Impact of Secondary Metabolism on Therapeutic Efficacy of Medicinal Plants

Abstract

Medicinal plants constitute main resource base of almost all the traditional healthcare systems. Most of the herbal drugs produced currently in majority of the developing countries lack proper quality specification and standards. Both the raw drugs and the finished herbal products manufactured contain complex mixtures of organic compounds, such as fatty acids, sterols, alkaloids, flavonoids, polyphenols, glycosides, saponins, tannins, terpenes, etc. The quality of the finished product is based on the quality of the raw materials. Ecological and edaphic as well as seasonal variations also cause changes in the chemical composition of medicinal plants. These facts have to be considered while developing quality parameters, standards of medicinal plants and their finished products. Purpose of the Study: An illustrated review of factors that influence secondary metabolism of plants and their impacts on therapeutic efficacy. Findings: A careful observation may explore facts behind therapeutic efficacy of these plants. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive literature review, consulting books, technical newsletters, herb magazines, journals and many other sources. Research Limitations: The limitation lies with the unlimited information about traditional medicines. The validity of those are very hard to prove. Only data obtained from books, newsletters, national and international research-based articles are given here along with surrounding facts mostly visible. A few many plant medicine books are consulted earlier but the article has fewer scope to add from them. Practical Implication: The article is based on plant medicine which is a specialized topic. Students, researchers and professionals may acquire much from this article.

Keywords: biosynthesis, medicinal plants, organic compounds, pollens, secondary metabolite