Page 41 - Pharmacognosy-II (06-PG 303)

of these several constituents, so, the herbal drug act as a whole.

Several herbal drugs and their natural products have been used for a long time and thoroughly
evaluated for safety and efficacy, but the majority of herbs have not been fully evaluated and need
further recent studies and evaluation {this may be due to ecologic and genetic factors (radiations,
mutation, etc….)}.

In addition, the patient should receive doses with equal strength; therefore, standardized methods
should be documented to test for the purity, authenticity, chemical characteristics, and also for
measuring the potency of the herbal drug.

Modern chemical and spectral as well as chromatographic procedures using for molecular
characterization of individual pharmacologically active component, as well as recent pharmacological
and clinical studies have greatly facilitated the methodology to solve these problems. But, this may
need enormous costs and time (up to 12 years) to fully evaluate them.

All these reasons coupled with the strong consumer movement to maintain the freedom of choice in
self- medication, monopoly, and race and family habit, led to the DSHEA (Dietary Supplement and
Health Education Act). This law defined herbal products, vitamins, minerals and amino acids as
Dietary Supplements. Acupuncture, diet, homeopathy, hypnosis, massage, etc.., are defined as
Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (CAM).

Important Remarks:

- One should rely on phyto-medicine with recent proven efficacy (after renewed clinical studies).

- One should rely on pure herbals. This is because there have been some unusual toxicities reported
with commercial herbal products due to:

1. Contamination with poisonous plants.

2. Foreign toxic substances (not of plant origin).
3. Purposeful adulteration with synthetic drugs by the addition of analgesics, anti-

inflammatory (cortisones, etc..), tranquillizers, etc… to add more action to the herbal.

- One must keep in mind dose levels and duration of use (acute or delayed toxicities may develop).

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