DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACOGNOSY - BOTANY

2024-06-05 12:23:16

I. Introduction to the Department of Pharmacognosy – Botany

The Department of Pharmacognosy – Botany is tasked with providing pharmacy students with knowledge in plant anatomy, plant classification, and methods for identifying the scientific names of plants. It also covers methods for testing medicinal herbs through microscopic structure analysis; knowledge on the origins, phytochemical compositions, testing methods, effects, and uses of medicinal herbs; and scientific methods for researching phytochemical compounds and quality control of medicinal herbs. In addition, the department conducts scientific research aimed at developing drugs from medicinal herbs.

After six years of development, the department has graduated three cohorts of students, totaling over 75 university-level pharmacists specializing in drug development and production.

Facilities: The department is equipped with one laboratory (60 square meters) featuring modern equipment for learning and research, such as rotary evaporators, incubators, freezers, water distillers, ultrasonic baths, UV-VIS spectrophotometers, centrifuges, and shared equipment in other laboratories like HPLC systems and infrared spectrometers.

1. Department name

• Vietnamese: Bộ môn Dược liệu – Thực vật
• English: Department of Pharmacognosy – Botany

2. Contact information

• Email: bmdltv@medvnu.edu.vn
• Address: Administrative Building YA1, Hải Thượng Lãn Ông Street, VNU-HCM Urban District, Đông Hòa Ward, Dĩ An City, Bình Dương; Laboratory: Room 404, Building C, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City.

II. Formation and development process

• The Department of Pharmacognosy – Botany was established according to Decision No. 246/QĐ-KY on organizational matters on December 5, 2017, by the University of Health Sciences, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City.
• Since August 1, 2023, Dr. Vo Thanh Hoa has held the position of Acting Deputy Head of the Department. Currently, the department has 4 lecturers (2 PhDs, 2 Masters); 1 teaching assistant, and 1 technician..

III. Areas of teaching and research

1. Responsible for implementing the teaching of courses

• Recognition of Medicinal Herbs (Semester 1): Practical (1 credit).
• Medicinal Botany (Semester 2): Theory (2 credits); Practical (1 credit).
• Pharmacognosy 1 (Semester 6): Theory (2 credits); Practical (1 credit).
• Pharmacognosy 2 (Semester 7): Theory (2 credits); Practical (1 credit).
• Drug Production from Medicinal Herbs (Semester 8): Theory (2 credits).
• Traditional Medicine (Semester 7): Theory (2 credits).
• Specialized Pharmaceutical Science Practice (Semester 9): Internship (8 credits).
• Supervision of Undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD Students.

2. Scientific research

• Plant Research: anatomy, morphology, and classification.
• Extraction and isolation of active compounds from medicinal herbs
• Pharmacological research: anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects of medicinal herbs and isolated compounds.

IV. Leadership of the department through various periods

From August 2023 to present: Dr. Vo Thanh Hoa, Acting Deputy Head of the Department

V. Functions and responsibilities

1. Functions

• Conduct training for Pharmacy students: teach courses on Recognition of Medicinal Herbs, Medicinal Botany, Pharmacognosy, Drug Production from Medicinal Herbs, and Traditional Medicine.
• Provide students with foundational to advanced knowledge and skills in the research and development of drugs from medicinal herbs.
• Prepare students to effectively apply their knowledge and skills in related professional subjects.
• Organize scientific and technological research activities: Carry out research activities aligned with the specialization in Botany and Pharmacognosy.
• Manage department staff and participate in student education and training.

