Wild chimpanzees ‘self-medicate’ to treat illness and injuries: Oxford Study

With this study, the researchers observed that the medicinal plants growing in Budongo Central Forest Reserve could aid the development of valuable new drugs.

Study in UK: A new study led by the University of Oxford found that chimpanzees appear to consume plants with medicinal properties to treat their ailments. According to the study, they eat various plants, of which some are nutritionally poor but may treat or lessen the symptoms of illness.

However, the researchers could not find out whether they intentionally consume such plants to self-medicate or passively consume plants that happen to be medicinal. The study is named ‘Pharmacological and behavioural investigation of putative self-medicative plants in Budongo Chimpanzee diets’.

"NEW: Study shows wild chimpanzees seek out medicinal plants to treat illness and injuries. Chimpanzees appear to consume plants with medicinal properties to treat their ailments, according to a new study led by Oxford researchers," reads a post by Oxford University on X.

Lead author Dr Elodie Freymann, from the University of Oxford’s School of Anthropology & Museum Ethnography, said, "To study wild chimpanzee self-medication you have to act like a detective—gathering multidisciplinary evidence to piece together a case. After spending months in the field collecting behavioural clues that led us to specific plant species, it was thrilling to analyze the pharmacological results and discover that many of these plants exhibited high levels of bioactivity."

The findings look promising for developing new drugs

The researchers found that 33% of plants had anti-inflammatory properties and 88% of the plant extracts inhibited bacterial growth. Deadwood from a tree in the Dogbane family (Alstonia boonei) has the strongest antibacterial activity and also has anti-inflammatory properties. It is also used as a medicinal plant in East African communities to treat a variety of conditions such as snake bites, asthma, gastrointestinal issues, and bacterial infections.

Leaves from a fern (Christella parasitica) and bark and resin from the East African mahogany tree (Khaya anthotheca) exhibited potent anti-inflammatory effects. During the study, it was seen that a male chimpanzee with an injured hand sought out and ate leaves of the fern, which may have helped to reduce pain and swelling.

Dr Freymann added, "Our study highlights the medicinal knowledge that can be gained from observing other species in the wild and underscores the urgent need to preserve these forest pharmacies for future generations."

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