Page 56 - IMR Annual Report 2022: Institute for Medical Research

IMR Annual
40
Report2022
INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH

The Bioassay Unit is involved in efficacy assessments of standardised plant extracts
and compounds from selected plants for anti-dengue and anti-SARS-CoV-2
properties. The unit is also working on determining immunomodulatory activity of
compounds from Carica papaya leaves, Eurycoma longifolia and Labisia pumila
standardised extracts. The Orthosiphon stamineus standardised extract is being
investigated for senolytic activities. The research capacity of the unit was enhanced
through research collaboration with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UiTM), Universiti
Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and the Malaysian
Institute of Pharmaceuticals and Nutraceuticals (IPharm) under the National
Institutes of Biotechnology Malaysia (NIBM). Consultations are provided to various
agencies, such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAFI) Malaysia,
local public universities and the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM). Research
initiatives were also established with private companies, such as Medika Natura Sdn
Bhd and Glyken Bio Products Sdn Bhd, focussing on herbal drug discovery. The
unit also organised and conducted basic laboratory trainings such as cell culture,
plaque assay, western blotting, DNA/RNA extraction and real-time polymerase
chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Signing of the research agreement for in vitro evaluation of SARS-CoV-2, between
the Bioassay Unit (HMRC) and Glyken Bio Products Sdn Bhd. The event was also
attended by Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation Sdn Bhd.

In 2022, the Malaysian Herbal Monograph
(MHM) Committee continued efforts to
develop monographs. Two monographs
were completed for pokok bangun-
bangun and asam gelugur leaves, which
are available at the GlobinMed website.
Other monographs are being developed
by the Phytochemistry and Integrative
Health Information Unit. MHM activities
Herbal Medicine Research Centre (HMRC) also include training for committee
members related to establishing a
Malaysian Herbal Pharmacopoeia and
seminars to create awareness of quality
control of herbal medicines.

Raw material sourcing for herbal
monograph development