Bioguided isolation of pharmacologically active plant components, still a valuable strategy for the finding of new lead compounds?
The position of natural products research in the drug discovery and development process nowadays is discussed. A flow chart for the study of plants used in traditional medicine, and the composition of a multidisciplinary research team for the investigation of medicinal plants are presented, and some recommendations are made for the future of bioassay-guided isolations and the use of standardised plant extracts in developing countries.
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium.
Luc
L
Pieters
Arnold J
AJ
Vlietinck
D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D010598:Pharmacognosy / Q000379:methods*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D012107:Research Design