Ethnobotanical Leaflets 11: 195-198.
2007. Herbal
Medicine–Dream Unresolved Dr. Amritpal
Singh Herbal Consultant Ind
Swift Ltd, Issued Herbal Medicine is defined as branch of science in which plant based formulations are used to alleviate the diseases. It is also known as botanical medicine or phytomedicine. Lately phytotherapy has been introduced as more accurate synonym of herbal or botanical medicine. Recently, treatment of diseases with herbal medicine has been addressed as phytopharmacotherapy. Moreover, herbal medicinal products have been included lately in dietary supplements. Early in the twenty century herbal medicine was a prime healthcare system as antibiotics or analgesics were not available. With the development of allopathic systems of medicine, herbal medicine gradually lost its popularity among people and it was based on the fast therapeutic actions of synthetic drugs. Almost a century has passed and we have witnessed limitations of allopathic systems of medicine. Lately herbal medicine has gained momentum and it is evident from the fact that certain herbal remedies peaked at par with synthetic drugs. Keeping in mind the rapid pace of research and development in herbal medicine, it has become an interdisciplinary science. If we look at a scientific monograph of a medicinal plant, it can be concluded that knowledge of Alternative and Complementary Systems of Medicines like Ayurveda, botany, pharmacognosy and phytochemistry, biochemistry, ethno pharmacology and toxicology is integral part of herbal medicine. Recently we have witnessed explosive growth of herbal drug industry.
Data and meta-analysis have shown that more and more people are consulting
herbal practitioners. Its cheering that the World
Health Organization has also identified importance of herbal medicine.
According to a study from Several authors have reported favorable results with herbal drugs (mostly in form of extracts) either in animal or in human studies. Ginkgo biloba L., Echinacea purpurea L., Hypericum perforatum L. and Cimcifuga racemosa (L.) Nutt., were subjected to clinical trials. Some studies reported usefulness of these herbal drugs. On the other hand some trials reported failure of the same drugs. Several studies reported lack of efficacy of Echinacea in the treatment of common cold. This drug once upon a time was popular treatment for common cold but soon it vanished from the stores. Same was the fate of Ginkgo biloba (used for tinnitus and amnesia) and Cimicifuga racemosa (used for hot flashes). Hypericum perforatum
was, however, an exception. In 1787, clinical studies were done on this plant
and the majority of these showed that this plant was effective in the
treatment of mild to moderate depression. In It is difficult to understand why studies done prior to 2000 never reported serious drug interactions with Hypericum perforatum. Following that year, there were endless reports of drug interactions between Hypericum perforatum and synthetic drugs. These types of studies (either authentic or vague) only created confusion, if somebody is interested in herbal prescription. Silybum marianum
L., the reputed hepatoprotective, has remained a
golden standard in the treated of liver ailments. Several years have passed
but status of this herbal drug remains unquestioned. In Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine are two important system of medicines largely based on medicinal plants. It is needless to say that Traditional Chinese Medicine is most developed system among Complementary and Alternative therapies. Comprehensive research has been done on phytochemical and pharmacological aspects of medicinal plants used in formulations. Commiphora mukul (gugul) has been widely used as anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic agent in Ayurveda. Several animal studies have reported anti-inflammatory activity of guguulsterones, the active constituents. Lately clinical trials have proved efficacy of Commiphora mukul in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The other side of the Commiphora mukul story was
that guggulsterones were reported to inhibit
cholesterol synthesis in the liver via antagonism to the farsenoid
X receptor and the bile-acid receptor. Several clinical studies again
demonstrated the usefulness of standardized extract of Commiphora mukul (guggulipid) in treating high levels of blood
cholesterol. It was only in 1987 when standardized extract of Commiphora mukul was
marketed in This was not end of the story. In
a recent study, guggulsterone activated nuclear
receptors (estrogen receptor a, pregnane X
receptor, and progesterone receptor). The study also showed
that activation of pregnane receptor by guggulsterone led to induction of CYP3A genes in vitro.
In Herbal drugs are significant source of hepatoprotective drugs. Mono and poly-herbal preparations have been used in various liver disorders. According to one estimate, more than 700 mono and poly-herbal preparations in the form of decoction, tincture, tablets and capsules from more than 100 plants are in clinical use. Surprisingly, several studies have appeared in journals addressing hepatotoxic potential of herbal drugs. These studies suggest that the drugs that were claimed to be hepatoprotective, are actually hepatotoxic. We have addressed
certain herbal drugs in this article. Initially a number of pre-clinical
studies appear indicating the efficacy in animal models. Not many clinical
studies have been done on herbal drugs. The manufactures have to depend on
initial findings to develop herbal products. Literature supporting the herbal
products is also based on animal findings. When an herbal product first
appears on the market, it’s not uncommon for studies of an adverse nature to
appear in journals, thereby ending the commercial life of the product. This
may be attributed to lack of clinical studies with herbal drugs. Keeping in mind
the latest trends in herbal drugs, there is need for making forums and discussion
groups among researchers and physicians. Complete studies should be done on
reputed herbal drugs and then they should enter the market. This will not
eliminate the uncertainty among physicians who are at stake while prescribing
herbal drugs. FDA and WHO should ensure that bogus agenda against herbal
drugs is not addressed. A blueprint indicating clinically efficacious herbal
drugs should be prepared. In To conclude it may
be said that herbal drugs have provided us with potent weapons like atropine,
codeine, taxol, vincristine
and vinblastine. In the modern scenario, diseases
are becoming drug-resistant and scientists are studying possible roles of
plant based drugs for screening life saving drugs. The herbal system of
medicine is a full fledged system of medicine and it can not be ruled out as
quackery. Backing up this system is the fact that ancient findings and
documentation have through the centuries provided us with leads on the
development of life-saving drugs. |