Medicinal Plants

Prof S.N.Naik
Center for Rural Development and Technology, IIT Delhi
 Medicinal Plants
Medicinal Plants are main source of drugs that has been used from ancient times
for healthcare. Drug discovery from plants involve multidisciplinary
approaches such as
Ethnobotany,Phytochemicals,Pharmacogosy etc

Herbalism: It is the study and use of medicinal properties of plants.

Ethno botany: (the study of traditional human uses of plants) It is recognized as
an effective way to discover future medicines. In 2001, researchers identified 122
compounds used in modern medicine which were derived from "ethnomedical"
plant sources; 80% of these have had an ethno medical use identical or related to
the current use of the active compounds of the plant
Phytochemicals are plant-based bioactive compounds produced by plants for
their protection.
Pharmacognosy:
It is the study of medicines derived from natural sources.
The American Society of Pharmacognosy defines
pharmacognosy as "the study of the physical,
chemical, biochemical and biological properties of drugs .
Medicinal Plants
Medicinal plants for health care preparation has been
reported in ancient texts :Vedas ,Bibles .Medicinal plants
have played an essential role in the development of human
culture, for example religions and different ceremonies.
(e.g., Datura, Akh, Beal, Bhang have long been associated
with the worship of Shiva, the Indian God).
Medicinal Plant reported in ancient Hindu texts
•Medicinal Plants are those plants rich in secondary
metabolites and potential source of drugs. These secondary
metabolites includes alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, essential
oils, lipids, vitamins, saponin etc.

•The medicinal effects of plants are due to metabolites

especially secondary compounds produced by plant species.

•Plant metabolites include primary metabolites and

secondary metabolites
Plant primary metabolites Plant Secondary metabolites (natural
products)
1.Organic compounds produced in 1.Organic compounds produced in
the plant kingdom by Photo plant kingdom
Synthesis process.
2. Don’t have apparent functions
involved in plant growth and
2. Have metabolic functions
development
essential for plant growth and
Development
3. Produced in different plant
families, in specific groups of plant
3. Produced in every plant families or in specific tissues, cells
or developmental stages throughout
plant development.

4. Include terpenoids, special

4.Include carbohydrates, amino nitrogen metabolite (including, non-
acids, nucleotides, fatty acids, protein amino acids, amines,
steroids and lipids cyanogenic glycosides,
glucosinolates, and alkaloids), and
phenolics.
 Primary Metabolites

• Primary metabolites are compounds that are

commonly produced by all plants and that are
directly used in plant growth and development.

• The main primary metabolites are carbohydrates,

proteins, lipids and nucleic acids.
 Active Principles in Plants
(Secondary metabolites)

Secondary metabolites are often colored,

fragrant, or flavor compounds, and they typically
mediate the interaction of plants with other
organisms. Such interactions include those of
plant-pollinator, plant-pathogen and plant
herbivore.
 Major Groups of Secondary Metabolites
Alkaloids. Many different compounds, found in many plants. They all
contain nitrogen atoms, are alkaline (basic), and taste bitter. Structures
vary widely.
– Often affect the nervous system. Whether this is good or bad
depends on dosage and your point of view. For example,
morphine.
Glycosides. A sugar is attached to the active component. This makes
them non-toxic until an enzyme removes the sugar, which happens in the
digestive system.
Cyanogenic. Very simple: cyanide attached to a sugar. Remove the
sugar and release the poison: it stops the ability to make ATP.
Steroid. Steroids have a particular ring structure and are used to
make hormones in animals. Two main types: cardioactive
(meaning that they affect your heart). Saponins are soapy and
very toxic: they work especially well as fish poisons because they
dissolve easily in water. The steroid found in yams (Dioscorea)
saponin.
 Herbal drugs
Herbal drugs constitute a major share of all the officially recognized systems of
health in India viz. Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy and
Naturopathy, except Allopathic. More than 70% of India’s 1.1 billion population
still use these non-allopathic systems of medicine. Currently, there is no
separate category of herbal drugs or dietary supplements, as per the Indian
Drugs Act. However, there is a vast experiential-evidence base for many of the
natural drugs. This offers immense opportunities for Observational Therapeutics
and Reverse Pharmacology. Evidence-based herbals are widely used in the
diverse systems and manufactured, as per the pharmacopoeias guidelines, by a
well-organised industry. Significant basic and clinical research has been carried
out on the medicinal plants and their formulations, with the state-of-the-art
methods in a number of Institutes/Universities. There are some good examples.
Indian medicinal plants also provide a rich source for antioxidants that are
known to prevent/delay different diseased states. The antioxidant protection is
observed at different levels. The medicinal plants also contain other beneficial
compounds like ingredients for functional foods. Hence, the global knowledge
about Ayurveda and Indian herbals will hopefully be enhanced by information
on the evidence-base of these plants. This will yield rich dividends in the coming
years.
 Activity of interesting Ayurvedic drugs
No Sanskrit Name Botanical Name Activity
1 Amalaki Phyllanthus emblica Antiaging

