Academic researchers Prof. Agnes Llamasares-Castillo, PhD, Prof. Ross D. Vasquez, PhD, Assoc. Prof. Oliver B. Villaflores, PhD, all from the Faculty of Pharmacy and the Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences, joined co-researchers from Singapore鈥檚 DELIGHTEX PTE LTD., namely Yutaka Kuroki, Aya Wada, Xinyi Zhu, and 国产吃瓜黑料一区二区research assistants Kyle Andrei Cabatit, Jonah Joshua Garcia, and Janelan Martin.

The researchers were able to find thirty-nine plants with sleep-enhancing activities, such as Lactuca sativa, Nelumbo nucifera, and Ziziphus jujuba. The authors found that these plants 鈥渄emonstrated consistent efficacy in improving sleep quality through interactions with the GABAergic system.鈥� Though thirty-nine plants were identified in the reviewed studies, the researchers caution that 鈥渕ost studies are still preliminary, with the molecular mechanisms behind their sleep-enhancing effects remaining inconclusive.鈥�

The researchers published on February 27, 2025 the review entitled 鈥溾�� in Phytomedicine Plus, indexed in Elsevier. The study is in line with phase 1 of the project funded by Singapore’s DELIGHTEX PTE LTD.

The post Which plants promote sleep? Thomasian researchers survey 39 locally available species in latest Elsevier review appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料一区二区.

Castillo, who to date has mentored two PhD in Pharmacy and fifteen MS in Pharmacy students in completing their terminal research requirements, most of which were published in Scopus-indexed journals, was recognized for her ability to guide budding health researchers toward making significant contributions to their respective fields. She continues mentoring a new batch of scientists, a group of 12 advisees, most of whom are conducting experiments for their respective studies.

In an interview with the Communications Bureau, Castillo disclosed her belief that health researchers 鈥渕ust be mindful of the scientific integrity and ethical soundness of research  protocol through good research practice so as to maintain quality, relevance and reliability of research output,鈥� emphasizing the importance of character in being a good researcher. While she acknowledges that most students begin with degree acquisition as their end-goal, she hopes to impart to them that 鈥榟aving the degree is just an icing on the cake.鈥� Among the values she strives to impart to her advisees are 鈥渇ocus, determination, time management, proper documentation, honesty, patience, and a lot of hard work,鈥� as well humility and being teachable.

Once a student herself, Castillo paid homage to her own mentors, the late Dr. Eduardo de Leon, Assoc. Prof. Ma. Tomasa Ochoa, Dr. Marina Osi, former Science Dean John Donnie A. Ramos, PhD, as well as Academician Maribel G. Nonato, PhD. Meanwhile, Prof. Grecebio Jonathan D. Alejandro, Dr. rer. nat., and Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences Director Bernard John V. Tongol, PhD provided the recommendation letters for Castillo’s nomination. She dedicated the award to her family and thanked her students, colleagues, and superiors, namely Pharmacy Dean Aleth Therese L. Dacanay, PhD, in the academe.

Currently, she and her students are working on various projects, such as on the anti-inflammatory activity of Pandanus spp., chondroprotective potential of Alipinia, antihyperuricemic activity of Dillenia. Some of the projects have gone past the experimentation phase and are awaiting the publication of results. Meanwhile, their current project is studying the antiangiogenesis property of syringin and alpinumisoflavone. Funding agencies such as the Commission on Higher Education, National Research Council of the Philippines, and the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care have provided support to several undertakings.

The post Castillo of Pharmacy, GS recognized as one of best health research mentors appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料一区二区.

The Thomasian scientist’s research interests lie in the 1) isolation and identification of secondary metabolites from endemic Rubiaceae plants, indigenous Pandanus species, and endophytic fungi; 2) chemotaxomic significance of the isolated natural products; 3) pharmacological activities of the isolated natural products; and 4) total synthesis and chemical modifications of bioactive natural products.

Lastly, his notable research is on the drug development from natural products: Organic chemistry-oriented research on natural products (isolation of lead/bioactive molecules 脿 synthetic or semi-synthetic studies 脿 biological evaluation).

Tan was named the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) Outstanding Young Scientist in Pharmaceutical Science in 2018.  He was recognized as the Novartis Next Generation Scientist Program Fellow in 2016.

A former chair of the Department of Chemistry, Tan teaches at the Graduate School. He is also the newly appointed Assistant Research Director of the Research Center for Natural and Applied Sciences.

The post Mario Tan of Chemistry, RCNAS is 2021 PFCS Outstanding Achievement Awardee for chemical research appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料一区二区.

Macabeo鈥檚 project, entitled 鈥淒rug discovery of biologically active natural products from Philippine Hypoxlon Species,鈥� will be a collaboration between 国产吃瓜黑料一区二区as the Home Institution and the Helmholtz Center for Infection Research in Germany, represented by Prof. Dr. Marc Stadler, as Virtual Host Collaborator.

The project will look into 鈥渦ntapped fungal natural products from Philippine Hypoxylaceae,鈥� which when studied is seen to increase the chances of finding novel antibiotic compounds. The need for new chemotherapeutic treatments has been highlighted by the 鈥渞apid development of drug-resistant strains.鈥�

The virtual collaborative work aims to find new secondary metabolites with potent antibiotic properties and will last from September 2021 to January 2022, provides Georg Forster Humboldt alumni from 鈥渄eveloping and emerging countries who are facing multiple challenges during the long-lasting pandemic. Macabeo鈥檚 project will receive a lump-sum amount of 3,000 EUR per month.

Macabeo becomes one of the first recipients of the newly created Digital Cooperation Fellowship grant of the Humboldt Foundation, which also receives funding from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

The post Macabeo of Chemistry, RCNAS secures Humboldt fellowship grant for drug discovery appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料一区二区.