Quality control of herbal medicines with spectrophotometry and chemometric techniques-application to baccharis L. species belonging to sect-caulopterae DC. (Asteraceae)

Abstract

Medicinal plants constitute a rich cultural and biological heritage in many countries, which could be very useful in meeting the therapeutic needs of the population (Rodriguez, 2010a). Traditional herbal medicines have been widely used for many years in many eastern countries (Liang et al., 2004). However, little work has been done to validate and standardize these products properly in order to match phytotherapy to chemotherapy which currently receives almost unconditional support from formal systems of health care. For several years now activities have been undertaken to systematize the identification, validation, production and use of medicinal plants, for both primary health care as well as a semi-industrial or industrial process, which implies their transformation into safe, reliable and stable phytopharmaceutical products. Therefore it is suggested that medicinal plants and their derived products would be a viable option for national development as an agricultural and therapeutic alternative, but standardization and industrialization, involving sustained yields, a quality control system and honest and reliable marketing would be needed for widespread implementation and official support. Consequently, on account of the above, education and research should be in agreement if any advance is to be made in this area (Rodriguez, 2010a). However, the necessary criteria for data quality, safety and efficacy of traditional medicine that would support its use in the world do not exist. Appropriate, accepted research methodology for evaluating traditional medicine is also lacking (Liang et al., 2004).