QUALITY STANDARDIZATION OF HERBAL AND HERBO-MINERAL MEDICINES, CURRENT CHALLENGE TO BE OVERCOME

Abstract

Herbal medicines are used globally for their efficacy and safety margins. However, quality control of these drugs is one of the challenges in current scenario. Herbal medicines facing issues including lack of authentication, non-availability, inadequate standardization methodologies and regulatory insufficiency. It is required to overcome these issues related to the standardization of herbal medicines. Similar consideration must be adopted for herbo-mineral preparations which mainly come under the umbrella of Rasa Shastra in Ayurveda. This involves uses of materials known as Rasa dravyas and these Rasausadhis are characterized by their specific properties and qualities. Ayurveda described particulars techniques for quality evaluation of Rasa dravyas. Additionally modern research suggested organoleptic tests and heavy metal analysis along with sophisticated techniques like High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC), X-ray Analysis and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry, etc. The proper standardization of herbal and herbo-mineral formulations is essential to ensure their safety and efficacy. However there are some challenges in this area which are to be overcome in future to enhance acceptability of natural drugs amongst global population.

Key-Words: Ayurveda, Standardization, Medicines, Herbal, Mineral, Rasa, Herbo-mineral