Phytotherapeutics

Numberless phytotherapeutic preparations for the treatment of BPH are on the market. However, the active ingredients and the mode of action remain unknown for most of them. Serenoa repens (also known as saw palmetto from the American dwarf palm) has been investigated in a number of scientific experiments and in chnical trials. It has been proposed that it inhibits the 5aR-2. Since Serenoa repens has no effect on serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, the mode of action might certainly differ from the mode of action of finasteride or dutasteride [129]. 

SR014 Debruyne, F., G. Koch, P. Boyle, et al., and the Groupe d etude PERMAL. Comparison of a phytotherapeutic agent (Permixon) with an alpha-blocker (Tamsulosin) in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia a 1 -year randomized international study. Prog Urol 2002 12(3) 384-392. 

A herbal product contains multiple constituents that might be responsible for its therapeutic effects. It is thus necessary to define as many of the constituents as possible in order to understand and explain the bioactivity. The concept of phytoequivalence has been introduced in Germany to ensure consistency of phytotherapeuticals. According to this concept, a chemical profile for a herbal product is constructed and compared with the profile of a clinically proven reference product. Since many of these preparations contain flavonoids, it is essential to have adequate analytical techniques at hand for this class of natural product. 

Schmidt, D. R. and A. E. Sobota. 1988. An examination of the anti-adherence activity of cranberry juice on urinary and nonurinary bacterial isolates. Microbios 55 173-181. Gabius, H. J. and S. Gabius. 1998. Phytotherapeutic immunomodulation as a treatment modality in oncology lessons from research with mistletoe. In Lawsib, L. D. and R. Bauer (eds.). Phytomedicines of Europe, Chemistry and Biological Activity. American Chemical Society. Washington, D.C. p. 278-286. 

Zlotta AR, Teillac P, Raynaud JP, Schulman CC. Evaluation of male sexual function in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) treated with a phytotherapeutic agent (Permixon ), tamsulosin or finasteride. Eur Urol 2005 48 269-76. 

The third category of drugs are phytotherapeutical preparations 80% of the world population use exclusively plants for the treatment of illnesses [11]. Chromatography is relied on to guarantee preparations contain therapeutically effective doses of active drug and maintain constant batch composition. A quantitative determination of active principles is performed when possible, using pure reference standards. In many phytotherapeutic preparations, the active constituents are not known, so marker substances or typical constituents of the extract are used for the quantitative determination [11]. The Applications chapter of this book (Chapter 8) contains numerous references to the use of chromatographic methods in the control of plant extracts. 

Phytotherapeutics are defined by law as substances derived from plants, plant parts or plant components in a processed or unprocessed form and used medicinally. As substances, phytogenic preparations are treated in the same way as synthetic chemical compounds or substances of other origin. Phytopharmaceuticals must likewise comply with the usual safety standards, such as quality, harmlessness and efficacy, (s. p. 553)... 

Pharmaceuticals of plant origin also form part of rational drug therapy in science-oriented medicine. They are used in the treatment of certain defined diseases and complaints. The more carefully the various pharmacological characteristics of phytogenic remedies are elucidated, the more reliably their clinical effects can be evaluated (e. g. digitalis, rauwolfia, hyo-scyamine, senna). This is also true of the phytotherapeutic preparations used in hepatology. 

SasseviUe D, Nguyen KH. Allergic contact dermatitis from Rhus toxicodendron in a phytotherapeutic preparation. Contact Dermatitis 1995 32(3) 182-3. 

Flowers of T. ferulaceum was reported as an antiulceric traditional phytotherapeutics in Spain (Canary Islands) [209] as well as in the other parts of the world. 

Although medicinal plants have been used extensively in many countries, including Canada but also Mexico, especially in the context of traditional medicine as well as more recently by the natural products and phytotherapeutic industry, there are few studies that have focused on the commercial aspects of this phenomenon and its potential as productive engine of rural development and enhancement of livelihoods for the local communities living in semi-arid and arid zones. There is also a vacuum of information from a development perspective, where commercial factors, from small business creation and income generation are addressed. 

Brazil In 1994, the Ministry of Health created a commission to evaluate the situation of phytotherapeutic agents in Brazil. The commission... 

Braz J. Efficacy, safety, quality control, marketing, and regulatory guidelines for herbal medicines (phytotherapeutic agents) Med Biol Res 2000 Feb 33(2) 179-189. 

Some of the therapies mentioned in the BMA Report are complementary in that they can be used in conjunction with orthodox treatments. For example, chiropractic, osteopathy, reflexology, Shiatsu and the Alexander technique all involve manipulation of muscle and bones and could be used to complement NSAID-based treatment. Others are genuinely alternatives which attempt to replace orthodox medicines, e.g. herbalism and homoeopathy, while some, e.g. acupuncture, are being assimilated into conventional medical practice. This chapter concentrates on those therapies which rely heavily on the use of plant materials and attempts to explain the basis of the therapy and provide examples of the plants used. In particular, the interrelationship between herbalism, herbal medicines and the phytotherapeutic use of plants, described in Chapter VI, is explored. 

Medicinal plants are an important element of indigenous medical systems in most countries. These resources are usually regarded as part of a culture s traditional knowledge. For many years, Europe has benefitted from exchange with other continents, and many of the pure natural products and some of the phytotherapeutic preparations used today are derived from plants used in... 

---