Research and Development of Medicinal Plants in Sabah

Maryati Mohamaed & Mashitah Yusoff

Tropical Biology and Conservation Unit

Universiti Malaysia Sabah

Abstract

Universiti Malaysia sabah (UMS) formed in 1994 aspires to be a coomunity university. The welfare of the local community is a mian concern and socio-economic development of Sbah., one of the agenda. Sited in Sabah, endowed with biological riches UMS has a social obligation to assist in sustainable exploitation of the biological diversity for the benefit of the local people. Armed with a pool of experts and high technology, and assisted by eager young students, UMS will move forward in developing the use of biological diversity, in particular, medicinal plants. This effort however, will be carried out in a coordinared manner and in general agreement and consultation with stakeholders in the state.

This paper describes the progress at UMS in pursuing the effort to devlop R&D of medicinal plants in Sabah. It will covers aspects of :

1. building up a pool of experts of a ,ulidisciplinary background.
2. building up a phytochemical laboratory, vital to the research of medicinal plats.
3. Infrastructural development to accommodate the scientists, students (both local and international), equipment and information.
4. Linkages established a local, national and international level to ensure that we are going towards the right direction.

With contuining support and encouragment from the stakeholders, mainly the state agencies, UMS would step forward steadily in the R&D of medicinal plants.

Introduction

Many cultures have knowledge of plants as medicinal agents. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), nearly 80% of people in the developing world or 60% of the human race depend on traditional medicine based largely on the use of palnts (Soepadmo, 1999). This is especially true in areas where centres of modern medicine are often inaccessible. Aside from that, the ready availability and economy of plants as direct therapeutic agents make them more attractive when compared to modern medicine.

The last 40 years has seen a resurgence of interest among researchers in seeking new medicinal agents afrom plants. This can be attributed to the fact that synthetic and presently available medicines are either eneffective, too expensive or tend to bring about harsh side effects. In addition, there are still many diseases still requiring antidotes.

United states governmental and private organisations including NGO’s have funded plant gathering expeditions tomany parts of the world and frequently to rainforests to enable random testing of plants for medicinal agents. According to Nordin and Kiew (1996), the biodoversity of tropical countries is largely being investigated, developed and exploited in industrialised countries. As such, the argument was they werethe ones entitled to "Intellectual Property Rights."

It is intersesting to note that about 120 chemical compu\ounds of known structure are still extracted from plants that are useful as emdicinal agents. Out of 250,000 species of plants known, 33000 are claimed to have medicinal propertis. Farnsworth and Soejarto reported in 1980 (Farnsworth & Soejarto, 1991), about 40 speicies of flowering plants yielded prescriptiondrugs valued at US$8.112 billion in the United States alone. Half of these species originated from the tropics. By 1981 about 400 species of plants whose products constitute the herbs marketed by the herbal industry in health food stores throughout the US were valued at US$360 million.

Howeverm the rainforest cannot continue to be exploited this way. As one of the 12 hotspots of the world, our forests are under constant threat by various forms of exploitation. The people must be compensated and the forest sustainably managed to ensure a constant supply of known medicinal agents as well as the unprospectes species to be discovered.

Capacity building in research institutions including institutions of higher learning must be initiated or continued. Students and researchers must be trained in areas of chemical prospecting as well as syntheses and esign of novel medicinal agents. Institutions must continue to rreceiveadequate financial backing from the relevant authorotoes as well as the private sector for the program to be competitive. Grant packages must include consummables, instrument purchase as well as maintenance; to do otherwise would be unrealistic. Awareness and understanding of scientific culture must be instilled in all sectors of society for us to become successful in th edrug discovery business.

Sabah is rich in biological diversity. The values of biological diversity : plants, animals and microbes are both tangible and intangible. These easily and broadly cover three aspects (Nordin 1991). They are ; Utilitarian Values such as sources of food, clothing, medicine and providing ecological services such as water shed; Optional Values which cannot be fully appreciated at present but will be obvious as the item gets scarcer and Intrinsic Values whereby every living thing is given the value of being unique and having the right to live.

