From Plant to Pill
Harvesting the Medicinal Potential of Philippine Plants
Written by: Rachelle SisonPlant Images: philippineherbalmedicine.org
Philippines, a biodiversity hotspot
Is there a way that herbal plants could undergo the same rigorous research, development, and testing that synthetic drugs do, so that they may be accepted and eventually integrated into mainstream medicine?
Developing drugs from natural products
Early efforts
Where are we now?
Source: https://www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph/funded-projects/tuklas-lunas-centers/
Recent breakthroughs
Our role
If we are to reap the full benefits of our country’s plant biodiversity, we must elect government officials who understand the value of scientific research and its role in developing affordable Philippine herbal medicines as a means to addressing our country’s health problems. We need voices in government that will advocate for science funding, support our national scientists, and promote a culture of scientific literacy.
References:
[1] Lam HY, Montaño MNE, Sia IC, Heralde III FM, Tayao L. Ethnomedicinal Uses of tawatawa (Euphorbia hirta Linn.) in Selected Communities in the Philippines: a Non-invasive Ethnographic Survey Using Pictures for Plant Identification. Acta Med Philipp. 2018Sep.28;52(5). Available from: https://actamedicaphilippina.upm.edu.ph/index.php/acta/article/download/325/292/
[2] Ibid
[3] Dengue patients cautioned on using tawa-tawa. Sunstar. 2013 June 26. Available from: https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/291172/dengue-patients-cautioned-on-using-tawa-tawa
[4] Sisante J. DOH: Don’t experiment with ‘tawa-tawa’ as dengue cure. GMA News Online. 2010 September 13. Available from: https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/200931/doh-don-t-experiment-with-tawa-tawa-as-dengue-cure/story/
[5] Diolina Z. Mercado. Philippines – Compilation and synthesis of valuation studies on Philippine biodiversity. UNDP-BIOFIN Project. January 2016. [Online]. Available: https://www.biofin.org/knowledge-product/philippines-compilation-and-synthesis-valuation-studies-philippine-biodiversity
[6] Barcelona J., Nickrent D., Lafrankie J., Callado J. R., Pelser P. Co’s Digital Flora of the Philippines: plant identification and conservation through cybertaxonomy. http://philjournalsci.dost.gov.ph/39-vol-142-no-3-special-issue-2013/757-co-s-digital-flora-of-the-philippines-plant-identification-and-conservation-through-cybertaxonomy Philippine Journal of Science. 2013,(142),57–67.
[7] Ibid
[8] G. M. Cragg, D. J. Newman. Natural Products As Sources of New Drugs over the Nearly Four Decades from 01/1981 to 09/2019. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jnatprod.9b01285 Journal of Natural Products. 2020, 83 (3), 770-803.
[9] David J Newman, Natural products and drug discovery, National Science Review, Volume 9, Issue 11, November 2022, nwac206, https://doi.org/10.1093/nsr/nwac206
[10] Traditional Chinese Medicine Market, By Therapy Type (Herbal Medicine, Cupping Therapy, Compounding Therapy Magneto Therapy, Aroma Therapy, Moxibustion, Acupuncture, Others), By Disease Type (Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), By Region Forecast to 2030. Emergen Research. 2022 December. Available from: https://www.emergenresearch.com/industry-report/traditional-chinese-medicine-market
[11] Herbal Medicine Market Size, Share, & Covid-19 Impact Analysis, By Application (Pharmaceutical & Nutraceutical, Food & Beverages, and Personal Care & Beauty Products), By Form, (Powder, Liquid & Gel, and Tablets & Capsules), and Regional Forecast, 2022-2029. Fortune Business Insights. 2022 July. Available from: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/herbal-medicine-market-106320
[12] Tuklas Lunas Anti-Hypertensive Formulations. UPM TTBDO. 2021 January 10. Available from: https://ttbdo.upm.edu.ph/tuklas-lunas-anti-hypertensive-formulations/
