Evaluation of Herbal Medicinal Products

The intention of this book is to describe and assess different approaches and techniques for evaluating the quality and efficacy of herbal medicines. The enormous growth in the market for herbal medicinal products in the last 25 years has been one of the most interesting aspects of healthcare in the developed world. The rediscovery of natural substances with therapeutic potential has, however, provoked demand by legislators and the public for assurance of safe and effective use. Evaluation of Herbal Medicinal Products addresses some of these demands, looking at: * general aspects * pharmacology and clinical aspects * quality and safety aspects   It brings together articles on current thinking and practice in these areas and highlights up-to-date research which should facilitate improvements in the topics under consideration. This book seeks to provide a state-of-the-art review, which will inform and guide those who seek to promote the use of herbal medicinal products. It will be an indispensable resource for academic and industrial researchers and both undergraduate and postgraduate pharmacy students. Edited by Peter Houghton - King's College, London and Pulok K Mukherjee - Director, School of Natural Product Studies, Jadavpur University, Kolkota, India Contents: Section 1: General Aspects: 1. The Worldwide Phenomenon of Increased Use of Herbal Products - Opportunities and Threats: 2. Approaches to Ensuring and Assessing Activity in Indian Herbal Products: 3. Natural Remedies From the Middle East: 4. Chinese Traditional Medicines-the Challenge of Acceptance By Western Medicine: 5. Chinese Traditional Medicines-Evaluation of Botanical Extracts & Dietary Supplements: Section 2: Pharmacology and Clinical Aspects: 6. Synergy and Polyvalence: 7. From Clinical Evidence to Mechanisms of Action: 8. Herbal Medicines for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: 9. Authentication and Quality Assessment of Botanical Products Used in Clinical Research: 10. Therapy for Hepatic Carcinoma Using Herbal Drugs: 11. Relevant Testing of Herbal Products Used to Treat Infections: 12.Natural Products Research in Helicobacter Pylori Infections: 13.Evaluation of the Efficacy of Medicinal Herbal Products Used to Treat Cardiovascular Diseases: 14. Herbal Medicinal Products As Anti-angiogenic Agents - Perspectives and Evaluations: 15. Herbs Affecting the Central Nervous System: 16. Herbs Used to Treat Respiratory Conditions Other Than Infections: 17. Essential Oils in the Treatment of Skin Diseases: 18. Immunomodulatory Ayurvedic Herbal Medicinal Products: 19. Tests on Indian and Peruvian Medicinal Plants Used for Wound Healing: 20. Evidence for Efficacy for Herbal Medicinal Products Used for Conditions Associated with Inflamma: 21. Tests for Antioxidant Activity: 22. Safety and Efficacy of Hachimi-jio-gan - a Chinese Preparation to Counteract Oxidative Damage: 23.Traditional Herbs for Healthcare a Case History with Turmeric: 24. Herbal Medicinal Products Affecting Neurotransmission: 25.Herbal Medicinal Products for Tinnitus: 26. Evaluation of Herbal Medicinal Products Against Herpes Virus Diseases: Section 3: Quality and Safety Aspects: 27. Developing Herbal Medicinal Products with Quality, Safety and Efficacy: 28. Quality Control of Chinese Herbal Drugs: 29. Shelf Life of Herbal Remedies: 30.Clinical Trials As Signposts to Efficacy: 31.Toxicological Evaluation: 32.Health Risks Related to HMPS