Biochemistry & Analytical Biochemistry

Abstract

Herbal Therapy: Can Omics Technology Create Order from Chaos?

Abdalla M. El-Mowafy

Herbal therapy (HT), a plant-based management of diseases, has been the sole remedy available for centuries. With the advent of standardized Western medicine, multifaceted uncertainties “black-box” arose for HT that was related to herb’s quality, components, safety, and mode of action. The omics techniques (prompt, information-rich, large-scale analyses that include genomics, proteomics and metabolomics) have availed a timely, profound, and overall picture of multiple events occurring in a cell or tissue. Omics, introduced by the year 2000, unraveled and revolutionized diverse botanical and activity issues for HT, such as authentication, quality control, dosing and safety profiles. Furthermore, omics fostered a new capable aspect of drug “synergy” in which the rational use of multi-components (mixtures) improved the efficacy or reduced toxicity of herbs. Having now made a “black-box” transparent, omics future endeavors should consider securing a pipeline strategy towards consistent and precise evaluation of herbs. Omics, likewise, with their achieved breakthroughs, should gain new future approaches to optimize the utility of HT and expedite its merge with Western medicine.