Filipino scientist says endangered plants may posses medicinal value
MANILA (PNA)-- A Filipino scientist found out that two plants of the coffee family (Rubiaceae), good sources of medicine, are facing extinction without proper classification in the plant kingdom.
Grecebio Jonathan Alejandro, a scientist at the University of Sto. Tomas (UST), said that paluay mabolo (Greeniopsis Merr) and tango (Villaria Rolfe), flowering plants, are facing extinction without proper classification in the plant kingdom.
Alejandro stated that Greeniopsis and Villaria are potential medicinal sources of iridoids. It is found in many medicinal plants and is responsible for some of its pharmaceutical uses.
Iridoids exhibit a wide range of bioactivities such as cardiovascular, antipheptotoxic, chlorectic, hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antitumor, antiviral, immunomodulator and purgative activities.
He claimed that the two plants should be put in the subfamily of Ixoroideae sensu stricto, a coffee plant. Greeniopsis should be added as a member of the tribe Ixoreae.
Villaria, on the other hand, should be considered as a plant that descended from a single ancestor.
The two plants are currently placed in the sub-family of Cinchonoideae, a sub-family of the coffee family, based on their physical appearance.
Alejandro aims in resolving the sub-familial and tribal positions of the two plants.
Some species of the two plants are considered by the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR)as endangered, while others are listed as wildlife species. (PNA).
MANILA (PNA)-- A Filipino scientist found out that two plants of the coffee family (Rubiaceae), good sources of medicine, are facing extinction without proper classification in the plant kingdom.
Grecebio Jonathan Alejandro, a scientist at the University of Sto. Tomas (UST), said that paluay mabolo (Greeniopsis Merr) and tango (Villaria Rolfe), flowering plants, are facing extinction without proper classification in the plant kingdom.
Alejandro stated that Greeniopsis and Villaria are potential medicinal sources of iridoids. It is found in many medicinal plants and is responsible for some of its pharmaceutical uses.
Iridoids exhibit a wide range of bioactivities such as cardiovascular, antipheptotoxic, chlorectic, hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antitumor, antiviral, immunomodulator and purgative activities.
He claimed that the two plants should be put in the subfamily of Ixoroideae sensu stricto, a coffee plant. Greeniopsis should be added as a member of the tribe Ixoreae.
Villaria, on the other hand, should be considered as a plant that descended from a single ancestor.
The two plants are currently placed in the sub-family of Cinchonoideae, a sub-family of the coffee family, based on their physical appearance.
Alejandro aims in resolving the sub-familial and tribal positions of the two plants.
Some species of the two plants are considered by the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR)as endangered, while others are listed as wildlife species. (PNA).
