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Screening Methods for Detection and Evaluation of Biological Activities of Plant Preparations

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Bioassay Methods in Natural Product Research and Drug Development

Part of the book series: Proceedings of the Phytochemical Society of Europe ((PPSE,volume 43))

Abstract

One of the important strategies and tactics in the search for new drugs still constists in the empirical approach i.e. the systematic screening of pure compounds or plant extracts in order to find useful lead compounds.

Structure-activity relationship studies of these lead compounds combined with computer-graphic model building can end up with promising candidate drugs having optimal activity and bioavailability, an acceptable therapeutic index and fewer side effects.

One of the key steps in the implementation of this rational serendipity methodology is the development of screening bioassays, which are adaptable to the testing of plant extracts, which can be highly colored, tarry, water insoluble and chemically very complex.

Several general screening bioassays including primary and broad bioassays and different specialized screening bioassays including lower organisms, isolated subcellular systems, isolated cellular systems, isolated organs of vertebrates and whole animals are systematically reviewed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp (UIA), Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610, Antwerp, Belgium

    A. J. Vlietinck

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  1. A. J. Vlietinck
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  1. Division of Pharmacognosy and Centre for Applied Pharmacognosy, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden

    Lars Bohlin  & Jan G. Bruhn  & 

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Vlietinck, A.J. (1999). Screening Methods for Detection and Evaluation of Biological Activities of Plant Preparations. In: Bohlin, L., Bruhn, J.G. (eds) Bioassay Methods in Natural Product Research and Drug Development. Proceedings of the Phytochemical Society of Europe, vol 43. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4810-8_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4810-8_4

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-6019-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-4810-8

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