American Herbal Pharmacopoeia Research Articles

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Warbugia ugandensis is among the ten most utilized medicinal plants in East Africa. Stem-bark and leaves are used as remedies for malaria, stomachache, coughs and several skin diseases. Consequently, the plant is endangered because of uncontrolled harvest from the wild and lack of domestication. There is therefore fear of poor quality commercialized products due to lack of quality control mechanisms. The objective of this study was to investigate features of diagnostic value that could be used to confirm its authenticity and purity. Samples in the study were obtained from six different geographical locations in Kenya by random purposive sampling. Macroscopic and microscopic studies of the leaf and stem-bark were done based on a modified method from the American herbal pharmacopoeia. The study revealed over five macroscopic and organoleptic characteristics for W. ugandensis leaf and stem-bark including strong aromatic odor and bitter peppery taste. Major microscopic characteristics of the leaf included anomocytic stoma, oil glands and trichomes. Microscopy of stem-bark revealed scaly outgrowths and parenchyma cells in addition to clusters of simple starch granules. Macroscopic and microscopic features of diagnostic value identified can be used to evaluate the quality of W. ugandensis herbal materials especially for confirmation of purity and authenticity. Key words: Microscopic, macroscopic, Quality, Warbugia ugandensis, herbal.

Properties of Ganoderma lucidum triterpenes

Ganoderma lucidum has been used for promoting longevity and health in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in Asian countries. Its pharmacological effects are widely known, as indicated by its inclusion in the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia. It was found that G. lucidum contains several bioactive compounds, including triterpenes, polysaccharides, peptidoglycans, flavonoids, sterols, fatty acids and nucleotides. It is well-known medicinal mushroom that has been widely used for the treatment of several chronic diseases. It has been reported that triterpenes are responsible for the major medicinal properties and demonstrated therapeutic efficiency of G. lucidum. The present review mainly focuses on the pharmacological properties of the triterpenes underlying antioxidative, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetes and hepatoprotective activities.

Tarczyca bocznokwiatowa (Scutellaria lateriflora) – znaczenie w medycynie tradycyjnej i pozycja we współczesnej fitoterapii

American skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora L.) has long been used as a medicine by North American Indian tribes. A monograph of Scutellariae lateriflorae herba was included in the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia in 2009. This raw material is very popular in North America because of its sedative action. It is also highly valued in Australia, while in Europe, it has been widely used until now in the United Kingdom. The main components of the herb of this plant species include flavonoids specific for the Scutellaria genus, mostly baicalein, baicalin, wogonin, scutellarin. They are accompanied by other groups of compounds: diterpenoids – neoclerodan derivatives, γ-aminobutyric acid, melatonin, serotonin, catalpol, phenolic acids, phenylpropanoid glycosides (mostly verbascoside) and essential oil. Studies of chemical composition and investigation of medicinal activity of this raw material confirmed its uses known from North American folk medicine. Study results proved most of all a significance of flavonoid compounds present in the raw material for its documented biological activity. The aim of the paper is to review the present knowledge on chemical composition and medicinal significance of this very valuable plant. The research team from the Department of Pharmaceutical Botany JU MC initiated biotechnological studies of this species. Its microshoots successfully grown in vitro produce considerable amounts of specific flavonoids (mostly baicalin and wogonoside) and verbascoside, and in future they can be an alternative rich source of these compounds for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications.

Development of internet technology TIPHAM (Tool for identity of Powdered Herbals through Analytical Microscopy) for microscopic identification of crude herbal drugs

