Medicinal Plant Research 2024, Vol.14, No.2, 85-96 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/mpr 92 6.3 Safe dosage and administration guidelines Establishing safe dosage and administration guidelines for aromatic medicinal plants is essential to maximize their therapeutic benefits while minimizing risks. The extraction methods and the concentration of bioactive compounds play a critical role in determining the safety of these plants. Innovative non-thermal extraction techniques, such as ultrasound and high-pressure extraction, have been proposed to enhance the yield and quality of essential oils while avoiding toxic chemicals (Giacometti et al., 2018). Furthermore, the database AromaDb provides valuable information on the pharmacokinetics, toxicological, and ecological properties of essential oils and aroma compounds, aiding in the development of safe and effective formulations (Kumar et al., 2018). These resources are instrumental in guiding the safe use of aromatic medicinal plants in clinical settings. 7 Standard Formulation of Aromatic Medicinal Plants 7.1 Development of standard formulations The selection of active ingredients in aromatic medicinal plants is crucial for ensuring efficacy and safety. Active ingredients are typically chosen based on their bioactive properties and traditional uses. For instance, menthol from peppermint and luteolin from chamomile are commonly used due to their well-documented therapeutic effects (Mora-Flórez et al., 2023). Additionally, alkaloids are often selected as chemical markers due to their significant pharmacological activities and their role in quality control (Osman et al., 2019). The presence of essential oils, which contain a variety of bioactive compounds, also plays a significant role in the selection process (Ammar et al., 2020; Zhang et al., 2023). Dosage standardization is essential to ensure consistent therapeutic outcomes. Methods such as encapsulation using hydrocolloids can help in achieving uniform dosage forms. For example, encapsulating menthol and luteolin using maltodextrin-sodium caseinate or maltodextrin-soy protein has been shown to produce powders with desirable properties like high circularity, low moisture, and adequate solubility (Mora-Flórez et al., 2023). Additionally, modern extraction techniques and biostimulants can enhance the yield and consistency of active ingredients, thereby aiding in dosage standardization (Fierăscu et al., 2021; Shahrajabian and Sun, 2022). 7.2 Quality control in production Quality control measures are vital to ensure the purity and potency of aromatic medicinal plants. Techniques such as gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) are used to analyze the chemical composition of essential oils, ensuring the presence of desired bioactive compounds and the absence of contaminants (Ammar et al., 2020). The use of chemical markers, such as alkaloids, further aids in verifying the botanical sources and assessing the quality of the raw materials and finished products (Osman et al., 2019). Detecting and removing contaminants is a critical aspect of quality control. Methods such as GC-MS can identify potential toxicants and adulterants in herbal medicines (Osman et al., 2019). Additionally, the use of biostimulants has been shown to improve the overall health of plants, potentially reducing the need for chemical pesticides and thereby lowering the risk of contamination (Shahrajabian and Sun, 2022). 7.3 Regulatory frameworks and guidelines International standards play a crucial role in the regulation of herbal medicines. Organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) provide guidelines for the quality control of herbal products, including the assessment of purity, potency, and safety. These standards help ensure that herbal medicines meet global quality benchmarks, facilitating their acceptance and use worldwide (Ammar et al., 2020). National regulations vary but generally align with international standards to ensure the safety and efficacy of herbal medicines. Compliance with these regulations involves rigorous testing and documentation to verify the quality of the products. For instance, the use of databases like AromaDb can aid in the identification and standardization of aroma compounds, ensuring compliance with national and international guidelines (Kumar et al., 2018). Additionally, the implementation of modern extraction techniques and quality control measures can help manufacturers meet regulatory requirements (Fierăscu et al., 2021). By adhering to these guidelines and employing advanced techniques, the development and production of standard formulations of aromatic medicinal plants can be optimized, ensuring their safety, efficacy, and quality.
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