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[Medicinal plants in phytotherapy]
Daniela Giachetti1, Lamberto Monti
1Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Sezione di Biologia Farmaceutica, Universita degli Studi, Via Tommaso Pendola 62, 53100 Siena, Italy. giachetti@unisi.it
Annali Dell'Istituto Superiore Di Sanita
|July 23, 2005
Summary
Plants offer vast biochemical diversity, with four-fifths of secondary metabolites originating from the vegetable world. This rich source contributes significantly to modern medicine and the growing practice of phytotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Explores the extensive biochemical diversity within the plant kingdom.
- Highlights the significant contribution of plant-derived secondary metabolites.
Context:
- Plants possess greater biochemical diversity than animals, with 80% of secondary metabolites originating from the vegetable world.
- Plant adaptation mechanisms, influenced by soil interaction, contribute to their diverse chemical compounds.
- Approximately 40% of current single-molecule drugs are derived from plant sources.
Purpose:
- To underscore the importance of plant-derived compounds in medicine.
- To discuss the role of empirical evidence and regulation in phytotherapy.
Summary:
- The plant kingdom is a rich source of biochemical diversity, providing a substantial proportion of secondary metabolites.
- Plant-derived compounds are crucial for modern pharmaceuticals, with 40% of drugs having plant origins.
- Phytotherapy, or plant-based medicine, is a widely practiced form of complementary medicine, increasingly recognized and regulated.
Impact:
- Recognizes the long-standing empirical evidence supporting the efficacy of traditional plant-based remedies.
- Acknowledges the regulatory frameworks, such as Directive 2004/24/EC, governing vegetable products for minor health indications.