Report : 1st International Seminar on Medicinal Plants, 2008

Prof. Dr. Ismat Naeem (Link Coordinator and Organiser)

Amongst many academic activities, now a hallmark of a comparatively new and budding Lahore College for Women University under the dynamic leadership of its Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Bushra Mateen, one which created special interest and wider participation was an International Seminar on Medicinal Plants held on 21-23 May 2008. The seminar was part of the activities proposed under a link established for research on ‘medicinal plants’ between Organic Section of Department of Chemistry, Lahore College for Women University and School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, UK under HEC-BC sponsored Link phase II projects. When a plant is designated as ‘medicinal’ it implies that it is useful as a therapeutic agent or an active ingredient for a medicinal preparation. Interest in the exploitation of medicinal and aromatic plants as pharmaceuticals, herbal remedies, flavorings, perfumes and cosmetics, and other natural products has greatly increased in the recent years. A WHO study reveals that around 90% of the world population in the developing world relies on herbal remedies for their basic healthcare needs as an affordable alternate source to costly modern medicine. In Pakistan too there is a growing interest in exploration of indigenous medicinal plants as an alternative source of medicine. The interest of students in medicinal plants chemistry (Phytochemistry) can be gauged by the number of students (12) currently doing PhD research in Organic Section of Department of Chemistry. The main objective of holding this International seminar was to interact and exchange the research findings on medicinal plants for the mutual benefit and collaboration. A large number of researchers from Universities of Karachi, Jamshoro, Faisalabad, Balochistan, Kohat, Peshawar, Azad Kashmir, Islamabad, Iran, India, Bangla Desh and UK opted to participate by oral and poster presentations on the applications of medicinal plants which were the theme of the seminar. Prof. Dr. Bushra Mateen made it a point to attend the seminar due to her keen interest active research in the topic immediately after a very hectic foreign tour. Professor Dr. Iqbal Choudhry, the eminent scientist and natural product researcher and acting Director of International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry and Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, University of Karachi was the chief guest and he also delivered a very informative keynote address on ‘Science at the Interface of Chemistry and Biology’. Our guest of honor Prof. Dr. Vaqaruddin Ahmad also from the same institute was a beacon of light to natural product researchers. He not only chaired two technical sessions but also delivered a key note lecture on isolation and structure elucidation of novel glycosides. Professor Dr. Mohammad Nawaz, Vice Chancellor of UVAS gave us the honor of embracing the occasion hy his presence and delivered a very informative and thought provoking keynote address on use of medicinal plants. The other two technical sessions were chaired by eminent scholars like Prof. M. Akram Kashmiri Dean of faculty of Sciences GCU and Mrs. Rakhshinda Nawaz, Head of Department of Chemistry, LCWU. The concluding session was chaired by our guest of honor Prof. Dr. Javed Akram, Head Department of Medicine, King Edward Medical University who also gave away the awards to participants and resource persons. The last day, 23 May started with the inauguration of Prem Madan Herbarium by Prof. Dr. Zaheer ud Din, Chairperson, Botany Department, Govt. College University Lahore which currently has a data bank of about 2000 specimen of plants, herbs and shrubs, some even collected by reverend professor of Botany Miss Prem Madan herself. After inauguration the delegates were taken to visit the Historical Asif Jah Havaili to have a look on our cultural heritage. All the activities came to an end on a very pleasant note with a Gala dinner at Riwaj.