On April 2nd, 2013 the Office for the Protection of New Varieties of Plant – the Department of Crop Production (the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) officially approved the clear differences (scientific basis) among Crinum latifolium L. studied by Dr. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Tram for Crila production and other Crinum plants in Vietnam. Can you make brief explanation of this significant result?
To choose the right Crinum latifolium L. plant and avoid the confusion with other Crinum plants in Vietnam, I have researched the genetic polymorphism of 7 varieties of Crinum plants in Vietnam since 1990. Next, I have studied their chemical composition and found that one of 7 these varieties (photo) contains antitumor alkaloids and flavonoids different from the others which are also called Crinum latifolium L. in Vietnam. Based on the studies of botanical characteristics, genetic distinction (DNA) and chemical composition, we can affirm that the Crinum latifolium L. plant used to produce Crila capsule is a novel variety of Crinum latifolium L. in Vietnam, named Crinum latifolium L. var. crilae Tram & Khanh, var. n, belonging to Amaryllidaceae family.
In order for the plant which has been detected and cultivated to be officially accepted as a new variety, at first we have published an article ‘Crinum latifolium L. var. crilae Tram & Khanh, var. n – a novel variety of Crinum latifolium L. in Vietnam, belonging to Amaryllidaceae family’ on Journal of Biology, 34 issue 2 (June 2012). To help people and other manufacturers realize the differences among Crinum latifolium L. var. crilae Tram & Khanh, var. n and other Crinum plants in Vietnam, Prof. Dr. in Science Tran Cong Khanh published another article ‘Crinum latifolium L. var. crilae Tram & Khanh, var. n – a novel variety of Crinum latifolium L.’ on Medicines and Health News Issue 467 (Jan 1, 2013). After that, I have sent the Department of Crop Production – the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development a pack of document to register the protection of new variety of plant, associated with scientific materials for the demonstration of differences among Crinum latifolium L. var. crilae Tram & Khanh, var. n and other Crinum plants. From that, the Department of Crop Production replied an announcement for the acceptance of her application under Official Document No. 716/TB-TT-VPBH dated April 2nd, 2013 with the copyright of Dr. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Tram.
As we know, once the name Crinum latifolium L. var. crilae Tram & Khanh is officially accepted, other businesses or individuals can’t cite or use any Dr. Tram’s research results for their products or as scientific basis to make products from Crinum latifolium L. At the same time, they can’t cultivate or develop Crinum latifolium L. var. crilae Tram & Khanh without her permission. Is it really significant, especially in this competitive pharmaceutical market, not just in Vietnam nowadays?
I discovered a variety of Crinum latifolium L. in Vietnam, then started to study it in order to manufacture Crila, Crilin and Crinum latifolium L. teabag. Crila is a medicine for uterine fibroids and BPH formulated from Crinum latifolium L. var. crilae Tram & Khanh leaves while Crilin is from its leaves and flowers and teabag is totally from the leaves. These 3 products are manufactured from Crinum latifolium L. var. crilae Tram & Khanh, which has been researched and selected based on the studies of botanical characteristics, genetic distinction (DNA). Thien Duoc Co., Ltd has conducted the cultivation and collection of this medicinal plant under Good Agriculture and Collection Practices for medicinal plants as recommended by World Health Organization (GACP-WHO), as well as the production under GMP-WHO criterion. Therefore, Crila, Crilin and Crinum latifolium L. are safe to patients. At present, many supplements by other manufacturers on the market which haven’t been researched may do harm to consumers’ health. The registration of plant protection helps patients understand that our products are made from Crinum latifolium L. var. crilae Tram & Khanh, quite different from others so-called Crinum latifolium L. in Vietnam. Other companies can’t use our results to register new medicines from Crinum latifolium L. If they like to manufacture a new medicine, it must be undergone clinical trials since their input medicinal materials aren’t our plant. Hence, it won’t be accepted as medicine and licensed for circulation by Drug Administration. At the same time, registration of plant protection can publish and protect the copyright of the discoverer of new variety of Crinum latifolium L. in Vietnam. If any businesses like to cultivate this new plant, they must be permitted by the author in order for consumers to differentiate medicinal Crinum latifolium L. var. crilae Tram & Khanh from other Crinum plants.
Your co-workers to research on Crinum latifolium L. var. crilae Tram & Khanh have created a study model, standardized and developed Vietnamese medicinal plants to penetrate in international market. This brought many awards and merits from the Government, the Ministry of Health and many other reputed organizations. However, a scientific product only has real vitality in case of affirming its own significances in real life. What have you and your co-workers done to help Crila become the top choice for patients with uterine fibroids and BPH? What has Thien Duoc Co., Ltd done to respond the campaign ‘The Vietnamese give priority to use Vietnamese medicines’ by the Ministry of Health?
To help Crila become the top choice for patients with uterine fibroids and BPH, we have transmitted messages in order for the community to know Crila through TV channels and newspapers. My co-workers and I have published our research results on some famous journals and channels specializing in medicine and biology. In Vietnam, we have already published 8 papers including Journal of Pharmacy Issue 8 (2000), Journal of Pharmacy Issue 2 (2001), Journal of Pharmacy Issue 11 (2001), Journal of Pharmacy Issue 5 (2008), Journal of Pharmacy Issue 4 (2011), Journal of Pharmacy Issue 5 (2013), Journal of Pharmacy Issue 6 (2013) and Journal of Biology. In addition, our research work has been reported 9 papers on foreign journal including Z. Naturforsch, J. Essent. Oil Res., Fitoterapia, Experimental Pathology and Parasitology 1999, Experimental Pathology and Parasitology 2001, International Immunopharmacology, National Congress of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology with International Participation, Scientica pharmaceutica, Journal of Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research. Thien Duoc Co., Ltd also established a websitewww.thienduoc.com and published products’ information on some pages including www.thuocbietduoc.com.vn, www.suckhoedoisong.vn and vnexpress.net. Some well-known channels and news in America have made a report on Dr. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Tram such as Healing Quest or San Jose Mercury News. In order to respond the campaign ‘The Vietnamese gives priority to use Vietnamese medicines’ by the Ministry of Health, Thien Duoc Co., Ltd is the silver sponsor for the program ‘Vietnamese medicines’ held on Feb 27th, 2013 at HCMC Municipal Theatre chaired by the Minister of Health – Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Tien.
