Cite this article:
Jha and Kumar (2016). Ethnopharmacology vs. Bioprospecting -Scope for Natural Antifungals. Journal of Ravishankar University (Part-B: Science), 29(1), pp.126-127.
PP-A24
Ethnopharmacology
vs. Bioprospecting -Scope for Natural Antifungals
Anubhuti Jha and Awanish Kumar
Department of Biotechnology,
National Institute of Technology, Raipur 492 010, India Corresponding author
email: anubhatijha21@gmail.com
(Received
31 December 2015; accepted: 29 January 2016)
Abstract: In recent
years application and search for novel drugs derived from plants have
accelerated. A lot of studies are carried with the aim that compounds from
plant origin will be included into the arsenal of potent and safe antimicrobial
agents. Herbal medicine renders a substantial hope in the development of
"leads" for treatment of infectious diseases. The systemic and
holistic approach of bioprospecting and ethnopharmacology supported by
empirical base serves as a state-of- the-art platform for novel drugs. This
study accentuates the relative strengths and differences among the roles of
both methodologies. Ethnopharmacology has significant role in drug development
with primary focus on empirical facets of indigenous plant use thus identifying
remarkably potent pharmacologically active compounds. There is enough evidence
supporting this fact. Moreover the initiative includes thorough data on native
resources of flora. On the contrary primary objective of bioprospecting sets
off towards drug discovery at a global level. There are numerous accounts where
this approach aims specifically towards antifungal. The underlying difference
being natural compounds in its pure form are exploited as drugs. This being
complementary in the former approach where rather than pure form extracts are
employed. Fundamental issue with both the approaches also have basic
differences. In ethnopharmacology the phytotherapy faces risk with the safety,
potency and adequacy of herbal extract preparations. Understanding these
technological advances in the field of natural medicine will revolutionize the
platform for the future discovery and development of drugs.
Keywords:
Ethnopharmacology. Bioprospecting. Antifungal drugs, Phytotherapy