Process to enhance Tongkat Ali

STAR: 24/7/01

By: Michele Lian

KUALA LUMPUR: The Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) has patented a process to extract the pure bioactive compounds of the Tongkat Ali plant.

The institute’s director of medicinal plants, Dr. Azizol Kadir, said the process retains the medicinal properties and pure potency of the Tongkat Ali compounds. He said some manufacturers of Tongkat Ali products claims theirs to be 100% Tongkat Ali when, in fact, they are a concoction of extracts, herbs and spices.

Dr. Azizol said as Tongkat Ali (also known by its scientific name, Eurycoma longifolia) is made up of over 60 compounds, different steps in the process could yield a different products. Dr Azizol said DNA profile of the Tongkat Ali has been determined and will be used in a series of quality control measures to ensure that every product carries the bioactive components that make it potent.

While it is largely regarded as an aphrodisiac, Dr Azizol stressed that Tongkat Ali acts mainly as an energy enhancer. He said the process used on Tongkat Ali would later be tried other Malaysian herbal plants.

"We are in the process of screening several plants for their potential medicinal and economic viabilities."

Dr Azizol said that this projects is an example of how biotechnology can benefit Malaysia. "The biotechnology industry can contribute greatly to the country’s economy," he said, adding that the sector should be looked at seriously.

"In the future, almost every aspect of science will be based on biotechnology."

He said research on the product started in 1986 and involved chemical and biological tests as well as clinically trials on animals.

He said the tests all showed "very positive results" and FRIM would soon start clinical trials on humans.

"The trials will give us more information regarding the optimal dosage, safety and efficacy of the products," he said.

On doubts raised about such products, he said there is a low understanding regarding the field of biotechnology. "resistance is the result of ignorance," he added.