September 4, 2026: The National Biodiversity Centre (NBC) hosted a presentation by students from the Royal Society for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (RSSTEM), showcasing their pioneering work in phytochemical profiling of Bhutanese medicinal species. The collaboration, which has spanned over six months, reflects Bhutan’s growing commitment to harnessing its rich biodiversity for natural product and biopharmaceutical discovery.
Building on RSSTEM’s earlier cross-referencing of Bhutanese flora with FDA and EMA-approved pharmaceuticals, the students prioritized Podophyllum hexandrum and Artemisia bhutanica for their pharmaceutical relevance, alignment with Sowa Rigpa (Bhutanese traditional medicine), and their status as native Himalayan species. To broaden the scope into fungal natural products, two medicinal mushrooms Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) and mulberry mushroom (Tropicoporus linteus) were also profiled.
The presentation highlighted key laboratory workflows carried out at NBC’s Bioprospecting Laboratory:
· Podophyllum hexandrum: HPLC analysis confirmed the presence of podophyllotoxin, a valuable anticancer precursor. Quantification revealed roots contains more podophyllotoxin than fruits. It demonstrates that Bhutan’s potential as a source of high-value pharmaceutical compounds.
· Artemisia bhutanica: Method optimization for artemisinin detection is ongoing, with reference standards acquired and chromatographic conditions under refinement.
- Medicinal Mushrooms: Profiling of Hericium erinaceus and Tropicoporus linteus expands Bhutan’s research frontier into fungal metabolites with potential neuroprotective and immunomodulatory properties.
The session concluded with constructive feedback from NBC, aimed at refining the students’ work before its formal presentation to their Office. The event also highlighted the importance of bridging traditional knowledge with modern science to unlock Bhutan’s biological wealth for sustainable innovation.
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