The Traditional Medicine and Modern Medicine from Natural Products

Abstract

Natural products and traditional medicines are of great importance. Such forms of medicine as traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, Kampo, traditional Korean medicine, and Unani have been practiced in some areas of the world and have blossomed into orderly-regulated systems of medicine. This study aims to review the literature on the relationship among natural products, traditional medicines, and modern medicine, and to explore the possible concepts and methodologies from natural products and traditional medicines to further develop drug discovery. The unique characteristics of theory, application, current role or status, and modern research of eight kinds of traditional medicine systems are summarized in this study. Although only a tiny fraction of the existing plant species have been scientifically researched for bioactivities since 1805, when the first pharmacologically-active compound morphine was isolated from opium, natural products and traditional medicines have already made fruitful contributions for modern medicine. When used to develop new drugs, natural products and traditional medicines have their incomparable advantages, such as abundant clinical experiences, and their unique diversity of chemical structures and biological activities.

Delivering Natural Products and Biotherapeutics to Improve Drug Efficacy

“…One issue that can be highlighted from this area of research is the extensive use of extracts as opposed to pure compounds that makes it a problem from a regulatory perspective, as relative quantities of the active(s) may not be known. However, often several compounds present in extracts act synergistically and, so it is critical to understand synergy and adverse effects as well as the mechanisms of action when combining extracts of unknown composition and batch-to-batch variation with delivery systems [39].…”

Nutraceuticals: Curative Integrative Cancer Treatment

“…Integrative nutraceutical therapies are based on biologic plausibility and have played an historical role in the development of the prescription pharmaceutical industry [14]. Willow bark derived analgesic aspirin, Aspergillus terreus derived cholesterol-lowering lovastatin, Camellia sinensis (green tea) polyphenols derived sinecatechins for Condyloma acuminata (external genital wart [EGW]) treatment, Podophyllum species derived podophyllin for EGW and Molluscum contagiosum, as well as the chemotherapeutics taxol derived from Taxus brevifolia (Pacific yew tree), taxotere derived from Taxus baccata (European yew tree), topotecan derived from Camptotheca acuminata, and vincristine derived from Catharanthus roseus (Madagascar periwinkle), are just a few examples [15,16]. Thus historically, nutraceuticals have been a starting point of new pharmaceutical drug development.…”

History of Indian Traditional Medicine: A Medical Inheritance.

“…Possibly early humans often consumed non-consumable plants, which might lead to vomiting, diarrhea, coma, or other toxic reactions -or even death. However, exchange of knowledge from generation to generation has empowered humans to perceive and make data about eatable assets and natural medicines [14]. Similarly, improvement of traditional knowledge of NPs came into existence and enlargement of information extended to generation by generation.…”