2 Ashwagandha Withania somnifera Phytoestrogen

3 Atmagupta Mucuna pruriens Parkinsonism

4 Bilva Aegle marmelos Irritable Bowel
5 Brahmi Centella asiatica Cognition
6 Daruharidra Berberis aristata Antimicrobial

7 Erandi Ricinus communis Anti inflammatory

8 Nimba Azadirachta indica Anti malarial

9 Shunthi Zingiber officinalis Anti nausea
10 Yashtimadhu Glycyrrhiza glabra Anti ulcer
 Significances of Medicinal Plants to Human Beings
➢ Medicinal plants are resources of new drugs. It is estimated that there
are more than 250, 000 flowering plant species.

➢ Plants are directly used as medicines by most cultures around the

world, for example Indian medicine (Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and
Homeopathy) and Chinese medicine
➢ Many of the modern medicines are produced indirectly from
medicinal plants, for example quinine, caffeine, morphine etc.

➢ Many food crops have medicinal effects, for example Garlic, Ginger,
Turmeric, etc.
➢ Herbal products are cheaper as compared to allopathic Medicine.

➢ Studying medicinal plants helps to understand plant toxicity and

protect human and animals from natural poisons.

➢ Cultivation and preservation of medicinal plants protect biological

diversity, for example metabolic engineering of plants.
 Significances of Medicinal Plants
Plant products and herbal medicine play a vital role in the
healthcare system, mainly in rural areas of developing countries.
Medicinal plants have a great history as the source of potential
therapeutic agents, for example reserpine, deserpidine,
rescinnamine, vinblastine, vincristine, codeine, morphine,
etoposide, guggulsterone, teniposide, nabilone, plaunotol, z-
guggulsterone, lectinan, artemisinin and ginkgolides, which have
been incorporated into modern medicine.
Plant-derived products became a primary choice for biological
and pharmacological research and served as leads for the
development of synthetic drugs. It is estimated that nearly 75%
of the herbal drugs used worldwide were incorporated from
indigenous medicine .In India, nearly about 70% of modern
medicines are derived from natural resources and several other
synthetic analogues have been made from prototype
compounds isolated from plants
 Herbal medicine and Indian economy

• Domestic trade of the AyurvedaYoga and Naturopathy,

Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH) industry is about
INR 80–90 billion.
• Export of medicinal plants and their products from India is
about INR10 billion. In 2010, the production of herbal drugs
in India was about INR 4,000 cores, with 1,650 herbal
formulations.
• Trade of herbal products is now US$120 billion and is
expected to reach to US$7 trillion by 2050
 Medicinal Plant/Herbal Products
The manufacture of value-added plant products can
be called as herbal/Medicinal products.
➢ Herbal drugs and pharmaceuticals,
➢ Nutraceuticals,
➢ Functional foods, designer foods or health foods
and health drinks
➢ Cosmeceutical
➢ Biocontrol agents
➢ Biopesticides
➢Veterinary Medicine
 SWOT Analysis of Medicinal Plants