Exploitation of biological diversity has been the main contributing factor to the socio-economic development in Malaysia, including the state of Sabah. Logging activities in Sabah during the 1980s brought inmore than 70% of the state income, used in the socio-economic development. Of late, when the world began to relate the rapid loss of biological diversity to intensive opening of forest Sabah from logging crashed down to less than 50%. Sabah has to develop in pace with other states in Malaysia. Therefore, some other sources of income has to be looked for. Tourism is one (Liaw, 1998) but exploitation of nom-timber forest products (NTFPs) has a hugh potential (Johari et. al 1998)

Universiti Malaysia Sabah, 4 1/2 years old now was set up in response to the local need to establish an institute of higher learning in Sabah. Being geographically distant from the mainstream of research and development (R&D) of the capital, Kuala Lumpur, the formation of UMS is seen as a catalyst to develop a pool of trained manpower necessary to promote socio-economic development in th estate. At UMS, two approaches are used to provide training. Firstly Schoo;s (or Faculties) are form to prrovide training at the undergraduate level. Currently, School of Education and Public Works, School of Social Sciences, School of Food Science and Nutrition, School of International Tropical Forestry and The Centre for Promotion of Knowledge and Languages. Secondly, four research institutions are established, two of which are science based : the Tropical Biology and Conversation Unit (TBCU) and the Borneo Marine Research Unit (BMRU). They are suppose to be centres of excellence in their respective fields.

The Tropical Biology and Conversation Unit

R&D being its core business, TBCU has prioritised four research thrusts :-

1. Biosystematics and Biodiversity
2. Ecological Processes
3. Commercialization of Biodiversity
4. Nature Tourism

For Biosystematic and Biodiversity researches focus on taxonomic and the studies pf biodiversity pattern. This is in line with the current global need to inventory in th eworld organisms in an effort to slow down extinction rate and ensure sustainability and wise use of resources.

For Biosystematic and Biodiversity one revision of termites (the Capritermes group – soil feeding termites) would be completed soon and Ph.D. thesis produced. Similarly our own staff is completing a Ph.D. thesis on bryophytes. Several M.Sc. thesis are being prepared on butterfly, ants, wasp beetles, aquatic insects, fresh water fish, frogh reflecting the intense Biosystematic and Biodiversity studies for these groups. Several papers have been presented at seminars and some are being prepared for publication such as Fairus et. al, 1999, Jupailin et al 1999.

The most popular and well received research thrust is Ecological Processes. Of the 17 postgraduate research students 14 are doing research related to ecology.

Examples are :

• Production of methane by termite activities
• The effect of forest fire on selected groups of organisms
• Bioindicators of different degree of forest disturbances : primary, secondary forest and
• Herbaceous plants distribution in Danum Valley
• Distribution of freshwater fish with relation to the river water quality
• Butterflies as indicator of forest disturbances in Deramakot Forest Reserve
• Effect ot the tropiocal storm Greg on the aquatic ecisystem of Keningau

Naturally under the broad title of Ecological Processes the main focus of research carried out is to better understand relationships between biotic and abiotoc factors in producing eclogical dynamics. The welfare of the environment is our main issues and conservation is our goal.

Although the research thrust is called Commercialisation of Biodiversity, the research are not purely of trade values. Being an institution of higher learning seeking and generating knowledge are our prime intentions. Nevertheless, as the name implies research carried out would be of some applied values. This can be illustrated by studying the list of some researches that would be incorporated under this research thrust (Table 1).

Table 1 : some research titles that would be incorporated under the research thrust : Commercialisation of Biodiversity at the Tropical Biology and Conservation Unit Universiti Malaysia sabah

• Medicinal palnts of various ethnic groups –eg. Orang Sungai of Lower Kinabatangan
• Medicinal plants around Kinabalu Parks
• Uses of plants in the production of fragrance, flavour and colour in food preparation
• Biologocal insecticides/pesticides from plants
• Insects as alternative : repellent and attractants
• Insects as alternative protein sources
• Indigenous and wild herbaceous plants as ornamentals
• Wildlife food plants : Conservation issues
• The use of leaser used and wild plants as food plants
• Promotion of the use herbs in Malaysian daily cookings

Under the research thrust Commercialisation of Biodiversity at present only two research are carried out. One is an almost completed work by an MSc. Student with the title :

The ethnobotanical knowledge of two communities of Orang Sungai at Lower Kinabatangan.

