Genotype X Environment Interactions and Its Impact on Use of MedicinalPlants

摘要

There is a paradigm shift from cure to prevention when it comes to human health. We want to live a healthy lifeand prevent sickness using substances other than pharmaceuticals. The plant-based nutraceutical products or NaturalHealth Products (NHPs) as they are some times referred to are the most important groups that have the potential to fit thebill. However, these products are sold without proper science based information in spite of the fact that most researchersacknowledge the need for such information. Evidence-based scientific studies to support health and nutraceutical claimsrelated to the use of medicinal plants and their extracts have to be undertaken. It is only through critical research effortsthat we can provide strong endorsements for medicinal plant use and ensure consumer confidence in the industry. Much ofthe research published on the medicinal value of plants does not take into account variability generated from genetic differencesamong plants and their interaction with the environment. Research should be directed towards properly identifyingplants with known medicinal properties which have been grown in environments that are conducive to consistent productionof the active agents attributed to the plants. Production of dependable medicinal plant products can only be attainedif we pay close attention to these research-based principles. This article was written with main goals: 1) To discussthe above points in greater detail with examples; and 2) to highlight life time accomplishments and significant contributionsof a well respected nutritionist Dr. T. K. Basu and his collaboration in development of fenugreek as a NHP. We believethat collaboration among clinical and agricultural researchers is essential to make the NHPs utilized to its potentialand the plants (parts such as seed, foliage or roots) should be developed to the extent that they can be used directly to takeadvantage of the synergistic effect of the chemical constituents.