Recent Advances In Herbal Drug Research And Therapy

Traditional systems of medicine are fast emerging as viable alternatives to modern medical science. Further, in recent years the emphasis on botanicals as source for drug discovery and development has been realized globally. Added to this, the safer profile of herbal drugs combined with their low costs make them ideal targets for newer drugs. As in the modern system of medicine, viz. allopathy, herbal drugs form an inseparable part of the management of various disorders. The concept of scientific validation of the basis of traditional uses of herbal medicines has given birth to a new concept of reverse pharmacology, and interactions between traditional and modern systems of medicine are being increasingly encouraged. Recent Trends in Herbal Drug Research and Therapy showcases some of these crucial and emerging issues relating to herbal drugs. This compilation is a judicious combination of research and conventional aspects on the subject of herbal drugs, their pharmacology and therapeutic applications. Some very relevant general and systemic pharmacological as well as toxicological aspects have been highlighted by some of the leading experts in this field. The book will be of interest to students, scientists, teachers and other health professionals in the area of pharmacology, toxicology and allied health sciences. Spread in 26 chapters the book broadly focuses on: * Standardization and quality control of herbal drugs * Regulatory issues like ethics and pharmacovigilance with herbals * Clinical research with herbal drugs * Herbogenomics * Herb-drug interactions * Potential therapeutics uses of herbal drugs focusing on various systemic disorders of cardiorespiratory, endocrinal, neuropsychiatric gastrointestinal systems and cancer * Herbal drugs and environmental toxicology

The purpose of this book is to discuss several medicinal plants to find wider application in the domain of medicinal, clinical, and pharmaceutical treatment. Recent Advances in Plant-Based, Traditional, and Natural Medicines serves as a useful source of ideas and an inspiration for further cell and molecular biology research toward developing drugs and treatments from these traditional and plant-based remedies. The book covers a variety of topics and: • Considers the current state of research of traditional and plant-based medicines • Covers the current status of ethnomedicine and medicinal plant discovery • Presents the clinical applications of traditional and plant-based medicines

This book highlights the latest international research on different aspects of medicinal plants and fungi. Studies over the last decade have demonstrated that bioactive compounds isolated from medicinal fungi have promising antitumor, cardiovascular, immunomodulatory, anti-allergic, anti-diabetic, and hepatoprotective properties. In the light of these studies, the book includes chapters (mostly review articles) by eminent researchers from twelve countries across the globe working in different disciplines of medicinal plants and fungi. It discusses topics such as the prevention of major neurodegenerative and neurotoxic mechanisms by Centella asiatica; the medicinal properties and therapeutic applications of several mushrooms species found in different parts of the world; and fungal endophytes as a source of bioactive metabolites including anticancer and cardioprotective agents. There are also chapters on strategies for identifying bioactive secondary metabolites of fungal origin; the use of genomic information to explore the biotechnological potential of medicinal mushrooms; and solid state fermentation of agro-industrial and forestry residues for the production of medicinal mushrooms. It is a valuable resource for the researchers, professionals and students working in the area of medicinal plants and fungi.

Since ancient times, plants have been used as a prime natural source of alternative medicines and have played an important role in our lives. The old tradition of medicinal plant application has turned into a highly profitable business in the global market, resulting in the release of a large number of herbal products. People have tried to find different sources of medicines to alleviate pain and cure different illnesses. Due to severe constraints of synthetic drugs and the increasing contraindications of their usage, there is a growing interest world over in the usage of natural products based on medicinal herbs, hence, there is an ever expanding market of herbs and herbal based medicinal preparations all over the world. This has culminated into an exponential increase in number of research groups in different geographical locations and generation of volume of research data in the field in a short span of time. The path breaking advancement in research methods and interdisciplinary approaches is giving birth to newer perspectives. Therefore, it becomes imperative to keep pace with the advancement in research and development in the field of medicinal herbs. There are a large number of researchers in different parts of the world working on various aspects of medicinal plants and ‘herbal medicines’. The idea is to bring their recent research work into light in the form of a book. The proposed book contains chapters by the eminent researchers in different countries and working with different disciplines of medicinal plants. Articles pertain to different disciplines such as: 1. Resources and conservation of medicinal plants 2. Biosynthesis and metabolic engineering of medicinal plants 3. Tissue culture, propagation and bioreactor technology of medicinal plants 4. Phytochemical research on medicinal plants 5. Herbal medicines and plant-derived agents in cancer prevention and therapy 6. Herbal medicines and plant-derived agents in metabolic syndrome management 7. Herbal medicines and plant-derived agents in modulation of immune-related disorders 8. Herbal medicines and hepatotoxicity The book will prove itself an asset for the researchers, professionals and also students in the area of medicinal plants and mechanism of their action.

The global popularity of herbal supplements and the promise they hold in treating various disease states has caused an unprecedented interest in understanding the molecular basis of the biological activity of traditional remedies. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects focuses on presenting current scientific evidence of biomolecular ef

Novel drug delivery systems cover the approaches, formulation, technologies, and modes for transporting any pharmaceutical compound throughout the body to safely get the desired effect. A growing area of research is the use of herbal formulations for disease therapy. In combining these two areas of research, that of novel drug delivery systems and that of herbal formulations, the usefulness of herbs is not only proved but its future applications and effectiveness are studied. The move towards herbal-based novel drug delivery systems can benefit society in a multitude of advantageous ways. Enhancing the Therapeutic Efficacy of Herbal Formulations discusses and explores the ways of preparing herbal formulations loaded in novel drug delivery systems and the resultant improvement in efficacy of the effected drugs/herbs already available on the market. The chapters will highlight traditional and herbal formulations, the effects of novel drug delivery systems on herbal formulations, and the safe and effective preparation and effects of herbal formulations as a therapeutic intervention. This book is ideal for pharmacists, doctors, and researchers specializing in herbal therapeutics, along with practitioners, researchers, academicians, and students interested in how herbal-based novel drug delivery systems can benefit society.

The emergence of new infectious, chronic and drug resistant diseases have prompted scientists to look towards medicinal plants as agents for treatment and prevention. This book provides an interphase between ethnomedical and ethnobotanical approaches to new drug discovery and advances in biotechnology and molecular science that has made it increasingly feasible to transform traditional medicines into modern drugs. These novel approaches also raise new issues and the volume explores economic, ethical and policy considerations of drug development based on indigenous knowledge or traditional medicine. This work also features standardization and development of phytomedicines for major therapeutic indications, including emerging infectious diseases affecting developing and developed countries. The publication provides state-of-the-art information on the most innovative science, the research, the industry, the market, and the future of ethnomedicine and drug discovery.

Chinmedomics: The Integration of Serum Pharmacochemistry and Metabolomics to Elucidate the Scientific Value of Traditional Chinese Medicine uses new experimental techniques and research to open doors in drug discovery and development related to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This book features a unique approach that combines chemometric analysis with metabolomics studies to illuminate significant changes that have occurred in syndrome states while simultaneously analyzing the efficacy of chemical ingredients in herbal medicines. Chapters provide cutting-edge information on traditional medicine, analytical technology, natural products, metabolomics, bioinformatics and their applications. This book provides a valuable resource for pharmacologists, pharmaceutical scientists, medicinal plant researchers, pharmacognosists and chemists working with TCM and highlights ways to further research and advances in this area in the future. Presents a practical guide for new practitioners of Chinmedomics with insights on the current use and future development of this method Each chapter includes an introduction, method, references to the latest literature, possible mechanisms of action and applications Edited by the leading experts of research related to Chinmedomics