The second is carried out by one of our staff to collate information od existing work onmedicinal plants as to prepare an intensive background for futher research. This work will produce a comprehensive list of publication pertaining to medicinal plants as well as collection of ethnobotanical knowledge of the varities of plants currently used by the local population (see section on R&D of Medicinal Plants at UMS and Table 2)

Nature Tourism focuses on research that would enhance the tourism industry at the same time safeguarding the environment. Consurrently training of personnels involved with the business will be handled by the Units as short term or medium term courses. Preliminarily these will just be as certificate or diploma courses and eventually degree awarding. Nature tourism has not is the use of trails in Nature Tourism. In the planning however, research will look at feasibility of some sites to be promoted for tourism such as Binsulok, Klias and Tabin.

R & D of Medicinal Plants at UMS

At UMS, we are the instrument procurement and team building stage. As a first step, we have started to look into a number of plant species that are popular in traditional medicine use among the tribal communities in Sabah (How and Mashitah, 1998). Table 2 shows only a small sample of what we will analyzing in the near future.

We intend to cultivate several of these plant species ex-situ where possible and begin our study on these as soon as we are ready. We will also look into plants that have been researched on in cases where we think there may be still be unprospected metabolites. And we welcome partnership with agencies, private or otherwise, especially local ones, to help develop protocols or drug design.

At the School of Science and Technoligy, a staff has started to extract and test the various chemical components of Eupatorium odoratum. Another research will start soon whereby a staff will begin postgraduate studies at Strathyclyde Institute of drug Research, University of Strathyclyde, Glasgow.

Table 2 : Plants popularly used by different ethnic groups in sabah

Fasihuddin, B.A 1995. Medicinal plants used by the Dusun community in Kg. Syap, Ranau. In A Scientific Journey Through Borneo" Sayap-Kinabalu Park, Sabah (Eds., Ghazally, I. & Laily, B.D.). Pelanduk Publications, Kuala Lumpur.

Fasihudin, B.A. 1993. Medicinal plants used by the Kadazan/Dusun community in Sabah. In Sabah Museum Monograph. Sabah Museum, Kota Kinabalu.

Fasihudin, B.A. and Hasmah, R. 1991. Medicinal plants of the Murut community in Sabah. In Proceedings of the Conference on Forest Biology and Conservation in Borneo (Eds., Ghazally, I., Murtedza, M. & Siraj, O.). Center for Segama, Lahad Datu, Sabah. In Sabah Museum Monograph. Sabah Museum, Kota Kinabalu.

In line with the aspiration of wanting to be community university UMS has in its plan to become involved with intensive R&D of medicinal plants. In the next section, we will outline the four strategies that are progressively implemented to bring about active R&D of medicinal plants.

I : Building up a pool of experts of a multidisciplinary background

To implement the broad research thrust Commercialisation of Biodoversity, a pool of experts from different disciplines are needed. At present UMS has a working committee called The Commercialisation of Biodiversity Committee (CBC). It comprises of 12 researchers from various aspects : organic chemist (2); phytochemist (3); botanists (3); entomologist (1); parasitologist (1) and protien experts (2); The group is now approaching the School of Management and Economy to incorporate the buiness experts. On the ethnobotanic aspects to firm up scientists understanding, sociologists from and the School of social Science would be incorporated. With regard to rights and patenting, staff with relevant background would be invited to join the committee.

R&D of medicinal plants could not be implemented without the students. In the pipeline several research proposals from students wishing to pursue their master’s degree are now being evaluated.

Examples of titles of research are :

• Wildlife food plants
• Medicinals plants of ethnic groups around Kinabalu Park
• Medicines from gingers (Zingeberaceae)
• Chemicals from ant Dolichoderus for the control of pests
• Wildlife food plants
• Medicinals plants of ethnic groups around Kinabalu Park
• Medicines from gingers (Zingeberaceae)
• Chemicals from ant Dolichoderus for the control of pests

Although several groups of plants are gaining attention the R&D will selectively focus on a few such as the ginger (Zingerberaceae) family.

II : Building up a phytochemical laboratory

Plan to acquire equipment for a sophiscated laboratory to study plant chemistry had to be in line with the building of the laboratories itself. In the list of equipment planned to be purchase in 1999 are the gas chromatography, homogenizers and rotary evaporator. The amount of money needed for this initial purchase is about RM 1 million. T o follow, in 1999-2000 more sophisticed and high precision equipment such as the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer, high liquid performance chromatoghrapher, gas chromatographer and others, will be added to the earlier list. Estimation of the cost is RM 4.5 million. This trend wil continue toward establishing a well-equipped and state of the art research laboratory.

