Book Review Cite This: J. Nat. Prod. 2018, 81, 447−448
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Review of Botanical Medicine. From Bench to Bedside tables that recapitulate data for all botanicals, including identified active compound, pharmacological effects, mechanism of action, dosing regimen used in the clinical study, and any reported adverse effects. An insightful discussion ends the chapter addressing shortcomings of available research studies and the need for standardization, quality control, and clinical trials that test the efficacy and safety of specific formulations, rather than the plant species. Part II of the book addresses preclinical and clinical approaches to botanical preparations, with eight chapters, each describing studies pertaining to a particular herbal product. Chapter 4 offers a comprehensive review of various studies on the efficacy, safety, and quality control of the popular antidepressant St. John’s Wort (SJW). Concluding remarks underscore the significance of the use of standardized SJW preparations in research studies and attribute the inconsistent findings to lack of proper characterization and reporting of such products. The next chapter focuses on the potential therapeutic application of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the primary green tea extract constituent, for HIV-1 infection. The chapter presents the various issues related to preclinical EGCG research, thus painting a picture of the challenges facing natural-product-based drug development. Chapter 6 describes the investigation of curcuminoid use in inflammatory diseases, with a discussion that emphasizes the added benefit curcuminoids offer as multitarget drugs and their value in combination therapy of cancer. The author does an excellent job presenting the challenges of determining effective/safe doses, route of administration, and delivery techniques of curcuminoids to be used in clinical trials. The last five chapters in Part II focus on the value of combination natural product remedies via a thorough presentation of specific example mixtures: paw paw extract in cancer, valerian/hops for insomnia, Iberogast (STW 5) herbal combination for functional gastrointestinal disorders, and cranberry products for urinary tract infections. The value of Part II of the book stems from choosing applicable examples, each representing a drugdevelopment issue related to botanical preparations. Combined, these issues provide a rather comprehensive guide list of studies needed before marketing a botanical product. Part III of the book offers a practitioner’s perspective to the use of botanical medicine. Chapter 12 focuses on the use of chaste tree extract in premenstrual disorders. The author summarizes the few clinical trials available, but also shares her own clinical experience. The chapter presents a series of concerns that face health practitioners regarding recommending the use of botanical medicine. Concerns raised include translating the product label information and research study results to the clinical setting, efficacy, dosing, safety profile, and potential for drug interactions. The author presents a clear picture of the real “chaotic marketplace” of botanical medicine and urges for a clear dialogue between researchers and clinicians.
Botanical Medicine. From Bench to Bedside. Edited by Raymond Cooper and Fredi Kronenberg. Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., Publishers, New Rochell, New York, 2009. Hardcover, 237 pp. $132. ISBN 978-1-934854-05-1; ISBN e-book: 978-1934854-07-5.
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s a medicinal plant researcher, with emphasis on the pharmacology and potential therapeutic applications of these natural products, I have always had a keen interest in collaborative communication between basic researchers and clinicians. Currently available literature is quite deficient in this area. The book Botanical Medicine. From Bench to Bedside bridges the knowledge gap between basic scientists and clinical researchers. After reading the book, as a basic scientist, I had a better understanding and recognition of the clinical knowledge required to support patients using botanical products. The book summarizes milestone research that contributed to the evolution of dietary supplements and their clinical application. It starts with an introduction followed by three distinct sections, or “parts”, that span the process of herbal products development into clinical practice. Part I comprises three chapters that describe botanical preparations: selection and quality issues. Part II constitutes the bulk of the book and spans the next eight chapters that address “botanical preparations: preclinical and clinical approaches”. The final part (III) is the last book chapter and is dedicated to the “practitioner’s view” of botanical preparations, highlighting concerns and problems encountered in practice. With such a unique blend of basic research and clinical practice perspectives, the book remains the only available resource for both. The introduction section starts with the concept of medicine globalization and the concurrent rise of traditional medicine globalization. This is followed by a detailed overview of the science of pharmacognosy and its scope, evolution, and contribution to the development of various therapeutically active herbal preparations. A description of the various book sections follows with a summary of the examples provided and their relevance to addressing various questions that should be addressed during the preclinical research phase of herbal product development. The introduction ends with concluding remarks of the value of the book and its attempt to contribute to the improvement of quality, effectiveness, and safety of botanical medicine. Part I of the book has three chapters that address different issues. The first chapter provides a concise roadmap for the selection and quality assurance of herbal preparations used in research, with special attention to the standards required for use in clinical trials. A summary of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Union (EU) guidelines is provided in table format. The concluding remarks of the chapter highlight the value of “customized approaches” to the quality of botanical products used in research studies. The next two chapters provide detailed examples of therapeutic applications of botanical preparations in type 2 diabetes and dermatological health issues. The chapters are enriched by © 2018 American Chemical Society and American Society of Pharmacognosy
Published: February 6, 2018 447
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.8b00010 J. Nat. Prod. 2018, 81, 447−448
Journal of Natural Products
Book Review
As I reflect on the massive information that this book offers, I can certainly attest to its uniqueness and thoroughness in addressing the various challenges facing botanical medicine research. It is a superb handbook for researchers investigating the therapeutic applications of botanicals to aid them in carrying their research products from “bench to bedside”.
Abir T. El-Alfy
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Medical College of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
AUTHOR INFORMATION
Notes
The author declares no competing financial interest.
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DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.8b00010 J. Nat. Prod. 2018, 81, 447−448
