Professor Dr Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Research

Professor Dr. Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Research Institute (CRI), Thailand

Science and Technology for the Improvement of the Quality of Life • The inherent function of the scientific endeavour is to carry out a comprehensive and thorough inquiry into nature and society, leading to new knowledge. • The new knowledge provides educational, cultural and intellectual enrichment and leads to technological advances and economic benefits. • Promoting fundamental and problem-oriented research is essential for achieving endogenous development and progress.

Chulabhorn Research Institute A unique mission: • to establish a program of scientific research and education of international standard that would significantly contribute to the development of the country and specifically to the quality of life of its people.

Chulabhorn Research Institute (CRI) • Research has aimed to find solutions to local and regional environmental and health problems and to improve our knowledge of indigenous natural resources.

Chulabhorn Research Institute (CRI) • The building of scientific capacity should be supported by regional and international cooperation, to ensure both equitable development and the spread and utilization of human creativity without discrimination of any kind against countries, groups or individuals. • Cooperation between developed and developing countries should be carried out in conformity with the principles of full and open access to information, equity and mutual benefit.

Chulabhorn Research Institute (CRI) Activities focus on 3 major areas: • Research • Education/Training and Scientific Exchange • Special Projects and Programs

Priority research is undertaken in the following areas: • Natural Products, Medicinal Chemistry and Organic Synthesis • Environmental Toxicology • • Biomedical Research Biotechnology

Education/Training and Scientific Exchange w Worldwide measures have been undertaken to promote basic education for all. w Scientific knowledge be imparted and transferred to all, particularly to a rural population with low educational background.

• The development of human resources is one of the key activities of the Institute. • CRI has initiated a number of education and academic training programs in specialized areas. v Post-graduate education v Training courses v Seminars, symposia, workshops and conferences

Education/Training and Scientific Exchange w The fundamental role played by women in the application of scientific development to food production and health care must be fully recognized w Efforts should be made to strengthen their understanding of scientific advances in these areas.

“Green Health Technology” for Women’s Empowerment and Sustainable Development in Thailand w The project was designed to show high levels of science and technology may be applied and transferred to a rural population with low educational background.

Green Health Technology Two major kinds of activities were conducted in parallel: w Scientific and technological activities at the CRI laboratories - the knowledge production part w Practical activities at the rural community level - the knowledge consumption part

Green Health Technology Participants are trained in appropriate technologies for optimizing growth and producing useful products from cultivated plants.

Green Health Technology A workshop on the demonstration of the method of preparing medicinal plants for treating simple illnesses

Green Health Technology Two indigenous Thai herbs with recognized medicinal properties: w Curcuma longa, commonly known as tumeric, but also called curcumin in Thailand, w Andrographis paniculata

Green Health Technology Curcuma longa

Green Health Technology Andrographis paniculata

Green Health Technology Women participated in the Green Health Project

Green Health Technology Physical examinations and medical consultation Training and instruction in the general areas of health and social skills

Green Health Technology Group activities to improve personal attitudes, interpersonal skills and ability to work as a team

Green Health Technology A participant coordinating committee was formed by vote

Green Health Technology A training session on the harvesting of Curcuma longa ’s rhizome, cleaning, drying and packaging by using good manufacturing practices.

Green Health Technology A training course on primary health care in the use of common household medicine from both medicinal plants and modern pharmaceutical products.

Green Health Technology Training was offered in basic marketing and management, including simple accounting practices, to aid in the successful and profitable sale of medicinal products derived from the project.

Green Health Technology Contributions from the CRI laboratories: § Initial soil and water analyses using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry to ensure that levels of heavy metal contaminants did not exceed the safe limits.

Green Health Technology CRI laboratories: § Gas Chromatography of soil and water for contaminating pesticides.

Green Health Technology CRI laboratories: § Thin Layer Chromatography and other techniques to quantitate active ingredients in plants. AP 1 Chromatograms of A. paniculata product AP 3 AP 4

Green Health Technology CRI laboratories: § Determining conditions for seed germination, planting time, growth period and harvest time. § Development and transfer of scientific and technological know-how to the village community. § Analysis and monitoring of the content of curcuminoids and volatile oils in Curcuma longa.

Green Health Technology CRI laboratories: § Refining techniques for isolation, purification and structural characterization of andrographolide and derivatives, using modern technologies such as, HPLC, NMR, and MS.

Green Health Technology CRI laboratories: § Studies of the pharmacological properties of partially purified extracts and pure compounds isolated from A. paniculata. Organ Bath System Spectrophotometer Malaria Culture

Green Health Technology CRI laboratories: § Use of purified Andrographis active compounds as standards for evaluating the quality of products. Three Active Diterpenoid Compounds from Andrographis paniculata AP 1: Andrographolide AP 3: 14 -Deoxy-11, 12 -didehydro andrographolide AP 4: Neoandrographolide

Green Health Technology The Green Health project conducted in Sra-Kaew Province of Thailand was considered highly successful.

Green Health Technology Perceived benefits include: § Greater awareness, changed behavior and attitudes to agricultural practices and to concepts of green health. § Greater interest and ability in health care for participants and their families, as well as use of green health products for health care.

Green Health Technology Perceived benefits include (con’t): § Realization through experience of the value of keeping records and planning to achieve success and economic gain. § Understanding the importance of quality. § Understanding the value of cooperation to achieve a common goal within the community. § Greater self-esteem and confidence. § Learning a new way to supplement income.