Strength:
• Enormous inherent biodiversity of India
• Standardise Cultivation practices of Medicinal Pants
• Strong base of R&D labs and skilled manpower
• Rich heritage of ISM can give important lead in discovery of
Novel therapeutic molecule from various Medicinal Plants
• Well developed Pharmaceutical Industry
 Indian flora
About 2 million flora & fauna scientifically named
Over 50% plants. – 45,000 species of angiosperms only
Only 5-15% of plants properly studied for biological activity
One in 125 plant species contains useful pharmaceutical,
WHO compiled an inventory of 21,000 plants used for medicinal
purposes in 91 countries
Out of these less than 10,000 species have been investigated
scientifically
The Indian scene:
Over 17 ,500 species are used in different medicinal system
many are endemic
Traditional systems of medicine use 2,000; Ayurvedic medicines
alone need 800 species
Folklore use of 8,000 plants reported. Includes most plants used in
traditional systems also
India’s strength in Medicinal Plants

8000
Medicinal

Total
10000
species

Pesticides
Gums, Resins &
Dyes
 India’s Strength in Medicinal Plants
THE INDIAN FLORA (ca 17500 species)

INDIAN SYSTEMS OF MEDICINE

mmunities (oral
Co )
al

ib
Tr
are used by
900 sp. Ayurveda

700 sp. Unani

600 sp.
s

Siddha
t
an

250 sp. Amchi

Pl
l a

in 30 sp.
d i c Modern
Me
8000 species
Weaknesses

• Cultivation of medicinal plants not being done on a

commercialise
• Absence of standard and quality control for herbal
products
• Inadequate database on medicinal plant for
cultivation to post harvest management
• Packaging standard as per international norm
• Traditional herbals remedies has not bee
standardized and tested for their efficacy
Opportunities

▪ Increasing market size both national and global for

plant-based product

▪ India can take large share of this market internationally

▪ Increasing research capability: Information technology

and biotechnology, India can emerge as the most
sustainable growth sector in medicinal plants
Threats

• Competition is from those countries which have similar

strength

• Patent an intellectual property rights on use of

medicinal plant

• Neglect of Indian system medicine by Indian practioner

of modern medicine
Importance and Scope of Medicinal Plants in India
• India has a rich diversity of medicinal plants ~ 8000 species
distributed in Western & Eastern ghat, Vinhdhyachal,
Chotanagpur, M.P., Chhattisgarh, Aravalli, Himalayan
region Nilgiris Hills.
• Industrial demand of Medicinal plants is increasing due to
production of health care products .

• Presently 90 – 95% collection of medicinal plants are from

wild and forest . (generating 40-million-man days
employment)

• WHO estimate that 80% of the world population of

developing countries rely on traditional medicine for health
care.

• International market of medicinal plants is over $60 billion

per Annum

• Modern pharmacopoeia is still contained 25% drugs

derived from plants.
Break up of medicinal plant by their parts utilized
in India

Leaves 6%
Stem 6%
Seeds 7%
Fruits 10%
Bark 14%
whole parts 16%
Roots 29%
wood 3%
Rhizomes 4%
Flowers 5%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40%
Distribution of Medicinal Plants by Habits

35% 33% 32%

30%
25%
20% 20%
20%
15%
10%
5% 3%
0%
Distribution of Medicinal Plants Across the Biogeographic
Zones/Provinces of India
Biogeographic Zones/ Estimated
medicinal Plant spp

1. Trans Himalayan 700

2. The Himalayan 1700
3. Desert 500
4. Semi arid 1000
5. Western Ghats 2000
6. Deccan Peninsula 3000
7. Gangetic Plain 1000
8. North East India 2000
9. Islands 1000
10.Coasts 500
Source:
FRLHT(Foundation for Revitalization of Local
Health Traditions ), Bangalore
 Classification of medicinal plants

1. Alphabetical classification
(Pharmacopeias)
2. Taxonomical classification
3. Morphological classification
4. Classification on the basis of chemical
nature/Biogenic
5. Pharmacological (therapeutic) actions
 Alphabetical Classification

• Latin/vernacular names
• Advantage: quick reference
• Disadvantage: no indication of the
interrelationships between plants (drugs)
• Used in
– Dictionaries
– Pharmacopoeias
Alphabetical classification
 Taxonomic Classification

