Highlights of theHighlights of theSeminar-WorkshopSeminar-Workshop

on theon the“State of the Art of Medicinal“State of the Art of MedicinalPlant Research and BusinessPlant Research and Business

Opportunities”Opportunities”Operations Room,Operations Room, Abelardo Samonte Abelardo Samonte HallHall

UP Los Baños, College, LagunaUP Los Baños, College, LagunaMarch 31, 2003March 31, 2003

Seminar PresentationsSeminar Presentations

The Need for A National Colloquium on Medicinal PlantsResearch and their Business OpportunitiesDr. Jaime Z. Galvez Tan, UP Manila and NIHCultural Management of Selected Medicinal PlantsPostharvest Handling and Storage of Selected Medicinal PlantsProf. Ernesta G. Quintana, PHTRC-CA, UPLBHistochemistry and Taxonomy in Medicinal Plant ResearchDr. Lourdes B. Cardenas, MNH and IBS-CAS, UPLBMutagenicity Tests on Medicinal Plant PreparationsDr. James A. Villanueva, IC-CS, UP DilimanPharmacological and Toxicological Investigations in MedicinalPlant ResearchDr. Horacio M. Estrada, College of Medicine, UP Manila

•• Around 1,500 species from the Philippines’ 13,500 plantAround 1,500 species from the Philippines’ 13,500 plantspecies are medicinal plants;species are medicinal plants;•• 850 have been described in “Medicinal Plants of the850 have been described in “Medicinal Plants of thePhilippines”;Philippines”;•• Only 120 have been scientifically validated for safetyOnly 120 have been scientifically validated for safetyand efficiency;and efficiency;•• More than 200 have been identified for phytochemicalsMore than 200 have been identified for phytochemicals•• 84 are included in the Philippine National Formulary I84 are included in the Philippine National Formulary I•• Only 10 medicinal plants (Only 10 medicinal plants (akapulkoakapulko, ampalaya, , ampalaya, bayabasbayabas,,bawangbawang, , lagundilagundi, , niyugniyug--niyoganniyogan, , sambongsambong, , tsaangtsaanggubatgubat, , pansitpansit--pansitan pansitan and and yerba buenayerba buena) have been) have beenpromoted by DOH and PITAHC since 1993;promoted by DOH and PITAHC since 1993;•• Only 5 have business applications (Only 5 have business applications (lagundilagundi, , sambongsambong,,akapulkoakapulko, ampalaya and , ampalaya and yerba buenayerba buena););

The Need for a National Colloquium onThe Need for a National Colloquium onMedicinal Plant Research and Medicinal Plant Research and their Business Opportunitiestheir Business Opportunities

•• 80 percent of the world population depend on herbal80 percent of the world population depend on herbalmedicine;medicine;•• Global market was estimated to be 80 Billion USD onGlobal market was estimated to be 80 Billion USD on20022002•• International sales of herbal medicine is growing 10International sales of herbal medicine is growing 10to 15% annually;to 15% annually;•• US, European and Asian markets for medicinal herbsUS, European and Asian markets for medicinal herbsamount to billions (5.8, US, 1998; 8, Europe, 1998; 1.2,amount to billions (5.8, US, 1998; 8, Europe, 1998; 1.2,Malaysia; 5.7, China);Malaysia; 5.7, China);•• Annual Philippine herbal market is estimated at 30 toAnnual Philippine herbal market is estimated at 30 to50 M USD;50 M USD;•• Philippine herbal products include plant parts, teaPhilippine herbal products include plant parts, teablends, personal and body care products, fragrance,blends, personal and body care products, fragrance,commercial flavors and spices;commercial flavors and spices;

The Need for a National Colloquium onThe Need for a National Colloquium onMedicinal Plant Research and Medicinal Plant Research and their Business Opportunitiestheir Business Opportunities

•• The Philippines has little or no literature on some plantsThe Philippines has little or no literature on some plantsthat are already doing good in the Asian or Worldthat are already doing good in the Asian or Worldmarkets, such asmarkets, such as luyang dilawluyang dilaw (turmeric) and (turmeric) and gotu gotu kola; kola;

