The Hindu Business Line : Call to exploit herbal technology potential

EXPERTS at a seminar have stressed the need for a continuous dialogue between the herbal and the biotechnological community to fully exploit the potential of herbal technology in the country.

The world market for herbal drugs is dominated by China, the UK, Germany, the US and Switzerland among others. However, India remains on the fringe with only 2.3 per cent share. This scenario can be changed, if modern science and technology is used for validation of herbal drugs in India, they said.

Referring to a paper submitted at the recently concluded global ayurveda seminar by the scientists of the Tropical Botanical Garden Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram, they pointed out that in herbal technology Indians needs to emulate their performance in information technology. "What we need is a vision, imaginative thinking and sustained and determined effort in a fast track mode to survive in a highly competitive environment," they added.

Building a golden triangle between traditional medicines, modern medicine and modern science will herald a new era in Indian herbal technology, they said.

Over the past decade, molecular biology has witnessed an information revolution as a result of automated and computerised analysis of DNA and protein sequences and x-ray crystallographic determination of the three dimensional structure of proteins. The availability of new investigative tools including generally modified mouse models of human diseases has resulted in a clearer understanding of the molecular mechanisms of many important human diseases such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, neuro degenerative diseases etc.

New understanding of molecular mechanisms of disease leads to search for new methods of prevention as well as new targets for therapy, they said.

Detailed efficacy tests are to be carried out in animals and this may be followed by clinical trials. In the 1960s, standard screening assays and efficacy determination for potential drugs consisted of injecting test materials into experimental animals and watching changes in physiological, bio-chemical and behavioural parameters. Therapeutic values of drugs are evaluated in animals experimentally made sick.

Based on the experimental wisdom, the paper pointed out that Charaka, Susrutha and Vagbhata provided descriptions of 700 herbal drugs with their properties and clinical effects and grouped them into 50 categories such as appetizers, digestive stimulants, laxatives, promotion of longevity etc. There is tremendous opportunity to interpret actions of these drugs in terms of current knowledge of molecular pharmacology.