Medicinal plants are a vital source of new bioactive compounds due to their ecological biodiversity and varied chemical properties of each species. Phenotypic selection coupled with the evaluation of genotypes based on the chemical profile can be used for the development of a high-yielding variety. However, most of the raw material that has been used for commercial production of herbal products is mainly derived from wild sources, with little knowledge of the quality of genetic materials. Thus, three medicinal species, Chromolaena odorata (Siam weed), Andrographis paniculata (Creat), and Baeckea frutescens (False ru), were chosen based on their significant benefits to human health. These medicinal species have been traditionally used to treat various illnesses, and have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. This paper highlights the harvesting method and collection of accessions from natural habitats for the selection of superior genotypes. Individual plants having superior phenotypic characteristics and bioactive compounds were identified. We successfully developed appropriate propagation techniques for each species for the mass production of high-yielding planting material. The establishment of breeding activities for these medicinal plants will provide quality raw materials to support the herbal industry in increasing the value of pharmaceutical products. These efforts will also ensure the sustainable production of high-quality planting materials for the establishment of herbal plantations.

Labisia pumila or locally known as Kacip Fatimah of the family Myrsinaceae is one of the popular herbal species in Malaysia. The leaves or the whole plant are being traditionally used to treat women internal problem and health. Other medicinal uses of the plant are as a treatment for dysentery, flatulence, dysmenorrhoea and gonorrhoea. The increasing demand of the plants for those usages has lead to the over-exploitation in the wild and might endanger the species if no conservation activities are being carried out. Beside the danger of extinction, the species also experience severe genetic loss and shortage of raw materials. Realizing to this, Plant Improvement Programme of Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) has taken an initiative to ex-situ conserve the species through the establishment of germplasm and development of breeding strategy. The purpose is to avoid extinction of the species and to produce high quality planting materials for commercial production. This paper discusses the collection, selection, propagation and establishment of clonal bank/germplasm of the species. It is anticipated that with the initiative, the sustainability of the species can be ensured to support the industries demand in the future.

Labisia pumila, locally known in Malaysia as Kacip Fatimah, is highly-prized for its phenols. Phenolic compounds in L. pumila has numerous pharmacological properties such as having anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer potential. The production of phenolic contents in plants is influence by various factor, including abiotic factors such as soil properties. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the effects of different combinations of growing media on the growth and total phenolic content in L. pumila leaves. Six combinations of growing media were used, each using different types of compost that had differing amounts of L. pumila leaves. The plants were grown in all media for a period of six months at FRIM’s nursery. Besides growth performance, the total phenolic content was also determined, six months after planting. There was no significant difference in growth parameters for all treatments, with the exception of control (significantly lower than all treatments). However, the total phenolic content of Treatment 1 (80.6 mg GAE/g) was significantly higher than all other treatments. This can be attributed to the properties of Compost 1 (which was in the growth media of Treatment 1), as it had the highest pH (5.26), the highest potassium concentration (0.7%) and high nitrogen concentrations (1.32%). The composition of Compost 1 was 5 kg dry leaves + 500 g dry Kacip Fatimah + Slow Release Fertilizer (SRF). Results from this study showed that growing media is a key factor that leads to significant increment in phenolic compounds in L. pumila.