Background: Industrial usage of herbal plants has gone up, but techniques for verifying their botanical identity is still questionable. In the herbal industry, bulk consignments are received in powdered form as it is cumbersome to transport drugs in whole form. To ensure that the final product is safe and efficacious, the authenticity of the herbal plant should be established at the first stage. A proper methodology should be adopted in terms of computer technology to establish the correct botanical identity of the plant and to check the presence of substitutes and adulterants. Objective: To develop a software for identification of powdered samples of leaves and barks used in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India along with their substitutes and adulterants. Materials and Methods: Almost 100 plants have been selected from the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India comprising 54 barks and 46 leaves. Samples were self-collected and authenticated from the National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources, Pusa, New Delhi. The selected crude herbal drugs were subjected to a detailed powdered microscopic identification and standard operating procedure for the preparation of slides was prepared. The features selected for identification of bark included14 specific characters - stone cells, calcium oxalate crystals, starch grains, medullary rays, fibers, sclereids, cork, isolated oil cells, tubular lactiferous canals, phloem parenchyma, masses, rhytidoma, parenchyma, and secretory canals. These characters are further differentiated into 75 features and 151 subfeatures, whereas for leaves, 13 specific characters were included, namely, epidermis, stomata, trichomes, calcium oxalate crystals, fibers, cell contents, cystoliths, lamina, starch grains, tracheids, lactiferous canals, and xylem vessels which are differentiated into 139 features. The details of all the features have been uploaded in the software under the name tool for identity of powdered herbals through analytical microscopy (www.tipham.com) with the database of 100 selected drugs. Results: A computer-based approach is developed which contains standard requirements for powdered plant parts, thus enabling identification of a bark or leaf powder in short time with minimum expertise. Conclusion: Computer-based technology would be a landmark in the field of pharmacognosy as proper identification of plant is the key to develop quality herbal products ensuring their safety and efficacy. Abbreviations used: μm: Micrometer; AHP: American Herbal Pharmacopoeia; DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid; GMP: Good Manufacturing Practices; ICMR: Indian Council of Medical Research; Id: Identity Document; IT: Information Technology; MICROAID: Microaided Identification; MP: Megapixel; NA: Not Applicable; NISCAIR: National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources; TIPHAM: Tool for Identity of Powdered Herbals through Analytical Microscopy; TLC: Thin-Layer Chromatography; UK: United Kingdom; WHO: World Health Organization.

Laboratory guidance on analytical methods to detect adulterants in commercial botanical materials: The next phase of the ABC-AHP-NCNPR botanical adulterants program

As the market for herbal medicines and dietary supplements increases, so do confirmed reports of undisclosed ingredients being added to botanical raw materials, extracts, essential oils, and finished botanical-based consumer products. These problems not only present a significant challenge to the global botanical medicine and herbal supplement industries but more importantly put the health and safety of the consumer at risk. Examples of adulteration are currently being compiled in a series of peer-reviewed articles by an independent consortium of nonprofit organizations consisting of the American Botanical Council (ABC), the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia (AHP), and the National Center for Natural Product Research (NCNPR) at the University of Mississippi.

Stinging nettles leaf (Urtica dioica L.): Extraordinary vegetable medicine

The efficacy and safety of herbal medicines are dependent upon the standards by which they are made and our knowledge base when prescribing them. Stinging nettles is a staple among Western herbalists and is widely used as a vegetable green, juice, tea, and freeze dried products, predominantly as a blood nourishing tonic and for seasonal rhinitis. The following botanical profile is excerpted from the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia® and Therapeutic Compendium.

Skullcap Scutellaria lateriflora L.: An American nervine

The efficacy and safety of herbal medicines are dependent upon the standards by which they are made and our knowledge base when prescribing them. Skullcap in particular is commonly associated with adulterations with other Scutellaria species as well as the potential hepatotoxic Teucrium spp. Additionally, while a staple among American and British herbalists, formal clinical studies regarding its use are lacking. The following botanical profile is excerpted from the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia® and Therapeutic Compendium.

The American herbal pharmacopoeia -The marriage of traditional herbalism and classical pharmacognosy

The origins of pharmacognosy span from before the first century to the present day. Throughout most of its history pharmacognosy paralleled the history of herbal medicine beginning with the roots, barks, leaves, and seeds that made up the traditional crude herb materia medica to relatively recent innovations that led to isolation, purification, and standardization of modern plant-based pharmaceuticals. Worldwide there is a resurgence in traditional herbal medicine which makes the traditional plant-based knowledge of yesteryear's pharmacognosist equally as important as the reliance on chemical and molecular technologies used in modern drug development. This presentation will trace the roots of pharmacognosy from its historical beginnings to the needs of the natural medicine market today.

