Research and Development for Botanical Products in Medicinals and Food Supplements Market

Abstract

Botanical products sold in the health area are generally intended as drugs, medicinal products, food supplements or substances for therapeutic use. Use of botanicals for improving or to care human health has evolved independently in different countries worldwide. Regulatory issues regarding botanical products designed for the food supplements or medicinal market and their influence on research and development are discussed. European Union (EU) and United States (US) policies regulating these products are focused with comments on the legislations delivered during the last ten years and differences existing in rules between these countries are emphasized. Research and development on botanical products nowdays strongly influenced by the product destination in the market. Addressed and differentiated research for either food supplements or medicinal markets is necessary to purchase data really useful for assessment of safe and effective use for both the categories. The main objective is to catalyze interest of academic and companies' researchers on crucial aspects to be taken into account in the research for the development of botanical products.

Herbal Medicinal Products fromPassiflorafor Anxiety: An Unexploited Potential

“…ey may be administered orally, topically, or by inhalation. e pharmacological effects or efficacy are based on long experience (at least 30 years, including at least 15 years within the European Community) but the safety of the product must be ensured, and the quality must be verified according to the European Pharmacopoeia monographs, or those in the Pharmacopoeia of a Member State [7]. e regulatory requirements for the registration of herbal medicines in Brazil are similar to those in Europe.…”

Adverse Effects of Plant Food Supplements and Plants Consumed as Food: Results from the Poisons Centres-Based PlantLIBRA Study

“…In the last two decades, the use of dietary supplements has increased dramatically all over the world. Changes in the legislation of medications and related products lead to an expansion of the markets for dietary supplements and allowed more intensive marketing (Denham, 2011;Miroddi et al, 2013;Silano et al, 2011;Vargas-Murga et al, 2011), resulting in a growing awareness and information of the population about health aspects. The rising significance of health issues in daily life, together with an increased possibility and tendency to self-medicate, and the aging of the population seem to be the major reasons for the success of the dietary supplements (Kennedy, 2005;Peters et al, 2003).…”

Anti-Biofilm and Hemolytic Effects of Cymbopogon citratus (Dc) Stapf Essential Oil

“…However, each country has specific legislation to regulate and authorize research and marketing of plant-based products, whether medicines, cosmetics or foods [12]. In Brazil, regulation is carried out by the National Sanitary Surveillance Agency, which authorized the use of oral antiseptics manufactured with infusion of Lippia sidoides and the decoction of Siryphnoden drom adstrigens, with Cymbopogon citratus being indicated by this pharmacopoeia as a natural anxiolytic in the treatment of insomnia [13].…”