Herbal Drug Technology
Herbs as Raw Materials: Definition of herb, herbal medicine, herbal medicinal product and herbal drug preparation, source of herbs, selection, identification and authentication of herbal materials, processing of herbal raw material.
Herbal Excipients : Herbal Excipients – Significance of substances of natural origin as excipients, – colorants, sweeteners, binders, diluents, viscosity builders, dis-integrants, flavors & perfumes.
Herbal Formulations: Stages involved in herbal formulations, Orthodox formulations and methods of delivery of herbal extracts, Novel formulations of herbal extracts.
Ethnobotany and Ethnopharmacology-Approaches of Traditional Medicine Studies, Traditional use & management of medicinal plants in Asian countries, Application of Ethnobotany to community conservation and medicinal plant resource management
Ashwagandha is one of the most common herb which is used in several products. So in this ppt we are going to share the important health benefits of ashwagandha with which one can use ashwagandha properly. In order to get best usage of ashwagandha then follow the tips as mentioned in Ppt.
Ethnobotany and Ethnopharmacology-Approaches of Traditional Medicine Studies, Traditional use & management of medicinal plants in Asian countries, Application of Ethnobotany to community conservation and medicinal plant resource management
Ashwagandha is one of the most common herb which is used in several products. So in this ppt we are going to share the important health benefits of ashwagandha with which one can use ashwagandha properly. In order to get best usage of ashwagandha then follow the tips as mentioned in Ppt.
Herbs as Health Foods| Pharmacognosy | Pharmacy | Assignment.pdfMd. Shakil Sarker
Herbs as Health Foods| Pharmacognosy | Pharmacy.
List of some herbs as health foods:
Alfalfa, Apricot pits, Ginkgo biloba, Spirulina, Arnica, Garlic, Onion, Ginseng, Fenugreek, Sassafras, Honey.
Prepared by
Md. Shakil Sarker
Student
Department of Pharmacy
Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University
Santosh, Tangail-1902
Plants Drug Cultivation:
General introduction to importance pharmacognosy.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
Current good agricultural practices.
Current good cultivation practices
Current good collection practices.
Conservation of medicinal plants-Ex-situ & In-situ conservation of medicinal plants.
The Umbelliferae family is named after the shape of its flowers, which are called umbels.
The umbels are unique in their floral uniformity
These distinctive umbrella shaped blooms are attractive in arrangements and loved by numerous beneficial insects.
They pollinate freely which allow it to increase its natural distribution.
Seed dispersal occurs through wind.
CONIUM
CARUM
FENNEL
CORRIANDER
ASAFOETIDA
Classification of Crude Drugs. HARMACognosy & Phytochemistry-I (BP405T)Unit-I...Ms. Pooja Bhandare
Classification of Crude Drugs.PHARMACognosy & Phytochemistry-I (BP405T)Unit-I Part-2.
A method of classification should be:
a) simple,
b) easy to use, and
c) free from confusion and ambiguities.
TYPES OF CLASSIFICATION.
1.Alphabetical classification
2.Taxonomical classification
3.Morphological classification
4.Pharmacological classification
5.Chemical classification
6.Chemotaxonomical classification
7. Serotaxanomical Classification
Unit I Herbal Drug Technology BP603T
Herbs as raw materials
Definition of herb, herbal medicine, herbal medicinal product, herbal drug preparation
Source of Herbs
Selection, identification and authentication of herbal materials
Processing of herbal raw material
Biodynamic Agriculture
Good agricultural practices in cultivation of medicinal plants including Organic farming. Pest and Pest management in medicinal plants: Biopesticides/Bioinsecticides.
Indian Systems of Medicine
a) Basic principles involved in Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homeopathy
b) Preparation and standardization of Ayurvedic formulations viz Aristas and Asawas, Ghutika,Churna, Lehya and Bhasma.
Nutraceuticals
General aspects, Market, growth, scope and types of products available in the market. Health
benefits and role of Nutraceuticals in ailments like Diabetes, CVS diseases, Cancer, Irritable
bowel syndrome and various Gastro intestinal diseases. Study of following herbs as health food: Alfaalfa, Chicory, Ginger, Fenugreek, Garlic, Honey, Amla, Ginseng, Ashwagandha, Spirulina
Herbal-Drug and Herb-Food Interactions: General introduction to interaction and
classification. Study of following drugs and their possible side effects and interactions:
Hypercium, kava-kava, Ginkobiloba, Ginseng, Garlic, Pepper & Ephedra.Herbal Cosmetics
Sources and description of raw materials of herbal origin used via, fixed oils, waxes, gums
colours, perfumes, protective agents, bleaching agents, antioxidants in products such as skin
care, hair care and oral hygiene products.
Herbal excipients:
Herbal Excipients – Significance of substances of natural origin as excipients – colorants, sweeteners, binders, diluents, viscosity builders, disintegrants, flavors & perfumes. Herbal formulations :
Conventional herbal formulations like syrups, mixtures and tablets and Novel dosage forms
like phytosomes
Evaluation of Drugs WHO & ICH guidelines for the assessment of herbal drugs
Stability testing of herbal drugs. Patenting and Regulatory requirements of natural products:
a) Definition of the terms: Patent, IPR, Farmers right, Breeder’s right, Bioprospecting and
Biopiracy
b) Patenting aspects of Traditional Knowledge and Natural Products. Case study of Curcuma
& Neem.
Regulatory Issues - Regulations in India (ASU DTAB, ASU DCC), Regulation of
manufacture of ASU drugs - Schedule Z of Drugs & Cosmetics Act for ASU drugs.
General Introduction to Herbal Industry
Herbal drugs industry: Present scope and future prospects. A brief account of plant based industries and institutions involved in work on medicinal and
aromatic plants in India. Schedule T – Good Manufacturing Practice of Indian systems of medicine
Components of GMP (Schedule – T) and its objectives
Infrastructural requirements, working space, storage area, machinery and equipments,
standard operating procedures, health and hygiene, documentation and records.
ITS AN IMPORTANT TOPIC OF PHYTOCHEMISTRY DEALING WITH THE COMPLETE INFORMATION REGARDING THE BIOSYNTHESISI OF WITHANOLIDES AND UMBELLIFERONE WHICH IS VERY USEFUL FOR THE 1 SEM MPHARM STUDENTS OF THE PHARMACOGNOSY DEPARTMENT.
HOPE EVERYONE WILL MAKE USE OF IT TO LEARN WELL
Herbs as Plant Materials : In this video the viewers will come to know about herbs as plant materials. Herbs are flowering plants whose stems grow above ground and are not woody. They have weak and soft stems. They are plants which are known for medicinal value, flower scent, etc. Any plant with leaves, seeds, or flowers used for flavouring, food, medicine, or perfume. Any seed-bearing plant that does not have a woody stem and dies down to the ground after flowering.