[13] From Herbal Folklore to Modern Medicine. World Intellectual Property Organization. 2013. Available from https://www.wipo.int/ipadvantage/en/details.jsp?id=3661
[14] Ibid
[15] Ibid
[16] Ibid
[17] Ibid
[18] 2022 PCHRD Annual Report.2023 March 20. DOST-PCHRD. Available from: https://www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph/publications/2022-pchrd-annual-report/
[19] Maramba-Lazarte, C. Trials and Triumphs in Herbal Medicine Research: The NIRPROMP Experience. Available from: https://pidswebs.pids.gov.ph/CDN/EVENTS/005_maramba-lazarte_trials_amd_triumphs.pdf
[20] BOI, other gov’t agencies, and orgs on search for the NXTGEN herbal products of the PH. Philippine Board of Investments. 2022 April 29. Available from: https://boi.gov.ph/boi-other-govt-agencies-and-orgs-on-search-for-the-nxtgen-herbal-products-of-the-ph/?fbclid=IwAR3R5e8FF7uz1pTQgOgbL_8z2-dQ5TDDndyBYrTQFtPsG5ZxA7H2nn4sFIU
[21] Castro, G. M. FAST FACTS: What herbal medicines are being promoted by DOH? Rappler. 2019 November 1. Available from: https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/243056-things-to-know-herbal-plants-alternative-remedies/
[22] E. De Vera, R. Noriega, D. Nazario. Tuklas Lunas continues to pursue pharmacological discovery, development. Manila Bulletin. 2019 October 3. Available from: https://mb.com.ph/2019/10/03/tuklas-lunas-continues-to-pursue-pharmacological-discovery-development/
[23] Ibid
[24] Tuklas Lunas Centers. DOST-PCHRD. Available from: https://www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph/funded-projects/tuklas-lunas-centers/
[25] 2022 PCHRD Annual Report. 2023 March 20. DOST-PCHRD. Available from: https://www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph/publications/2022-pchrd-annual-report/
[26] J. G. Apostol, J. V. Gan, R. J. Raynes, A. A. Sabado, A. Q. Carigma, and L. A. Santiago, “Platelet-increasing effects of Euphorbia hirta Linn. (Euphorbiaceae) in ethanol-induced thrombocytopenic rat models,” International Journal of Pharmaceutical Frontier Research, vol. 2, pp. 1–11, 2012. Available from: https://pdfslide.net/documents/platelet-increasing-effects-of-euphorbia-hirta-linn-effects-of-euphorbia-hirta.html?page=12
[27] Perera SD, Jayawardena UA, Jayasinghe CD. Potential Use of Euphorbia hirta for Dengue: A Systematic Review of Scientific Evidence. J Trop Med. 2018 Apr 16;2018:2048530. doi: 10.1155/2018/2048530. PMID: 29849664; PMCID: PMC5926475. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5926475/
[28] TAWA-TAWA CAPSULE: Herbal Supplement for Dengue. DOST-PCHRD. Available from: https://www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph/heartnovation/tawa-tawa-capsule-herbal-supplement-for-dengue/.
[29] E. Sambatyon, Filipino science researchers develop World’s first anti-dengue medicine. Good News Pilipinas. 2019 December 22. Available from: https://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/filipino-science-researchers-develop-worlds-first-anti-dengue-medicine/
[30]Tuklas Lunas trial on herbal anti-dengue capsule to finish soon. DOST-DOSTv. 2021 September 2. Available from: https://www.dostv.ph/blog/tuklas-lunas-trial-on-herbal-anti-dengue-capsule-to-finish-soon
[31] Maramba-Lazarte, C. Trials and Triumphs in Herbal Medicine Research: The NIRPROMP Experience. Available from: https://pidswebs.pids.gov.ph/CDN/EVENTS/005_maramba-lazarte_trials_amd_triumphs.pdf
[32] Castro, G. M. FAST FACTS: What herbal medicines are being promoted by DOH? Rappler. 2019 November 1. Available from: https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/243056-things-to-know-herbal-plants-alternative-remedies/
[33] Yong, E. Here’s How The Scientists Running for Office Are Doing. The Atlantic. 2018 Feb 20. Available from: https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/02/heres-how-the-scientists-who-are-running-for-office-are-doing/554444/