• Plants classified based on their botanical

classification
• (Plant) Drugs are arranged according to the plants
they are derived from (class, order, family, genera &
species).
• Advantage: Precise & ordered arrangement (no
ambiguity)
• Disadvantage: Botanical knowledge decreases over
the years in students
 Taxonomical (Biological) classification
The following classification 'telescope' clearly indicates the mechanism
behind the classification of the plant kingdom.
 Example of Taxonomical classification
• Kingdom : Spermatophyta
• Division: Angiospermae
• Class: Dicotyledons
• Sub class: Sympetalae
• Order: Tubifolae
• Family: Solanaceae
• Genus: Atropa, Hyoscymus, Datura
• Species:belladona, niger,stramonium,
Datura stramonium

Hyoscymus niger Atropa belladona

 Morphological Classifications

• (Plant) Drugs are divided into organized and

unorganized drugs
– Based on plant morphology

• Advantage
– Practical application to the study of plant drugs

• Disadvantage
– Microscopical studies are needed to identify powdered
herbs
 Morphological Classification
• Organized drugs • Unorganized drugs
– Leaves – Dried lattices
– Flowers – Extracts
– Fruits – Gums
– Seeds – Resins
– Herbs – Oils
– Whole organisms – Fats
– Woods – waxes
– Barks
– Rhizomes
– Roots
 Morphological classification
• Seeds: Ajowain, Nuxvomica, Isabgoal, Castor
• Leaves: Senna, Digitalis, Vasaka, Eucalyptus, Brami, Aloe vera,
Bhringraj
• Barks: Cinchona, Cinnamon, Quillaia
• Woods: Sandalwood, Red sandalwood, Sassafras
• Rhizomes: Turmeric, Ginger, Valerians, Podophyllum
• Roots: Rauwolfia, Ipecacuanha, Aconite
• Flower / buds: Clove, Pyrethrum, Artemisia, Saffron
• Fruits: Baels, Fennel, Jamun
• Dried lattices: Opium, Papain
• Gums: Acacia, Guar, Tragacanth, Ghatti gum
• Dried juice: Aloes, Kino, Gugul
• dried Extract: Catechus, Agar
 Biogenic/Chemical Classification
• Drugs are classified according to the main active chemical
constituent available in the plant

• The biosynthetic pathways of the main active constituent.

• Advantage: Popular for teaching when Pharmacognacy is

phytochemically based.

• Disadvantage: Ambiguities: Plants contain more than one

group of active constituents each with different actions
Chemical Classification
• Glycosides: Senna, Digitalis, Liquorice
• Alkaloids: Nux vomica, Datura, Ergot,Sarpagandha,
Cinchona, Opium etc.
• Tannins: Myrobalan, Catechu, Ashoka
• Volatile oils: Peppermint, Clove, Eucalyputus, Garlic
• Lipids: Castor, Bee wax, Lanolin, Kokum, Neem
• Vitamins & Hormone: Yeast, Sharkliver oil, Insulin
• Proteins & Enzyme: Papaya (papain), Trypsin, Casein,
Gelatin
• Carbohydrate derivative: Agar, Acacia, Honey, Isobgoal
• Resin: Balsam, Colophony
 Pharmacological/Therapeutic Classification

• Plant drugs are grouped according to their pharmacological

action of the most important active constituent in the plant

• According to the drug’s therapeutic use

• Disadvantage: The constituents of one drug may have more

than one therapeutic action (fall into numerous groups. E.g.
Flavonoids)
Pharmacological (therapeutic) actions
I. Drugs acting on gastro-intestine tract
– Bitter: Cinchona, Quassia
– Carminative: Dill, Mentha, Cardamon
– Anti amoebics: Ipecacuanha
– Bulk Laxative: Ishobgoal, Agar, Banana
– Peptic ulcer: Liquorice, Banana(Raw)
– Purgative: Senna, Castor oil
Drugs acting on respiratory system:
-Bronchodilator: Ephedra, Tea, Vasaka
-Expectorant: Liquorice ,Vasaka

Ephedra Liquorice Vasaka

 III. Drugs acting on Nervous system:
• Ephedra
• Belladona
• Datura

IV. Drugs acting on Central Nervous system (CNS)

• Opium (Morphine)
• Coffee (Caffeine)
 Drugs acting on Central Nervous system (CNS)

