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Exploring Indigenous Plants in Southern Philippines for Natural Products

Victor B. Amoroso* ,1,2
1 Center for Biodiversity Research and Extension in Mindanao, Central Mindanao University,

University Town, Musuan 8710 Bukidnon, the Philippines
2 Plant Biology Division, Institute of Biological Sciences, Central Mindanao University,
University Town, Musuan 8710 Bukidnon, the Philippines

* E-mail: victorbamoroso@gmail.com

Abstract
The Philippines is home to 10,194 species of vascular plants. Of these, 9,581 species are
indigenous with 4,305 (51%) species endemic to the country. Indigenous plants offer a rich
source of natural products with potential applications in agriculture, medicine and
nutraceuticals. In the early days indigenous plants were used by Filipinos based on folklores.
Histochemical tests were done to help establish the scientific bases for the reported medicinal
values. Later with the advent of modern analytical techniques most of these plants are studied
with specificity and accuracy as to their active ingredients. Our early research on natural
products included 10 species of indigenous plants as potential biopesticide sources, and
evaluated for qualitative and quantitative analysis. Results revealed that aqueous extracts of
Tasmannia piperita have the highest total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid content, which
are important for the functionality of natural products. T. piperita, a “go-to medicine” by the
Indigenous people in Mindanao showed promise as potential source of biopesticide. Activity
screening assays included microbiological assays for antifungal activity against Alternaria
brassicae and Phytopthera infestans, and importantly, field testing models to assure that a
natural fungicide product is on hand. Active extract was further tested for secondary metabolites
by LC/MS-MS to identify unique active components and demonstration that the formulated
product is safe to humans. Results in all these studies indicated a safe, environment-friendly,
and cheap natural fungicide from T. piperita. Field testing by farmer adopters in different
regions of the country validated all our research data. Aside from natural fungicide, we are also
studying other plants by high-throughput screening (HTS) using validated platforms for Non-
Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), anti-inflammation, and anti-cancer. This is in
collaboration with Prof. Chia-Hung Yen and Distinguished Prof. Fang-Rong “Aaron” Chang
of the Graduate Institute of Natural Products of the College of Pharmacy of Kaohsiung Medical
University. The incidence of NAFLD is high all over the world, and no drug has been developed
yet. Studies on the medicinal potentialities of the indigenous ferns have been very few. More
than 50 species of Philippine ferns have medicinal uses but a few are reported in
pharmacopoeias. Researchers from Central Mindanao University screened several species of
medicinal ferns for herbal development. Moreover, our botanical expeditions showed that the
Philippines is now the global center of Nepenthes diversity with over 62 species, and some of
these have medicinal values. Our nutraceutical research on edible ferns has shown myriad
compounds including proteins, and are used by the local people as food for a long time but it
seems to diminish over time. Food products were fortified using priority edible species of ferns
and currently served in cafeterias and restaurants. To enhance scientific results and potential
commercialization on natural products, a collaborative approach is recommended.

Keywords: Plants; Medicinal uses; Food products; Natural fungicide

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