Quranic Botanical Gardens ‘the Way Forward’
Most of the new drugs entering the market these days are based on natural products, a Malaysian minister said.
Speaking at an international forum on the Quranic Botanical Garden, Dr Halimah Ali, Malaysia’s state minister of education and higher education, said 60% of drugs that entered the market between 1981-2002 were either natural products or based on these. Some 78% of antibiotic and 74% of anti-cancer drugs too had natural roots, she said, asserting that “botanical gardens are the way forward to reveal the ultimate knowledge in the Holy Quran”.
The current trend in drug development is improved use of traditional herbal medicines, she told the conference, organized by Qatar Foundation.
Speaking on drug discoveries, Halimah said the process had been relatively straightforward as the biologically active substance discovered in nature is isolated and identified.
Most of the well-known drugs had their roots in nature, she said. For instance, Aspirin, first marketed in 1899 by Bayer, was a close relative to a substance refined from willow trees.
Another highly recognized drug, penicillin, discovered in 1899, is derived from the penicillium fungi. Similarly, Ginseng, now widely known in the market, is used as a health supplement or in combination with other health supplements.
Halimah said most Malaysian herbs’ potentials have not been tapped, nor proper structured study done on herbs.
The minister said biodiversity, plant and botanical gardens were inter-related. “Biodiversity is worth more than gold. Yet it will not be discovered without aggressive research and development. R&D is the key to discovering the wonders of God’s creation”.
Earlier, Islamic expert, Sheikh Yousuf Qaradawi said the word garden is mentioned in the Holy Quran more than once. Sometimes, it has been referred to as “Jannath” or heaven where there are palm trees and grapevines. It also talks about insects and animals indicating their benefit to humanity.
The three-day forum gathers scientists from different disciplines relevant to the Quranic Botanical Garden to discuss ideas for activities in the Doha Quranic Garden. It also seeks to encourage co-operation and co-ordination between the garden and different institutions from Qatar and other countries.
Source: Gulf Times, Qatar
The current trend in drug development is improved use of traditional herbal medicines, she told the conference, organized by Qatar Foundation.
Speaking on drug discoveries, Halimah said the process had been relatively straightforward as the biologically active substance discovered in nature is isolated and identified.
Most of the well-known drugs had their roots in nature, she said. For instance, Aspirin, first marketed in 1899 by Bayer, was a close relative to a substance refined from willow trees.
Another highly recognized drug, penicillin, discovered in 1899, is derived from the penicillium fungi. Similarly, Ginseng, now widely known in the market, is used as a health supplement or in combination with other health supplements.
Halimah said most Malaysian herbs’ potentials have not been tapped, nor proper structured study done on herbs.
The minister said biodiversity, plant and botanical gardens were inter-related. “Biodiversity is worth more than gold. Yet it will not be discovered without aggressive research and development. R&D is the key to discovering the wonders of God’s creation”.
Earlier, Islamic expert, Sheikh Yousuf Qaradawi said the word garden is mentioned in the Holy Quran more than once. Sometimes, it has been referred to as “Jannath” or heaven where there are palm trees and grapevines. It also talks about insects and animals indicating their benefit to humanity.
The three-day forum gathers scientists from different disciplines relevant to the Quranic Botanical Garden to discuss ideas for activities in the Doha Quranic Garden. It also seeks to encourage co-operation and co-ordination between the garden and different institutions from Qatar and other countries.
Source: Gulf Times, Qatar