2. Responsibilities

• Advise and contribute to the development and innovation of training programs: provide recommendations and feedback for the improvement and modernization of the curriculum.
• Teach theoretical and practical courses: conduct lectures and practical sessions for courses such as Recognition of Medicinal Herbs, Medicinal Botany, Pharmacognosy 1 and 2, Drug Production from Medicinal Herbs, and Traditional Medicine.
• Organize and lead research projects: propose, register, and lead scientific research projects aligned with the specialization in Botany and Pharmacognosy.
• Guide students in rraduation theses and scientific research: supervise and mentor students in completing their graduation theses and engaging in scientific research activities.
• Participate in curriculum development: contribute to the compilation of textbooks, course outlines, the innovation of training programs, and the creation of exam question banks.
• Engage in examination and quality assurance: participate in examination activities and ensure the quality of education and training programs.
• Other duties assigned by the dean of the University of Health Sciences: perform additional tasks as assigned by the Dean.

VI. Department personnel

1. Department personnel list

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MSc. Pharm. Bui Nguyen Bien Thuy (updating)
LLKH (updating)

MSc. Ha Thi Thuy (updating)
LLKH (updating)

Pharm. Tran Thi Kha Uyen (updating)
LLKH (updating)

LLKH (updating)

VII. Scientific research 

1. List of domestic publications

1. Nguyễn Văn Hoàng, Huỳnh Trần Quốc Dũng, Võ Thanh Hóa, Ngô Thị Xuân Mai, Phạm Thái Trọng Nhân, Nguyễn Minh Cang, Nguyễn Minh Đức. Isolation and Establishment of the Standard Substance Epimedin C from the Medicinal Herb Epimedium (Herpa Epidermii), Ho Chi Minh City Medicine, 2017, 21 (1), 388-395.
2. Nguyễn Văn Hoàng, Huỳnh Trần Quốc Dũng, Võ Thanh Hóa, Ngô Thị Xuân Mai, Phạm Thái Trọng Nhân, Nguyễn Minh Cang, Nguyễn Minh Đức. Isolation and Establishment of the Standard Substance Icariin from the Medicinal Herb Epimedium (Herpa Epidermii), Ho Chi Minh City Medicine, 2017, 21 (1), 402-407.
3. Võ Thanh Hóa, Nguyễn Minh Đức. Isolation and Establishment of the Standard Substance Afzelin from Medicinal Herbs, Ho Chi Minh City Medicine, 2018, 22 (1), 402-407.
4. Võ Thanh Hóa, Nguyễn Thị Tường Vy, Huỳnh Thanh Tuấn, Đỗ Đức Minh, Lê Kiều Minh, Nguyễn Đức Hạnh. Chemical Composition Survey of the Medicinal Herb Ngải trắng Cultivated in An Giang, Ho Chi Minh City Medicine, 2018, 22 (1), 298-306.
