The inaugural function of Webinar series on Progress and promises In Chemical Sciences-PPCS2020  (Virtual conference organized by Department of Chemistry)by Dr. K. V. Radhakrishnan (CSIR-NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram-695019, Kerala, India

Date: 27/01/2020
Venue: Council Room, Central Block
Time: 9.30 am – 11.30 am

The inauguration of the 1st webinar series “Progress and Promises in Chemical Sciences”, initiated by the Department of Chemistry of Christ (Deemed to be University) was held on 27th January 2020. The inaugural session of the webinar was chaired by Dr. K.V Radhakrishnan, Head, Department of Organic Chemistry, CSIR-NIIST, Trivandrum, Dr. Fr Abraham VM, Vice-Chancellor, Christ (Deemed to Be University) and Dr. Anitha Varghese, Head, Department of Chemistry, Christ (Deemed to be University). The program opened with the welcome address by Dr. Anitha Varghese followed by the presidential address by the vice-chancellor on the vast usage of chemistry in day to day life and the importance of research and conferences in an institution.
Dr. Ajesh Vijayan introduced the speaker of the session, Dr K.V Radhakrishnan. The lecture was on the topic-“Hymn of herbs-searching for panaceas from western ghats”. The lecture started with a wide variety of flora and fauna found in the western ghats making it a biological hotspot recognized by UNESCO and other esteemed organizations. It has also found a place in ancient Latin literature named ‘Hortus Malabarcious’ (Garden of Malabar) written by Van Rheede during the year of 1678-1693. It was translated by Padmashree K.S Manilal to English. Although all this information was highly motivating and inspiring, the fact that this ancient knowledge of medicinal plants and biodiversity is depleting and becoming less and less familiar with passing years is a pressurizing issue. It has become necessary to spread knowledge and revive traditional knowledge.

Keeping this in mind, the branch of Phytochemistry was brought into play. It is a multidisciplinary subject and in India, it is explored with the collaboration with the MSSRF-community of agrobiodiversity, Wayanad. It was followed by a briefing about the Phytochemistry activity conducted at CSIR-NIIST. The process contains the following steps: chemo-profiling of different families of plants, a repository of phytomolecules, bio-screening of extracts, synthetic modification of active phytomolecules, scientific validation of ayurvedic drugs, promotive and preventive health care through nutraceuticals and functional foods. It majorly focuses on new drug combinations derived from ayurvedic/traditional healing practices or new dosages from pre-existing classical drugs. The phytochemistry unit at NIIST has screened about 40 families and 95 species of plants. A few families were discussed at great lengths.  He discussed about the toxicity and medicinal uses of the compounds that had been isolated from various families like Myristicaceae, Asteraceae, Nyctaginaceae, Vitacea, Moracea, Dilleniaceae, etc. He ended his lecture by giving us an insight into the preliminary studies that are required in developing antibodies.
The session ended after the few questions asked by the audience to Dr. K.V Radhakrishnan were answered. Dr. Anitha Varghese presented the token of appreciation and a vote of thanks was extended by Amrita Panigrahi.