•• Plants in great demand such as garlic,Plants in great demand such as garlic, soya soya and aloe and aloeveravera can be grown in the Philippines, but no one yet can can be grown in the Philippines, but no one yet canproduce at a rate of at least 1 ton a day. The situationproduce at a rate of at least 1 ton a day. The situationmay improve with increased investment in medicinalmay improve with increased investment in medicinalplants R&D;plants R&D;

•• Majority of Philippine medicinal plants with centuries ofMajority of Philippine medicinal plants with centuries ofethnomedical history remains untapped, and theethnomedical history remains untapped, and thepotentials of priority plants have not been fullypotentials of priority plants have not been fullyexploited. There is lack of collaboration among researchexploited. There is lack of collaboration among researchinstitutions, the private sector, and the academe;institutions, the private sector, and the academe;

The Need for a National Colloquium onThe Need for a National Colloquium onMedicinal Plant Research and Medicinal Plant Research and their Business Opportunitiestheir Business Opportunities

•• There is no standardized procedure in theThere is no standardized procedure in themanufacture of most herbal products. Thesemanufacture of most herbal products. Theseincludeinclude postharvest postharvest handling of raw materials, handling of raw materials,moisture content and packaging;moisture content and packaging;

•• The very slow registration process for the medicinalThe very slow registration process for the medicinalplant products has been perceived to be a majorplant products has been perceived to be a majordeterrent of herbal product development;deterrent of herbal product development;

•• There are poor market and government incentivesThere are poor market and government incentivesfor medicinal plants. They must be given the samefor medicinal plants. They must be given the sameattention in R&D as cash crops, like majorattention in R&D as cash crops, like majorcommodity crops (rice, corn, etc.)commodity crops (rice, corn, etc.)

The Need for a National Colloquium onThe Need for a National Colloquium onMedicinal Plant Research and Medicinal Plant Research and their Business Opportunitiestheir Business Opportunities

•• Common practices in the management of medicinalCommon practices in the management of medicinalplants include site preparation, propagation, landplants include site preparation, propagation, landpreparation, hardening, transplanting andpreparation, hardening, transplanting andmaintenance operations such as fertilization,maintenance operations such as fertilization,watering, weeding, pruning, mulching, trellising,watering, weeding, pruning, mulching, trellising,green green manuringmanuring, , roguingroguing and sanitation; and sanitation;

•• Propagation is done in two ways: sexual using thePropagation is done in two ways: sexual using theseeds and asexual by using vegetative plant partsseeds and asexual by using vegetative plant parts(e.g basal and terminal cuttings);(e.g basal and terminal cuttings);

•• Hardening is important to adapt the seedlings toHardening is important to adapt the seedlings toactual field conditions (direct sunlight and minimalactual field conditions (direct sunlight and minimalwatering);watering);

Cultural Management of Cultural Management of Selected Medicinal PlantsSelected Medicinal Plants

•• Although cultural practices for traditional crops andAlthough cultural practices for traditional crops andmedicinal plants are almost similar, the latter are moremedicinal plants are almost similar, the latter are moresensitive (it is required that raw materials should havesensitive (it is required that raw materials should haveno aflatoxin, heavy metals and poisonousno aflatoxin, heavy metals and poisonousmicroorganisms) and many farmers and growers failmicroorganisms) and many farmers and growers failthe standards set by pharmaceutical companies;the standards set by pharmaceutical companies;

•• Since the use of chemical pesticides on medicinalSince the use of chemical pesticides on medicinalplants is prohibited, crop protection / pestplants is prohibited, crop protection / pestmanagement is an important research gap to bemanagement is an important research gap to beconsidered. Some researches to identify and manageconsidered. Some researches to identify and managethe pests and diseases of medicinal plants has to bethe pests and diseases of medicinal plants has to bedone;done;

•• PostharvestPostharvest handling and storage must also be given handling and storage must also be givenimportance for quality and safety considerations.importance for quality and safety considerations.

