Tools for Safety Evaluation and Conservation of Medicinal Plants

Abstract

Medicinal plants have become an important part of both traditional medicine and the modern system of health care. Traditional medicine has been used in India since the dawn of civilization for the treatment of various human ailments and diseases. However, their adulteration always remains a major concern of users for reasons of safety and effectiveness. Correct authentication and identification of genuine medicinal herbs have always been a great challenge for the people using them. With an increase in the consumption of herbal medicine, the authentication and characterization of these medicinal plants are becoming a critical issue. The genetic content of each species is unique and is independent of physiological and environmental factors. The DNA encoded in genetic material is capable of distinguishing one species from another; thus, DNA methods are the most dependable methods for the identification and characterization of medicinal plants. Many DNA-based molecular markers have been developed for the identification of plant species. Due to over-exploitation of the medicinal plant in the preparation of herbal formulations without any prior steps for their conservation, they are becoming endangered, and even many of the plant species are on the verge of extinction. Therefore, conservation and correct authentication of plants with medicinal values is the need of the hour.