Study on the production of medicinal plants characteristic of Vietnam based on the field work.

2001 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary

• Project/Area Number: 11793018
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for University and Society Collaboration
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Environmental pharmacy
• Research Institution: KYOTO UNIVERSITY
• Principal Investigator: HONDA Gisho Kyoto University, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Professor, 薬学研究科, 教授 (00093310)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): ITO Michiho Kyoto University, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Instructor, 薬学研究科, 助手 (30283592) ; KIUCHI Fumiyuki Kyoto University, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Associate Professor, 薬学研究科, 助教授 (60161402) ; OGIHARA Yukio Nagoya City University, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Professor, 薬学部, 教授 (70080166) ; SHIMADA Yasuo Mitsuboshl Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Department of Development, General Manager (Researcher), 開発部, 部長(研究職)
• Project Period (FY): 1999 – 2001
• Keywords: Vietnam / cinnamon / agarwood / Cinnamomum / Aquilaria / field work / incense / medicinal plants

Research Abstract

We conducted the field research on medicinal plants in Vietnam 3 times . The first trip was in the southern part, the second in the northern part, and the third in the southern and middle part. We focused on cinnamon ( Cinnamomum sp. ), agarwood (Aguilaria sp. ) and the traditional medicines used in Vietnam, and collected samples for analyses as well as information about them. Various experiments were performed on all these samples to reveal the following results. Cinnamon : Vietnamese cinnamon consists of 2 types, the YB type produced in northern part and the MN type in southern part, and their characteristics are much different, which, according to the results of the phylogenetic analyses and the information gathered in Vietnam, is due to the difference of original plant species. Agarwood : Aguilaria, the original tree of agarwood, is cultivated in the middle part of Vietnam, and there we heard about a method for artificial producing agarwood. On the other hand, seedlings of Aguilaria have been grown in the greenhouse built in Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University. Comparison of nucleic acid sequences for phylogenetic analysis and induction of cell culture for experiments under a germ free condition were performed using fresh leaves of them. Branches of Aguilaria trees in the greenhouse were experimentally injured in order to induce production of resin, and a little amount of resin containing some fragrant compounds was recognized. Trunk of Taiwanese Aquilaria sinensis which had been injured by the typhoon few years ago, was phytochemically analyzed to isolate several species of chromones. Traditional Medicines in Vietnam : Traditional medicines used in Vietnam were extracted to measure trypanocidal activity, and Alpinia galanga and Sophora suffruticosa, which showed strong activity, were submitted to further experiments to isolate active compounds.