Abstract

IMPORTANCE OF MARKERS IN THE STANDARDIZATION OF HERBAL DRUGS: A REVIEW

Rashmi Saxena Pal*, Yogendra Pal and Nikita Saraswat

Abstract

Standardization and quality control with proper applications of modern scientific techniques and traditional knowledge is the key for conversion of the botanical materials into medicines. The new Pharmacognosy includes all the aspects of drug development and discovery, where bio-technology driven applications play an important role. As Herbal medicinal products are complex mixtures which originate from biological sources, great efforts are necessary to guarantee a constant adequate quality. By carefully selecting the plant materials and a standardized manufacturing process the pattern and concentration of constituents of herbal medicinal products should be kept constant possible. Marker compounds are mainly the chemical constituents in a medicine that can be used to verify its potency or identity. A good marker should be characteristic of the given herbal preparation, be a substance with an established chemical structure and not be present in other herbs contained in the finished product. This review provides a brief account of various aspects of Marker compounds that are useful in genotyping and quick identification of botanicals.

Keywords: Markers, Standardization, Herbal drugs, Phytoconstituents, DNA markers.