Medicinal Plants

Medicinal Plants

• Historical Significance: The history of medicinal plants is as old as the history of human beings. Many medicines are derived either directly or indirectly from plants.

• Systems of Medicine:

  • Major systems such as Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH) use drugs obtained from plants and animals.
  • These drugs derived from medicinal plants are called secondary metabolites.

• Plant Metabolites:

  1. Primary Metabolites: Produced by plants for their own living (e.g., carbohydrates, amino acids).
  2. Secondary Metabolites: Produced for protection, competition, and species interaction (e.g., alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids).

• Phytochemistry:

  • The study of phytochemicals, which are chemical substances derived from various parts of plants.

• Key Institutes and Developments:

  1. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
  2. National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI).
  3. Central Institute for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP).

• Significant Achievement:-BGR-34

  1. Launched India’s first anti-diabetic ayurvedic drug, BGR-34 (BGR-Blood Glucose Regulator).
  2. BGR-34 contains 34 identified active phytoconstituents from herbal resources.
  3. It works by controlling blood sugar levels.