Cultural Management of Cultural Management of Selected Medicinal PlantsSelected Medicinal Plants

•• Conditions for postharvest handling and storage ofConditions for postharvest handling and storage ofmedicinal plants could be different from location tomedicinal plants could be different from location tolocation;location;

•• Depending on the maturity, a farmer/ grower canDepending on the maturity, a farmer/ grower canharvest and earn more periodically (compared to a riceharvest and earn more periodically (compared to a ricefarmer) without the need of too much land preparation;farmer) without the need of too much land preparation;

•• Recommended practices after harvesting includeRecommended practices after harvesting includegarbling, washing, drying, packing and labeling.garbling, washing, drying, packing and labeling.

•• General acceptable moisture content (MC) of driedGeneral acceptable moisture content (MC) of driedplant materials is 10% and below. Many companiesplant materials is 10% and below. Many companiesrequire materials with lower MC ( 4 to 1%);require materials with lower MC ( 4 to 1%);

•• Most companies regard the MC standards tradeMost companies regard the MC standards tradesecrets.secrets.

Postharvest Handling and Storage Postharvest Handling and Storage of Selected Medicinal Plantsof Selected Medicinal Plants

•• What we call “alternative medicine” is not at all alternativeWhat we call “alternative medicine” is not at all alternativebut is the only medicine in many far-flung areas in thebut is the only medicine in many far-flung areas in thePhilippines;Philippines;

•• Biotechnology techniques (e.g thin layer chromatography)Biotechnology techniques (e.g thin layer chromatography)can aid in the correct identification of medicinal plants andcan aid in the correct identification of medicinal plants andplant species;plant species;

•• HistochemistryHistochemistry is important in the detection of the presence is important in the detection of the presenceand localization of active constituents of medicinal plants;and localization of active constituents of medicinal plants;

•• Taxonomy is important for the correct botanical identificationTaxonomy is important for the correct botanical identificationof medicinal plants;of medicinal plants;

•• We need good taxonomists,We need good taxonomists, chemotaxonomists chemotaxonomists, and, andhistochemistshistochemists for proper identification of plants with for proper identification of plants withmedicinal properties. These are what the academe can offer;medicinal properties. These are what the academe can offer;

Histochemistry Histochemistry and Taxonomyand Taxonomyin Medicinal Plant Researchin Medicinal Plant Research

•• The basis of drug development process is theThe basis of drug development process is theethnobotany or ethnomedical history of a medicinal plant.ethnobotany or ethnomedical history of a medicinal plant.Oral screening provides chemical leads which wouldOral screening provides chemical leads which wouldbecome the basis of clinical studies;become the basis of clinical studies;

•• NIRPROMP uses 3 mutagenicity assays (REC assay,NIRPROMP uses 3 mutagenicity assays (REC assay,Ames test, and Micronucleus test) to determine theAmes test, and Micronucleus test) to determine themutation-causing capability of medicinal plantmutation-causing capability of medicinal plantpreparations;preparations;

•• Mutagenicity tests of NIRPROMP, though imperative forMutagenicity tests of NIRPROMP, though imperative forproduct safety, consist of very basic and outdatedproduct safety, consist of very basic and outdatedmethods and need efficient support by the acquisition ofmethods and need efficient support by the acquisition ofnew technology currently used in other countries;new technology currently used in other countries;

•• Medicinal plant preparations which fail these tests areMedicinal plant preparations which fail these tests aredangerous and damaging to the human being.dangerous and damaging to the human being.

Mutagenicity Testing in MedicinalMutagenicity Testing in MedicinalPlant PreparationsPlant Preparations

•• Also very important in medicinal plant research areAlso very important in medicinal plant research arepharmacological and toxicological investigations on thepharmacological and toxicological investigations on theeffect of certain substances on body tissues;effect of certain substances on body tissues;

•• The tissues and organs’ reactions to doses of medicinalThe tissues and organs’ reactions to doses of medicinalplant drugs are measured through specialized equipment;plant drugs are measured through specialized equipment;

•• Acceptable mammalian intact species used for theseAcceptable mammalian intact species used for theseinvestigations are the dogs, cats and monkeys;investigations are the dogs, cats and monkeys;

•• Special investigations on the effect of medicinal plant drugSpecial investigations on the effect of medicinal plant drugdoses on the behavior of animals; and the addicting liabilitydoses on the behavior of animals; and the addicting liabilityof the drug are also conducted;of the drug are also conducted;

•• NIRPROMP has all the results of the investigations onNIRPROMP has all the results of the investigations onmedicinal plants from medicinal plants from akapulko akapulko to to ulasimang bato ulasimang bato ((pansitpansit--pansitanpansitan).).

