Philippe Rasoanaivo, Malagasy plant chemist and ethnobotanist (Ouest Ambohijanahary 13 August 1946 – Antananarivo 13 July 2016)

Authored over 150 research articles and more than 70 book chapters and entries

Made huge contributions in ethnobotany based drugs and phytomedicines, discovering  several bioactive compounds

Authored studies on hazolava, traditional plant in his native country, important for treating psychiatric and sleep disorders, convulsions and male sexual dysfunction

Discovered a novel malaria chemo-sensitizing alkaloid named malagashanine

Discovered some novel tropane alkaloids that reverse the multi-drug resistance of cancer cells

His research on the wound-healing properties of Ilex mitis (Aquifoliaceae) gave rise to extract of trade name Fanaferol (1975)

Studied alkaloids from Strychnos myrtoides (Loganiaceae) as an adjuvant therapy to chloroquine 

SOME OTHER DISCOVERIES

With T. Fossen, A. Yahorau, S. Yahorava et al. New polyfunctional phragmalin limonoids from Neobeguea mahafalensis. Planta Med. 82(11-2):1087-95, 2016

With M. Bourjot, P. Leyssen, C. Eydoux et al. Flacourtosides A-F, phenolic glycosides isolated from Flacourtia ramontchi. J. Nat. Prod. 75(4):752-8, 2012

With M. Carraz, A. Jossang, J.F. Franetich et al. A plant-derived morphinan as a novel lead compound active against malaria liver stages. Plos Med. 3(12), 2006

PATENTS

With J.E.S. Wikberg, B. Rasolondratovo & S.R. Andriantiaran. Novel compounds and pharmaceutical preparations from Neobeguea species. WO2008145996 A3 (2007) & US20100247593 A1  

With D. Mazier, M. Carraz, J.F. Franetich, A. Jossang, R. Joyeau & F. Di Frappier. Alkaloid compounds and their use as anti-malarial drugs WO2005103008 A1 (2004) & EP1747200 B8

With M. Carraz, A. Jossang, J.F. Franetich, R. Joyeau & D. Mazier. Alkaloids for treatment of malaria. EP04291055 (2004) 

With F. Di Frappier, S.R. Ratsimamanga & A.F. Trigalo. Composes derivees d’alcaloides et leur utilisation dans le traitment de malaria et cancer. WO2003095459 A3 (2002)

With S.R. Ratsimammanga, A.R. Ratsimamanga,  K. Cheuk, H.C. Rabemanantsoa, J. Becquart, J. Provost & D. Reisdorf. Preparation and therapeutic uses of plants and plant extracts in the Hylocereus genus WO2005094856

With S.R. Ratsimammanga, A.R. Ratsimamanga, J. Leboul, J. Provost & D. Reisdorf. Mixtures which can be isolated from Eugenia jambolana Lamarck seeds, their preparation and the use of these mixtures and some of their constituents as medicaments 20020051828 (2002)

With S.R. Ratsimammanga, A.R. Ratsimamanga,  J. Leboul, J. Provost & D. Reisdorf. Mixtures derived from grains of Eugenia jambolana Lamarck preparation and use of said mixtures and some of their constituents as medicaments 5972342 (1999) & 6194412 (2001)

With S.R. Ratsimammanga, A.R. Ratsimamanga,  J. Leboul, J. Provost & D. Reisdorf. Sodium oxamate for the treatment of diabetic conditions 6300375 (2001)

HONOURS

Sven Brohult Award, International Foundation for Science, Sweden (2001)

AAMPS Award, International Foundation for Science, Sweden (2008)