Standardized Botanical Extracts in Pharmaceuticals and Nutraceuticals

In botanical science, a standardized extract that is a plant extract has defined amounts of active components. This chapter looks at why herbal medicine and dietary supplements are important in our medical system, pointing out how old beliefs are being updated with current knowledge. The main features that divide standardized extracts from crude extracts are consistency, quality assurance and better bioactivity. Solvent extraction, supercritical CO 2 and ultrasound-aided methods, analyzed with HPLC and GC–MS, ensure that each product has the same quality and effect. This chapter deals with how drugs and nutraceuticals use botanical extracts, with examples of Food and Drug Administration (FDA)/European Medicines Agency (EMA)–approved medications such as paclitaxel and artemisinin. Important topics covered include regulations, judgment of safety measures, revealing product information and what is coming next. Improvements in biotechnology and increased interests from consumers make standardized botanical extracts essential in integrative healthcare.