Pharmacological and ToxicologicalPharmacological and ToxicologicalInvestigations in Medicinal PlantsInvestigations in Medicinal PlantsResearchResearch

•• AkapulkoAkapulko,, ampalaya ampalaya,, bayabas bayabas,, lagundi lagundi, , niyogniyog--niyoganniyogan,,sambongsambong,, tsaang gubat tsaang gubat,, ulasimang bato ulasimang bato and and yerba buena yerba buenaare identified medicinal plants and in terms of theirare identified medicinal plants and in terms of theirpropagation techniques or methods, can be already givenpropagation techniques or methods, can be already givento farmers and growersto farmers and growers

•• Most available technologies on medicinal plant propagationMost available technologies on medicinal plant propagationare on inorganic farming methods;are on inorganic farming methods;

•• Information on soil types and temperature suitable toInformation on soil types and temperature suitable tocertain plants, NIRPROMP standards for product qualitycertain plants, NIRPROMP standards for product qualityand farmer testimonies are important for informationand farmer testimonies are important for informationdissemination to farmers/ growers;dissemination to farmers/ growers;

•• Farmer/ growers can propagate the identified medicinalFarmer/ growers can propagate the identified medicinalplants despite some problems and still make a level ofplants despite some problems and still make a level ofprofit but they are not assured of optimal results. profit but they are not assured of optimal results.

Mature Technologies on PropagationMature Technologies on Propagationof Medicinal Plantsof Medicinal Plants

Research Gaps/ Concerns in theResearch Gaps/ Concerns in theValidation, Production, ProcessingValidation, Production, Processingand Marketing of Medicinal Plantsand Marketing of Medicinal Plants

Validation

a. Identification and morphological characterization of somemedicinal plants have been established, but there are othervarieties that need to be checked for their activeingredient(s)/ substance (s) (eg. ampalaya);

b. Chemical characterization to identify active ingredients andto correctly disseminate the information;

c. Identification and use of significant chemical markers

d. Conservation/ establishment of genebank andbioprospecting;

e. Development of protocols for BFAD requirements:phytochemical and qualitative tests and validation.

Research Gaps/ Concerns in theResearch Gaps/ Concerns in theValidation, Production, ProcessingValidation, Production, Processingand Marketing of Medicinal Plantsand Marketing of Medicinal PlantsProduction

a. Mass propagation (tissue culture) and alternative ways ofpropagation;

b. Effect of agroclimatic conditions on medicinal plants;c. Crop protection: identification of insect pests and

diseases, development of integrated pest management formedicinal plants, and biological control;

d. Crop nutrition (no existing recommendations for NPKapplication in medicinal plants, studies on the use oforganic manure and fertilizers);

e. Seed germination;f. Floral biology;g. Controlled growing; use of greenhouses and protective

structures and hydroponics.

Research Gaps in the Validation,Research Gaps in the Validation,Production, Processing andProduction, Processing andMarketing of Medicinal PlantsMarketing of Medicinal Plants

Processing

a. Development of protocols for the efficient drying andstorage of raw materials;

b. Fabrication of machines and equipment related to specificmedicinal plant material parts;

c. Types of packaging materials from the farm to theprocessors.

Marketing

a. Other uses of medicinal plants such as veterinary, otherthan medicinal (for humans);

b. Development of standards both for the local and exportmarket;

c. Identification of nurseries for “certified” medicinal plantingmaterials.

