Vol. 8, Issue 4 (2019)

Author(s):
Dr. Alka Sawarkar, Dr. RK Sharma and Dr. Vidhi Gautam

Abstract:
Bioprospecting is a systematic and organized search for useful product derived from bio resources including plants, micro-organisms, animals etc, that can be developed further for commercialization and overall benefits of the society. Bioprospecting involves searching, collecting and deriving genetic material from samples of biodiversity that can be used in commercialized pharmaceutical, agricultural, industrial or chemical processing end product.Historically, nature was the origin of all medicines and ethno pharmacology has provided some very notable past success, including morphine, quinine and digitoxin etc. Reserpine was isolated from the plant Rauwolfia serpentina and was turned into antihypertensive drug. Ephedrine isolated in 1923 from Ephedra sinca formed the basis for the synthesis of salbutamol and salmetrol which are the antiasthmatic drugs (beta agonist). Atropine comes from Belladonna and even aspirin was derived from salicin present in willow bark. Teprotide was isolated from the venom of the pit viper, Bothrops jaraca and this formed the skeletal framework of the captropril and enalapril, which are used in treating cardiovascular diseases. More recent developments in an association with traditional uses include artemisinin and its derivatives for malaria and prostratin as an anti-viral drug.Bioprospecting with its potential as a rich source of new therapeutic agents is an important tool for drug discovery and research. However collaborations between pharmaceutical companies and the countries supplying the indigenous knowledge and medicinal resources should be regulated for mutually beneficial relationship.