Functional genomics and metabolomics advance the ethnobotany of the Samoan traditional medicine “matalafi”
Seeseei Molimau-Samasoni, Victoria Helen Woolner, Su’emalo Talie Foliga, Katharina Robichon, Vimal Patel, Sarah K. Andreassend, Jeffrey P. Sheridan, Tama Te Kawa, David Gresham, Darach Miller, Daniel J. Sinclair, Anne Camille La Flamme, Alexey V. Melnik, Allegra T. Aron, Pieter C. Dorrestein, Paul H. Atkinson, Robert A. Keyzers, Andrew B. Munkacsi
Abstract
Significance Medicinal plants with extensive ethnobotanical histories, particularly those from Asia, have contributed to the approval of natural compounds as pharmaceutical drugs. In contrast, Samoan traditional medicine is relatively understudied. Working with traditional healers via an ethical, data sovereignty–driven collaboration led by indigenous Samoan researchers, we elucidate the chemical biology of the poorly understood but often-used Samoan traditional medicine “matalafi,” the homogenate of Psychotria insularum leaves commonly used to treat inflammation-associated illnesses. Our approach unifies genomics, metabolomics, analytical biochemistry, immunology, and traditional knowledge to delineate the mode of action of the traditional medicine rather than by the more common reductionist approach of first purifying the bioactive principles, which can be used to better understand the ethnobotany of traditional medicine.