Biography
Biography: Ali Ghasemzadeh
Abstract
Herbs and natural products are precious sources of medicinal compounds and their benefits and importance for healing have been well recognized since ancient times. The characteristics and health effects of natural bioactive compounds, especially from herbs, have been extensively investigated. Herbal drugs are obtained from cultivated or wild plants and constituents vary considerably depending on several factors that impair the quality control of phytotherapeutic agents. Standardization and quality control of medicinal plants/spices involve several steps. However, the quality and source of raw materials play an essential role in guaranteeing the quality and stability of herbal preparations. Other factors such as water availability, temperature, light exposure, nutrients, time and method of collecting, drying method, packing, storage and transportation of raw material, age and part of the plant collected, etc., can greatly affect the quality and consequently the therapeutic value of herbal medicines. Thus, proper standardization and quality control of raw material and the herbal preparations themselves should be permanently carried out. In the cases where the active principles are unknown, marker substance(s) should be established for analytical purposes. A herbal monograph gives a basic description of the herb, and list its chemical constituents, actions, clinical uses and recommended dosage. Herbal monographs normally include nomenclature, part used, constituents, range of application, contraindications, side effects, incompatibilities with other medications, dosage, use, and action of the herb. Scopes of herbal drug monograph are quality, safety, minimize the risk potential by clear definitions, identifications, tests and assay. Based on the above explanation, in order to guarantee safety and efficacy, herbal drugs must undergo serious quality control. Old monographs have to be updated and new methods have to be implemented.