Phytochemicals: Their Role in the Modern Era

Sterneur, who first isolated morphine from Papaver somniferum (opium poppy) showed the medical profession that certain phytochemicals produced in plant cells are responsible for pharmacological activity. Later on, other alkaloids isolated from opium poppy were investigated for their pharmacological activities. Codeine showed antitussive activity and papaverine antispasmodic activity. The opium based extracts have been utilized for various pharmacological activities, and a number of alkaloids distributed in the plant have different pharmacological activities.
Scientific validation of herbal drugs always has been questioned, but with recent advances and publications of clinical trials, the researchers and the public are viewing herbal products with more respect. In the commercial market, medicinal herbs are used as raw drugs, extracts or tinctures. Isolated active constituents are used for applied research. There has been a dramatic rise in the sale of herbal products like Allium sativum, Hypericum perforatum, Spirulina, Echinacea angustifolia, Ginkgo biloba and Silybum marianum.