Phytochemicals: Their Role in the Modern Era

Phytochemicals Their Role in the Modern Era.The word, phytochemical, is derived from phyto or plant. Its study involves understanding the chemical composition of plants used in medicine. Phytochemicals produced in plants are secondary compounds responsible for metabolic activities and defense purpose. Phytochemicals are produced by specific biochemical pathways, which occur inside the plant cells. The phytochemicals can range from medicinally useful agents to deadly poisons. A number of phytochemicals isolated from plant material are used in the pharmaceutical drug industry today.With the history of plant-based medicine in mind, one can conclude that in the early days, physicians were not aware of the chemical constituents in the plants. However, they did have knowledge of the active principles responsible for therapeutic activity. In Charaka–Samhita, the classical treatise on Ayurvedic medicine, the word, virya, is similar to word, potency. Drugs have been classified according to the pharmacological activities, but a comprehensive account of the mechanism of action is missing.
Ayurveda, the ancient healing system of India, flourished in the Vedic era in India. According to historical facts, the classical texts of Ayurveda, Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita were written around 1000 B.C. The Ayurvedic Materia Medica includes 600 medicinal plants along with therapeutics. Herbs like turmeric, fenugreek, ginger, garlic and holy basil are an integral part of Ayurvedic formulations. These formulations either incorporate a single herb or more than one herb (i.e., polyherbal formulations).