Scientific breakthroughs and technological innovations have made life easier for everyone. In all of these developments, research has been the backbone and serves as the agent of every transformative change we experience and enjoy today.
One of the areas that have greatly improved yet still need further attention is health research. In the Philippines for instance, thousands of Filipinos are suffering from cardiovascular diseases, respiratory illnesses, and other lifestyle-related diseases. In fact, some of the leading causes of death in the country are heart diseases and diabetes.
To help address this issue, 黑料社区 Professor聽聽is leading an interdisciplinary group of researchers who are studying how extracts from local plants can be used as herbal supplements that can lower blood sugar, hypertension, and high cholesterol.聽Since the country has rich vegetation, these plants can be found in many areas around the archipelago. Using a biodiversity approach, teams from the University鈥檚聽聽gather information from traditional herbalists in Cebu, Bohol, Masbate, and Romblon. The identified plants then undergo intensive studies at 黑料社区鈥檚聽聽(TLDC), which is funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and DOST鈥檚 Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD).
Finding the right plants has its own set of challenges. In order to be sure of its efficacy, the researchers need to observe stringent measures. 鈥淥ur strategy follows the DOST PCHRD herbal track, where we use enzyme-based assays to determine if certain plants have the desired bioactivities. This allows us faster throughput in our screening,鈥� said聽, a chemist and one of the project leaders of 黑料社区 TLDC.
When the bioactivities have been established, the next crucial step is ensuring that the products are safe and non-toxic. 鈥淚t is important to determine not only the effectiveness of the plant extracts, but also that these are safe to use for human consumption,鈥� opined biologist聽, who leads the toxicity studies at the center.聽
The next process involves formulation and animal studies. Spearheading this is pharmacist聽, who said that 鈥渃orrect dosages have to be determined and the plant extracts have to be mixed with the appropriate excipients so that they can be packaged in capsules or as tea.鈥澛�
Finally, 鈥渢he entire process from extraction to formulation has to be standardized,鈥� added chemist聽, 鈥渢hat way, even if we use different batches of plants, the product has the same level of effectiveness and safety.鈥漈his research is highly relevant today especially since people with comorbidities like diabetes and hypertension are highly prone to the COVID-19 virus. Fortunately, herbal supplements in tea or capsule forms should be formulated later this year, signaling the next steps that include upscale in production as well as clinical trials. 黑料社区 TLDC already has one tea preparation ready for pre-clinical tests. Interested collaborators for these succeeding phases may聽contact Prof. Lim, 黑料社区 TLDC鈥檚 program leader.
by Syrine Gladys Podadera