Bioassay Unit
Bioassay Unit
The Bioassay Unit comprises a team of dedicated researchers conducting comprehensive efficacy studies on local medicinal plants to support the development of herbal medicines with validated therapeutic claims. Guided by traditional knowledge and ethnobotanical evidence, the Unit identifies promising candidates through a wide range of biological assays to elucidate mechanisms of action from selected plant materials.
The Unit’s current research portfolio encompasses antiviral, antibacterial, immunomodulatory, and anti-aging investigations. To strengthen research capacity, the Unit continuously advances its methodologies and adopts modern analytical techniques. Current activities include in vitro phenotypic screening of extracts, compounds, and formulations; mechanistic studies involving gene and protein expression analysis, cellular and immunofluorescent assays; pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluations; and pre-clinical efficacy assessments using animal disease models.
The Bioassay Unit also contributes to supporting clinical research by providing essential pre-clinical data on herbal products. These efforts collectively aim to generate high-quality scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of herbal medicines in Malaysia."
Executive Summary
Head of Bioassay Unit
Dr. Mohd Ridzuan bin Mohd Abd Razak
BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry (UKM), MSc in Biochemistry (UKM), PhD (UCL, UK)
Telephone: +603-3362 8888 (ext: 7982)
Email: ridzuan.ar@moh.gov.my
Human Resource Profile
Specialist
Medical Officers
Research Officers
Assistant Research Officer
Assistant Science Officer
Support Staffs
Focus Area
Disease Treatment & Management
Scope: Natural products/drug discovery/repurposing drugs
Highlights:
In vitro study of potential caspase-mediated apoptosis of Eurycoma longifolia extract and its compound during dengue virus infection.
High-content cell-based antiviral screening against dengue virus infection.
In vitro evaluation of antiviral activity of several herbal formulations against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
In vitro evaluation of antiviral activity of SKF7™ (Standardized Extract Kacip Fatimah) and AGS-1™ (Standardized Extract Hempedu Bumi) against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
Antiviral and Immunomodulatory studies of medicinal plant extracts and compounds in AG129 mice infected with dengue virus.
Pre-Clinical Anti-Dengue Study Of Repurposed Drug Candidates Against Dengue Virus Infection In AG129 Mice