pharmacology of medicinal plants and natural products

S108
S. A. DAHANUKAR et al.,
of Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) and Atomic Absorption
Spectroscopy (AAS). The elements Mn, Na,
Cl, Al, Cu, Pb, Ni, Cr, Cd, Fe, Ca, Zn and Hg were
found to be present in different plants in various proportions
264 .
23. Modern correlates for standardisation
An attempt has been made by Uchil et al 265 to develop
a battery of standardization tests using modern
technology for commonly used organometallic
preparations (bhasmas) and compare them with the
Ayurvedic tests. Seven preparations of copper
bhasma manufactured by different companies were
screened using both the methods. The results revealed
that only 3 preparations could fulfil at least 3
of 4 criteria as described in Ayurvedic textbooks.
However, all of them differ with respect to particle
size, bulk densities, copper content and presence of
chemical groups and complexes when tested using
modern correlates. None of them showed presence
of elemental copper. These data reveal the necessity
of development of modern correlates for standardisation
of Ayurvedic formulation to add precision
to quality control, to detect false claims and adulteration
and to predict their adverse drug reactions.
24. Conclusion
We see a definite change in the pattern of research
on medicinal plants. Our findings are listed below :
There is a growing interest in correlating phytochemical
constituents of a plant with its pharmacological
activity 266,267 . Scientists have even started correlating
the botanical properties of plants with their pharmacological
activity as seen from the work on by
Rawat et al 146 . In future, more co-ordinated multidimensional
research aimed at correlating botanical
and phytochemical properties to specific pharmacological
activities is expected.
In terms of pharmacological activity, more attention
has been paid to CNS-active, cytoprotective,
immunomodulators and chemotherapeutic plant
products. Nutraceutics have opened up an entirely
new field for exploration and, in the near future, dietary
modulation of diseases may emerge as an alternative
mode of therapy. At the same time a decreasing
trend has been noticed towards evaluation
of plants for their effects on the autonomic nervous
system or fertility control.
With the advances in cellular biology, a shift towards
studying changes in cytosolic enzyme activities, DNA
patterns and genetic control has been observed
rather than concentrating merely on the gross effects
induced by the plant drugs,
In addition to the proper utilization of technological
advances, a logical interpretation of the codified language
of traditional medicine also becomes a necessity
in order to further promote research in this
field. The work done on rasayana group of plants 211
is a good example of the above statement. Here, the
authors have attempted to interprete the word
‘rasayana’ in modern scientific terminology and have
taken into consideration the advocated uses for this
group of plants as per Ayurvedic textbooks while designing
their research protocol. This understanding
triggered the subsequent research work that was
aimed at evaluating the immunostimulant potential
of the rasayana group of plants and now, we have
indigenous immunostimulants available, at affordable
rates, in the Indian market.
However, there is a flip side too:
Very few articles published in the last 5 years have
provided adequate information on the procedures
adapted by the researchers for quality assurance of
the plant products. Any publication related to phytopharmacology
should ideally provide data on the
authentication and standardisation of the plant products.
Not all the research areas selected by the scientists
were relevant to needs of our country. Infections like
tuberculosis, malaria, diarrhoea, AIDS and malnutrition
are some of the major problems of our country.
However, these areas have not been extensively explored.
Majority of the drugs are at the experimental stage
and have to still undergo clinical trials. In 1982,
Dr.Satyavati had expressed need for well planned
clinical studies. 16 years later, the status has not
changed. There is still a paucity of clinical studies
which are carried out in randomized, controlled, double
blind manner.
Today, concurrent consumption of drugs from different
disciplies is a common finding. Very few studies,
however, address the problem of drug interactions,
if any. In view of this, two studies documenting