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 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.

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

Priority research is undertaken in the following areas: Natural Products,Natural Products, Medicinal Chemistry and Organic 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 resources is one of the key activities of the Institute.The development of human resources is one of the key activities of the Institute. CRI has initiated a numberCRI has initiated a number of education and academic training programs in specialized areas.  Post-graduate education  Training courses  Seminars, 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. 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:  Curcuma longa, commonly known as tumeric, but also called curcumin in Thailand,  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.

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: Green Health Technology  Gas Chromatography of soil and water for contaminating pesticides.

CRI laboratories: Green Health Technology AP 1 AP 3 AP 4 Chromatograms of A. paniculata product  Thin Layer Chromatography and other techniques to 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. 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

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

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. 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. Green Health Technology