Two varieties of the Philippine coffee bean may turn out to be a cure for cancer and can fight off virus and bacteria, according to a Filipino researcher.
The Greeniopsis (paluay mabolo) and Villaria (tango) shrubs belonging to the Philippine coffee family Rubiaceae can be sources of anti-tumor, antiviral and antibacterial drugs, said Grecebio Jonathan Alejandro of the University of Santo Tomas.
Alejandro said Greeniopsis and Villaria could be potential sources of irodoids commonly found in plants under the Ixoroideae, a coffee subfamily.
Ixora, Greeniopsis and Villaria belong to the coffee sub-family Ixoroideae.
Ixora, locally known as santan, was found to have antibacterial, antiviral, anti-tumor and pro-healing properties from the extracts of its leaves and flowers, while the juice from its roots and bark can be used to cure dysentery, ulcer, gonorrhea, toothache and migraine.
Ixoroideae plants are known to contain irodoids, an important drug component responsible for cardiovascular, anti-pheptotoxic, chlorectic, hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antitumor, antiviral, immunomodulator and purgative activities.
“This first molecular study of the Greeniopsis and Villaria is a significant starting point in understanding its potential economic value,” Alejandro said.
Greeniopsis and Villaria are species of shrubs found in the eastern sections of the country.
Alejandro said Greeniopsis is abundant in the Bicol region, Cagayan Valley, Isabela, Leyte, Samar and Mindanao.
“You can’t find anything like this, only in the Philippines,” he said.
Alejandro said knowing the proper classification of Philippine endemic plants would greatly help researchers in identifying possible medicinal properties they may contain.
Filipino chemists must test the medicinal properties of these two endemic genera, he added.
Meanwhile, Alejandro said the two flowering plants are facing extinction without proper classification in the plant kingdom.
“The two plants are currently placed in the sub-family of Cinchonoideae, a sub-family of the coffee family, based on their physical appearance,” he said.
Alejandro’s study also aims to resolve the sub-familial and tribal positions of the two plants.
Some species of the two plants are considered by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as endangered, while others are listed as wildlife species, he said.
The Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) of the Department of Science and Technology, meanwhile, has committed to fund Alejandro’s research.
“The Department of Science and Technology is willing to fund further research for Alejandro’s study, under the government’s drug discovery program,” said PCHRD executive director Jaime Montoya.
Alejandro is one of the three finalists of the DOST’s National Academy of Science and Technology’s Talent Search for Young Scientists 2008.