Pharmacological Screening of South Asian Herbs: Potential Candidates for Drug Development

Md Shamsuddin Sultan Khan ^1*,  Mansoureh Nazari Vishkaei ²,  Amin Malik Shah Abdul Majid ³

South Asian herbs hold diverse medicinal promise, enhancing drug development globally, yet challenges such as standardization and resource constraints persist.

Abstract

South Asia has a rich tradition of herbal medicine, offering a diverse range of plants used for centuries to heal diseases. Recent interest in exploring herbs' pharmacological potential for drug development is growing. This review provides an overview of the pharmacological screening of South Asian herbs and their promising role in modern medicine.The South Asian region is renowned for having an exceptional diversity of plants,  which has resulted in the identification of various therapeutic plants. The systematic assessment of these plants’ chemical makeup,  bioactivity,  and medicinal potential is known as pharmacological screening. To determine the pharmacological characteristics of these plants,  researchers have used various methods,  such as phytochemical analysis,  bioassays,  and animal experiments. Several South Asian plants have demonstrated positive pharmacological effects. One prospective possibility for creating anti-inflammatory medications is Curcuma longa,  also known as turmeric,  which has proven to have powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics. Another example is Ocimum sanctum,  or holy basil,  which has anti-diabetic,  neuroprotective,  and cardioprotective benefits,  indicating its potential as a source of new medications. Additionally,  the ability of South Asian botanicals to treat cancer has attracted interest. Tinospora cordifolia and Withania somnifera are two plants that have demonstrated anti-cancer effects through various methods,  including the activation of apoptosis and immune system regulation. South Asian herbs provide advantages like price,  accessibility, cultural acceptance, and their potential for healing. However,  standardizing herbal remedies and guaranteeing their safety and effectiveness still present obstacles. In conclusion,  a wealth of potential candidates for medication development have been discovered by the pharmacological screening of South Asian plants. These plants have the potential to treat a variety of illnesses,  from cancer to chronic disorders. South Asian herbs may be crucial in influencing the direction of medical research as it develops,  providing fresh approaches and pharmacological options.

Keywords: Pharmacological Screening,  South Asian Herbs,  Drug Development,  Medicinal Plants,  Therapeutic Potential

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