University of the Cordilleras’ study on antimicrobial properties of local plants gets funding from DOH

A study by faculty members from the University of the Cordilleras (UC) – College of Nursing has been selected to be a recipient of a research grant from the Department of Health - Cordillera through the Cordillera Regional Health Research and Development Consortium (CRHRDC).

The study entitled “Isolation and Characterization of Antimicrobial Secondary Metabolites in Tagetes Erecta (Marigold) and Lantana Camara Linn (Lantana)” by UC CON faculty Dr. Godfrey G. Mendoza and Jocelyn E. dela Vega aims to screen and analyze the bioactive components in the two plants to identify their potential antibacterial properties against staphylococcus aureus and streptococcus pyogenes species.

An expected outcome of the study – which is under drug discovery and development – is to combine the flowering plants’ identified antimicrobial properties with other herbal plants to produce a topical treatment for bacterial skin infections. Marigold and lantana are widely-available in Baguio City and in the Benguet Province and are known to be used for at-home remedies. Due to the plants’ accessibility, the research also proposes product development to serve as an alternative to other commercialized topical products.

The grant is part of the CRHRDC’s program to fund studies that are aligned with the Cordillera Regional Unified Health Research Agenda 2017-2020 and the National Unified Health Research Agenda of the Philippines 2017-2020 which “promotes investment in health research in the country” through the National Health Research System and the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Health Research and Development.

View UC's Publication

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