**7. What can be done: a way forward**

In the light of the above stated issues, there are a number of measures that can be taken at the country as well as local level for improving the Herbal drug sector and enhancing the development of a more effective trade in medicinal plants and their products in developing countries [16].


and development on selected species, their active constituents, processing and preservation is highly needed in developing countries like India. Not only this, but R&D has a major role to play in identification and detection of adulteration in traded herbal products. Thus this area needs a lot of development.


**187**

*Herbal Drugs Forensic*

**8. Scientific practices**

**8.1 Taxonomic identification**

part collected, etc. are required [36].

**8.2 Herbarium voucher sample**

references [36].

**8.3 Macroscopic method**

**8.4 Microscopic method**

based upon the requirement.

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.98253*

Unlike conventional Allopathic and Homeopathic drugs that are usually prepared from synthetic, chemically pure materials by means of reproducible manufacturing techniques and procedures, ASU drugs may vary in composition and properties a lot [31]. Thus, in case of ASU drugs also, it is a prerequisite to ensure the reproducibility of batches of medicines by its correct identification and quality assurance so that its safety and efficacy can be maintained [32, 33]. Adulteration, substitution, counterfeiting and usage of inferior quality of drugs often result in degradation of clinical effects of ASU drugs. This makes authentication a crucial step in successful and reliable applications. In cases where there is availability of similar looking drugs or drugs of same chemical nature, authentication becomes more crucial to avoid even any chance adulteration with other varieties of drug. Using a wrong drug may result in worsening the condition or may act as antagonist [34]. Evaluation has become even more difficult when several different individual species were powdered and mixed together in a proprietary medicine [35]. It is also important to take care of each step of harvest, storage, processing and formulation because it has a huge impact on the final quality of the product. Thus, to ensure the optimal safety and efficacy of these products, quality assurance in manufacturing and storage is a must. Also, these control measures are critical for the pharmacological and toxicological evaluation of

the ASU drugs. Authentication of ASU drugs involve following techniques:

In this method, the plant at its source is determined based on its scientific binomial nomenclature, i.e. genus and species determination. This gives the information about the botanical origin of the plant. Before designating the plant to its taxonomic class, its binomial name, vernacular names, site of collection of plant material, details of collector, habitat, season of collection, flowering, altitude and

The sample of collected material should be authenticated by an expert in the field and kept as a voucher sample in a herbarium or a research institute for future

Macroscopic examination of botanical materials involve examination of certain macroscopic properties also known as organoleptic properties like shape, size, colour,

Microscopy is a technique that is used to determine the structural, cellular and internal tissue features of plant material. It helps in identification and differentiation between two herbals that are similar in morphology [38, 39]. This is the commonly used technique, convenient, quick and non-destructive [40]. Microscopy involves varied techniques like compound, bright field, dark field, fluorescence and electron microscopy (Scanning Electron Microscopy known as SEM and Transmission Electron Microscopy known as TEM) that offer different features

texture, surface characteristics, fracture characteristics, odour, taste, etc. [37].
