HERBAL RESEARCH GRANTS

CURRENT ACTIVE PROJECTS:

Dr Mark Petalcorin
Institute of Health Science, UBD

mark.petalcorin@ubd.edu.bn

Charaterizing the Antihypertensive and Antidyslipidemic Effects of Traditional Herbal Medicine on Animal Model Systems for Drug Herbal Research Discovery

The use of herbal medicine is becoming more popular with increasing reliance on natural products such as herbal plant remedies and formulations for treatment of diseases.
This project is aimed at investigating the efficacy, stability, toxicity and mode of action of one of the four traditional herbal medicines (Gynura procumbens, Gymnema sylvestri, Goniothalamus velutinus or Pandanus amaryllifolius) and their bioactive components for medicinal use in potentially alleviating hypertension and dyslipidemia.
Insights into the molecular mechanism of how these herbs are able to lower the high blood pressure and modulate the lipid levels will contribute towards the design of new drugs with increased bioactivity for treatment against CVDs and cardio-metabolic disorders.
Phenotype-based screen will be conducted to identify components with antihypertensive and antidyslipidemic potentials through in vivo pharmaco-genetic analysis of their effects on the lifespan, viability, behaviour, proliferation and lipid accumulation using two model organisms, rats and C. elegans, in conjunction with pharmacological in vitro assay involving vasodilation with isolated rat aorta.
Fractionation of extracts by liquid chromatography, followed by evaluation of bioactivities of various components through phenotypic screens for toxicity, lipid levels modulation, cardio-metabolic alterations and health-status will identify druggable lead candidates. Insights into these candidates will provide the basis for future studies to identify further any novel drug target and the design of patentable synthetic and mimetic new molecules with better and more effective bioactivities for alleviating hypertension and dyslipidemia.

Reference:
UBD/RSCH/URCNIG/1.0/2018/002.
Approved on 26 Sept 2018 – 2021
Total Grant = $38,500.00

Dr Pooja Shivanand Breh
Faculty of Science, UBD

pooja.shivanand@ubd.edu.bn

Microbial Induction of Agarwood

In the recent years, there has been an increased interest to study the relationship between the people and herbal plants. Such studies are highly relevant in the context of Brunei Darussalam as the plant knowledge and use of herbal pants are evidently inseparable from the cultural, social and spiritual practices of the ethnic groups in the country.
Hence, this research project aims to gather local knowledge about the plant species' ecology, properties and uses. This includes to document the local name, classification of the herbal plants and the transmission of knowledge among the ethnic groups.
Drawing upon qualitative approach, this project also aims to investigate the ritual, aesthetic and other aspects of the locals' relationships with herbal plants which will be gathered through key informant interviews, participatory observation and guided field walks.
The study will also consider and report the continuous efforts of the locals to protect and maintain traditional knowledge and cultural heritage.

Reference:
UBD/RSCH/URCNIG/1.0/2019/003.
Approved on 2 Feb 2019 – Feb 2021
Total Grant = B$42,860.00

Dyg Noralipah Mohamed
Academy Brunei Studies, UBD

noralipah.mohamed@ubd.edu.bn

Documentation and Conservation of Traditional Herbal Knowledge

In the recent years, there has been an increased interest to study the relationship between the people and herbal plants. Such studies are highly relevant in the context of Brunei Darussalam as the plant knowledge and use of herbal pants are evidently inseparable from the cultural, social and spiritual practices of the ethnic groups in the country.
Hence, this research project aims to gather local knowledge about the plant species' ecology, properties and uses. This includes to document the local name, classification of the herbal plants and the transmission of knowledge among the ethnic groups.
Drawing upon qualitative approach, this project also aims to investigate the ritual, aesthetic and other aspects of the locals' relationships with herbal plants which will be gathered through key informant interviews, participatory observation and guided field walks.
The study will also consider and report the continuous efforts of the locals to protect and maintain traditional knowledge and cultural heritage.

Reference:
UBD/RSCH/URCNIG/1.0/2019/004.
Approved on 18 March 2019

Dr Anne Cunningham
Institute of Health Science, UBD

anne.cunningham@ubd.edu.bn

“In vitro Evaluation of Aryl Hydrocarbon ligands in local plants – potential immunomodulatory effects”

The medicinal properties of phytochemicals extracted from plants are well known. Many potent drugs can be isolated from natural sources, eg immunosuppressive drugs and antibiotics (fungal macrolides) and anti-inflammatory drugs (eg asprin originally isolated from willow bark).
Brunei Darussalam has a rich biodiversity, and a potential treasure trove of valuable medicinal drugs.
This research will evaluate ‘local’ plants which are thought to affect the immue system.In particular, we plan to investigate the mechanism of action via an important environmental sensor, the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR).
The aim of this study is to evalute if extracts from local medicinal plants (eg Dilenia Suffruticosa, Senna Alata and Vitex Pinnata) can bind to AhR, induce nucelar translocation and modify T cell function. Injesting medicinal plants / their extracts could modify immune responses and lead to the development of AhR targeted therapeutics, which may be beneficial for patients with inflammatory diseases (including autoimmunity).

Reference:
UBD/RSCH/URC/NIG/1.0/2019/005
Approved on 29 July 2019 – 31 July 2022
Total Grant = $22,000.00

Dr Siti Rohaiza Ahmad
Institute of Health Science, UBD

rohaiza.ahmad@ubd.edu.bn

Myth versus scientific evidence: effectiveness of selected local Bruneian herbs acting as supplement to control diabetes

The medicinal properties of phytochemicals extracted from plants are well known. Many potent drugs can be isolated from natural sources, eg immunosuppressive drugs and antibiotics (fungal macrolides) and anti-inflammatory drugs (eg asprin originally isolated from willow bark).
Brunei Darussalam has a rich biodiversity, and a potential treasure trove of valuable medicinal drugs.
This research will evaluate ‘local’ plants which are thought to affect the immue system.In particular, we plan to investigate the mechanism of action via an important environmental sensor, the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR).
The aim of this study is to evalute if extracts from local medicinal plants (eg Dilenia Suffruticosa, Senna Alata and Vitex Pinnata) can bind to AhR, induce nucelar translocation and modify T cell function. Injesting medicinal plants / their extracts could modify immune responses and lead to the development of AhR targeted therapeutics, which may be beneficial for patients with inflammatory diseases (including autoimmunity).

Reference:
UBD/RSCH/URC/NIG/1.0/2019/007
Approved on 1 January 2020 – Jan 2022
Total Grant = $32,500.00