These equipment could provide research for 10-12 scientists. They are sufficient to produce the phytochemical library which will be a one of hre earliest products of the R&D of medicinal plants at UMS.

Although, the main focus is on plants, insect chemistry will also be studied. A preliminary study has shown that chemicals from ants can be useful as a repellent for pest groups such as termites (Peter, 1999).

The so called Commercialisation of Biodoversity Laboratories could aslo assist in detecting residual agrochemicals such as pesticides on vegetables and fruits. This would then allow the support needed for some agencies in determining chemical residuals in food plants before marketed and/or exported.

III : Infrastructural Development

UMS has been lucky to be able to continue its physical development despite the economic down turm. Plamc to build the permenat campus did not s;ow down. As planned three main buildings : School of Science and Technology, Centre for Promotion of Knowledge and Languages and the main lecture halls are to be completed by May 1999. Construction of six more will commence in June1999. One of the six is the TBCU which is expected to be completed at the end of 2000. Eight laboratory spaces making up about 12% of the building area are designated for Comercialisation of Biodiversitu Laboratory. Functions of the laboratory would be in the extractio, bioassay-guided fractionation and identification of chemical compounds from plants. The supply of materials for extraction will be from the natural forest ecosystem as well as those grown in th eherbs garden and aboretum in the main campus. A quadrangle in the middle of the R&D wing would be used to grow different types of herbal plants. The arboretum which will cover the ridges that form the central backbone of the campus landscape will include plants of medicinal importance.

IV : Establishment of linkages

UMS realises that to carry out such a big research project and applied in nature, will require linkages and collaborations. At the grass root level our researchers are establishing contacts with several local communities. As an example during a recent expedition to Klias and Binsulok, our researchers spent a lot of time communicating with the local medicine man and villagers.

As stated earlier, as early as the inception stage UMS in general and TBCU in particular (Maryati 1996) had been in close consultation with state agencies to assist us in developing R&D. Thus, the development of R&D of medicinal plants at UMS would also be a part of the planning at the state level. Recently, UMS sined a memorandum of understanding with TSH to develop R&D in their Forest Management Unit Number Four (FMU4). Naturally, one of the most active R&D would be to study the sources of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) especially medicinal plants.

Internationally, although no solid collaboration has been made, a few albeit important contacts exist. An example is the intention to collaborate with SIDR for leasing of materials. Also mentioned earlier, one of UMS staff will be undergoing training at SIDR. Another link is with Hokkaido University which has a group working on phytichemistry and UMS has signed an MOU with the University. The Kyoto Institute of Technology is another potential international collaborator as they are advanced on insect chemistry research and we are also going along the same direction. TBCU is also working together with the People and Plants Initiative project funded by UNESCO, WWF, Darwin Initiatives and the Royal Botanical Garden, Kiew. In this cooperation a book has been traslated from English to Malay in an effort to expedite knowledge transfer (Martin, 1998).

Conclusion

A University is no longer an ivory tower. UMS aspiring to be a community university is rapidly shedding the ivory tower image. The high biodiversity in the State of Sabah somehow has encouraged us natirally to follow the course of developing R&D of plants. As stated in Maryati & Mohd. Noh 1998, UMS ia aware of the two levels of medicinal plant research in Malaysia : promotion of herbalremedies and drug development. Herbal remedies is something that UMS can do right away as not many sophisticated ang high technology equipment are needed. In fact that is currently being carried out. Drug development requires long term strategies and massive investment. Nevertheless, being one of the fastest developing appropriate institution dealing with both training and research, UMS is prepared to venture into this business.

Continous cooperation from the various stajeholders especially from the state of Sabah is vital in coordinating our research such that there is maximization of manpower, experties and funding. Close consultation at every stage is required to maintain the spirit of togetherness and trust.

Acknowledgment

We thank the orginising committee especially the Institute of Development Studies Sabah for inviting us to report the progress of R&D of medicinal plants at UMS and UMS for allowing us to present this paper.

References

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N.R Farnsworth and D.D.Soejarto. 1991. Global Importance of Medicinal Plants. In Conservation of medicinal plants. Akarele, A., et al (eds)

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Soepadmo. 1999. Botanical study of Malaysian medicinal plants – an appraisal. In Phytoc chemicals and Biopharmaceutins from the Malaysian Rain Forest. A. Manaf li Khozirah Shaari, Zuriati Zakaria (eds)

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