1. Pharmacog Module V: QualityStandards
The shift towards acceptance of herbal medicine as alternative/complementary therapy esp. in cases
of prolonged uses raises:
The demand of herbal medicines in the market.
This increasing demand leads to shortage of raw material
This ultimately causes safety concerns.
Authentication of production practices hinders adulteration or substitution. Therefore, a compelling need
for development a quality assurance parameter(s).
Standardization is a set of essential protocols required for the establishment of pharmacognostical
standards, chemical profile and biological activity for the maintenance of overall quality of product right
from starting material up to formulation development.
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5. Factors affecting the quality of herbal drugs
Complex nature of phytochemicals, which are responsible for holistic
pharmacological response.
Active principle(s) is generally unknown/uncertainty of active principle(s)
Absence of a wide range of major-minor compounds
Shortage of standard fingerprints of phytochemicals to record/analyse efficacy
within different batches.
Associated natural variability inherited with plants in wild and non-wild varieties.
Variability in spectrum of pharmacological potential of species grown naturally
vs. chemo varieties/cultivars.
Variability in quality of the raw material, its source of origin, etc.