5. Đỗ Đức Minh, Võ Thanh Hóa, Huỳnh Trường Huê, Lê Kiều Minh, Nguyễn Đức Hạnh, Huỳnh Thanh Tuấn. Identification of the Medicinal Herb Ngải trắng (Curcuma aromatic) Using Gene Sequencing Method, Ho Chi Minh City Medicine, 2018, 22 (2), 34-39.
6. Nguyễn Đăng Khoa, Nguyễn Đức Hạnh, Võ Thanh Hóa, Đỗ Quang Dương, Đỗ Đức Minh, Huỳnh Thanh Tuấn. Study of Causal Relationships and Optimization of the Extraction Process of Ngải trắng, Pharmaceutical Journal, 2018, 8(9), 45-86.
7. Lê Thị Ngọc Anh, Nguyễn Đức Hạnh, Võ Thanh Hóa. Establishment and Validation of Simultaneous Quantification Process for Curdion and Germacron in Ngải trắng Extract, Pharmaceutical Journal, 2018, 508, 37-41.
8. Võ Thanh Hóa, Lê Nữ Huỳnh Như, Nguyễn Thị Quỳnh Trang, Nguyễn Đức Hạnh. Establishment of Quantification Process for Zedoarondiol in the Medicinal Herb Ngải trắng (Rhizoma Curcumae aromaticae) Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography, Ho Chi Minh City Medicine, 2019, 23 (2), 249-255.
9. Võ Thanh Hóa, Lê Nữ Huỳnh Như, Huỳnh Thanh Tuấn, Đỗ Đức Minh, Lê Thị Kiều Minh, Huỳnh Trường Huê, Nguyễn Đức Hạnh. Establishment of Simultaneous Quantification Process for Curdion and Germacron in the Medicinal Herb Ngải trắng (Rhizoma Curcumae aromaticae) Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography, Ho Chi Minh City Medicine, 2019, 23 (2), 256-264.
10. Lê Thị Ngọc Anh, Võ Thanh Hóa, Nguyễn Đức Hạnh. Research on the Formulation of Soft Capsules from Ngải trắng, Ho Chi Minh City Medicine, 2019, 23 (2), 265-271.
11. Nguyễn Đức Hạnh, Nguyễn Đăng Khoa, Võ Thanh Hóa. Establishment and Validation of Quantification Process for Zedoarondiol in Spray-Dried Ngải trắng Extract, Pharmaceutical Journal, 2019, 8, 23-27.
12. Nguyễn Đức Hạnh, Lê Thị Ngọc Anh, Võ Thanh Hóa. Simultaneous Quantification of Curdion and Germacron in Soft Capsules of Ngải trắng, Pharmaceutical Journal, 2020, 3, 38-43.
13. Trần Văn Toàn, Võ Thanh Hóa, Nguyễn Đức Hạnh. Improvement of Properties of Ngải trắng Dry Extract Using Spray Drying for Direct Compression, Ho Chi Minh City Medicine, 2020, 24 (2), 193-200.
14. Phạm Ngọc Thạc, Huỳnh Trần Quốc Dũng, Võ Thanh Hóa, Nguyễn Đức Hạnh. Isolation of Asperulosidic Acid and Identification of the Medicinal Herb Noni in the Herbal Formula for Treating Spinal Degeneration by Physician Nguyễn Thiện Chung, Pharmaceutical Journal, 2021, 20, 90-96.

