Medicinal plants are natural sources of drugs used to cure various disorders of mankind. These serve as reliable medicine because of the presence of various biochemical substances. Herbal drugs gained fame in health care all over the world, especially in developing countries as these are locally accessible, economical and are having lesser side effects. But the natural origin may not be a sign of their safety. A limited number of available evidences indicate that adverse effects associated with herbal drugs are fewer. They may cause severe effects on the vital organs of human body chiefly because of self - medication. There is also an inadequate data available for most of the herbal medicines revealing their toxicology, safety and efficacy.
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These plants have also a great contribution in the progress of human civilizations throughout the world [1]. Over 90, 000 plants out of 2, 50,000 higher plant species present on our planet earth have recognized medicinal uses in different cultures and countries, exclusive of having conducted ample research amongst various indigenous and other communities [2]. Traditionally all medicinal preparations whether in the simple form of plant parts or in the more complex form of crude extracts, mixtures, etc were derived from plants. At present a considerable number of drugs are prepared from plants which are used to cure various diseases [3]. Most of these involve the isolation of the biochemical ingredients found in a particular medicinal plant and its subsequent modification. Globally the estimate of medicinal plant species range from 35, 000 - 50, 000 species and out of this about 4000 - 6000 species have entered the world market of medicinal plants [4]. In the developed countries, 25% of the medical drugs are based on plants and their derivatives and the use of medicinal plants is familiar among the indigenous people in rural areas of various developing countries …show more content…
However, scientific studies on efficacy and safety of some medicinal plants indicated that there are many phytochemicals that have toxic effects. It should be noted that the medicinal plants used in herbal medicines contain xenobiotic agents, i.e., sub¬stances foreign to the human body, and as such, their biotransformation products can be potentially toxic. In addition to the immediate effects, which are readily cor¬related with their intake, effects that are established in the long-term may be asymptomatic, but can lead to a severe clinical picture, sometimes fatal
These plants have also a great contribution in the progress of human civilizations throughout the world [1]. Over 90, 000 plants out of 2, 50,000 higher plant species present on our planet earth have recognized medicinal uses in different cultures and countries, exclusive of having conducted ample research amongst various indigenous and other communities [2]. Traditionally all medicinal preparations whether in the simple form of plant parts or in the more complex form of crude extracts, mixtures, etc were derived from plants. At present a considerable number of drugs are prepared from plants which are used to cure various diseases [3]. Most of these involve the isolation of the biochemical ingredients found in a particular medicinal plant and its subsequent modification. Globally the estimate of medicinal plant species range from 35, 000 - 50, 000 species and out of this about 4000 - 6000 species have entered the world market of medicinal plants [4]. In the developed countries, 25% of the medical drugs are based on plants and their derivatives and the use of medicinal plants is familiar among the indigenous people in rural areas of various developing countries …show more content…
However, scientific studies on efficacy and safety of some medicinal plants indicated that there are many phytochemicals that have toxic effects. It should be noted that the medicinal plants used in herbal medicines contain xenobiotic agents, i.e., sub¬stances foreign to the human body, and as such, their biotransformation products can be potentially toxic. In addition to the immediate effects, which are readily cor¬related with their intake, effects that are established in the long-term may be asymptomatic, but can lead to a severe clinical picture, sometimes fatal