Herbal extracts - A Promising Source for New Drugs
Introduction to Herbal extracts
Plants have been used for centuries as a source of medicine. Even today, herbal extracts continue to provide humanity with new remedies. This is due to the rich chemical diversity found in plants which makes them a fertile ground for drug discovery. Herbal extracts contain a complex mixture of compounds that can have therapeutic properties either alone or in combination.
Composition of Herbal extracts
A herbal extract contains both polar and non-polar compounds depending on the solvent used in the extraction process. Common herbal extracts may contain alkaloids, terpenes, flavonoids, glycosides, phenolics and other biologically active secondary metabolites. The composition can vary widely between plant species and even between different parts of the same plant. Careful characterization using analytical techniques is required to understand the constituents present in a particular extract. This chemical profile determines the pharmacological activities and potential applications for that extract.
Medicinal Uses of Popular Plant Extract
Many herbal extracts have a long history of traditional use and are now backed by scientific evidence for their healing properties:
- Ginger extract from Zingiber officinale is widely used as an anti-nausea remedy and also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Plant Extract It is commonly consumed as a spice or supplement.
- Turmeric extract from Curcuma longa has been shown to possess anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties due to its curcuminoids content including curcumin. It is a popular ingredient in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicines.
- Green tea extract from Camellia sinensis is rich in antioxidant polyphenols like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) that may reduce the risk of various chronic diseases. It is consumed globally as a beverage and supplement.
- Grape seed extract from Vitis vinifera contains oligomeric proanthocyanidins that exhibit anti-allergic, antioxidant and anti-hypertensive effects. It is a common nutritional supplement.
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