By Reynaldo Andres – PNA
BATAC CITY — Filipino scientists doing natural products research on various biodiversity resources have been challenged to explore untapped natural resources in the wild as potential sources of new functional foods, nutraceuticals, and herbal-based products.
Dr. Maribel Nonato, president of the Natural Products Society of the Philippines (NPSP) made this challenge Thursday during the society’s 23rd convention at the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) here.
The theme of the convention, “Natural products in agriculture, biodiversity, conservation and bio-enterprise”, features the phases of natural product research.
Some 200 top-caliber researchers from various academic and research institutions in the country attended the activity.
Nonato said that with its rich biodiversity, the country has the potential solution to the high cost of medicines.
However, this is not being tapped for the production of effective and affordable medicines.
“The Philippines is very rich in plants that are endemic, but only a little over 50 percent of the reported 1,500 medicinal plants have been documented for their traditional use,” she said, adding that only about 120 plant species have been scientifically validated for their safety and nearly 70 percent of these are included in the Philippine Natural Formulary.
The lady scientist said the country’s biodiversity has been providing so much opportunities for Filipino scientists doing natural products research through their exploration of natural biodiversity as potential sources of new foods and medicines.
Nonato said these rich natural resources are being offered to Filipino scientists to let them discover the reasons for their existence and that the discovery of their virtues may be the key to cure illnesses.
“That’s why we, as natural products scientists, should be in the forefront in providing the values to these resources so that these plants may merit strong conservation programs by the government,” she added.
Meanwhile, MMSU President Dr. Shirley Agrupis said she is impressed with the NPSP’s commitment to pursue natural products research. She noted that MMSU, too, is on the trail of this field of endeavor through its Tuklas Lunas Development Center (TLDC).
“With this convention, I hope that other brilliant minds would be inspired to also engage in similar research and development activities (of our TLDC) with the ultimate goal of coming up with innovations that benefit, not only the Filipino people but also the whole of humanity,” she said.
“Indeed, we are compelled to harness the bounties of nature through sustainable, creative, and inclusive ways that protect the integrity of the environment while, at the same time, enabling social and economic development,” Agrupis said, adding that for any research activity to become meaningful, “discoveries must inform policymakers, inspire people and uplift lives.”
Batting the indispensable role of natural products research, she said the university has already begun revitalizing its TLDC in the conservation of plants, animals, forest, and water resources in the Ilocos region towards the production and development of new food products and drugs.
Only last August, the university received a PHP35 million fund from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to conduct research on 11 plants as herbal medicine. The development effort will start next year and is expected to be completed by 2024.
Through its TLDC, the project will be done in cooperation with the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center in this city, the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City, and the Ateneo de Manila University.
