Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Botanical Compounds

Plant derivatives are valuable resources in the historical and contemporary healthcare systems. Interplay in the body controls their pharmacological activity; hence, there exists a need to have detailed information about their pharmacokinetics (PKs) and pharmacodynamics (PDs). This chapter gives a thorough introduction to the ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) processes as well as the mechanisms of action governing botanical therapeutic procedures. It points to the special troubles presented by the chemical complexity, variability, and multicomponent characteristics of botanical formulations. Besides, the chapter is also involved with in vitro and in vivo experimental systems, tools of analysis, like liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and computer methods (such as physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK)) applied to characterize the PK/PD profile of botanical products. A few case studies (such as curcumin, resveratrol, quercetin, ginsenosides, and berberine) are described to demonstrate practical use and clinical usefulness.