Study on healing plants of Sarawak

Star: KUCHING: Compounds from certain plants in Sarawak have been found to contain anti-HIV agents and properties that could be used to treat leukaemia, said state Second Minister for Planning and Resource Management Datuk Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
He said the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre was also screening plant extracts for anti-cancer compounds.
“The centre is working with the Cancer Research Initiative Foundation to screen plant compounds that might be used in photodynamic therapy for cancer,” he said in reply to points raised by members during the debate on the 2007 state budget at the Sarawak State Assembly here yesterday. Awang Tengah said the centre had documented 1,985 plant samples used by the various indigenous communities for medicinal purposes and food. Of the collection, 180 species have been identified.
“It has been undertaking various research projects with domestic and foreign institutions and parties to develop our biological resources for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical use,” he said.