Professor Dr. Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn

Professor Dr. Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn

Chulabhorn Research Institute (CRI), Thailand

• 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.

Science and Technology for the Improvement of the Quality of Life

Chulabhorn Research Institute 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)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.


• 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.

• ResearchResearch

• Education/Training and Education/Training and

Scientific ExchangeScientific Exchange

• Special Projects and ProgramsSpecial Projects and Programs


Activities focus on 3 major areas:Activities focus on 3 major areas:

Priority research is undertaken in the Priority research is undertaken in the following areas:following areas:

• Natural Products, Natural Products, Medicinal Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry and Organic SynthesisOrganic Synthesis

• Environmental ToxicologyEnvironmental Toxicology

• Biomedical ResearchBiomedical Research

• BiotechnologyBiotechnology

Worldwide measures have been undertaken to promote basic education for all.

Scientific knowledge be imparted and transferred to all, particularly to a rural population with low educational background.

Education/Training and Scientific Exchange

• The development of human resourcesThe development of human resources is is one of the key activities of the Institute.one of the key activities of the Institute.

• CRI has initiated a number CRI has initiated a number of education and academic of education and academic training programs in training programs in

specialized areas.specialized areas. Post-graduate educationPost-graduate education Training coursesTraining courses Seminars, symposia, workshops and conferencesSeminars, symposia, workshops and conferences

The fundamental role played by women in the application of scientific development to food production and health care must be fully recognized

Efforts should be made to strengthen their understanding of scientific advances in these areas.

Education/Training and Scientific Exchange

“Green Health Technology” for Women’s Empowerment and Sustainable

Development in Thailand The project was

designed to show how high levels of science and technology may be applied and transferred to a rural population with low educational background.

Two major kinds of activities were conducted in parallel:

Scientific and technological activities at the CRI laboratories - the knowledge production part

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.


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


Two indigenous Thai herbs with recognized medicinal properties:

Curcuma longa, commonly known as tumeric, but also called curcumin in Thailand,

Andrographis paniculata


Curcuma longa


Andrographis paniculata



Women participated in the Green Health Project


Physical examinations and medical consultationTraining and instruction in the general areas of health and social skills


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


A participant coordinating committee was formed by vote


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


A training course on primary health care in the use of common household medicine from both medicinal plants

and modern pharmaceutical products.


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.

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.


CRI laboratories:


Gas Chromatography of soil and water for contaminating pesticides.

CRI laboratories:


AP1

AP3

AP4

Chromatograms of A. paniculata product

Thin Layer Chromatography and other techniquesto quantitate active ingredients in plants.

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.


CRI laboratories:

Refining techniques for isolation, purification and structural characterization of andrographolide and derivatives, using modern technologies such as, HPLC, NMR, and MS.


Studies of the pharmacological properties of partially purified extracts and pure compounds isolated from A. paniculata.

SpectrophotometerSpectrophotometerOrgan Bath SystemOrgan Bath System

Malaria CultureMalaria Culture

CRI laboratories:


CH2

O

O

CH3

HHO

HOH2C CH3

HO

CH2

O

O

CH3

HHO

HOH2C CH3

CH2

O

O

CH3

HH2C CH3

OO

OH

OH

OH

HOCH2

AP3: 14-Deoxy-11,12-didehydro andrographolide

AP4: Neoandrographolide

AP1: Andrographolide

Three Active Diterpenoid Compounds

from Andrographis paniculata

CRI laboratories:

Use of purified Andrographis active compounds as standards for evaluating the quality of products.


The Green Health project conducted in Sra-Kaew Province of Thailand was

considered highly successful.


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.


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 achi

eve a common goal within the community. Greater self-esteem and confidence. Learning a new way to supplement income.


Professor Dr. Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn

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