American Herbal Pharmacopoeia: Botanical Pharmacognosy - Microscopic Characterization of Botanical Medicines

Focus on Alternative and Complementary TherapiesVolume 17, Issue 1 p. e8-e8 American Herbal Pharmacopoeia: Botanical Pharmacognosy – Microscopic Characterization of Botanical Medicines E Ernst, E Ernst Exeter, UKSearch for more papers by this author E Ernst, E Ernst Exeter, UKSearch for more papers by this author First published: 16 February 2012 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-7166.2011.01131.xCitations: 1Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume17, Issue1March 2012Pages e8-e8 RelatedInformation

Economically Motivated Adulteration of Botanical Raw Materials, Herbal Extracts, and Essential Oils in the Global Marketplace

The nature of herbs and related botanical products frequently requires additional quality control diligence for manufacturers and producers of herbal products, including raw materials, teas, extracts, phytomedicines, and related goods. This pertains whether these ingredients are sold as foods, cosmetic ingredients, therapeutic goods, dietary supplements, etc. The fact that herbs are agricultural products (whether wild-harvested or commercially cultivated) can create challenges related to identity, chemical composition, purity, and related considerations. In the past 30 years or so, there have been numerous cases of accidental misidentification of botanical materials due to error and lack of adequate quality control measures. In addition, there have been persistent cases of inadvertent contamination with heavy metals, agricultural chemicals, excessive microbial load, excessive solvent levels in extracts, etc. Much of this is to be expected. However, there appears to be growing trend of intentional adulteration, or economically motivated adulteration (EMA), as well as the so-called „spiking“ of extracts with undisclosed lower-quality and lower-cost ingredients, even including active pharmaceutical ingredients (conventional pharmaceutical drugs). This presentation will review many of these quality control challenges and notable cases of safety concerns and economic fraud created by them as is being compiled for publication in a white paper by the American Botanical Council and the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia.

Use of High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography by the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia

TLC characterizations are among the key identity tests in most pharmacopoeial monographs. Pharmacopoeial standards are typically used by industry as a basis for meeting QC requirements and current good manufacturing practices (cGMPs). TLC is a relatively low-cost, highly versatile tool for developing specifications for raw materials, as well as for the various preparations for which pharmacopoeial standards are created. In addition to its use in the development of identity tests, TLC is a valuable tool for screening plant samples that pharmacopoeias must review in the development of monographs and botanical reference materials (BRMs). Specifically, HPTLC is the ideal TLC technique for these purposes because of its increased accuracy, reproducibility, and ability to document the results, compared with standard TLC. Because of this, HPTLC technologies are also the most appropriate TLC technique for conformity with GMPs. This article highlights the manner in which HPTLC is used by the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia (AHP) in the development of AHP monograph identity standards, the identification of adulterating species, and the development of AHP-verified BRMs.

An integrated web medicinal materials DNA database: MMDBD (Medicinal Materials DNA Barcode Database).

BackgroundThousands of plants and animals possess pharmacological properties and there is an increased interest in using these materials for therapy and health maintenance. Efficacies of the application is critically dependent on the use of genuine materials. For time to time, life-threatening poisoning is found because toxic adulterant or substitute is administered. DNA barcoding provides a definitive means of authentication and for conducting molecular systematics studies. Owing to the reduced cost in DNA authentication, the volume of the DNA barcodes produced for medicinal materials is on the rise and necessitates the development of an integrated DNA database.DescriptionWe have developed an integrated DNA barcode multimedia information platform- Medicinal Materials DNA Barcode Database (MMDBD) for data retrieval and similarity search. MMDBD contains over 1000 species of medicinal materials listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and American Herbal Pharmacopoeia. MMDBD also contains useful information of the medicinal material, including resources, adulterant information, medical parts, photographs, primers used for obtaining the barcodes and key references. MMDBD can be accessed at http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/icm/mmdbd.htm.ConclusionsThis work provides a centralized medicinal materials DNA barcode database and bioinformatics tools for data storage, analysis and exchange for promoting the identification of medicinal materials. MMDBD has the largest collection of DNA barcodes of medicinal materials and is a useful resource for researchers in conservation, systematic study, forensic and herbal industry.

