Work

Data Mining a Medieval Medical Text Reveals Patterns in Ingredient Choice That Reflect Biological Activity against Infectious Agents

Year: 2020

Type: article

Abstract: We used established methodologies from network science to identify patterns in medicinal ingredient combinations in a key medieval text, the 15th-century Lylye of Medicynes , focusing on recipes for topical treatments for symptoms of microbial infection. We conducted experiments screening the antimicrobial activity of selected ingredients. These experiments revealed interesting examples of ingredients that potentiated or interfered with each other’s activity and that would be useful bases for future, more detailed experiments. Our results highlight (i) the potential to use methodologies from network science to analyze medieval data sets and detect patterns of ingredient combination, (ii) the potential of interdisciplinary collaboration to reveal different aspects of the ethnopharmacology of historical medical texts, and (iii) the potential development of novel therapeutics inspired by premodern remedies in a time of increased need for new antibiotics.

Source: mBio

DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03136-19

Authors: Erin Connelly, Charo I. del Genio, Freya Harrison

Institutions: University of Pennsylvania, University of Warwick, Coventry (United Kingdom), Coventry University

Language: English

Topic: History of Medicine Studies

Subfield: History

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,900

Funders: University of Pennsylvania, University of Warwick, University of Nottingham