Bioprospecting the Medicinal Plants of the Sundarbans for Bioactive Natural Products

Sundarbans, the largest single block of mangrove forest located to the south of Bangladesh, is the home of unique and uncommon flora with distinct bioprospecting potential. Living in extreme environment, mangrove plants are often produce chemical classes of compounds that may not be found in many terrestrial plants, and are often rich in chemical diversity. A few selected mangrove species have been studied for bioactivity, there are still a number of 'untapped' species, which need to be evaluated systematically for their medicinal properties and potential new drug development, and if necessary, should be appropriately preserved to prevent extinction. The proposed work looks into the bioprospecting of the plant resources of the Sundarbans through systematic approach where attempts will be made to find bioactive compound with potential for lead discovery focusing on antherosclerosis, which is the usual cause of heart attacks, stroke and peripheral vascular diseases-what together are called "cardiovascular disease". Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading killers in the world. Thus, the project aims to achieve bioprospecting of the plant sources of the Sundarbans through systematic bioactivity as well as identifying the bioactive compound(s) with the potential for lead development. This research work hope to reveal the scientific basis of traditional medicine utilizing the plants under study and thus contribute to the consumers' confidence in low cost health care system. Clearly, bioprospecting of the flora of the Sundarbans has the potential to bring not only hope to human health in Bangladesh and beyond, but also to social justice and environmental conservation. 

• Research Project