Babak Daneshfard
Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran
Title: Introducing the concept of Musleh (Ameliorating agent) as a key point for drug discovery in traditional medicines
Biography
Biography: Babak Daneshfard
Abstract
Human body is an extremely complex system and it is so simplistic to think that an active agent working on a single receptor is enough for an optimal clinical response. There is a growing body of evidence shows the necessity for shifting to a multitarget approach in the field of drug discovery [1]. Traditional medicines which have holistic viewpoints in maintaining the overall balance of the body usually put forward such approach in their drug formulations as suggested in systems biology [2,3]. It may be the reason of recent more interest of pharmaceutical companies for research in traditional medicines [4]. Nonetheless, it has its own troubles; multicomponent formulations, possible toxicities, and lack of our knowledge regarding their mechanism of action are some of the obstacles. Understanding the concept of ameliorations –which means modulation of the effects and/or counteracting the side effects of ingredients of a compound formulation by one of its constituents– mentioned as Musleh in Traditional Persian Medicine and jun-chen-zuo-shi in Traditional Chinese Medicine, could pave the way for further researches in this field. Keywords: Drug discovery, Systems biology, Traditional medicine, Amelioration