Research into herbal remedies in Malaysia has received a major boost with a world-renowned scientist agreeing to lend his expertise.

Dr James E. Rothman, a biochemist-cum-cell biologist whose exploits gained him a Nobel Prize for Chemistry/Biology nomination last year, will spearhead a RM375mil (S$155 million) effort to set up a herbal extraction plant in Malacca this year.

The American will take up the post as chairman of newly set up Malaysian HerbalScience Inc Sdn Bhd which is in the process of acquiring Florida-based Herbal Science Group (HSG).

The Yale University professor, who chairs HSG's science advisory panel, said he was excited as Malaysia had 15,000 species of plants "offering chemistries that had never been vigorously assessed."

"Herbal medicines are special compared to synthetic ones because they contain many chemicals.

"There is great potential in botanical drugs in curing diseases like diabetes.

"And Malaysia has the technology to produce consistent extracts, quantify the products and also understand how the mechanism works," he said in an interview during a visit here.

Rothman, who has won countless international science awards, said the day would come when herbal remedies would be prescribed by doctors.

"You will not have to go to the pharmacy and look out for the small corner where herbal supplements are usually stored.

"Not too long into the future, you will be going to the prescription counter and the doctor would be prescribing herbal drugs," he added.

HerbalScience Inc business adviser Sulaiman Mohktar said the company had contacted Felda to provide plant seed stocks by bulk for herbal extraction purposes.

"Our farmers will also benefit from this venture as they will be suppliers of seed stocks," he added.