By Chessa Pae Faustino, StratCom Intern

Sharing their expertise in health sciences research, two pharmacy professors of Mariano Marcos State University served as resource speakers in the International Series on Natural Products and Drug Discovery hosted by the Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) in Malaysia. 

Profs. Jaymar Ramil and Ma. Danica Ramil of the MMSU College of Health Sciences - Department of Pharmacy presented their research studies during the lecture held on August 4 and 18. 

Through the Zoom platform, Prof. Jaymar discussed his research “Cytotoxicity Potential against HT-29 Cancer Cell Lines of Chemical Constituents Isolated from the Leaves of Psychotria luzoniensis (Katagpong-gubat).” For her part, Prof. Danica tackled her research on “Immunomodulatory Effects of Ten Philippine Endemic Plant Extracts on Concanavalin A-Stimulated Splenocyte Proliferation In Vitro.” 

The lecture convened medical and allied health professionals and scientists to tackle the potential use of natural products in different diseases. The latest research advancements on natural products as sources of new drug leads were also discussed.

Health sciences faculty members and students from both MMSU and UTAR attended the two-day virtual lecture. (HLY/JVBT/DPTJ, StratCom)