ultimately led to synthetically manufactured metformin. The doctor Jean Sterne reported its use for diabetes in 1957. Here, too, a plant provided the inspiration for chemical development. ^[14]

These stories illustrate the potential of natural products research and why plant compounds deserve careful investigation. They show what research can achieve, rather than demonstrating the effectiveness of a food supplement.

So much potential. But how can we make use of it?

Discovering a molecule and describing its properties is an important beginning. A useful application raises further questions: what amount has been studied? How stable is the compound? And in what form can the body absorb it?

For many plant compounds, absorption is a significant challenge. Some dissolve poorly in water, are changed during digestion or reach the circulation only in limited amounts. Bioavailability varies substantially between compounds. ^[15,16]

This opens up another area of research: how can interesting compounds be formulated to make them more suitable for a particular application? Human studies have investigated, for example, how processing and different formulations affect the bioavailability of polyphenols. ^[17]

An apple comes with its own complete package

In an apple, plant compounds sit within a natural structure of water, fibre and plant cells. Chewing and digestion gradually release its constituents. This food matrix influences how compounds are released and become accessible for absorption. ^[18]

The value of a whole apple lies in the complete food: its many constituents and their natural structure. Isolating a single molecule does not reproduce that diversity. The same principle applies to other fruit and vegetables. Whole foods bring together a combination of nutrients and other components, although the best way to prepare them depends on the food and the compounds involved.

For supplement development, this creates an important challenge. When selected compounds are taken out of their original matrix, their properties need to be considered carefully in the new formulation. A powdered plant extract does not automatically reproduce the original plant's composition or effects. How well its compounds are absorbed depends on their chemistry, the formulation and the conditions in which they are taken. ^[15,18]

Why this drives us at iüLabs

Natural products research brings together two things that belong at the heart of our supplement development: enthusiasm for interesting molecules, and careful consideration of how to provide them in a form the body can use. Selecting an ingredient is part of the task; understanding how to formulate it is another.

This is where our SoluSmart® technology comes in. It was developed to provide ingredients that are difficult to absorb in a suitable formulation. In iüVitalizer, the powder and SoluSmart® oil remain separate until preparation and are combined shortly before drinking.

Put plant diversity on your plate first

Fruit and vegetables remain a foundation of a varied diet. To enjoy a broad range of plant compounds, aim for variety on your plate. Remember the colours at the start of this article? Different plant compounds contribute to many of those colours, making a colourful selection a useful starting point. Berries at breakfast, vegetables with lunch, lentils in a salad or nuts as a snack all bring different combinations of compounds into your meals.

There is no need to memorise individual molecules or seek out an exotic “superfood”. Vary your fruit and vegetables, add pulses, and include nuts and wholegrains. Fresh, frozen and tinned fruit and vegetables can all contribute to your 5 A Day, and cooked vegetables count too. Choose tinned options in water or natural juice, without added salt or sugar. ^[19]

Food supplements can complement your diet. They cannot replace a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.

FAQs about plant compounds

What are secondary plant compounds?

These are compounds that plants produce for purposes such as colour, scent and defence. Examples include polyphenols, carotenoids and glucosinolates. They are also found in many of the plant foods we eat. ^[7]

Why are they interesting to researchers?

Many have biological activity. Researchers investigate which processes they influence, how they are metabolised and whether specific applications can be developed. Findings depend on the compound and the study. ^[8,16]

Do animals know which plants can help them?

Observations suggest behaviours with possible health benefits. This does not imply a human-like understanding of illness or active compounds. Researchers study the behaviour and its possible consequences. ^[2]

Does better absorption automatically mean a better effect?

Higher bioavailability can be relevant to developing an application. Whether it produces a health benefit needs to be investigated separately. Dosage, tolerability and the particular outcome being studied also matter.

There is more to plants than meets the eye

Rakus' wound dressing, the bitter pith used by chimpanzees and the plant choices of monarch butterflies show how closely animal behaviour and plant chemistry can be connected. Medical history takes the story further: traditional uses and natural compounds have inspired important medical developments.

This is what makes secondary plant compounds such a fascinating field of research. Their diversity offers opportunities to understand biological processes and explore useful applications. At iüLabs, that combination of curiosity and careful development is what keeps us looking more closely at what plants have to offer.

References

1. Laumer IB et al. Active self-treatment of a facial wound with a biologically active plant by a male Sumatran orangutan. Scientific Reports. 2024;14:8932. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58988-7.

2. Huffman MA. Animal self-medication and ethno-medicine: exploration and exploitation of the medicinal properties of plants. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. 2003;62:371–381. DOI: 10.1079/PNS2003257.

3. Huffman MA, Seifu M. Observations on the illness and consumption of a possibly medicinal plant Vernonia amygdalina (Del.), by a wild chimpanzee in the Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania. Primates. 1989;30:51–63. DOI: 10.1007/BF02381210.

4. Ohigashi H et al. Use of Vernonia amygdalina by wild chimpanzee: possible roles of its bitter and related constituents. Physiology & Behavior. 1994;56:1209–1216. DOI: 10.1016/0031-9384(94)90368-9.

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6. Gowler CD et al. Secondary Defense Chemicals in Milkweed Reduce Parasite Infection in Monarch Butterflies, Danaus plexippus. Journal of Chemical Ecology. 2015;41:520–523. PMID: 25953502.

7. German Federal Centre for Nutrition (BZfE). Sekundäre Pflanzenstoffe. Information (in German).

8. German Nutrition Society (DGE). Sekundäre Pflanzenstoffe und ihre Wirkung auf die Gesundheit. Updated December 2014. Information (in German).

9. Montinari MR, Minelli S, De Caterina R. The first 3500 years of aspirin history from its roots – A concise summary. Vascular Pharmacology. 2019;113:1–8. PMID: 30391545.

10. German Chemical Society (GDCh). Geburtstag eines „Wundermittels“: 125 Jahre Aspirin. 2022. Article (in German).

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12. Tu Y. Artemisinin—A Gift from Traditional Chinese Medicine to the World (Nobel Lecture). Angewandte Chemie International Edition. 2016;55:10210–10226. PMID: 27488942.

13. World Health Organization. The use of non-pharmaceutical forms of Artemisia. 2019. WHO/CDS/GMP/2019.14.

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17. Polia F et al. Technological and Biotechnological Processes To Enhance the Bioavailability of Dietary (Poly)phenols in Humans. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2022;70:2092–2107. PMID: 35156799.

18. Ribas-Agustí A et al. Food processing strategies to enhance phenolic compounds bioaccessibility and bioavailability in plant-based foods. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. PMID: 28609142.

19. NHS. 5 A Day: what counts? NHS guidance.