Coffee
(Caffeine)
•Opium
(Morphine)
 Traditional medicinal formulations

Triphala, which is prepared by combining the fruits (without

seeds) of Terminalia chebula Retz., Terminalia bellerica Roxb.,
and Emblica officinalis Gaertn., showed potent effects against
constipation and other gastric problems.
A standardized formulation prepared with purified extract of
ashwagandha (W. somnifera), guggulu (B. serrata), and haldi
(Curcuma longa) was effective in improving a joint-swelling
condition and has a good safely profile when given to people
suffering from rheumatoid arthritis
 TRIPHALA

Emblica officinalis

Terminalia Chebula

Terminalia balerica
 Problem of Indian System of Medicine
The role of herbal medicine in effectively meeting the
primary health care needs of the rural people. This has led
to the widespread interest in placing herbal medicine in a
appropriate scientific framework, by assessing their safety,
efficacy and quality, according to modern standards. WHO
guidelines for assessment of herbals address the following:

• Pharmaceutical assessment (crude plant material, plant

preparations, finished products, stability).
• Safety assessment (toxicological studies, documentation of
safety based on experience).
• Assessment of efficacy and intended use (pharmacological
activity, evidence required to support indication).
• Product information to consumers.
• Marketing
 Quality assurance in Medicinal Plants and
Traditional Medicine
➢ In earlier centuries, this term Quality assurance was done by Vaidhya . The
physician himself used to be the formulator and everything, from collection
to storage, processing to prescription/dispensing were under his direct
control (although there did exist traditional pharmacopoeias & pharmacy
texts)

➢ Today, with commercialization of drug business and commercialization of

activities, it is essential to lay down the stringent parameters to ensure
batch to batch consistency and further reproducibility

➢ No pharmacopoeia is so elaborate as to cover all herbs growing in a sub-

continent and therefore no well established protocols for detailed quality
checks of herbs; raw material (RM)standardization is a tough task unlike
synthetic allopathic system, therefore, many times a need of self-designed
standards & a self-imposed discipline
Quality Evaluation of Medicinal Plant products

PHYSICAL
QUALITY EVALUATION OF
Medicinal Plant Products
 Authentication
Heavy Metal Foreign
Contaminants Matter
Organoleptic
Microbial Count Evaluation

Pesticide Macroscopy &

STANDARDIZATION
Residue Microscopy
OF HRBAL DRUGS

Marker Volatile
Component Matter

Chromatograph Ash
ic Profile Extractive Value Value

Authentication and Standardization of Herbal Raw Material

 Standardization of Herbal Drugs
For Global Competitiveness:
Raw materials Process
▪ Authentication
▪ Material/energy inputs
▪ Physico, chemical, biological limits
▪ Operational uniformity
▪ Storage conditions
▪ Safety and occupational health
▪ Size/shape/right quality
▪ Intermediate quality [in process
▪ Chromatographic fingerprint quality control
Product ▪ Chromatographic fingerprint
▪ Organolepthic . Physico chemical
properties
▪ Chromatographic fingerprint
▪ Assay [Chemical / biological]
▪ Storage stability
▪ User safety
▪ Packaging and labelling
 Rauwolfia serpentina

Rauwolfia serpentina L. (sarpagandha), an ancient

medicinal plant of India, is used to treat
hypertension, mental disturbance, insomnia,
gastrointestinal disorders, epilepsy, anxiety, and
schizophrenia. The plant is also used to cure
several hypertension-related problems like
headache, dizziness, amenorrhea,
oligomenorrhea, and dysmenorrhea in Siddha
medicine.
 Turmeric
Turmeric (C. longa) is a classical Indian
medicinal herb recognized for its great clinical
utility by ISMs. It is used in the treatment of
pain, wounds, and sprains, as well as skin,
pulmonary, gastrointestinal tract (GIT), and liver
disorders. “Curcumin”, the bioactive component
of turmeric, has emerged as a potential
therapeutic molecule against Alzheimer’s
disease, different malignant diseases, diabetes,
allergies, and arthritis, among other disorders.
Anti-arthritics,tonic,aphrodisiacs
 Aswagandha (w.somnifera)
W. somnifera L., a medicinal plant described in
Ayurveda, is known to process anti-inflammatory,
cardio-active, and central nervous system activities.
Withanolides, which is extracted from W. somnifera
and used in Ayurvedic medicine to cure arthritis and
menstrual disorders, has been found to be an
inhibitor of angiogenesis, inflammation, tumor
development, and oxidative stress, as well as a
promoter of cardio protection.
Salai guggul
 Salai guggul

