Medicinal Plant Use for Treating Inflammation Among Dominicans in New York City and the Dominican Republic

Completed

• Conditions: Inflammation

• Registration Number: NCT00109980
• Lead Sponsor: New York Botanical Garden

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate and compare the use of herbal medicine among Dominicans in New York City and the Dominican Republic.

Detailed Description

According to the 2000 U.S. Census Report, Dominicans constitute the largest Hispanic immigrant group in New York City. Studies have shown that immigrants' use of traditional and herbal medicine is close to that of native-born Americans. However, minority immigrants often have limited access to traditional health care; as a result, they may be more likely to consult with traditional healers and use medicinal plants than nonimmigrants. This study is designed to increase knowledge about immigrants' health and to contribute to more culturally-sensitive health care. The purpose of this study is to determine medical plant knowledge and use among Dominican traditional healers and patients in New York City and in the Dominican Republic.

This study will comprise two parts. In Part I, Dominican medicinal plant users and Dominican traditional healers in New York City will be questioned about the medicinal plant species they know and how they are used for prevalent illnesses. The same number of participants will be interviewed in the Dominican Republic, allowing for detailed comparisons between the two study sites.

In Part II, the most frequently-cited medicinal plant species will be subjected to a thorough literature review on their pharmacologic activity and the chemical composition of their active constituents. Two in vitro assays will be used to measure the anti-inflammatory activity of certain plant extracts, and their anti-inflammatory compounds will be isolated and characterized for the purpose of standardization of active extracts. On the basis of these results, recommendations will be formulated for future studies and community use of selected medicinal plant species.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2005-03
• Study First Submitted: 2005-05-03
• Study First Submitted QC: 2005-05-03
• Study First Posted: 2005-05-04
• Primary Completion: 2011-07
• Status Verified: 2013-10
• Last Update Submitted: 2013-10-30
• Last Update Posted: 2013-11-01

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 320

Inclusion Criteria

• Dominican ethnicity
• Have knowledge of Dominican medicinal plants

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Identification of culturally important medicinal plants	June 2010

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Associates in Internal Medicine Clinic, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University; 🇺🇸 New York City, New York, United States