Standardization of Crude Drugs by Blending Traditional and Modern Methods: The Evidence-based Criteria

Abstract

For consumers to be certain of the safety and efficacy of herbal drugs, standardization is a foremost concern. Technology is transforming quality control methods through the integration of appropriate scientific methods. Certain analytical methods and tools have reformed quality control and increased the potential of phytochemical analysis. Organoleptic characters and other traditional ways of standardization were popular for a certain period of time and are still used, but not alone. Conventional approaches, such as physicochemical and botanical investigations, also took place as an alternative, but remained effective no more due to inadequate due to variable results. Certain analytical techniques have been supplemented to the above as of right now. If traditional and modern methodologies are combined with analytical techniques, the blend will enable the evidence-based criteria for the selection of authentic drugs, as these methods are so sophisticated that they are able to detect minute variations in the drug samples that are nonnoticeable by classical and conventional approaches. In this article, we have attempted to review some of these methods and their applicability and feasibility.