•
Portion explained:
1. Herbs as Plant Materials
2. Definition of herbs
3. What is herbal medicine?
4. Herbal Medicine
5. History of Herbal Medicine
6. Modern herbal medicine
7. Herbal preparations
Herbs as Health Foods| Pharmacognosy | Pharmacy | Assignment.pdfMd. Shakil Sarker
Herbs as Health Foods| Pharmacognosy | Pharmacy.
List of some herbs as health foods:
Alfalfa, Apricot pits, Ginkgo biloba, Spirulina, Arnica, Garlic, Onion, Ginseng, Fenugreek, Sassafras, Honey.
Prepared by
Md. Shakil Sarker
Student
Department of Pharmacy
Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University
Santosh, Tangail-1902
Plants Drug Cultivation:
General introduction to importance pharmacognosy.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
Current good agricultural practices.
Current good cultivation practices
Current good collection practices.
Conservation of medicinal plants-Ex-situ & In-situ conservation of medicinal plants.
The Umbelliferae family is named after the shape of its flowers, which are called umbels.
The umbels are unique in their floral uniformity
These distinctive umbrella shaped blooms are attractive in arrangements and loved by numerous beneficial insects.
They pollinate freely which allow it to increase its natural distribution.
Seed dispersal occurs through wind.
CONIUM
CARUM
FENNEL
CORRIANDER
ASAFOETIDA
Classification of Crude Drugs. HARMACognosy & Phytochemistry-I (BP405T)Unit-I...Ms. Pooja Bhandare
Classification of Crude Drugs.PHARMACognosy & Phytochemistry-I (BP405T)Unit-I Part-2.
A method of classification should be:
a) simple,
b) easy to use, and
c) free from confusion and ambiguities.
TYPES OF CLASSIFICATION.
1.Alphabetical classification
2.Taxonomical classification
3.Morphological classification
4.Pharmacological classification
5.Chemical classification
6.Chemotaxonomical classification
7. Serotaxanomical Classification
Unit I Herbal Drug Technology BP603T
Herbs as raw materials
Definition of herb, herbal medicine, herbal medicinal product, herbal drug preparation
Source of Herbs
Selection, identification and authentication of herbal materials
Processing of herbal raw material
Biodynamic Agriculture
Good agricultural practices in cultivation of medicinal plants including Organic farming. Pest and Pest management in medicinal plants: Biopesticides/Bioinsecticides.
Indian Systems of Medicine
a) Basic principles involved in Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homeopathy
b) Preparation and standardization of Ayurvedic formulations viz Aristas and Asawas, Ghutika,Churna, Lehya and Bhasma.
Nutraceuticals
General aspects, Market, growth, scope and types of products available in the market. Health
benefits and role of Nutraceuticals in ailments like Diabetes, CVS diseases, Cancer, Irritable
bowel syndrome and various Gastro intestinal diseases. Study of following herbs as health food: Alfaalfa, Chicory, Ginger, Fenugreek, Garlic, Honey, Amla, Ginseng, Ashwagandha, Spirulina
Herbal-Drug and Herb-Food Interactions: General introduction to interaction and
classification. Study of following drugs and their possible side effects and interactions:
Hypercium, kava-kava, Ginkobiloba, Ginseng, Garlic, Pepper & Ephedra.Herbal Cosmetics
Sources and description of raw materials of herbal origin used via, fixed oils, waxes, gums
colours, perfumes, protective agents, bleaching agents, antioxidants in products such as skin
care, hair care and oral hygiene products.
Herbal excipients:
Herbal Excipients – Significance of substances of natural origin as excipients – colorants, sweeteners, binders, diluents, viscosity builders, disintegrants, flavors & perfumes. Herbal formulations :
Conventional herbal formulations like syrups, mixtures and tablets and Novel dosage forms
like phytosomes
Evaluation of Drugs WHO & ICH guidelines for the assessment of herbal drugs
Stability testing of herbal drugs. Patenting and Regulatory requirements of natural products:
a) Definition of the terms: Patent, IPR, Farmers right, Breeder’s right, Bioprospecting and
Biopiracy
b) Patenting aspects of Traditional Knowledge and Natural Products. Case study of Curcuma
& Neem.
Regulatory Issues - Regulations in India (ASU DTAB, ASU DCC), Regulation of
manufacture of ASU drugs - Schedule Z of Drugs & Cosmetics Act for ASU drugs.
General Introduction to Herbal Industry
Herbal drugs industry: Present scope and future prospects. A brief account of plant based industries and institutions involved in work on medicinal and
aromatic plants in India. Schedule T – Good Manufacturing Practice of Indian systems of medicine
Components of GMP (Schedule – T) and its objectives
Infrastructural requirements, working space, storage area, machinery and equipments,
standard operating procedures, health and hygiene, documentation and records.
ITS AN IMPORTANT TOPIC OF PHYTOCHEMISTRY DEALING WITH THE COMPLETE INFORMATION REGARDING THE BIOSYNTHESISI OF WITHANOLIDES AND UMBELLIFERONE WHICH IS VERY USEFUL FOR THE 1 SEM MPHARM STUDENTS OF THE PHARMACOGNOSY DEPARTMENT.
HOPE EVERYONE WILL MAKE USE OF IT TO LEARN WELL
Herbs as Plant Materials : In this video the viewers will come to know about herbs as plant materials. Herbs are flowering plants whose stems grow above ground and are not woody. They have weak and soft stems. They are plants which are known for medicinal value, flower scent, etc. Any plant with leaves, seeds, or flowers used for flavouring, food, medicine, or perfume. Any seed-bearing plant that does not have a woody stem and dies down to the ground after flowering.
•
Portion explained:
1. Herbs as Plant Materials
2. Definition of herbs
3. What is herbal medicine?
4. Herbal Medicine
5. History of Herbal Medicine
6. Modern herbal medicine
7. Herbal preparations
Introduction to proteomics, techniques to study proteomics such as protein electrophoresis, chromatography and mass spectrometry and protein database analysis, case studies derived from scientific literature including comparisons between healthy and diseased tissues, new approaches to analyse metabolic pathways, comprehensive analysis of protein-protein interactions in different cell types.
Metabolomics-Introduction, metabolism, intermediary metabolism, metabolic pathways, metabolites, metabolome, metabolic turnover, techniques used in metabolomics, metabolite profiling methods, data analysis, metabolomic resources, role of metabolomics in system biology.
