A Review: Recent Advancement in Herbal Technology

Abstract

The fashion ability of herbal products has also led to the emergence of certain dangerous ideas and particulars that have caught directors and consumers off guard and someof which have had mischievous effects.Herbal specifics have gained fashionability lately because of their numerous advantages.Herbal remedies have proven to be extensively effective as treatments for a number of illnesses.Even if the maturity of these operation is unusual, over 80 percent of theworld\'s population takes herbal treatments.One of the biggest challenges facing scientists is the creation of unique logical styles that can directly describe the phytochemical arrangement, including quantitative evaluations of marker/bioactive mixes and other important elements.Both contemporary developments and pictorial convectional ways are described in the current review essay.Recent advancements includes DNA characteristic, metabolomics system, differintial vibration polarography,- shaft diffraction etc. are practical. Capillary electrophoresis and chromatographic styles contributions towards standardization of herbal drugs is also proved.

Introduction

Definition:
Advanced herbal technology is the innovative application of modern technologies and scientific principles—such as biotechnology, nanotechnology, pharmacology, and materials science—to improve the production, extraction, formulation, and distribution of herbal products. It aims to enhance their efficacy, safety, consistency, and preservation of natural integrity.

Key Areas:

I. Goals of Advanced Herbal Technology

• Standardized extraction methods

• Identification and analysis of bioactive compounds

• Development of efficient delivery systems (e.g., nanotechnology)

• Harnessing plant biodiversity

• Supporting drug discovery and improving human health outcomes

II. Plant Species Identification Techniques

• Leaf-based Approaches: Image processing using features like shape, texture, and geometry.

• Flower/Fruit-based Approaches: Color, shape, and region-based identification using machine learning (e.g., SVM).

• Macroscopy: Observation of physical traits (leaf shape, flower structure, phyllotaxy).

• Microscopy: Study of cellular structures (stomata, trichomes, calcium crystals) using microscopes.

• DNA Fingerprinting: Molecular techniques like RAPD, SSR, RFLP, and DNA barcoding for precise species identification.

III. Extraction Techniques

Extraction separates plant components into desired substances using physical and chemical methods:

• Types: Liquid-liquid extraction, solid-phase extraction, ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE), microwave-assisted, Soxhlet, and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE).

• Modern Techniques: UAE and PLE (Pressurized Liquid Extraction) offer higher yield, better purity, and are environmentally friendly.

IV. Purification and Isolation

• Techniques involve separating plant compounds under specific temperature conditions.

• Methods like cold extraction and solubility-based separation ensure the isolation of active constituents.

V. Chromatographic Techniques

Used to separate, identify, and quantify herbal compounds:

• TLC (Thin Layer Chromatography)

• HPTLC (High-Performance TLC)

• HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography) – most common for purity and potency checks

• Gas Chromatography (GC) – used for volatile compounds

VI. Quality Standards and WHO Guidelines

• Standardization Methods: Use of chromatographic fingerprints (TLC, HPTLC, HPLC, GC)

• Assessment Parameters:

  • Botanical authentication

  • Purity (absence of foreign matter, heavy metals, pesticides)

  • Organoleptic properties (taste, odor, appearance)

  • Moisture, ash values, and extractive values

  • Spectroscopic evaluation

Conclusion

Advanced herbal technology merges ancient knowledge with cutting-edge science to ensure herbal medicines are safe, effective, and reliable. This evolving field supports both healthcare and pharmaceutical innovation through precision in plant identification, extraction, analysis, and standardization.

References

[1] Gavhane P, Avhad P, Sanap T, Badwar O. A review on advanced herbal technology. Int J Pharm Sci. 2015;2(11):1130-1137. [2] Salunke NS, Kazi SM, Bais SK. Review on advance herbal technology. Int J Adv Res SciCommunTechnol (IJARSCT). 2023;3(2). [3] Dubey TS, Shaikh SS, Sawale V, Kakade R, Vishe H. Advanced herbal technology for the development of herbal drug molecule - A review. Int J ComprAdvPharmacol. 2024;9(1):7-16. [4] Hssoon IM, Kassir SA, Altaie SM. A review of plant species identification techniques. Int J Sci Res (IJSR). 2018;7(8):325-328. [5] Patel K, Panchal N, Ingle P. Review of extraction techniques: microwave, ultrasonic, pressurized fluid, Soxhlet extraction, etc. Int J Adv Res ChemSci (IJARCS). 2019;6(3):6-21. doi:10.20431/2349-0403.0603002. [6] Bjørnstad T. Introduction to liquid-liquid extraction. Lecture Compendium - Nuclear Chemistry, University of Oslo. [7] Hussain G. Soxhlet extraction principal, working & usage [Internet]. ResearchGate; 2023 Jul. Available from: [8] Alvarez-Rivera G, Bueno M, Mendiola JA, Ibáñez E. Pressurized liquid extraction. 2020:375-398. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-816911-7.00013-X. [9] Syahir A, Sulaiman S, Mel M, Othman M, Sulaiman SZ. An overview: analysis of ultrasonic-assisted extraction’s parameters and its process. IOP ConfSer Mater Sci Eng. 2020;778:012165. doi:10.1088/1757-899X/778/1/012165. [10] Sayed MA. A review of chromatography: principles, classification, applications. doi:10.13140/RG.2.2.22113.43361. [11] Kumar S, Jyotirmayee K, Sarangi M. Thin layer chromatography: A tool of biotechnology for isolation of bioactive compounds from medicinal plants. Int J Pharm Sci Rev Res. 2013;18(1):126-132. [12] Ramu B. High performance thin layer chromatography and its role in the pharmaceutical industry: review. 2018;5(3):29-34. [13] Malviya R, Bansal V, Pal OP, Sharma PK. High performance liquid chromatography: A short review. J Glob Pharma Technol. 2010;2(5):22-26. [14] Patil P, Yele T, Jawale J, Pawar S. Gas chromatography: a review. Int Res J Mod EngTechnol Sci. 2022;4(12). [15] Umamaheswari D, Muthuraja R, Kumar M, Venkateswarlu BS. Standardization of herbal drugs – An overview. Int J Pharm Sci Rev Res. 2021;68(1):213-219.

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Mr. Sudhanshu Dhananjay Kapase, Mr. Nilesh Zanzane, Mr. Nitin Gawai, Mr. Akash Jayashing Ghadage, Mr. Nikhil Kailas Tambe. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.