Role of Chemical Marker in Quality Control of Herbal Drugs

2025-09-21T04:11:14+00:00

The growing global interest in herbal medicine has heightened the demand for scientifically validated, standardized, and high-quality plant-based therapeutics. However, the intrinsic complexity of herbal drugs—characterized by multiple bioactive components, environmental variability, and traditional preparation methods—presents significant challenges in ensuring product consistency, efficacy, and safety. In this context, the application of chemical markers has emerged as a critical and scientifically sound approach for the quality control and standardization of herbal drugs.

Chemical markers are defined as phytochemical constituents that serve as qualitative and/or quantitative indicators of the identity, purity, and potency of herbal materials. They may be pharmacologically active, characteristic of the plant species, or simply analytically convenient. Their selection is based on well-defined criteria, including their presence in significant quantities, ease of detection, stability, and relevance to therapeutic action. These markers are categorized broadly into three types: active markers (directly responsible for therapeutic effects), analytical markers (easily quantifiable and indicative of quality), and synergistic markers (compounds that contribute to efficacy through interaction with other constituents).

With advancements in analytical techniques such as High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), and Capillary Electrophoresis (CE), the identification, isolation, and quantification of chemical markers have become more accurate and reproducible. These tools enable the creation of phytochemical fingerprints and quantification protocols that are essential for batch-to-batch consistency, contamination detection, and shelf-life determination.

Keywords: Herbal drugs, Quality control, Standardization, Pharmacognosy, Marker compounds, Phytochemistry, Chromatography, HPTLC, HPLC, LC-MS, DNA barcoding, Pharmacopoeia

Mind Matters: Exploring the Vital Link Between Mental Health and Immune Resilience

2025-10-09T15:04:47+00:00

The intricate relationship between mental health and immunity is increasingly recognized as vital to overall well-being. Mental health significantly influences immune function through complex interactions, forming the foundation of psychoneuroimmunology. Mental health disorders, such as stress, anxiety, and depression, can dysregulate immune responses by altering hormone levels, cytokine production, and immune cell activity. Chronic stress, for instance, can lead to prolonged inflammation and impaired immune surveillance, increasing vulnerability to infections and delaying healing processes. Conversely, a robust immune system supports mental health by reducing inflammation in the brain and promoting neuroplasticity, which is crucial for cognitive function and emotional resilience.

Psychoneuroimmunology explores these bidirectional relationships, emphasizing how psychological factors impact immune responses and vice versa. Interventions that promote mental well-being, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness practices, have shown promise in enhancing immune function by reducing stress-related inflammation and improving immune cell activity. Understanding these interconnected mechanisms is crucial for developing holistic health strategies that integrate mental health care with immune support, ultimately fostering resilience and optimizing overall health outcomes.

Keywords:

psychoneuroimmunology, mental health, immunity, behavioral interventions

Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research

Role of Chemical Marker in Quality Control of Herbal Drugs

Mind Matters: Exploring the Vital Link Between Mental Health and Immune Resilience