Botanical repositories for Indian medicinal plants: A unified harmonisation approach to authentication, quality control, and conservation

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance

True botanical identity, quality issues, and conservation are the current gaps in the trade of Indian medicinal plant species used in traditional systems. The Ministry of AYUSH, India executed raw drug repositories (RDR) as a key strategy to solve such issues.

Aim of the study:This review presents a unified concept of botanical repositories as a systematic approach to managing herbal raw drugs used in the Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani (ASU) systems.

Material

Electronic databases, pharmacopoeias, reports, and books were referred to identify relevant literature.

Results

The review systematically organizes scientific literature of botanical repositories in a concise and structured manner, making it accessible and comprehensible. It proposed a networking of the AYUSH RDR with a special focus on the National Raw Drug Repository (NRDR) with existing herbal repositories to explore future opportunities in the AYUSH domain. The study categorised raw drugs, their profiling, and the methodology for development of botanical reference substances (BRS). It discussed the significance of NRDR in terms of BRS, harmonisation of herbal trade, and botanical research. This work proposed a schematic design for a virtual repository to enhance user accessibility.

Conclusion

The study serves as a guide for researchers, stakeholders, and practitioners to resolve issues on Indian medicinal plant species. It will raise awareness about the collection center of ASU drugs, authentication facilities, BRS, and proposed a sustainability plan & recommendations for betterment of RDR. The study serves as a role model for their further extension into other Indian geographical zones.