Status of Conservation, Research and Use of Medicinal Plants in Peninsular Malaysia
2010
Lee, S.Y., National Academy of Agricultural Science, RDA, Suwon, Republic of Korea | Ko, H.C., National Academy of Agricultural Science, RDA, Suwon, Republic of Korea | Lee, Y.Y., National Academy of Agricultural Science, RDA, Suwon, Republic of Korea | Ro, N.Y., National Academy of Agricultural Science, RDA, Suwon, Republic of Korea | Sung, J.S., National Academy of Agricultural Science, RDA, Suwon, Republic of Korea | Lee, J.R., National Academy of Agricultural Science, RDA, Suwon, Republic of Korea | Ma, K.H., National Academy of Agricultural Science, RDA, Suwon, Republic of Korea | Huh, Y.C., National Academy of Agricultural Science, RDA, Suwon, Republic of Korea | Kim, C.K., National Academy of Agricultural Science, RDA, Suwon, Republic of Korea | Yoon, M.S., National Academy of Agricultural Science, RDA, Suwon, Republic of Korea
Malaysia, being one of the 12 mega-diversity countries in the world, has rich plant diversity. Of the 12,000 species of vascular plants, 10% or approximately 1,200 species are reported to have medicinal properties. At the ex-situ conservation, the Forest Research Institute Malaysia(FRIM) keeps a total of 87 species of medicinal plants from the 78 genuses in 49 families. Among the 87 species of ex-situ collection at FRIM, the Zingiberaceae, which includes Cucurma longa, has the biggest collection with 10 species and the Euphorbiaceae, which includes Croton tiglium, was the second with 8 species. The other institute on ex-situ conservation is conducted in various state purposed. Among the medicinal plants conserved, a total of 67 species are used for curing dysentery, 37 species are for fever, 25 species are for skin disease while the other symptoms such as allergic, anaesthetic, anti-amoebic, anti-choleric, anti-emetic, anti-scorbutic, baldness, etc. has only one species. The majority of the current research on natural products and Medicinal and Aromatic Plants(MAP) has strengthened the basic understanding of many of the Malaysian species in terms of chemical profiles and biological activities. As well, a natural product research currently still places a lot of importance on bio-active components in relation to selected therapeutic targets and phytochemical screening. However, research is still very much lacking in MAP conservation, cultivation, product development, processing technology for raw materials, post harvest handling and technology, standardization, toxicology and efficacy.
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