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[Clinical trials using medicinal plants: bibliographical review and methodological analysis]
Mamadou Kamagaté1, Henri Die-Kacou, Eric Balayssac
1Département de Pharmacologie Clinique, Université Cocody, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. kamadg@yahoo.fr
Therapie
|November 5, 2005
Summary
Traditional medicine is vital for over 80% of people in Africa, Asia, and South America. Clinical trials for medicinal plants often follow WHO guidelines, enhancing global recognition.
Area of Science:
- Ethnobotany and Pharmacology
- Clinical Trial Methodology
- Global Health
Context:
- Traditional medicine is a cornerstone of cultural heritage for African, Asian, and South American populations.
- Over 80% of people in these regions rely on traditional medicine.
- Medicinal plants form a significant part of traditional pharmacopoeias.
Purpose:
- To analyze the methodological quality of clinical trials involving medicinal plants.
- To assess adherence to international standards in traditional medicine research.
- To identify trends in clinical trial design for herbal medicines.
Summary:
- A review of 48 clinical trials on medicinal plants published between 1980 and 2000 was conducted.
- Most trials, primarily from developed countries, adhered to standard principles like randomisation, comparison, and blinding.
- Studies were generally short with small sample sizes, and adverse effects were rarely documented.
Impact:
- Findings indicate that most clinical trials align with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.
- Adherence to methodological rigor and legislative frameworks is crucial for the credibility and international acceptance of traditional medicine.
- This research highlights the need for robust clinical validation to integrate traditional pharmacopoeias into global healthcare systems.