Botanical drugs: challenges and opportunities: contribution to Linnaeus Memorial Symposium 2007

摘要: Plants have been a source of therapeutic agents for more than 5000 years. Approximately 25% the modern medications are developed from plants. Botanical drugs, simply defined as clinically validated pharmaceuticals plant origin, typically contain multi-component composition derived herbal practices. An obvious advantage botanical drugs is their history use and hence, that window has already understood through experience. Following vigorous scientific validation appropriate regulatory procedures, some ancient remedies may prove to be useful in mitigating certain ailments (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, metabolic syndrome, etc.) where contemporary therapies often lack desired effectiveness. Such complementary approach received tremendous attention among medical professionals, governmental agencies general public across world. A few recently approved prescriptions USA Europe, albeit topical application, opened opportunity terms passages West. One major challenges we face standardization biological materials natural sources. New technologies modernize traditional herbs into mainstream pharmaceutical products being evaluated with ultimate goal maximizing opportunities overcoming challenges.