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BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

Medicinal Plants of Brunei Darussalam

a a a b
Chua K.H. , Li C.G. , Xue Charlie C. L. , Pang E.C. K.
a
Chinese Medicine Research Group, School of Health Sciences, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, P.O. Box 71,
Bundoora, Melbourne, Victoria-3083, Australia
b
Biotechnology and Environmental Biology, School of Applied Sciences, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, P.O.
Box 71, Bundoora, Melbourne, Victoria - 3083, Australia.

Ethno botanical surveys have revealed that Brunei Darussalam has a rich source of tropical medicinal
1
plants . As 80 % of the countryûs land is covered by tropical rainforest, Brunei Darussalam may have some
medicinal plants with unique characteristics of secondary metabolites. Some plants such as Catharanthus
roseus (L.) G. Don and Eurycoma longifolia Jack have long been used by the local communities to treat various

disease conditions. However, no research has been done in terms of the constituents or biological activities of
the Brunei Darussalam medicinal plants. We have investigated the genetic variability diversity and pharmaco-
1
logical actions of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees also known as Daun Pahit or Chuan Xin Lian or King
of Bitters by an interdisciplinary approach, involving DNA-based RAPD and RFLP analyses, HPLC-based
chemical analysis as well as cell culture and tissue-based bioassays. We have demonstrated that Andrographis

paniculata extracts exhibited a range of actions including antioxidant, anti-allergies, anti-inflammatory and
anti-cancer effects. Some of the pharmacological actions of Andrographis paniculata are co-related with their
active constituents Andrographolide (A) and Dehydroandrographolide (D). The study is valued not only in

obtaining experimental evidence for supporting traditional use of native medicinal plants but also in establish-
ing a platform for studying other medicinal plants in Brunei Darussalam.
Key words: Andrographis paniculata, çDaun Pahité, Chuan Xin Lian, King of Bitters, medicinal plants of

Brunei Darussalam.

Reference:

1. Department of Agriculture, ed. Medicinal Plants of Brunei Darussalam. 2000, Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, Brunei Darussalam.: Bandar
Seri Begawan.