Introduction to proteomics, techniques to study proteomics such as protein electrophoresis, chromatography and mass spectrometry and protein database analysis, case studies derived from scientific literature including comparisons between healthy and diseased tissues, new approaches to analyse metabolic pathways, comprehensive analysis of protein-protein interactions in different cell types.
The analysis of global gene expression and transcription factor regulation, global approaches to alternative splicing and its regulation, long noncoding RNAs, gene expression models of signalling pathways, from gene expression to disease phenotypes, introduction to isoform sequencing, systematic and integrative analysis of gene expression to identify feature genes underlying human diseases.
Genome projects
Definition of genome, history of genome projects, whole genome sequencing, Maxam Gilbert sequencing, sanger sequencing, explanation on the first sequenced organisms (Bacteriophage, bacteria, archaeon, virus, bakers yeast, nematode.
Model organism-Arabidopsis thaliana, Mus musculus, Oryza sativa, Pan troglodyte etc.
Human genome project, milestones and significance.
Epigenetics studies stably heritable traits that cannot be explained by changes in DNA sequence.
Covalent modifications in chromatin
DNA- DNA methylation (CpG); hydroxymethylation
Histone - lysine acetylation, lysine and arginine methylation, serine and threonine phosphorylation, and lysine ubiquitination and sumoylation
Epigenetic mechanisms:
Modified histones as post translational modification
DNA methylation – 5mC the 5th base, methyl transferases; genetic imprinting.
Epigenomics: complete set of epigenetic modifications on the genetic material of a cell.
Specific epigenetic regulation
RNA interference
X inactivation (Lyonization)
Genomic imprinting
Epigenetics in development and diseases.
Comparative genomics: Genomic features are compared, evolutionary relationship
The major principle of comparative genomics is that common features of two organisms will often be encoded within the DNA that is evolutionarily conserved between them. orthologous sequences,
Started as soon as the whole genomes of two organisms became available (that is, the genomes of the bacteria Haemophilus influenzae and Mycoplasma genitalium) in 1995, comparative genomics is now a standard component of the analysis of every new genome sequence. comparative genomics studies of small model organisms (for example the model Caenorhabditis elegans and closely related Caenorhabditis briggsae) are of great importance to advance our understanding of general mechanisms of evolution
Computational tools for analyzing sequences and complete genomes. Application of comparative genomics in agriculture and medicine.
Mapping and sequencing genomes: Genetic and physical mapping, Sequencing genomes different strategies, High-throughput sequencing, next-generation sequencing technologies, comparative genomics, population genomics, epigenetics, Human genome project, pharmacogenomics, genomic medicine, applications of genomics to improve public health.
Disorders of liver and kidney, Nitrogen metabolism.pdfshinycthomas
Disorders of liver and kidney – Jaundice, fatty liver, normal and abnormal functions of liver and kidney. Inulin and urea clearance.
Abnormalities of nitrogen metabolism
Lipid metabolism and its disorders.pdfshinycthomas
Disorders of Lipids – Plasma lipoproteins, cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids in health and disease, hyperlipidemia, hyperlipoproteinemia, Gaucher’s disease, Tay-Sach’s and Niemann-Pick disease, ketone bodies.
a) Definition, classification, structure, stereochemistry and reactions of amino acids;
b) Classification of proteins on the basis of solubility and shape, structure, and biological functions. Primary structure - determination of amino acid sequences of proteins, the peptide bond, Ramachandran plot.
c) Secondary structure - weak interactions involved - alpha helix and beta sheet and beta turns structure, Pauling and Corey model for fibrous proteins, Collagen triple helix, and super secondary structures - helix-loop-helix.
d) Tertiary structure - alpha and beta domains. Quaternary structure - structure of haemoglobin, Solid state synthesis of peptides, Protein-Protein interactions, Concept of chaperones.
Nucleic acid-DNA and RNA
Gene-part of DNA
Functions of DNA
RNA-Functions, different types of RNA-Ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), Messenger RNAs (mRNAs), Transfer RNAs (tRNAs)-Other RNA-Small nuclear RNA (snRNA), Micro RNA (miRNA), Small interfering RNA (siRNA), Heterogenous RNA (hnRNA).
Nucleic acid-nucleotides-nucleoside
Components of nucleotide-a nitrogenous (nitrogen-containing) base (pyrimidine and purine), (2) a pentose, and (3) a phosphate
Structure of pentose sugar, and 5 major bases (cytosine, thymine, uracil-pyrimidine bases and adenine, guanine-purine bases).
Deoxyribonucleotides and Ribo nucleotides-Molecular structure of deoxyadenosine monophosphate (dAMP), deoxyguanosine monophosphate (dGMP), deoxythymidine monophosphate (dTMP), deoxycytidine monophosphate (dCMP) and Adenosine monophosphate (AMP), Guanosine monophosphate (GMP), Cytosine monophosphate (CMP) and Uridine monophosphate (UMP), Watson crick base pairing, Hoogsteen base pairing,
Helical structure-Heterocylic N -Glycosides, Syn and Anti Conformers, detailed structure of single strand and double stranded DNA.
DNA Nucleotides and Tautomeric Form-Tautomers of Adenine, Cytosine, Guanine, and Thymine
Template strand, non coding strand and coding strand
Hydrogen bonds, phosphodiester linkage, hydrolysis of DNA and RNA.
Different forms of DNA-A, B, and Z forms.
Palindrome sequence, Linear DNA, Cruciform DNA, H DNA (Triplex DNA), Denaturation of DNA, Hyperchromicity, Tm, Renaturation of DNA, Tertiary structure of DNA, Difference of DNA and RNA, RNA structural elements, primary. secondary and tertiary structure of RNA. Detailed structure and functions of tRNA, mRNA, rRNA, miRNA, siRNA, hn RNA, snRNA.
Nucleic acid hybridization, C0t analysis, Buoyant density of DNA, Isopycnic centrifugation.
Lipids-Introduction, properties and functions.
Classification-Simple lipids, complex lipids and derived lipids.
Lipids contain fatty acid and alcohol.
Saturated and Unsaturated fatty acids. Nomenclature of fatty acids, Cis-trans isomerism, essential fatty acids
Simple lipids-Fats, waxes
Compound lipids-Structure, function with examples of Phospholipids, Glycolipids, sulpholipids and lipoproteins.
Derived lipids: Structure, types, and functions of steroids, terpenes and carotenoids.
Lipoproteins-classified into chylomicrons, very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), low density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and their function.
Eicosanoids-prostanoids, leukotrienes (LTs), and lipoxins (LXs).
Functions of Eicosanoids
Lipids, micelles and liposomes.
Vitamins-Introduction, Water soluble and fat soluble vitamins.
Water soluble vitamins-B complex vitamins: thiamin (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), folate (folic acid), vitamin B12, biotin and pantothenic acid-their source, structure, properties, metabolism, physiological significance, deficiency disease and human requirements.
