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Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Anti-Ageing Agent In Kacip Fatimah

UTM Discovers Anti-Ageing Agent In Kacip Fatimah


KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 8 (Bernama) -- An anti-ageing agent, which stimulates collagen production and acts as an antioxidant, has been found in the leaves of the kacip fatimah, a herbal plant, by researchers from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM).


UTM vice-chancellor Datuk Ir Dr Zaini Ujang said the researchers also managed to extract certain chemical substances from the leaves which could make skin fairer by curbing the production of melanin (biological pigment that gives skin its natural colour) as well as treat the effects of the skin's over-exposure to the sun.

"All this while, kacip fatimah is more known as a booster for women's health, but our research has now found it to be effective in skin care," he told a press conference, here, today.

He said the research was the result a collaborative effort between UTM's Faculty of Chemical Engineering professor, Dr Mohamad Roji Sarmidi, and Korea's Dongguk University's Chemistry and Biochemical Department professor, Dr Chan Seo Park, since 2007.

"Dongguk University was chosen as it has an efficacy research laboratory to conduct tests and this is not available in Malaysia. Such a lab is important for producing cosmetic products," he added.

Prof Mohamad Roji said the kacip fatimah extract did not contain any toxic substance and suitable for the human skin.

"The extract was tested in the research lab on the human skin cells and found to be effective in delaying skin ageing and also safe for the skin," he revealed.

Meanwhile, Prof Chan said Dongguk University was keen to cooperate with UTM as kacip fatimah was such a unique herbal remedy widely used by Malaysian women for centuries to improve health, especially reproductive health.

He said the antioxidant in the kacip fatimah leaf extract was found to be more effective than many other skin-beautifying products.

"We will bring our research findings to the International Cosmetic Festival in Yokohama, Japan in March," he said, adding that they believed some of the well-known international cosmetic companies would be interested in the kacip fatimah extract for their cosmetic products.

Source: Bernama Online, January 8th, 2009