Biochemistry & Pharmacology: Open Access
Open Access
ISSN: 2167-0501
ISSN: 2167-0501
Augustine A. Onyeaghala
Accepted Abstracts: Biochem & Pharmacol
Medicinal plants constitute a source of raw materials for both traditional and modern medicine. Globally, traditional medicine has been accepted as one of the ways that individuals seek remedies for all kinds of medical problems ranging from simple headache to severe and terminal disease such as cancer. The wide usage of herbal medicine has contributed greatly to the growth of the global pharmaceutical market. The use of herbal medicine has been driven by poor medical facilities across Africa, high cost of orthodox medicine, inadequate medical facilities and ease of accessibility, affordability and availability. Though the claims of most traditional herbal practitioners may be unquestionable, the world and users of the product have to be convinced of their efficacy, efficiency and safety using modern toxicological techniques and clinical research. In most biomedical research evaluating medicinal products in Africa and possibly elsewhere in the world, acute toxicological testing using animal models have prevailed. Recent findings have shown that data generated from animal studies may not directly be extrapolated in human subjects. Developing herbal medicines thus requires research technique which is able to predict toxicities as early as possible. Could regulatory agencies adopt toxicogenomics screening as a faster and cost saving technique when approving herbal products in this region? Are there advantages to be derived when this technique is used? How will practitioners benefit from this emerging technique? The aim of this presentation is to discuss the above issues hoping that the knowledge if applied in the broader diagnostic scope shall help greatly in the regulatory process of herbal products.
Augustine A. Onyeaghala is a biomedical scientist, clinical research scientist, quality assurance expert, GCP, GMP and GLP specialist. He holds a master?s degree in Chemical Pathology, post graduate diploma in Clinical Research from Kriger Research International, Canada. He is presently a doctorate student in Clinical and Translational Research with research interest in predictive toxicology /toxicogenomics. He has mentored a great number of students to become biomedical scientists and clinical research professionals. He has authored more than fifty scientific abstracts and presented over fourty in both local and international conferences. He is a regular speaker and presenter at international and local conferences and meetings discussing clinical research, quality assurance, biomedical science and good clinical practice regulations. He is currently an assistant director (Training) in Biomedical Science at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, a freelance consultant in Clinical Research and the president of the Society of Quality Assurance, Nigeria Regional Chapter. He has published a reasonable number of research papers in both local and international journals and is also an author of a book in total quality management.