Fat soluble vitamins: Fat soluble vitamins, Vitamin A, D, E and K and their their source, structure, properties, metabolism, physiological significance, deficiency disease and human requirements.
Vitamin A-Carotene in plants-α-carotenes, β-carotenes and γ-carotenes, 3 forms of vitamin A-Retinol, Retinal, Retinoic acid.
Vitamin D3-cholecalciferol,
Vitamin E -Tocopherol, Vitamin K-Phylloquinone or Anti hemorrhagic Vitamin or Coagulation Vitamin
Slide 1: Title Slide
Extrachromosomal Inheritance
Slide 2: Introduction to Extrachromosomal Inheritance
Definition: Extrachromosomal inheritance refers to the transmission of genetic material that is not found within the nucleus.
Key Components: Involves genes located in mitochondria, chloroplasts, and plasmids.
Slide 3: Mitochondrial Inheritance
Mitochondria: Organelles responsible for energy production.
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA): Circular DNA molecule found in mitochondria.
Inheritance Pattern: Maternally inherited, meaning it is passed from mothers to all their offspring.
Diseases: Examples include Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) and mitochondrial myopathy.
Slide 4: Chloroplast Inheritance
Chloroplasts: Organelles responsible for photosynthesis in plants.
Chloroplast DNA (cpDNA): Circular DNA molecule found in chloroplasts.
Inheritance Pattern: Often maternally inherited in most plants, but can vary in some species.
Examples: Variegation in plants, where leaf color patterns are determined by chloroplast DNA.
Slide 5: Plasmid Inheritance
Plasmids: Small, circular DNA molecules found in bacteria and some eukaryotes.
Features: Can carry antibiotic resistance genes and can be transferred between cells through processes like conjugation.
Significance: Important in biotechnology for gene cloning and genetic engineering.
Slide 6: Mechanisms of Extrachromosomal Inheritance
Non-Mendelian Patterns: Do not follow Mendel’s laws of inheritance.
Cytoplasmic Segregation: During cell division, organelles like mitochondria and chloroplasts are randomly distributed to daughter cells.
Heteroplasmy: Presence of more than one type of organellar genome within a cell, leading to variation in expression.
Slide 7: Examples of Extrachromosomal Inheritance
Four O’clock Plant (Mirabilis jalapa): Shows variegated leaves due to different cpDNA in leaf cells.
Petite Mutants in Yeast: Result from mutations in mitochondrial DNA affecting respiration.
Slide 8: Importance of Extrachromosomal Inheritance
Evolution: Provides insight into the evolution of eukaryotic cells.
Medicine: Understanding mitochondrial inheritance helps in diagnosing and treating mitochondrial diseases.
Agriculture: Chloroplast inheritance can be used in plant breeding and genetic modification.
Slide 9: Recent Research and Advances
Gene Editing: Techniques like CRISPR-Cas9 are being used to edit mitochondrial and chloroplast DNA.
Therapies: Development of mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT) for preventing mitochondrial diseases.
Slide 10: Conclusion
Summary: Extrachromosomal inheritance involves the transmission of genetic material outside the nucleus and plays a crucial role in genetics, medicine, and biotechnology.
Future Directions: Continued research and technological advancements hold promise for new treatments and applications.
Slide 11: Questions and Discussion
Invite Audience: Open the floor for any questions or further discussion on the topic.
Professional air quality monitoring systems provide immediate, on-site data for analysis, compliance, and decision-making.
Monitor common gases, weather parameters, particulates.
Nutraceutical market, scope and growth: Herbal drug technologyLokesh Patil
As consumer awareness of health and wellness rises, the nutraceutical market—which includes goods like functional meals, drinks, and dietary supplements that provide health advantages beyond basic nutrition—is growing significantly. As healthcare expenses rise, the population ages, and people want natural and preventative health solutions more and more, this industry is increasing quickly. Further driving market expansion are product formulation innovations and the use of cutting-edge technology for customized nutrition. With its worldwide reach, the nutraceutical industry is expected to keep growing and provide significant chances for research and investment in a number of categories, including vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and herbal supplements.
The increased availability of biomedical data, particularly in the public domain, offers the opportunity to better understand human health and to develop effective therapeutics for a wide range of unmet medical needs. However, data scientists remain stymied by the fact that data remain hard to find and to productively reuse because data and their metadata i) are wholly inaccessible, ii) are in non-standard or incompatible representations, iii) do not conform to community standards, and iv) have unclear or highly restricted terms and conditions that preclude legitimate reuse. These limitations require a rethink on data can be made machine and AI-ready - the key motivation behind the FAIR Guiding Principles. Concurrently, while recent efforts have explored the use of deep learning to fuse disparate data into predictive models for a wide range of biomedical applications, these models often fail even when the correct answer is already known, and fail to explain individual predictions in terms that data scientists can appreciate. These limitations suggest that new methods to produce practical artificial intelligence are still needed.
In this talk, I will discuss our work in (1) building an integrative knowledge infrastructure to prepare FAIR and "AI-ready" data and services along with (2) neurosymbolic AI methods to improve the quality of predictions and to generate plausible explanations. Attention is given to standards, platforms, and methods to wrangle knowledge into simple, but effective semantic and latent representations, and to make these available into standards-compliant and discoverable interfaces that can be used in model building, validation, and explanation. Our work, and those of others in the field, creates a baseline for building trustworthy and easy to deploy AI models in biomedicine.
Bio
Dr. Michel Dumontier is the Distinguished Professor of Data Science at Maastricht University, founder and executive director of the Institute of Data Science, and co-founder of the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) data principles. His research explores socio-technological approaches for responsible discovery science, which includes collaborative multi-modal knowledge graphs, privacy-preserving distributed data mining, and AI methods for drug discovery and personalized medicine. His work is supported through the Dutch National Research Agenda, the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research, Horizon Europe, the European Open Science Cloud, the US National Institutes of Health, and a Marie-Curie Innovative Training Network. He is the editor-in-chief for the journal Data Science and is internationally recognized for his contributions in bioinformatics, biomedical informatics, and semantic technologies including ontologies and linked data.
