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From Pharmacognosia to DNA-Based Medicinal Plant Authentication – Pharmacognosy through the Centuries

Heinrich, M; Anagnostou, S; (2017) From Pharmacognosia to DNA-Based Medicinal Plant Authentication – Pharmacognosy through the Centuries. Planta Medica , 83 (14/15) pp. 1110-1116. 10.1055/s-0043-108999. Green open access

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Abstract

For centuries, pharmacognosy was essential for the identification, quality, purity, and, until the end of the 18th century, even for the efficacy of medicinal plants. Since the 19th century, it concentrated on authenticity, purity, quality and the analysis of active substances, and was established as an academic branch discipline within pharmacy and continuously developed into a modern, highly sophisticated science. Even though the paradigm in pharmacy changed in the 19th century with the discovery of morphine and concentrated on single substances that could be synthesized fast by the upcoming industry, medicinal plants always remained an important element of the Materia medica, and during the last decades, medicinal plants continue to be a source of remedies, and natural products are an inspiration for new medicine. In this research, pharmacognostic skills remain an essential element, both with regards to identity, quality assurance of botanicals (both herbal medicines and supplements), and the discovery and development of new medicines. Over the years, the specific pharmacognostical tools have changed dramatically, and most recently, DNA-based techniques have become another element of our spectrum of scientific methods.

Type: Article
Title: From Pharmacognosia to DNA-Based Medicinal Plant Authentication – Pharmacognosy through the Centuries
Location: Germany
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-108999
Publisher version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-0043-108999
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: Pharmacognosy, history of pharmacy, medicinal plant research, ethnopharmacology, Hyperi-cum perforatum, Hypericaceae (Guttiferae), Alexander Tschirch
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences > UCL School of Pharmacy
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences > UCL School of Pharmacy > Pharma and Bio Chemistry
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1547739
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