Specific Challenges to the DevelopmentSpecific Challenges to the Developmentof the Philippine Herbal Industryof the Philippine Herbal Industry

•• Internal and external integration of research andInternal and external integration of research anddevelopment activities;development activities;

•• Standards for products and processes;Standards for products and processes;•• Appropriate researches to support medicinal andAppropriate researches to support medicinal and

therapeutic claims;therapeutic claims;•• Protection of medicinal plants (Wildlife Act);Protection of medicinal plants (Wildlife Act);•• PostharvestPostharvest engineering for development of engineering for development of

equipment and processing;equipment and processing;•• Restrictive BFAD registration and accreditationRestrictive BFAD registration and accreditation

procedures;procedures;•• Information sharing and intellectual propertyInformation sharing and intellectual property

rights.rights.

The Next Ten Priority Medicinal PlantsThe Next Ten Priority Medicinal Plants

PlantPlant UsesUses1.1. GugoGugo Personal care, Personal care, antihelminthicantihelminthic2.2. LawatLawat ((Litsea glutinosaLitsea glutinosa)) Skin and hairSkin and hair nourisher nourisher and and

moisturizer, laxativemoisturizer, laxative3.3. GotuGotu Kola Kola Rejuvenator, germicideRejuvenator, germicide4.4. Siling labuyoSiling labuyo Arthritis,Arthritis, biopesticide biopesticide5.5. Luyang dilawLuyang dilaw For skin diseasesFor skin diseases6.6. IlangIlang--ilangilang Fixative, fragranceFixative, fragrance7. 7. PatchouliPatchouli ( (KablingKabling)) Fixative, antiseptic, hair Fixative, antiseptic, hair

grower,grower, aromatherapy aromatherapy8.8. NeemNeem BiopesticideBiopesticide, insect repellant,, insect repellant,

biospraybiospray9. 9. Lemon grassLemon grass ( (TangladTanglad)) BiopesticideBiopesticide, culinary use , culinary use

(spice), fragrance, condiment(spice), fragrance, condiment10. 10. Black pepperBlack pepper Spice, condimentSpice, condiment

Workshop ClosingWorkshop Closing

•• A lot of people are now venturing to medicinal plantA lot of people are now venturing to medicinal plantproduction and processing.production and processing.

•• It is imperative for other agencies to share the responsibilityIt is imperative for other agencies to share the responsibilityin medicinal plant R&D and increase the limited pool ofin medicinal plant R&D and increase the limited pool ofresources.resources.

•• Technologies in plant propagation should be public domainTechnologies in plant propagation should be public domainwhile dosage formulations should still be subject towhile dosage formulations should still be subject tointellectual property rights.intellectual property rights.

•• Quality standards should be developed to entice ventureQuality standards should be developed to entice venturecapitalists to see the playing field.capitalists to see the playing field.

•• All the issues in medicinal plant drug development shouldAll the issues in medicinal plant drug development shouldbe acknowledged and not just folkloric claims.be acknowledged and not just folkloric claims.

•• Information should be made available.Information should be made available.•• Agencies should help in disseminating information.Agencies should help in disseminating information.•• Increase the participation of all sectors in the colloquium.Increase the participation of all sectors in the colloquium.

Distribution of Participants by Organizational Affiliation

40%(32)

16%(13)

4%(3)

5%(4)

6%(5)

2%(2)

5%(4) 15%

(12) 7%(6) UPLB

UP ManilaUP DilimanPCHRDPITAHCPCARRDBPIIndustry OrgsOthers/ Individuals

Workshop-Participant DemographicsWorkshop-Participant DemographicsRegistered Participants 81Registered Participants 81

Distribution of Participants by Sector

59%(48)

26%(21)

15%(12)

Academe

GOs, NGOs, POsand FarmersIndustry

Workshop-Participant DemographicsWorkshop-Participant DemographicsRegistered Participants 81Registered Participants 81

Distribution of Participants by Gender

42%(34)

58%(47)

MaleFemale

Workshop-Participant DemographicsWorkshop-Participant DemographicsRegistered Participants 81Registered Participants 81

Distribution of Participants by Role

77%(62)

6%(5)

10%(8)

7%(6)

Speakers

Emcee, Facilitators,RapporteursSupport Staff

General Participants

Workshop-Participant DemographicsWorkshop-Participant DemographicsRegistered Participants 81Registered Participants 81

Thank you very much!