Multi-source connectivity as the driver of solar wind variability in the heli...Sérgio Sacani
The ambient solar wind that flls the heliosphere originates from multiple
sources in the solar corona and is highly structured. It is often described
as high-speed, relatively homogeneous, plasma streams from coronal
holes and slow-speed, highly variable, streams whose source regions are
under debate. A key goal of ESA/NASA’s Solar Orbiter mission is to identify
solar wind sources and understand what drives the complexity seen in the
heliosphere. By combining magnetic feld modelling and spectroscopic
techniques with high-resolution observations and measurements, we show
that the solar wind variability detected in situ by Solar Orbiter in March
2022 is driven by spatio-temporal changes in the magnetic connectivity to
multiple sources in the solar atmosphere. The magnetic feld footpoints
connected to the spacecraft moved from the boundaries of a coronal hole
to one active region (12961) and then across to another region (12957). This
is refected in the in situ measurements, which show the transition from fast
to highly Alfvénic then to slow solar wind that is disrupted by the arrival of
a coronal mass ejection. Our results describe solar wind variability at 0.5 au
but are applicable to near-Earth observatories.
Richard's entangled aventures in wonderlandRichard Gill
Since the loophole-free Bell experiments of 2020 and the Nobel prizes in physics of 2022, critics of Bell's work have retreated to the fortress of super-determinism. Now, super-determinism is a derogatory word - it just means "determinism". Palmer, Hance and Hossenfelder argue that quantum mechanics and determinism are not incompatible, using a sophisticated mathematical construction based on a subtle thinning of allowed states and measurements in quantum mechanics, such that what is left appears to make Bell's argument fail, without altering the empirical predictions of quantum mechanics. I think however that it is a smoke screen, and the slogan "lost in math" comes to my mind. I will discuss some other recent disproofs of Bell's theorem using the language of causality based on causal graphs. Causal thinking is also central to law and justice. I will mention surprising connections to my work on serial killer nurse cases, in particular the Dutch case of Lucia de Berk and the current UK case of Lucy Letby.
THE IMPORTANCE OF MARTIAN ATMOSPHERE SAMPLE RETURN.Sérgio Sacani
The return of a sample of near-surface atmosphere from Mars would facilitate answers to several first-order science questions surrounding the formation and evolution of the planet. One of the important aspects of terrestrial planet formation in general is the role that primary atmospheres played in influencing the chemistry and structure of the planets and their antecedents. Studies of the martian atmosphere can be used to investigate the role of a primary atmosphere in its history. Atmosphere samples would also inform our understanding of the near-surface chemistry of the planet, and ultimately the prospects for life. High-precision isotopic analyses of constituent gases are needed to address these questions, requiring that the analyses are made on returned samples rather than in situ.
(May 29th, 2024) Advancements in Intravital Microscopy- Insights for Preclini...Scintica Instrumentation
Intravital microscopy (IVM) is a powerful tool utilized to study cellular behavior over time and space in vivo. Much of our understanding of cell biology has been accomplished using various in vitro and ex vivo methods; however, these studies do not necessarily reflect the natural dynamics of biological processes. Unlike traditional cell culture or fixed tissue imaging, IVM allows for the ultra-fast high-resolution imaging of cellular processes over time and space and were studied in its natural environment. Real-time visualization of biological processes in the context of an intact organism helps maintain physiological relevance and provide insights into the progression of disease, response to treatments or developmental processes.
In this webinar we give an overview of advanced applications of the IVM system in preclinical research. IVIM technology is a provider of all-in-one intravital microscopy systems and solutions optimized for in vivo imaging of live animal models at sub-micron resolution. The system’s unique features and user-friendly software enables researchers to probe fast dynamic biological processes such as immune cell tracking, cell-cell interaction as well as vascularization and tumor metastasis with exceptional detail. This webinar will also give an overview of IVM being utilized in drug development, offering a view into the intricate interaction between drugs/nanoparticles and tissues in vivo and allows for the evaluation of therapeutic intervention in a variety of tissues and organs. This interdisciplinary collaboration continues to drive the advancements of novel therapeutic strategies.
Introduction:
RNA interference (RNAi) or Post-Transcriptional Gene Silencing (PTGS) is an important biological process for modulating eukaryotic gene expression.
It is highly conserved process of posttranscriptional gene silencing by which double stranded RNA (dsRNA) causes sequence-specific degradation of mRNA sequences.
dsRNA-induced gene silencing (RNAi) is reported in a wide range of eukaryotes ranging from worms, insects, mammals and plants.
This process mediates resistance to both endogenous parasitic and exogenous pathogenic nucleic acids, and regulates the expression of protein-coding genes.
What are small ncRNAs?
micro RNA (miRNA)
short interfering RNA (siRNA)
Properties of small non-coding RNA:
Involved in silencing mRNA transcripts.
Called “small” because they are usually only about 21-24 nucleotides long.
Synthesized by first cutting up longer precursor sequences (like the 61nt one that Lee discovered).
Silence an mRNA by base pairing with some sequence on the mRNA.
Discovery of siRNA?
The first small RNA:
In 1993 Rosalind Lee (Victor Ambros lab) was studying a non- coding gene in C. elegans, lin-4, that was involved in silencing of another gene, lin-14, at the appropriate time in the
development of the worm C. elegans.
Two small transcripts of lin-4 (22nt and 61nt) were found to be complementary to a sequence in the 3' UTR of lin-14.
Because lin-4 encoded no protein, she deduced that it must be these transcripts that are causing the silencing by RNA-RNA interactions.
Types of RNAi ( non coding RNA)
MiRNA
Length (23-25 nt)
Trans acting
Binds with target MRNA in mismatch
Translation inhibition
Si RNA
Length 21 nt.
Cis acting
Bind with target Mrna in perfect complementary sequence
Piwi-RNA
Length ; 25 to 36 nt.
Expressed in Germ Cells
Regulates trnasposomes activity
MECHANISM OF RNAI:
First the double-stranded RNA teams up with a protein complex named Dicer, which cuts the long RNA into short pieces.
Then another protein complex called RISC (RNA-induced silencing complex) discards one of the two RNA strands.
The RISC-docked, single-stranded RNA then pairs with the homologous mRNA and destroys it.
THE RISC COMPLEX:
RISC is large(>500kD) RNA multi- protein Binding complex which triggers MRNA degradation in response to MRNA
Unwinding of double stranded Si RNA by ATP independent Helicase
Active component of RISC is Ago proteins( ENDONUCLEASE) which cleave target MRNA.
DICER: endonuclease (RNase Family III)
Argonaute: Central Component of the RNA-Induced Silencing Complex (RISC)
One strand of the dsRNA produced by Dicer is retained in the RISC complex in association with Argonaute
ARGONAUTE PROTEIN :
1.PAZ(PIWI/Argonaute/ Zwille)- Recognition of target MRNA
2.PIWI (p-element induced wimpy Testis)- breaks Phosphodiester bond of mRNA.)RNAse H activity.
MiRNA:
The Double-stranded RNAs are naturally produced in eukaryotic cells during development, and they have a key role in regulating gene expression .
