Project Details:
Workshop for formulation of plans for the establishment of a "Center of Natural Products Research (CNPR)"
| Project No.: | 2003-046-1-300 |
| Start date: | 2003-11-01 |
| End date: | 2005-10-17 |
| Division: | Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry Division |
1. Documentation of traditional knowledge of medicine (involvement of traditional healers)
2. Scientific authentication (efficacy, toxicity & dose) of herbal/traditional medicine
3. Value addition to bio-resources (benefit to women and tribal people)
4. Coordination of natural products research for the development of therapeutic agents
5. Conservation of biodiversity: Preservation, Cultivation and Propagation
Background - Herbal/traditional medicines have been playing an important role in the primary health care of the people around the world, specially in the developing countries. In order to keep pace with the modern medicines, the production of herbal medicines in a standardized way is essential. The World Health Organization in its various forums has stressed upon the need for producing herbal medical preparations in a scientific way to cater the needs of the people for primary health care at a low cost, as many modern medicines are prohibitive to the common people for their high prices. In the Open Forum of the Tenth Asian Symposium on Medicinal Plants, Spices and Other Natural Products (ASOMPS X) held on 18-23 November 2000, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, some important recommendations were made. On the basis of the recommendation a Dhaka Declaration was formulated at the Asian Coordinating Group (ACGC) meeting in Dhaka on 24-25 November 2000. One of the main recommendation was for setting up of a Multidisciplinary National, Regional or International Research Institute of Herbal Medicine. The Dhaka Declaration has the official blessing of the Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh. With a strong support from the local scientists, the Task Group Chairman discussed the idea with a number of reputed scientists in Europe and America and has received enthusiastic support. The present Project is submitted for moving forward in fulfilling the following main objectives:
a) To carry out systematic and proper documentation of the existing available knowledge of traditional and folkloric medicines;
b) Screening of existing herbal/traditional medicines and other preparations for their efficacy, toxicity (if any) and dose forms;
c) To make formulations of herbal/traditional medicines in a proper scientific way;
d) To coordinate research and development activities for developing drugs from natural sources and to augment facilities for such research activities;
e) To provide service to herbal medicine producers for the manufacture of safe and quality products.
Project completed - A successful workshop with fifty five people, took place in New Delhi in Jan 2004 and following the IUPAC Biodiversity and Natural Products Conference.
A successive proposal shall be received, which will facilitate the development of methodologies and protocols for documentation, evaluation of safety and efficacy and standardization of herbal medicine.