A role for non-alkaloidal constitutes in the antibacterial activity of Hydrastis canadensis

The medicinal plant goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) has been used historically to treat infection [1], and it is currently among the top ten best selling botanicals in the US. This plant has demonstrated activity in vitro against a number of bacteria, including multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) [2]. Previous studies have implicated several alkaloids, including berberine, in the antibacterial activity of H. canadensis [2, 3]. Recent results from our laboratories, however, have led to the hypothesis that non-alkaloidal constituents also play an important role. An extract from the aerial portions of H. canadensis was separated into 12 fractions using flash chromatography. One of these fractions contained only very low (1000 x < MIC) concentrations of alkaloids, but it enhanced significantly the antibacterial activity of berberine. LC-MS analysis of all 12 of the fractions indicated three potential active compounds (thus far unidentified) that were present at the highest concentration in the active fraction. On the basis of experiments comparing antibacterial activity against wild type and efflux pump knockout mutants of S. aureus, the active constituents of the fraction appear to act as efflux pump inhibitors. Our studies indicate that goldenseal's mechanism of antibacterial activity may be more complex than previously reported, and suggest that H. canadensis could be useful for the treatment of drug resistant bacterial infections, particularly as a topical agent. In addition, we demonstrate the effectiveness of combining bioassay guided fractionation with comprehensive LC-MS analysis to identify potential potentiators/synergists in medicinal plants. Acknowledgements: Bill Burch, Bear Wallow Ginseng, Hendersonville, NC; Research Corporation Cottrell College Science Award CC6642; NSF-MRI Award 0420292.

An Illustrated Chinese Materia Medica By Jing-Nuan Wu (Ming-I Herbals, Alchem, Dr. Wu's Herbs). Oxford University Press, New York. 2005. viii + 706 pp. 7 × 10 in. $175.00. ISBN 0-19-51407-6.

ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ISSUEPREVBook ReviewNEXTAn Illustrated Chinese Materia Medica By Jing-Nuan Wu (Ming-I Herbals, Alchem, Dr. Wu's Herbs). Oxford University Press, New York. 2005. viii + 706 pp. 7 × 10 in. $175.00. ISBN 0-19-51407-6.Roy UptonView Author Information American Herbal Pharmacopoeia Scotts Valley, CaliforniaCite this: J. Nat. Prod. 2005, 68, 11, 1712Publication Date (Web):October 27, 2005Publication History Published online27 October 2005Published inissue 1 November 2005https://doi.org/10.1021/np0582527Copyright © 2005 American Chemical Society and American Society of PharmacognosyRIGHTS & PERMISSIONSArticle Views144Altmetric-Citations-LEARN ABOUT THESE METRICSArticle Views are the COUNTER-compliant sum of full text article downloads since November 2008 (both PDF and HTML) across all institutions and individuals. These metrics are regularly updated to reflect usage leading up to the last few days.Citations are the number of other articles citing this article, calculated by Crossref and updated daily. Find more information about Crossref citation counts.The Altmetric Attention Score is a quantitative measure of the attention that a research article has received online. Clicking on the donut icon will load a page at altmetric.com with additional details about the score and the social media presence for the given article. Find more information on the Altmetric Attention Score and how the score is calculated. Share Add toView InAdd Full Text with ReferenceAdd Description ExportRISCitationCitation and abstractCitation and referencesMore Options Share onFacebookTwitterWechatLinked InReddit Read OnlinePDF (49 KB) Get e-AlertsSUBJECTS:Color,Elements,Pharmaceuticals,Plants,Toxicity Get e-Alerts