Predicting property prices with machine learning algorithms.pdf
Herbal drug technology.pdf
1. Herbs as Raw Materials: Definition of herb
In general use, herbs are plants with savory or aromatic
properties that are used for flavoring
and garnishing food, for medicinal purposes, or for
fragrances; excluding vegetables and other plants
consumed for macronutrients.
Culinary use typically distinguishes herbs
from spices. Herbs generally refers to the leafy green
or flowering parts of a plant (either fresh or dried),
while spices are usually dried and produced from other
parts of the plant, including seeds, bark, roots and fruits.
Dr. Shiny C Thomas, Department of Biosciences, ADBU
2. • Herbs have a variety of uses including culinary, medicinal, and in some
cases, spiritual.
• General usage of the term "herb" differs between culinary herbs
and medicinal herbs; in medicinal or spiritual use, any parts of the plant
might be considered as "herbs", including leaves, roots, flowers, seeds,
root bark, inner bark (and cambium), resin and pericarp.
• In botany, the noun "herb" refers to a "plant that does not produce a
woody stem", and the adjective "herbaceous" means "herb-like",
referring to parts of the plant that are green and soft in texture"
3. • In botany, the term herb refers to a herbaceous plant, defined as a
small, seed-bearing plant without a woody stem in which all aerial parts (i.e.
above ground) die back to the ground at the end of each growing season.
• Usually the term refers to perennials, although herbaceous plants can also
be annuals (where the plant dies at the end of the growing season and grows
back from seed next year), or biennials.
• This term is in contrast to shrubs and trees which possess a woody
stem
4. • Another sense of the term herb can refer to a much larger range of
plants, with culinary, therapeutic or other uses.
• For example, some of the most commonly described herbs such
as sage, rosemary and lavender would be excluded from the botanical
definition of a herb as they do not die down each year, and they possess
woody stems.
• In the wider sense, herbs may be herbaceous perennials but also
trees, subshrubs, shrubs, annuals, lianas, ferns, mosses, algae, lichens,
and fungi.
• Herbalism can utilize not just stems and leaves but also fruit, roots, bark and
gums.
• Therefore, one suggested definition of a herb is a plant which is of use to
humans, although this definition is problematic since it could cover a great
many plants that are not commonly described as herbs.
5. Herbal medicine (also herbalism) is the
study of pharmacognosy and the use
of medicinal plants, which are a basis
of traditional medicine. There is
limited scientific evidence for the safety and
efficacy of plants used in 21st
century herbalism, which generally does not
provide standards for purity or dosage.
The scope of herbal medicine commonly includes fungal and bee products, as
well as minerals, shells and certain animal parts. Herbal medicine is also
called phytomedicine or phytotherapy.
6. Paraherbalism describes alternative and pseudoscientific practices of using
unrefined plant or animal extracts as unproven medicines or health-promoting
agents.
Paraherbalism relies on the belief that preserving various substances from a
given source with less processing is safer or more effective than manufactured
products, a concept for which there is no evidence.
7. • Herbal medicine is still the mainstay of about 75 - 80% of the world
population, mainly in the developing countries, for primary health care.
• This is primarily because of the general belief that herbal drugs are without any
side effects besides being cheap and locally available.
• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the use of herbal
remedies throughout the world exceeds that of the conventional drugs by two
to three times.
• The use of plants for healing purposes predates human history and forms the
origin of much modern medicine.
• Many conventional drugs originated from plant sources: a century ago, most of
the few effective drugs were plant based. Examples include aspirin (willow
bark), digoxin (from foxglove), quinine (from cinchona bark), and morphine
(from the opium poppy).
8. Herbal Medicine
• The WHO has recently defined traditional medicine (including herbal drugs)
as comprising therapeutic practices that have been in existence, often for
hundred of years, before the development and spread of modern medicine and
are still in use today.
• Traditional medicine is the synthesis of therapeutic experience of generations
of practicing physicians of indigenous system of medicine.
• Traditional preparations comprise medicinal plants, minerals and organic
matter etc.
• Herbal drugs constitute only those traditional medicines which primarily use
medicinal plant preparations for therapy.
• The earliest recorded evidence of their use in Indian, Chinese, Egyptian,
Greek, Roman and Syrian texts dates back to about 5000 years.
9. • The classical Indian texts include Rigveda, Atharvaveda, Charak Samhita and
Sushruta Samhita.
• The herbal medicines / traditional medicaments have therefore been derived
from rich traditions of ancient civilizations and scientific heritage
10. Difference of Herbal and Conventional Drugs
Although superficially similar, herbal medicine and conventional
pharmacotherapy have three important differences:
▪ Use of Whole Plants-
• Herbalists generally use unpurified plant extracts containing several
different constituents
• these can work together synergistically so that the effect of the whole
herb is greater than the summed effects of its components
• toxicity is reduced when whole herbs are used instead of isolated active
ingredients (“buffering”).
11. • Herb Combining- Often several different herbs are used together.
• Practitioners say that the principles of synergy and buffering apply to
combinations of plants and claim that combining herbs improves efficacy
and reduces adverse effect. This contrasts with conventional practice.
Diagnosis- Herbal practitioners use different diagnostic principles from
conventional practitioners.
• For example, when treating arthritis, they might observe, “under functioning
of a patient’s symptoms of elimination” and decide that the arthritis results from
“an accumulation of metabolic waste products”.
• A diuretic, cholerectic or laxative combination of herbs might then be
prescribed alongside herbs with anti-inflammatory properties.
12. Why People Use Herbal Medicine
• professional care is not immediately available, too inconvenient, costly or time-
consuming
• In rural areas, there are additional cultural factors that encourage the use of
botanicals, such as the environment and culture, a “man earth relationship.
• In India vast sections of the rural population have no assess to modern
medicine
• Natural plant products are perceived to be healthier than manufactured
medicine
• adverse effect of conventional medications
13. Herbal medicine
• Herbal medicine is a practice as old as mankind and during the last century chemical and
pharmacological studies have been performed on a lot of plant extracts in order to know
their chemical composition and to confirm the indications of traditional medicine.
• The concept of complementary or alternative medicine is increasingly becoming more
widely accepted and there is a corresponding rising interest in herbal remedies.
• The whole leaf of Aloe vera (A. barbadensis) (Fam. Liliaceace) is known to aid cellular repair
as well as digestion, assimilation of foods, vitamins, minerals and other vital nutrients to
rejuvenate the skin.
• The fresh gel, juice or formulated products have been used for medical and cosmetic
purposes and to enhance general health.
• Ethnopharmacologists, botanists, microbiologists and natural-products chemists are
combing the earth for phytochemicals and which could be developed for treatment of
infectious diseases
14. • Plants play a dominant role in the introduction of new therapeutic agents as they
help to alleviate human ailments.
