RESEARCH
Herbal Medicine Research Centre
Herbal Medicine Research Centre
The Herbal Medicine Research Centre (HMRC) is a specialised research division of the Institute for Medical Research (IMR) under the Ministry of Health Malaysia, established in 2001 with the aim of building robust scientific evidence on the quality, efficacy, and safety of herbal medicines and related products. HMRC’s core mission is to conduct rigorous preclinical and clinical research that validates traditional herbal therapies using modern scientific methods, thereby supporting their safe and effective use both nationally and internationally.
The Centre plays a key role in the discovery and authentication of herbal products, contributing to their commercial development and improving market access, while enhancing evidence-based information on traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) for compendiums, monographs, and global information portals.
To achieve these goals, HMRC collaborates with stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health, public agencies, and industry to provide professional consultation, training, and research services, and assists in the integration of herbal medicine into broader healthcare research agendas.
Structurally, HMRC comprises specialised units such as the Integrative Health Information Unit, Phytochemistry Unit, Bioassay Unit, Toxicology & Pharmacology Unit, and a Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) Section, each focusing on different aspects of herbal medicine research from bioactive compound identification to safety and efficacy testing. Through its multidisciplinary work, HMRC strengthens scientific foundations for herbal medicine regulation, supports evidence-based policy, and enhances capacity in herbal research and development in Malaysia.
Executive Summary
Head of Herbal Medicine Research Centre
Mr. Terence Tan Yew Chin
Master of Pharmacy (University of Strathclyde, UK), MSc Pharmaceutical Analysis (UKM, Malaysia)
Telephone: +603-33627966
Email: terencetyc@moh.gov.my
Centre Objectives
To provide high-quality preclinical and clinical research support that scientifically validates the safety, efficacy, and quality of herbal medicines in accordance with national and international regulatory standards.
To discover Malaysian medicinal plants through scientific research aimed at enhancing their commercial potential and global market competitiveness.
To systematically compile and disseminate evidence-based data on herbal medicine and Traditional & Complementary Medicine (T&CM).
To support and strengthen T&CM research initiatives in Malaysia towards the national vision of achieving an integrated healthcare system that bridges modern and traditional medicine.
To become a reference centre for stakeholders, particularly the Ministry of Health (MOH), research institutions, and relevant agencies in matters related to herbal medicine and T&CM. Scientific and technical consultancy services to public institutions and herbal or pharmaceutical industries to promote evidence-based product development.
Centre Functions
To design and execute in vitro and in vivo studies to assess toxicity and efficacy of herbal medicinal plants and collaborate in clinical trials to translate preclinical findings into human applications. Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure data reliability and compliance with GLP and GCP requirements.
To perform phytochemical profiling, authentication, and standardization of herbal materials; identify bioactive compounds contributing to therapeutic efficacy
To develop and update compendium, monographs, and the Global Information Hub on Integrated Medicine (GLOBinMED) online platform as an international reference platform for integrated medicine information.
To provide research infrastructure, expertise, and scientific support for T&CM projects. Facilitate multi-centre studies integrating traditional practices with modern scientific methods. Contribute to national policies and frameworks promoting integrated medicine.
To offer scientific advisory support and technical input in policy-making and regulatory matters. Participate in inter-agency committees and expert working groups. Provide laboratory testing, data analysis, and technical reports for MOH and related bodies.
Human Resource Profile
Specialists
Medical Officers
Research Officers
Science Officers
Support Staffs
Integrative Health Information Unit
The Integrative Health Information Unit compiles and shares evidence-based data on medicinal plants, supporting integrated medicine through databases, publications, and systematic literature research, while expanding capabilities in computational methods and pharmacovigilance.
Key Activities
- Publication of evidence-based information (rapid review, books)
- Global Information Hub on Integrated Medicine (GLOBinMED) & Evidence-based Integrated Medicine (IMEvidence)
- Development of herbal monographs/ pharmacopoeia
- Traditional knowledge studies
- Molecular modelling integration to herbal medicine discovery
- Pharmacovigilance
Phytochemistry Unit
The Phytochemistry Unit explores Malaysia’s rich medicinal plant diversity to discover bioactive compounds, supporting drug development, quality control, and herbal standardization through cutting-edge analytical technologies and evidence-based natural product research.
Key Activities
- Phytochemical screening of reference marker and bioactive compounds
- Plant sample collection
- Compound authentication and isolation
- Plant metabolomics
- Bioactivity-based molecular networking
- Herbal standardization
Bioassay Unit
The Bioassay Unit evaluates Malaysian medicinal plants through biological assays and animal models to validate therapeutic efficacy, conducting antiviral, antibacterial, immunomodulatory, and anti-aging studies using advanced analytical, mechanistic, and preclinical research approaches.
Key Activities
- In vitro screening of extracts and compounds.
- Gene and protein expression studies.
- Cellular and immunofluorescent assays.
- Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluations.
- Pre-clinical efficacy studies in animal models.
Toxicology & Pharmacology Unit
The Toxicology & Pharmacology Unit ensures herbal medicine safety through preclinical studies assessing toxicity and herb–drug interactions using in vitro, in vivo, and organoid models, aligned with international regulatory standards.
Key Activities
- Comprehensive General Toxicity Studies
- Specific Toxicity Testing
- Herb–Drug Interaction Studies
- Organoid-Based Toxicity Assessment
- Topical Toxicity Evaluation
Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) Section
GLP Section supports OECD-GLP studies at NCRF IMR, ensuring compliance, conducting toxicity testing, providing consultations, training personnel, and maintaining certification through continuous monitoring and audits.
Key Activities
- OECD-GLP compliant General Toxicity Studies
- Single dose toxicity studies
- Repeated dose toxicity studies
- Consultation
- Training
