Non-Targeted Analytical Technology in Herbal Medicines: Applications, Challenges, and Perspectives

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Analytical Chemistry
• Traditional Medicine

Background:

• Herbal medicines (HMs) have a long history of use in treating ailments, including recent applications in COVID-19 management.
• Factors like harvesting and processing can affect the clinical efficacy of HMs, necessitating robust analytical methods.
• Ensuring the quality and medicinal value of HMs for clinical application is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the benefits, limitations, and applicability of non-targeted analytical technology for studying HMs.
• To explore the use of non-targeted analytical technology in HM analysis, including structure analysis, authentication, real-time monitoring, and quality assessment.
• To provide guidance for researchers and engineers in selecting appropriate non-targeted analytical technologies for HMs.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of non-targeted analytical technology applications in herbal medicine research.
• Analysis of non-targeted technology's role in structure elucidation, authentication, and quality control of HMs.
• Discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of non-targeted analytical approaches for HMs.

Main Results:

• Non-targeted analytical technology is a reliable method for analyzing unknown components in HMs.
• This technology is applicable to structure analysis, authentication, real-time monitoring, and quality assessment of HMs.
• The review summarizes the current state and future prospects of non-targeted analytical technology in HM research.

Conclusions:

• Non-targeted analytical technology is essential for ensuring the quality and authenticity of herbal medicines.
• It provides a comprehensive approach to understanding HM composition and efficacy.
• Further development and application of this technology will enhance the clinical use of HMs.