HERBAL DRUG ADULTERATION WITH SYNTHETIC PHYTOCONSTITUENTS AND THEIR ANALOGS AS ADULTERANTS A CONUNDRUM IN QUALITY CONTROL OF HERBAL FORMULATIONS: A REVIEW

Synthetic or chemical analogs adulteration refers to the incorporation of chemical compounds which are identical to naturally existing chemical compounds but differ significantly in chemical properties, behavior, and intent. As there is a lack of analytical techniques for identifying and quantifying phytoconstituents, the development of quality control techniques for herbal products is very important. To date, the Only Carbon dating technique is considered reliable for detecting such synthetic adulterants, which is expensive and difficult to access. The current publication emphasizes the advantages and drawbacks of contamination with synthetic phytochemicals in herbal medications and dietary products. This study also overviews the scarcity of herbal drugs and presently available drug evaluation tests. In conclusion, non-toxicity, efficacy, accuracy, stability, and potency are the ultimate standards for any drug (synthetic or natural). Our review emphasizes the importance of detecting, identifying, and quantifying synthetic phytochemicals, their structural analogs, and impurities found in herbal products.