Natural products are being recognized, and the demand for them is constantly growing throughout the world. India needs to make more advances, keeping in view, the speedy growth China is achieving today. Indian scientists need to be proactive in understanding the mechanism involved in developing traditional drugs. Germany is emerging as a potential market for natural products. New plant based bio-actives are poised for a bright future, according to Dr KV Raghavan, former director of IICT.

He says, in India, around 25 per cent of prescription drugs are extracted from medicinal plants. Over 70 per cent of the rural population uses herbal drugs. The Herbal drug industry has Rs.4000 crore market in India. Worldwide, many companies are investing in R&D of botanical drugs in areas such as respiratory, cancer, neurological and immuno deficiency problems.

In India, over 50000 plants are recorded, of which 20000 are found to have medicinal value. And 700 plants are used in ayurveda, and an equal number of plants in Unani. India does not have proper mode of cultivation of medicinal plants. Himalayan region has around 3600 medicinal plants, Kutch & Thar have 500 plants, and semi-arid areas have 7000.

In an effort to tap the opportunities our country has in this sector, CSIR has coordinated a national programme five years ago. Planning Commission has allotted Rs.50 crore for conducting research on traditional medicine. 40 institutions are taking part in the programme. The programme is being carried out with various objectives including investigating new drugs, developing new herbal drugs, developing bioenhancers and providing better services such as standardisation, automation and safety etc.

IICT being the nodal agency for the programme has established necessary infrastructure such as a pharmacological lab for conducting research on transgenic organisms and knock-out-mice, synthesizers (it can synthesise hundreds of molecules), drug testing lab etc.

Through the programme, the group has screened over 1 lakh samples. As of May 2003, 44 most potential candidates have been found. Various molecules have been developed besides anti-fungal drugs, drugs for Parkinson and others. Consultants and consulting agencies are being hired to work on finding opportunities of marketing herbal medicine in global markets.

As part of the programme, CSIR has entered into a tie up with Arya Vydyashala. In the last four years, 72 formulations have been received from Arya Vaidyashala, 220 extracts have been prepared, 3300 samples have been distributed to 6 laboratories, 126 first level positives have been received. Out of 72 formulations, 17 are capable of working effectively against two diseases or disorders (i.e. single medicines with double activities). The programme consists of 44 discovery groups and more achievements are expected through the programme in the coming years.