National Scientist Alfredo C. Santos "Father of Natural Products Research"

Dr. Alfreo C. Santos worked on the chemical components of local herbal plants for their medicinal properties.

He isolated and characterized these chemicals called alkaloids which has healing effects. For his worked on alkaloids plants, he was conferred as National Scientist in 1978 by the Philippine President.

He was born in Sto. Tomas, Pampanga on August 15, 1900. He finished his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Chemistry in the University of the Philippines. He graduated his doctorate degree in Pharmacy in the University of Santo Tomas.

He studied the chemistry of medicinal plants in the philippines particularly alkaloids. Alkalois is one of the most poisonous medicines. One of his studies is the alkaloid from kalimatas, a small tree native to Philippine Forest. In folk medicine, the water in the bark of kalamitas is treatment for sore eyes and this alkaloid  called phaeanthine. In 1931, he won the Anacleto del Rosario gold medal.

Furthermore, the phaeanthine shown to include lowering of blood pressure and mosquito control as well as it was also found other activities such as anti tubercular and anti inflammatory. Dr. Santos also isolated alkaloids from the other plants such as susong kalabaw and anonas. He believes that anonas fruit can stop diarrhea and dysentry.

In 1952, he was awarded  as "Outstanding Pharmacist Researcher" by Philippine Pharmaceutical Association.In 1957 from the UP Alumni Association awards him the "Distinguished Alumni Award". In 1974, the Philippine Assocoation for the Advancement of Science granted him the "Most Outstanding Scientist Award. In 1954, President Ramon Magsaysay awards the Service Medal and Diploma of Merit. In 1978, Dr. Santos was selected as the first members of the National Academy of Science and Technology. In July 10, 1978, he was conferred the rank o the National Scientist by the President Ferdinand E. Marcos for his significant contributions in phytochemistry.

He passed away in year of 1990.
 
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