UTM DISCOVERS ANTI-AGEING AGENT IN KACIP FATIMAH

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 9 (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 is the largest engineering-based university located at the southern tip
of Peninsular Malaysia.

UTM vice-chancellor 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, Thursday.

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.

-- BERNAMA