BATAC CITY -- The state-run Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) is set to embark on the development of herbal and potentially medicinal products using indigenous plant species (IPS) available in Ilocos Norte.
“The development of these plants into herbal products would surely contribute in ensuring the health of the people and in optimizing the potentials of underutilized plant species,” MMSU president, Dr. Shirley Agrupis, said Tuesday.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) approved last week a PHP35-million fund for the anti-inflammatory drugs research project.
Rural communities had long been using IPS as first line of cure for common illnesses. However, promoting them for mass consumption remains a challenge, particularly in providing scientific evidence of their safety and efficacy.
In line with this, MMSU will start a five-year research on at least 11 selected IPS that will be used to make anti-inflammatory herbal products.
The plants that have long been known to have anti-inflammatory properties, based on their reported folkloric uses, are tigi; allukon (himbabao); anibong; pannalayapen/aping/banitog; katmon/pala; buga; agimit/hagimit; karimjubet; bilagut/lanipao/pikaw; balbalosa/bisula; and bawang (garlic) as they are locally known.
These were culled from the 46 IPS in the province that were documented and characterized by MMSU researchers Menisa A. Antonio, Rodel T. Utrera, Epifania O. Agustin, Dioniso L. Jamias, Araceli Badar, and Miriam E. Pascua.
Survey results showed that the 46 plant species, including the 11 selected plants, are grown from seven composite towns in Ilocos Norte – Adams, Pagudpud, Bangui, Dumalneg, Vintar, Carasi, and Nueva Era.
These plants are grown in the wild and traditionally used for food and medicine.
Under the MMSU’s Tuklas Lunas Development Center (TLDC), the project is expected to start next year until 2024. This will be done in cooperation with the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMMH&MC) in Batac City, the University of the Philippines (UP) in Diliman, Quezon City; and the Ateneo de Manila University.
Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato dela Peña immediately approved the budget after Agrupis presented the proposal at the main campus of the Philippine Science High School in Quezon City last August 3.
The MMSU head welcomed the approval, saying the people, especially those from rural communities, need affordable, effective, and organic medicinal products from indigenous plant species to address health-related concerns.
On the first year of the project, the DOST will initially release a PHP12-million fund. The budget for the succeeding years will be based on the progress of the MMSU-TLDC operation.
Based on the proposal, the program shall consist of six components. The first activity will focus on medium output screening of the different plant parts of the 11 species through primary and secondary assays, and in-vitro toxicity profiling.
Primary screening assays for their anti-inflammation properties will be done in the Bioassay Facility of UP Diliman. Succeeding activities will include standardization of the plants’ bioactive extracts, formulation and acute toxicity tests on dosage forms, and pre-clinical testing and assessment of their standardized dosage forms (SDFs).
After this, the SDFs will be subjected to clinical trials to come up with herbal products. A technology package for the identified plant species will be developed to ensure sustainability and quality of raw materials.
“The personnel of the TLDC will be trained to implement the different proposed activities by the collaborating agencies,” Agrupis said. She added that the skills and techniques gained will be used in screening other herbal plants for potential anti-inflammatory properties and in attaining the TLDC’s goal of providing laboratory service in the region.
“This initiative will also boost the local natural products industry and will present a potential alternative source of income for farmers who may want to venture into production of these IPS,” Agrupis added.
A 2015 report of the Ilocos Norte Provincial Health Office stated that there were a number of inflammatory-related diseases that were among the top causes of mortality and morbidity in the province.
These include pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute upper respiratory tract infection, bronchitis, all forms of body injuries, urinary tract infection, nasopharyngitis, and arthritis. (PNA)