• The therapeutic potential including antioxidant, antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic
properties of higher plants are due to the presence of secondary metabolites.
• The recent resurgence of interest in plant remedies has been spurred
on by several factors: the effectiveness of plant.
• Secondary metabolites are of prime importance for humankind as they prevent the onset of
different degenerative diseases by scavenging free radicals and thus preventing chain-
reactions mediated damage or binding with catalysts of the oxidative reactions, such as
some metal ions.
Distilled essential oils have been employed as medicines
15. Different approaches to drug discovery
• random selection followed by chemical screening;
• random selection followed by one or more biological assays;
• biological activity reports and ethnomedical use of plants
• Find out bioactive phytocompounds
• Quality control directly impacts the safety and efficacy of herbal
medicinal products
• A particular plant part will have many constituents and some of
them may well be toxic
• Publication
16. • Today, the use of medicinal plants and their bioactive phytocompounds and our scientific
knowledge about them comprise the modern field of the phytosciences.
• It has long been known that garlic and onion have an anti-aggregation effect on platelets and
several mechanisms appear to be associated with this process, such as modification of the
platelet membrane properties, inhibition of calcium mobilization and inhibition steps of the
arachidonic acid cascade in blood platelets.
• The different approaches to formulation of novel drug delivery of bioactive phytoconstituents
17. Unit Preparations/stages involved in herbal formulations
• There are several methods or operation involved in obtaining the herbal
extract/phytopharmaceuticals/ bioactive phytoconstituents and these depend to some
extent on the particular part of the plant which is being used.
• The main objective of each process is to obtain the extract in a pure state and free
from any contaminating materials which may affect the odor, the physicochemical
or pharmacological properties of the final formulation.
1) Grinding
• The selected plant material is dried and subjected to powdering with the help of a
hammer mill or disc pulverizer which has built in sieves.
• This will help to disintegrate the organ, tissue and cell structure of the plant material so
that the medicinal ingredients present therein are exposed to the solvents with which it is
to be extracted.
18. Extraction
• This involves the separation of medicinally active principles from the plant material with the
help of a suitable solvent.
• It could be hot aqueous extraction (decoction), cold percolation or solvent extraction using
soxhlet extractor.
Filtration
• This technique entails the separation of the extract so obtained from the marc (exhausted
plant material) by allowing it to trickle into a hold tank through the built-in false bottom of
the extractor which is covered with a filter cloth.
Concentration
• The liquid extract so obtained is fed into a wiped film evaporator and concentration is
carried out under vacuum to get concentrated extract.
19. Spray drying
The concentrated extract is subjected to a spray drier with the help of a high pressure pump
at a controlled feed rate to get dry powder.
Distillation
• This process is used for the preparation of oils of geranium, neroli, lavender, chamomile,
lemon grass, etc.
• It is one of the oldest methods used to obtain oil from plants.
• It is essentially a heat process, the heat being used to drive the oil from the plant tissue.
• The plant or part of a plant being used must be in such a condition that steam and water
will readily penetrate it.
• Essential oils as complex natural mixtures of volatile secondary metabolites can be isolated
from plants by hydro or steam distillation (citrus peel oils).
20. Expression
This is use for example in citrus oils. Expression means that the oils are expressed or pressed
out of the peel of the almost ripe fruit, usually by using powerful hydraulic presses enclosed
in a hollow cylinder, the walls of which are perforated like a sieve to allow the juice and oils to
scape as the pressure is applied.
• The expressed liquid is of a milky appearance and is allowed to stand for several hours
during which time the oil floats to the surface and can be separated and finally filtered.
• Essential oils which are complex natural mixtures of volatile secondary metabolites can
also be isolated from plants by expression (citrus peel oils).
21. Extraction
• This is the process of treating the flowers or plants with solvents selected to dissolve the
essential part of the plant that contains the required active pharmaceutical
ingredient (API).
• The choice of solvent and the process used has been determined by experience so
as to give the best yield and the best quality of the active pharmaceutical ingredient.
No single extraction procedure works for all metabolites because conditions that stabilize one
type of compound will destroy other types or interfere with their analysis. Therefore the
extraction protocol has to be tailored to the metabolites to be profiled.
22. Enfleurage
• This is an extraction process. The process known as enfleurage is used for extraction of the
oils of the jasmin and neroli flowers.
• Purified lard is used as the solvent and this is spread on to glass plates which are laid on
wooden frames and covered with the flowers.
• Several frames are laid one above the other in tiers and left for a day or two, during which
time the oil is absorbed on to the fat without application of heat.
• The withered flowers are then removed and replaced by fresh ones and the process is
repeated until that fat has absorbed all the perfume present and has acquired the desired
strength of odour.
23. Maceration
Maceration is used to extract oils from acacia, rose, violet and neroli.
Cold maceration with water
This method of preparation is certainly the easiest.
• The fresh or dried plant material is simply covered in cool water and soaked overnight.
• The herb is strained out and the liquid is taken.
• This is used for very tender plants and/or fresh plants or those with delicate chemicals that
might be harmed by heating or which might be degraded in strong alcohol.
• This is also the easiest to adapt to western methods, since tablets or capsules can be used
instead.
Maceration with non polar solvents
Maceration is used to extract oils from acacia, rose, violet and neroli. Maceration is an
extractive technique that is conducted at room temperature. It consists of immersing a
plant in a liquid (water, oil, alcohol, etc.) inside an airtight container, for a variable time
based on the plant material and liquid used.
27. HERBAL MEDICINAL PRODUCTS
• There has been an upsurge in the use of herbal medicinal products across both
developing and advanced countries.
• Finished herbal products are presented in various dosage forms such as decoctions,
herbal powders, alcoholic beverages, capsules, tablets, ointments and creams.
• The growing demand for herbal medicinal products across the world has resulted in
the large scale manufacture of these products.
• Large scale production leads to longer storage periods which could lead to
deterioration of products, thereby compromise product quality with adverse
consequences on patient safety.
• Stability studies on herbal products have become necessary to help determine the
shelf-life and enhance product quality at all times during
storage periods and usage.
• Appropriate guidelines for stability testing of finished herbal products provides
manufacturers, regulatory authorities and research institutions with a harmonized
system for stability testing
28. Herbal products may be defined as plants, parts of plants or extracts from plants that are
used in healthcare or in combating the disease.
• To avoid confusion with culinary herbs, herbs and plant extracts that have some
association with medical uses (prevention and treatment of diseases) are referred to as
‘herbal medicinal products’ (HMPs).
• Herbs and plants can be processed and used in different ways and forms, and they include
the whole herb, teas, syrups, essential oils, ointments, liniments, capsules, and tablets that
contain a ground or powdered form of a raw herb or its dried extract.