The Handbook of clinically tested herbal remedies

VOLUME 1 * About the Editor * Contributors * Preface * Acknowledgments * Editor's Note * PART I: FUNDAMENTALS OF HERBAL MEDICINE * Chapter 1. History and Regulation of Botanicals in the United States (Loren D. Israelsen and Marilyn Barrett) * Introduction * History * DSHEA Explained * Drugs: OTC and Rx * Prospectus * Chapter 2. Product Definition Deficiencies in Clinical Studies of Herbal Medicines (Varro E. Tyler) * Chapter 3. Identifying and Characterizing Botanical Products (Marilyn Barrett) * Identifying Plants by Name * Means of Assuring Plant Identity * Preparations and Formulations * Dose * Bioavailability * Guidelines * Appendix: Preparations and Formulations * Chapter 4. Standardization of Botanical Preparations: What It Does and Does Not Tell Us (Uwe Koetter and Marilyn Barrett) * Introduction * Standardization of Therapeutic Activity * Standardization to Meet a Chemical Norm * Standardization As a Reflection of Quality Assurance Programs * Guidance * Situation in the Marketplace * Perspective * Chapter 5. The Importance and Difficulty in Determining the Bioavailability of Herbal Preparations (Anton Biber and Friedrich Lang) * Chapter 6. Borrowed and Phytoequivalence: Can Two Herbal Products Be Judged Equivalent? (Marilyn Barrett) * Chemical or Pharmaceutical Equivalency * Bioequivalency or Therapeutic Equivalency * Application of the Concepts, Ginkgo As an Example * Meta-Analyses * Perspective * Chapter 7. Determining Efficacy of Herbal Preparations (Tieraona Low Dog) * Observational Medicine * Evidence-Based Medicine * Summary * Chapter 8. Evaluating Safety of Herbal Preparations (Ezra Bejar, Joseph M. Betz, and Marilyn Barrett) * Evaluation of Safety * Adverse Reactions * Adverse-Event Reporting Systems * Categorization According to the Degree of Safety * Product Quality As an Aspect of Safety * Contraindications * Drug-Herb Interactions * Improving Our Knowledge of Safety * Chapter 9. Conducting Clinical Trials on Herbal Dietary Supplements in North America: Commercialization, Confidence, and Conflicts (Anthony L. Almada) * The Spirit to Sponsor: Is There an Adequate Economic Incentive to Fund Research? * Extracting Value from Science * Competitor Kevlar: Preventing Piracy of Product-Specific Data * How Much Data Is Enough? * We Have Data--Now What? * Who Has Science and How Did They Acquire It? * Conclusion * Chapter 10. Motives for Conducting Clinical Trials on Botanicals in Europe: A Focus on Germany (Joerg Gruenwald and Stefan Spiess) * Chapter 11. Pharmacopoeias and Botanical Monographs (Marilyn Barrett, Roy Upton, and V. Srini Srinivasan) * United States Pharmacopeia and National Formulary (USP-NF) * American Herbal Pharmacopoeia (AHP) and Therapeutic Compendium * European Pharmacopoeia (EP) * British Herbal Pharmacopoeia (BHP) and British Herbal Compendium (BHC) * German Commission E * European Scientific Cooperative of Phytotherapy (ESCOP) * Chinese Pharmacopoeia * African Pharmacopoeia * The Pharmacopoeia of Japan * The Pharmacopoeias of India * World Health Organization (WHO) * Other Pharmacopoeias * Summary and Perspective * Sources of Pharmacopoeias * PART II: METHODS * Chapter 12. Methods of Product and Trial Inclusion and Evaluation (Marilyn Barrett) * Gathering Information on Products and Trials<br

Quantitative analysis of flavonol glycosides inGinkgo biloba: a comparison of two analytical methods

A comparison of testing methods for constituents of Ginkgo biloba was performed as part of the process for determining which of the many available analytical methods was most appropriate for inclusion in the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia (AHP). Three primary methods were reviewed: those adopted by the European Pharmacopoeia, the National Science Foundation-Institute for Nutraceutical Advancement (NSF-INA) and the United States Pharmacopeia. Methods were compared by evaluating sample preparation and hydrolysis, precision and methods of total flavonol glycoside calculation by two independent laboratories. The AHP adopted the method of NSF-INA for inclusion in the AHP monograph owing to observed superiority of this method in terms of precision, glycoside calculation, ease of sample preparation and chromatographic parameters.

American Herbal Pharmacopoeia and Therapeutic Compendium (A botanical supplement monograph series)

American Herbal Pharmacopoeia and Therapeutic Compendium (A botanical supplement monograph series)

American Herbal Pharmacopoeia and Therapeutic Compendia: Analytical, Quality Control and Therapeutic MonographsAmerican Herbal Pharmacopoeia and Therapeutic Compendia: Analytical, Quality Control and Therapeutic Monographs by Roy Upton American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, Santa Cruz, CA, $19.95 per monograph.

American Herbal Pharmacopoeia and Therapeutic Compendia: Analytical, Quality Control and Therapeutic MonographsAmerican Herbal Pharmacopoeia and Therapeutic Compendia: Analytical, Quality Control and Therapeutic Monographs by Roy Upton American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, Santa Cruz, CA, $19.95 per monograph.