“Being thus prepared for us in all ways, and made beautiful, and good for food, and for building, and for instruments of our hands, this race of plants deserving boundless affection and admiration from us…” John Ruskin
In the old times, to relieve patients’ aches and pains, fever, and inflammations, Greek physician Hippocrates would always prescribe brewed leaves of the willow tree, a species of trees and shrubs (fam. Salicaceae, gen. Salix L.) that sheds leaves annually. Chemical scientists would later discover that a plant chemical (phytochemical), known as salicin, from the said leaves makes the treatment effective.
In the later part of the 18th century, Felix Hoffmann and Charles Gerhardt used the same phytochemical in a collaborative research which synthesized acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), a less acidic compound which is easier in the stomach. Soon after an extensive testing, Bayer, a pharmaceutical company, began manufacturing and marketing the staple and over-the-counter gentle analgesic named Aspirin which has the phytochemical Salicin as an active ingredient.
For several decades, phytochemicals like salicin and beta-carotene, both occurring naturally in plants, have been used as therapeutic drugs and medicine for health and wellness. At present, various local and international pharmaceutical researches focus on the effectiveness of these phytochemicals against cancer, also called the “Big C”. Some laboratory testings show that phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of cancer. Other studies claim that some phytochemicals are filled with dietary fibers, polyphenol antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties that fight cancer.
Phytochemicals such as paclitaxel from Pacific yew tree (fam. Taxaceae, gen. Taxus L.) is now used as the active ingredient of the cancer drug called Taxol. Diindolylmethane from vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage is found to be effective against the recurrence of respiratory papillomatosis tumor and cervical cancer.
Some phytochemicals may have some medicinal properties for some diseases. Clinical studies were conducted to prove the ability of lycopene, from tomatoes, against cardiovascular diseases and prostate cancer. Unfortunately though, very limited and preliminary scientific research suggests that eating one-half to one cup of tomatoes and/or tomato sauce a week may reduce the risk of prostate cancer, US Food and Drug Administration declared.
In recognition of the value of these phytochemicals to the development and sustenance of the health and wellness of the Filipino people, the Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the National Research Council of the Philippines, Department of Science and Technology (NRCP – DOST), headed by its Chairman, Dr. Zenaida G. Sadiwa, conducted a seminar on the various aspects of phytochemicals at the Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology in the last quarter of 2009.
Experts from the academe and other pharmaceutical research institutions led the scientific activities and discussions, which included the appreciation of the plant kingdom, promotion of phytochemicals, preparation of plant concoctions, and establishment of herbal garden. Participants gained knowledge and appreciation of the phytochemicals present in herbal medicine. Moreover, they learned some uses of these plant species as functional foods and how to make a wiser choice of plant food and medicine.
This activity is one the NRCP – DOST strategies in promoting the proper use and conservation of the plant resources in the country.
