ROLE OF HERBAL DRUGS IN MODERN PHARMACOLOGY: A REVIEW

Herbal drugs have been utilized for the treatment and prevention of various diseases since ancient civilizations and continue to maintain their relevance in contemporary pharmacology. These medicines are obtained from natural sources, primarily plants and medicinal herbs, and contain a wide range of biologically active constituents responsible for their therapeutic actions. In recent times, the demand for herbal medicines has increased due to their perceived safety, affordability, and easy accessibility when compared to synthetic pharmaceutical agents. Modern pharmacology emphasizes the scientific validation of herbal drugs through evaluation of their pharmacological properties, mechanisms of action, standardization, and clinical effectiveness. This review highlights the significance of herbal drugs in modern pharmacology, discussing their role in drug discovery, disease management, advantages, limitations, and future potential. The increasing global acceptance of herbal medicines underlines their importance in advancing healthcare and pharmaceutical research Keywords: Herbal drugs, Medicinal plants, Phytoconstituents, Modern pharmacology, Traditional medicine