The Herbal Products & Crude Drugs Committee, (HPCDC) which is part of the scientific body of Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission is evaluating DNA-based bar code techniques to authenticate sample of herbs for their botanical identity and genuineness unequivocally.

The Commission is also interested to evaluate use of image analysis techniques to derive unique identification technology even for herbs in powder form. The industry is moving towards use of ready powdered raw herbs to reduce the method of grinding in the manufacturing plants to avoid dust and other contaminants.

This technique according to Dr D B Anantha Narayana director, chairman, Herbal Products & Crude Drugs Committee of the Scientific Committee of Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, would be equivalent to a simple Infrared spectrometry used for chemical compounds, if developed properly, using many aspects of herbs.

“There are a number of parameters in raw herbs/powders which can be used in the identification process. Microcomputers are also used as an aid in Drug Microscopy for over 100 plants of western origin. Today’s computer assisted techniques are available based on image analysis for chromosomal aberration testing, mineralogical & metallurgical studies in alloys and the same needs to be adopted for herbs too,” stated Dr Narayana.

There is a need for Pharmacognosists in the country to work on this project in the national interests, develop an image-based library data base for Indian Medicinal plants for easy identification, he told Pharmabiz at the sidelines of the concluded 62nd Indian Pharmaceutical Congress at Manipal.

So far, 89 monographs on herbals have been published in the IP 2010. These include Acacia, Ajwain, Amalaki, Amra, Anantmula, Arjuna, Artemisia, Ashwagandha, Belladonna Leaf, Bhibhitaki, Bhringraj, Bhuiamla, Brahmi, Coleus, Daruharidra Roots, Daruharidra Stems, Garcinia, Gokhru, Gudmar, Guduchi, Guggul, Haridra and Haritaki in the raw herbs category. Among those in the herbal extracts include amla and brahmi. Those in the processed herbs/excipients segment are papain, castor oil and clove oil.

Going by the developments in the space of herbal products, there is a need to look at monographs for another 120 raw herbs, 60 common herbals extracts, 20 commonly used Essential oils and 50 processed herbs/excipients of natural origin. “This would lead to development of herbal medication with safety and efficacy parameters,” he noted.

“We would also need to ensure all herbals to be permitted as drugs should include phytopharmaceuticals. drug regulatory provisions in statute needs to be added to current drug rules in India. This work of Intellectual Property will provide accepted bench marks for quality and build competency at the national level,” he pointed out.

Dr Narayana while speaking on the challenges to develop quality monographs for herbs and herbal products, stated that DNA based testing, and image analysis techniques, would require improvement in the infrastructure and competency besides the change the mindset of the regulators.

Among the participating organizations which have been contributing to Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission’s work on Herbal Products & Crude Drugs Committee (HPCDC) are Natural Remedies, Bangalore, Chemiloids (Laila Group), Vijayawada, Ranbaxy Research Labs, Gurgaon, Dabur India Ltd., Ghaziabad, Nicholas Piramal Research Labs, Mumbai, HUL Research labs, Bangalore, Sami Labs, Bangalore, Inga Labs, Mumbai, CIMAP, Lucknow, PERD Centre, Ahmedabad and School of Life Sciences, Manipal.