• Commonly-available herbal dosage forms include decoctions, herbal teas, tinctures,
glycerites, oxymels, and herbal soaps, herbal tablets, herbal capsules, herbal creams and
ointments.
29. • Plants and herb extracts vary in the solvent used for extraction, temperature, and extraction
time, and include alcoholic extracts, vinegars, hot water extracts, long-term boiled extract
of roots or bark (decoctions), and cold infusion of plants.
• The growing demand for herbal medicinal products has made large scale manufacture of
these products a routine.
• Large scale production may result in longer storage times and possible product
deterioration.
• Stability studies are useful in the determination of product shelf-life and enhancement of
product quality.
• Stability studies may involve physical or sensory tests, microbiological tests and chemical or
chromatographic/spectral tests. Determination of the chemical stability of a herbal
preparation is very challenging due to the fact that a plant extract may contain many
different compounds.
• Additionally, plant enzymes such as esterases, glycosidases or oxidases plays a prominent
role in the decomposition of secondary plant metabolites.
30. • Herbal medicinal products may be defined as finished, labelled medicinal products that
contain as active ingredients aerial or underground parts of plants, or other plant material,
or combinations thereof, whether in the crude state or as plant preparations.
• Herbal medicines may contain excipients in addition to the active ingredients.
• Medicines containing plant materials combined with chemically defined active substances,
including chemically defined, isolated constituents of plants, are not considered to be herbal
medicines.
• Finished herbal products or herbal drug preparations are varied and various solvents may be
used for their extraction, distillation, expression, fractionation, purification, concentration or
fermentation.
• These include comminuted or powdered herbal drugs, tinctures, extracts, essential oils,
expressed juices and processed exudates
31. Decoctions
• Decoctions are made by boiling the herb in water for a period of time to extract soluble
constituents.
• The water decoction of a mixture of 2-12 herbal materials is the commonest traditional
herbal dosage form.
• Decoctions are normally suitable for hard plant materials such as barks and roots and may
also be prepared from herbs with sparingly soluble constituents.
• Decoctions are normally intended for immediate use, ideally within a 24-hour period, with
about a 72- hour maximum limit if stored in a very cool place.
• Excipients such as preservatives may be used in decoctions to prevent spoilage if long term
storage is desired.
• In this case, the stability of the preparation should be conducted to determine the shelf-life
of the product at a particular storage condition.
• Decoctions may be sweetened using a syrup or honey. Sijunzi decoction, a Chinese herbal
remedy consists of Panax ginseng, Poria cocos, Atractylodes macrocephala and Glycyrrhiza
uralensis.
32. Tinctures
• Tinctures are normally alcohol and water extracts of plant materials.
• Many plant constituents dissolve more easily in a mixture of alcohol and water than in pure
water.
• The preparation of tinctures by maceration of herbal parts in water-ethanol solutions results
in the extraction of many structurally diverse compounds with varying polarities.
• The wide chemical diversity of the chemical constituent’s demands quality control analytical
tools optimized for the detection of single chemical compounds or a specific group of
compounds
33. Herbal glycerites
• Glycerites are made like tinctures but in this instance, glycerine is used in the extraction
process instead of a mixture of alcohol and water.
• A glycerite will keep well as long as the concentration of glycerine is at least 50 % to 60 %
in the finished product.
• The shelflife is only about six months to two years.
• Glycerine should not be the solvent of choice for herbs that contain resins and gums;
alcohol is needed to properly extract the active constituents of these herbs.
• Glycerites should be refrigerated for best effects
34. Herbal alcoholic beverages (bitters/wines)
• Herbal alcoholic beverages are normally ethanolic or hydroethanolic extracts of herbal
materials.
• Herbal beverages in the form of spirits and liquors are widely used in Africa, as well as the
Southeast European and Mediterranean regions as part of the local gastronomy.
• They are normally meant for oral use as a beverage.
• The herbal material present in the product confers a certain degree of medicinal effect
depending on the type and quantity used in the preparation.
• In addition, the presence of the alcohol in the preparation normally confers a preservative
effect on the product thereby prolonging the shelf-life compared to decoctions and
infusions
35. Oxymels
• An oxymel is a specialized sweet and sour herbal honey preparation, a sweet honey mixed
with a little sour vinegar.
• This combination may be used as a carrier for herbal infusions, decoctions, concentrates,
tinctures, and other herbal extracts.
• Oxymels are used as a gargle or as a vehicle for intense herbal aids such as Garlic, Cayenne,
and Lobelia
36. Herbal capsules
• Capsules are solid dosage forms containing drug and usually, appropriate filler (s) enclosed
in a gelatin container.
• Capsules may be available in hard gelatin for dry powdered herbal ingredients or granules,
or soft gelatin shells for herbal oils and for herbal ingredients that are dissolved or
suspended in oil.
• The gelatin shell readily ruptures and dissolves following oral administration. Drugs are
normally more readily released from capsules compared to tablets.
• Capsules may help mask the unpleasant taste of its contents and uniformity of dosage can
be relatively readily achieved.
• Herbal capsules normally consist of hard shelled gelatin capsules with the plant material
finely milled and sifted and filled into shell or extracts of the herbal material(s) with
appropriate excipients such as fillers.
37. Herbal tablets
• A tablet is a hard, compressed medication in round, oval or square shape.
• The excipients or formulation additives may include: binders, glidants (flow aids) and
lubricants to ensure efficient tableting; disintegrants to ensure that the tablet breaks up in
the gastrointestinal tract; sweeteners or flavours to mask the taste of bad tasting active
ingredients; and pigments to make uncoated tablets visually attractive.
• A coating may be applied to a tablet to: hide or mask the taste of the tablet's components;
make the tablet smoother and easier to swallow; protect drug from the acid secretions of the
stomach; and make it more resistant to environmental factors for stability purposes and
extend its shelf life.
• Herbal tablets are normally designed for oral use with various herbal materials incorporated
for a particular therapeutic effect using excipients
• Like the herbal capsules, incorporation of the herbal material may be done with the finely
powdered and sifted plant material or extracts from the plant materials using various
solvents which are suitable for oral use
38. Herbal ointments
• Ointments are semi-solid, greasy preparations for application to the skin, rectum or nasal
mucosa.
• The base is usually anhydrous (hydrophobic) and immiscible with skin secretions.
• Ointments may be used as emollients or to apply suspended or dissolved medicaments to
the skin. Herbal ointments normally have the plant material(s) either in finely sifted or
extracted form incorporated into the base (petrolatum and mineral oil, or petrolatum
and waxy/fatty alcohol combinations)