Philippe Rasoanaivo, Malagasy plant chemist and ethnobotanist (Ouest Ambohijanahary 13 August 1946 – Antananarivo 13 July 2016)
Authored over 150 research articles and more than 70 book chapters and entries
Made huge contributions in ethnobotany based drugs and phytomedicines, discovering several bioactive compounds
Authored studies on hazolava, traditional plant in his native country, important for treating psychiatric and sleep disorders, convulsions and male sexual dysfunction
Discovered a novel malaria chemo-sensitizing alkaloid named malagashanine
Discovered some novel tropane alkaloids that reverse the multi-drug resistance of cancer cells
His research on the wound-healing properties of Ilex mitis (Aquifoliaceae) gave rise to extract of trade name Fanaferol (1975)
Studied alkaloids from Strychnos myrtoides (Loganiaceae) as an adjuvant therapy to chloroquine
SOME OTHER DISCOVERIES
With T. Fossen, A. Yahorau, S. Yahorava et al. New polyfunctional phragmalin limonoids from Neobeguea mahafalensis. Planta Med. 82(11-2):1087-95, 2016
With M. Bourjot, P. Leyssen, C. Eydoux et al. Flacourtosides A-F, phenolic glycosides isolated from Flacourtia ramontchi. J. Nat. Prod. 75(4):752-8, 2012
With M. Carraz, A. Jossang, J.F. Franetich et al. A plant-derived morphinan as a novel lead compound active against malaria liver stages. Plos Med. 3(12), 2006
PATENTS
With J.E.S. Wikberg, B. Rasolondratovo & S.R. Andriantiaran. Novel compounds and pharmaceutical preparations from Neobeguea species. WO2008145996 A3 (2007) & US20100247593 A1
With D. Mazier, M. Carraz, J.F. Franetich, A. Jossang, R. Joyeau & F. Di Frappier. Alkaloid compounds and their use as anti-malarial drugs WO2005103008 A1 (2004) & EP1747200 B8
With M. Carraz, A. Jossang, J.F. Franetich, R. Joyeau & D. Mazier. Alkaloids for treatment of malaria. EP04291055 (2004)
With F. Di Frappier, S.R. Ratsimamanga & A.F. Trigalo. Composes derivees d’alcaloides et leur utilisation dans le traitment de malaria et cancer. WO2003095459 A3 (2002)
With S.R. Ratsimammanga, A.R. Ratsimamanga, K. Cheuk, H.C. Rabemanantsoa, J. Becquart, J. Provost & D. Reisdorf. Preparation and therapeutic uses of plants and plant extracts in the Hylocereus genus WO2005094856
With S.R. Ratsimammanga, A.R. Ratsimamanga, J. Leboul, J. Provost & D. Reisdorf. Mixtures which can be isolated from Eugenia jambolana Lamarck seeds, their preparation and the use of these mixtures and some of their constituents as medicaments 20020051828 (2002)
With S.R. Ratsimammanga, A.R. Ratsimamanga, J. Leboul, J. Provost & D. Reisdorf. Mixtures derived from grains of Eugenia jambolana Lamarck preparation and use of said mixtures and some of their constituents as medicaments 5972342 (1999) & 6194412 (2001)
With S.R. Ratsimammanga, A.R. Ratsimamanga, J. Leboul, J. Provost & D. Reisdorf. Sodium oxamate for the treatment of diabetic conditions 6300375 (2001)
HONOURS
Sven Brohult Award, International Foundation for Science, Sweden (2001)
AAMPS Award, International Foundation for Science, Sweden (2008)