Have you ever wondered whether the herbs or herbal products that you are using are really effective for your condition or are they really safe? Are raw herbs more beneficial than formulated products or is it the other way round? How can we know if the herbal product used is of good quality? Perhaps it is time we ask ourselves the important question of “What is the science behind herbs and scientific evidence of herbal products and medicine?”, the very same question that we, at the Herbal Medicine Research Centre (HMRC) have been ventured and dedicated to exploring for the past two decades. Our focus is on understanding the science behind herbs and integrating traditional herbal knowledge with modern scientific approach.
HMRC was established in 2001 to build scientific evidence (quality, efficacy and safety) of herbal medicines and products. Over the years, the research work in HMRC has expanded following the herbal medicine discovery pathway. The long-term goal of our Centre is to achieve successful herbal medicine discovery and development through strategic planning, execution and collaboration with related parties. The HMRC also supports the national herbal research ecosystem by providing consultation and advice to stakeholders as subject matter experts and encourages herbal research-related knowledge and skill transfer.
At present, the research activities that are being conducted currently in our centre include:
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Rapid review generation and conducting extensive systematic reviews on various herbal and traditional & complementary therapies related topics;
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Phytochemical analysis and structure elucidation to identify active phytoconstituents as well as standardisation of herbal products;
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Pre-clinical efficacy evaluation of herbal extracts and phytoconstituents using cells and tissue culture followed by in vivo experiments;
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Safety evaluation of herbal products in various in vitro and in vivo systems; and conducting Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)-compliant in vivo general toxicity studies in a GLP-certified laboratory.
Beside our research areas of focus in anti-microbial agents, cancer chemo-preventive, neglected tropical diseases, and non-communicable diseases, we also determine to bridge traditional knowledge with cutting-edge science for integration into current medical system, enhancing therapeutic options (treatment or adjuvant) and ultimately, improving global health and well-being.
HMRC consists of five units that play their essential roles distinctively as well as collectively in the herbal drug discovery pathway. These units are:
- Integrative Health Information Unit
- Phytochemistry Unit
- Bioassay Unit
- Toxicology & Pharmacology Unit
- GLP Section
Currently, HMRC is also expanding its capacity in clinical trials by being actively involved in the planning and conduct of herbal-related trials in collaboration with other research institutes and agencies. Let join us in our mission to reshape the future of healthcare by harnessing the power of medicinal plants.
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Figure 1: The Units in HMRC are designed to address the evidence-based data development along the herbal medicine discovery pathway |
