ABSTRACT:
Herbal drug technology is a rapidly expanding interdisciplinary field that blends the knowledge of ancient herbal medicine with the accuracy of contemporary pharmaceutical science. Its primary aim is to guarantee the quality, effectiveness, and safety of plant-based medicinal formulations while promoting their global acceptance. Recent technological advancements have significantly transformed the processes involved in the development, standardization, and delivery of herbal drugs. Extraction methods such as supercritical fluid extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, and ultrasound-assisted extraction have enhanced the production and quality of bioactive compounds. Analytical techniques like HPTLC, HPLC, LC–MS, GC–MS, and DNA barcoding are currently essential for verifying authenticity, ensuring quality, and identifying adulteration in herbal raw materials. Phytochemical profiling and chromatographic fingerprinting enable comprehensive characterization of complex herbal matrices, supporting consistency and reproducibility in formulation. Additionally, Drug delivery systems like phytosomes, liposomes, nanoemulsions, and nanosuspensions have been created to improve the bioavailability, stability, and therapeutic impact of herbal components. The incorporation of metabolomics, computational modelling, and biotechnological approaches also facilitates rational drug design, identification of lead molecules, and optimization of pharmacological activity. Overall, these technological advancements aid in closing the enduring divide between conventional wisdom and evidence-based medicine. By providing standardized, scientifically validated herbal therapeutics, herbal drug technology contributes to the modernization and global recognition of natural product-based healthcare solutions.
Cite this article:
Nidhi Pimple, Shital Kalekar. Advances in Herbal Drug Technology. Research Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. 2026; 18(2):156-2. doi: 10.52711/0975-4385.2026.00022
Cite(Electronic):
Nidhi Pimple, Shital Kalekar. Advances in Herbal Drug Technology. Research Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. 2026; 18(2):156-2. doi: 10.52711/0975-4385.2026.00022 Available on: https://rjpponline.org/AbstractView.aspx?PID=2026-18-2-7