Production of High Quality Planting Materials Through Breeding for Four Important Herbal Species

With the growing interest in these species as a source of new pharmaceutical products and the increasing demand for herbal products in Malaysia, the demand for its raw materials is also increasing. Therefore, initiatives have been taken by Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) to select and to produce high quality planting materials for future uses. To our knowledge, most of the raw materials used in producing herbal products and its development were being sourced from the wild, with little knowledge on the quality of the raw materials. In order to ensure the quality and sustainability of raw materials in the market, it is important to come out with suitable breeding strategy for the selected species. This paper highlights research by FRIM on collecting, screening, selecting and producing high quality planting materials for the four species based on their growth performance and bioactive compounds. Several research on the production of high quality planting materials for four important medicinal plants has been initiated by FRIM starting from the 11th Malaysian Plan until now. This paper discusses about four selected species namely Chromolaena odorata (kapal terbang), Andrographis paniculata (creat or green chiretta), Beackea frutescens (false ru) and Senna alata (candle bush). These species are found to have a significant benefit to the human’s health. C. odorata (kapal terbang) leaf extract are found to have relatively strong inhibition on platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor binding in vitro, indicating an anti-inflammatory activity, which is favourable for wound healing. A major bioactive compound in A. paniculata, andrographolide has shown anticancer potential in various research. Whereas, B. frutescens has a potential to be used as anti-gout remedies. Research conducted by FRIM showed that active compound in the leaves and stems of B. frutescens extract are effective in inhibiting uric acid formation and promoting uric acid secretion. Whereas for S. alata, the highest content of major flavonoid glycoside compound, kaempferol-3-O-gentiobioside (K3G), has an anti-inflammatory effect detected in leaf extracts. Germplasm plots for the species were also established in FRIM for future breeding activities. The outputs derived from this study will support the herbal industries in getting quality raw materials in the future. By using high quality plants will also increase the value of pharmaceutical products in the market. It is anticipated that herbal industries and interested party will seek FRIM for high quality seeds and seedlings materials for the development of their products as well as for the establishment of commercial herbal plantation

Genotype Screening and Propagation Techniques of Three Selected Medicinal Plant Species for Production of High-Quality Planting Material

Medicinal plants are a vital source of new bioactive compounds due to their ecological biodiversity and varied chemical properties of each species. Phenotypic selection coupled with the evaluation of genotypes based on the chemical profile can be used for the development of a high-yielding variety. However, most of the raw material that has been used for commercial production of herbal products is mainly derived from wild sources, with little knowledge of the quality of genetic materials. Thus, three medicinal species, Chromolaena odorata (Siam weed), Andrographis paniculata (Creat), and Baeckea frutescens (False ru), were chosen based on their significant benefits to human health. These medicinal species have been traditionally used to treat various illnesses, and have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. This paper highlights the harvesting method and collection of accessions from natural habitats for the selection of superior genotypes. Individual plants having superior phenotypic characteristics and bioactive compounds were identified. We successfully developed appropriate propagation techniques for each species for the mass production of high-yielding planting material. The establishment of breeding activities for these medicinal plants will provide quality raw materials to support the herbal industry in increasing the value of pharmaceutical products. These efforts will also ensure the sustainable production of high-quality planting materials for the establishment of herbal plantations

Genotype Screening and Propagation Techniques of Three Selected Medicinal Plant Species for Production of High-Quality Planting Material

Medicinal plants are a vital source of new bioactive compounds due to their ecological biodiversity and varied chemical properties of each species. Phenotypic selection coupled with the evaluation of genotypes based on the chemical profile can be used for the development of a high-yielding variety. However, most of the raw material that has been used for commercial production of herbal products is mainly derived from wild sources, with little knowledge of the quality of genetic materials. Thus, three medicinal species, Chromolaena odorata (Siam weed), Andrographis paniculata (Creat), and Baeckea frutescens (False ru), were chosen based on their significant benefits to human health. These medicinal species have been traditionally used to treat various illnesses, and have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. This paper highlights the harvesting method and collection of accessions from natural habitats for the selection of superior genotypes. Individual plants having superior phenotypic characteristics and bioactive compounds were identified. We successfully developed appropriate propagation techniques for each species for the mass production of high-yielding planting material. The establishment of breeding activities for these medicinal plants will provide quality raw materials to support the herbal industry in increasing the value of pharmaceutical products. These efforts will also ensure the sustainable production of high-quality planting materials for the establishment of herbal plantations