Literature review :
Andrographis paniculata (Burm. F.) Nees from the Acanthaceae family, indigenous to China, India and South East Asia, is an annual herb that has been commonly known as 'king of bitter' and is reported to have analgesic, antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, antineoplastic, antiulcerogenic, antibacterial, febrifuge, antiplatelet, antidiarrhoeal and antithrombotic properties, also possess protective activity against various liver disorders . The herb is widely described locally in Malaysia as 'hempedu bumi' or 'pokok cerita', and its leaves are often taken orally to cure diabetes and hypertension. Evidences on the traditional medicinal use and literature reports on the pharmacology, toxicity data from animals and clinical studies have suggested the safe and effective use of the herb and its chemical constituents.
Research objectives :
1. To develop of a scientific documented commercial preparation of standardized Hempedu Bumi (Andrographis paniculata) extract for anti-diabetic properties.
2. To identify physiological and agronomic parameters for enhancement of growth and production of Hempedu Bumi, ( HB ).
3. To optimize extraction of HB and identify the bioactive components for pharmacological, toxicological, pharmaceutical and clinical studies.
4. To produce standardized hempedu bumi products for toxicology, pharmaceutical, pre-clinical and clinical studies for diabetic patients.
5. To isolate and identify the bioactive and chemical constituents of AP as markers.
6. To standardize and manufacture the commercial formulation for clinical trials.
7. To determine anti-diabetic activities of HB using animal model & tissue culture studies.
8. To determine the safety of HB extract in Type 2 diabetic patients.Research Problems :
Raw materials: difficulty to get consistent supply
Chemicals: delay in supply
Manpower: difficulty to get good researchers and their training takes time.
Equipment: delay in supply and repairExpected commercialised/-breakthrough outcome:
(i) Scientific data to support the safety and efficacious use of HB; obtained through well-thought phytochemical, pharmacological, toxicological studies and clinical trials.
(ii) A new standardized commercial herbal formulation containing the partially purified bioactive constituents in the HB extract is produced and be used as supplement or alternative medicine to treat diabetic patients.
(iii) Capacity building in the new area of toxicology, endocrine - related research in herbal medicine, experience in clinical trials using herbal products.
(iv) All projects will be able to produce a number of post-graduate students - MSc, PhD and Masters in Internal Medicine.
(v) Economic contributions will include sales of manufactured product and royalties from licensing.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Project
Title :
Genomic Approaches to seaweed Genes and Natural Product Discovery
(vi) Organization's reputation includes intellectual capital and skill base to take on more challenging projects, more demand for advisory services and linkages with industries, high powered collaborations with elite institutes, interdisciplinary collaborative research and increase in the number and quality of scientists.
(vii) The standards established will provide the basis for certifying herbal medicines and nutraceutical products, thereby increasing their market value and bolstering the industry.Marketing opportunities:
WHO estimated that 80% of developing countries use traditional medicines in their primary healthcare services. In the US, an estimated of 25% prescription drugs contain plant extracts or their active principles. The world demand for herbs has led to a dramatic surge of raw commodities for immediate consumption or as processed products. In 1997, the global sales of raw materials from herbal medicines, vitamins and minerals were about US$8 billion while global consumer sales of herbal medicines were estimated to be US$40 billion. By the year 2050, the global trade on herbal products is estimated to be US$3 trillion. Hence, the market opportunities for herbal products are huge, especially in the United States, Europe, China and East Asia. Malaysia has a great potential to become one of the biggest producers of top quality raw materials and herbal products in the world. Presently, most commercial products containing Hempedu Bumi are produced without scientific documentation. Diabetic disorders are highly rampant. However, there are very few herbal preparations possessing both hypoglycaemic properties. Hence their availability will definitely create an immense market impact.
Period of the project : 3 Years (2001 - 2004)
Achievements
Progress/Achievements for year one
New Process
- Molecular characterization by using PCR technique to produce several variation.
Discovery
- Unknown virus has been identified infected germplasmof different accessions.
Project Status
- On-going