The gum resin of salai guggul (B. serrata) is used

in Ayurveda to cure rheumatic diseases and
respiratory and liver disorders. Several
researchers have discovered the active
biomolecule of this resin to be boswellic acid.
Boswellic acid and its derivatives have emerged
as future anticancer agents.
Nerve tonic Blood purifier, Diuretic
Memory enhancer
 B. monnieri

B. monnieri is a potent medicinal herb of

Ayurveda used to cure epilepsy, asthma,
ulcers, tumors, and inflammation, among
other things. Subsequent investigations
led to the discovery of bacosides
Anti- cardiac
Coleus forskohlii
 Coleus forskohlii (makandi)

A labdane diterpene, “forskolin” is isolated from the

root of Indian medicinal herb Coleus forskohlii
(makandi). Forskolin has a potent and direct adenylate
cyclase-activating property and could be a potent
molecule to treat congestive cardiomyopathy, glaucoma,
and asthma. Clinical studies of forskolin to manage
obesity and weight are ongoing. A number of semi-
synthetic derivatives of forskolin have been developed
and have been approved for several clinical studies
Rheumatoid arthritis
 Guggul

Guggulsterone was discovered from the gum resin

(Guggulu) of Commiphora mukul. Guggul is an important
constituent of Ayurvedic medicine used to cure several
disorders like obesity, bone fractures, arthritis,
inflammation, and cardiovascular disease. The CDRI has
successfully comp clinical trials of guggulipid as a lipid-
lowering agent and marketed it in the form of tablets and
granules
Cardiac Stimulant
 Diosgenin

Diosgenin is a major bioactive steroidal sapogenin

isolated from several traditional medicinal plants
Dioscorea spp. These plants are commonly used in
Ayurvedic and Siddha formulations. Dioscorea bulbifera L.
(varahi) is used to treat dysuria, urinary calculus, urine
disorders, calculus, disorders of vital points, and trauma,
 Licorice (Glycyrrhiza spp.)

• Phenolic compounds
from the root or
rhizome
• anti-oxidant
• anti-tumor
• anti-inflammatory
 St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

• Extract from leaves

• Effective for depression
and sleeplessness
• anti-retroviral activities
• Side effects include
photosensitivity and
dermatitis
 Ginseng (Panax ginseng, P. quinquefolium,
Elutherococcus senticocus)

• Mixture of compounds from

root
• Traditional Chinese medicine
for 5000 years
• Increases stress tolerance
• Speeds up metabolism
• Anti-carcinogenic
• No known side-effects
Immune Support, Constipation, Ulcers, Diabetes and Skin care
Fever and Malaria
Female Disorders, Piles
Anaemia, Jaundice, Diabetes, Asthma
Cardio-tonic, Anti-fungal, Anti-inflammatory
Malaria, jaundice and Anemia
Carminative, Stimulant, Flavouring and Insect
repellent
Anti-inflammatory agent, Skin care remedy, and
Digestion
Immunomodulator and galactogogue
Antiarthritic, Carninative,Stomachache
Skin diseases, Diarrhoea, Jaundice
Yellow dye
Antiseptic, Antidibetic
Immuno–Modulator and Hepatoprotective
Vitamin C and Carotene

Seabuckthor
Skin diseases, Wounds and Ulcers and Blood purifier
Conjuctivities and Chronic Ophthalkmia
Anti Cancerous
Stimulant and Carminative Properties
Antidysentric, Carminative and laxative
Excellent Brain Tonic and Hair Related Problems
Anti-inflammatory Agent Nerve Stimulant and Pain
Reliever
Skin Disease and Leprosy
Excellent for Asthma Bronchitis, Whooping-cough
Prevent Memory loss
Antioxidant activity and dysentery