2. List of international publications

1. Vo Thanh Hoa, Bui Thi Thu Huong, Do Quang Duong, Nguyen Duc Hanh. Cause-effect relations and optimization of tablet containing Eucommia ulmoides and Gardenia jasminoides spray-dried extracts. Internationl journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Scinences 2018, 19 (7), 33-40.
2. Po-Yen Chen, Chih-Chao Chang, Hui-Chi Huang, Li-Jie Zhang, Chia-Ching Liaw, Yu-Chi Lin, Nham-Linh Nguyen, Thanh-Hoa Vo, Yung-Yi Cheng, Susan L. Morris-Natschke , Kuo-Hsiung Lee, Yao-Haur Kuo. New Dammarane-Type Saponins from Gynostemma pentaphyllum. Molecules 2019, 24, p 1375. 
3. Duc Minh Do, Thanh Hoa Vo, Duc Hanh Nguyen, Kieu Minh Le, Truong Hue Huynh, Thi Do Quyen Le, Thanh Tuan Huynh. Identification of Curcuma aromatica growing in Vietnam and its potential anticancer components. MedPharRes 2019, 3, 12-18. 
4. Thanh-Hoa Vo, Ching-Kuo Lee, Yao-Haur Kuo. LC-MS guided the efficient isolation of afzelin and quercitrin from herbal plants. Planta medica 2019, 85, 1386–1590.
5. Nham-Linh Nguyen, Thanh-Hoa Vo, Yu-Chi Lin, Chia-Ching Liaw, Zhi-Hu Lin, Mei-Chuan Chen, and Yao-Haur Kuo. Bioassay-Guided Isolation and HPLC Quantification of Antiproliferative Metabolites from Stahlianthus thorelii. Molecules 2020, 25, 551.
6. Nham-Linh Nguyen, Thanh-Hoa Vo, Yu-Chi Lin, Chia-Ching Liaw, Mei-Kuang Lu, Jing-Jy Cheng, Mei-Chuan Chen, Yao-Haur Kuo. Arenarosides A-G, polyhydroxylated oleanane-type saponins from Polycarpaea arenaria and their cytotoxic and antiangiogenic activities. Journal of Natural Products 2021, 84(2), 259-267.
7. Thanh-Hoa Vo, Yu-Chi Lin, Chia-Ching Liaw, Wen-Pin Pan, Jing-Jy Cheng, Ching-Kuo Lee, Yao-Haur Kuo. Triterpene glycosides and phenylpropane derivatives from Staurogyne concinnula possessing anti-angiogenic activity. Phytochemistry 2021, 184, 142666.
8. Thanh-Hoa Vo, Chia-Ching Liaw, Yu-Chi Lin, Duc Hanh Nguyen, Thi Tuyet Nhung Nguyen, Ching-Kuo Lee, Yao-Haur Ku. Quantification and optimization of ethanolic extract containing the bioactive flavonoids from Millettia pulchra Radix. Molecules 2021, 26(12), 3641.
9. Hsieh TH, Liang ML, Zheng JH, Lin YC, Yang YC, Vo TH, Liou JP, Yen Y, Chen CH. Combining an Autophagy Inhibitor, MPT0L145, with Abemaciclib Is a New Therapeutic Strategy in GBM Treatment. Cancers 2021, 13(23), 6117
10. Dang-Khoa Nguyen, Ta-Wei Liu, Su-Jung Hsu, Quoc-Dung Tran Huynh, Truc-Ly Thi Duong, Man-Hsiu Chu, Yun-Han Wang, Thanh-Hoa Vo, Ching-Kuo Lee. Xanthine oxidase inhibition study of isolated secondary metabolites from Dolichandrone spathacea (Bignoniaceae): In vitro and in silico approach. Saudi Pharm J. 2024 Apr;32(4):101980.
11. Truc-Ly Thi Duong, Ta-Wei Liu, Quoc-Dung Tran Huynh, Dang-Khoa Nguyen, Yun-Han Wang, Man-Hsiu Chu, Thanh-Hoa Vo, Su-Jung Hsu, Ching-Kuo Lee. Rapid identification of natural acetylcholinesterase inhibitors from Glycosmis parviflora stem utilizing dereplication, in vitro and in silico approach. Arabian Journal of Chemistry 2024 17(6), 105811.
12. Nguyen, B. V. G., Nguyen, H. H. N., Vo, T. H., Le, M. T., Tran-Nguyen, V. K., Vu, T. T., & Nguyen, P. V. (2023). Prevalence and drug susceptibility of clinical Candida species in nasopharyngeal cancer patients in Vietnam. One health (Amsterdam, Netherlands), 18, 100659.
13. Huyen Thi Tran, Nadine Kretschmer, Loi Huynh, Rudolf Bauer. Cytotoxicity of Carvotacetones from Sphaeranthus africanus Against Cancer Cells and Their Potential to Induce Apoptosis. Planta Medica 2023, 1, 1439-022.
14. Huyen Thi Tran, Julia Solnier, EvaMaria PferschyWenzig, Olaf Kunert, Liam Martin, Sanjib Bhakta, Loi Huynh, Tri Minh Le, Rudolf Bauer, Franz Bucar. Antimicrobial and Efflux Pump Inhibitory Activity of Carvotacetones from Sphaeranthus africanus Against Mycobacteria. Antibiotics 2020. 2079-6382.
15. Huyen Thi Tran, Xuehong Gao, Nadine Kretschmer, Eva-Maria PferschyWenzig, Pia Raab, Teresa Pirker, Veronika Temml, Daniela Schuster, Olaf Kunert, Loi Huynh, Rudolf Bauer. Anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative compounds from Sphaeranthus africanus. Phytomedicine 2019. 0975-0185.
16. Huyen Thi Tran, Pferschy-Wenzig, E.-M., Kretschmer, N., Kunert, O., Huynh, L., Bauer, R., 2018. Antiproliferative Carvotacetones from Sphaeranthus africanus. Journal of Natural Products 81, 1829-1834.

3. List of Approved Scientific Research Projects