Phytochemical analysis : The activity of any herb is dependent on the class of phytoconstituents or specific phytoconstituents being present in it. In majority of the herbals which are in use the knowledge about these is fairly known. Therefore it is necessary to devise method of standardization based upon the presence of these chemicals. These chemicals are broadly categorized into two groups’ viz. Product of primary metabolites (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, etc.) and secondary metabolites (alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, flavanoids, coumarins, terpenoids, tannins, etc.). Our phytochemical laboratory is well equipped to undertake both qualitative and quantitative evaluation of these constituents either as class or individual.

THS Laboratory test's botanical/herbal/nutraceutical products with widely accepted methods including those recommended by Indian Pharmacopeia, Indian Herbal Pharmacopeia, United States Pharmacopeia (USP), Herbal Compendium, China Pharmacopoeia, or other professional scientific organizations, or "in-House" methods to match your new discoveries of herbs or herbal extracts.

Method Development and Validation : Our professional scientists have extensive experience in analytical chemistry and routinely provide method development and validation for Herbal, neutraceuticals and stability testing. Methods are validated to current USP/ICH guidelines.

The assumption that herbal medications only have beneficial effects have proven to be incorrect and the literature reports citing problems associated with herbal preparations use are increasing. Hence the evaluation of safety aspects should have priority. Most of the adverse drug reactions to phytomedicines and toxicity could be attributed mainly due to contamination or substitution of the plant material. Contaminants most likely to be found in medicinal herbs are heavy metals, microorganisms, pesticides / herbicides and radioactive isotopes. These contaminants cannot be excluded completely but may be significantly reduced by proper cultivation and harvesting. Any one of the factors - collection, preparation, dispensing, packaging and dosage can be the cause of toxicity.

Evaluation of following parameters are carried out at THS

Microbial bioburden studies Medicinal plant materials normally carry a great number of bacteria and moulds often of soil origin. Amongst a large range of bacteria and fungi from the naturally occurring microflora of herbs, aerobic spore forming bacteria frequently predominate. Current practices of harvesting, handling and production often cause additional contamination and microbial growth. Some of the pathogenic bacteria seen in plant material are Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Staphylococcus aureus.

A full-fledged microbiology section exists for testing bacterial and fungal contamination of herbal material with sterile testing facilities (Laminar flow hood). Anti microbial tests and a time saving and economical bioassay method using brine shrimps for evaluating biological activity of the herbal medicines are carried out for a preliminary screening of drugs. We also undertake Preservative Challenge, Bioburden, Assays, Sterility of herbal products.

Heavy metal analysis An essential step in plant material analysis is the determination of heavy metals. Presence of heavy metals like lead, arsenic, mercury etc. can be attributed to many causes such as environmental pollution and traces of pesticides.

Determination of heavy metals is carried out with the help of Atomic Absorption Spectrometry at THS.

Animal studies: We at THS undertake systematic animal studies of herbal extracts and formulations by utilizing appropriate models.

Toxicity Recent adverse events have clearly shown that all Herbal products are not free from side effects and toxicity. Products that have been confirmed to have bioefficacy can then be taken up for safety studies to determine possible side effects, adverse reactions and the maximum tolerable dosages. We undertake acute, sub-acute and chronic toxicity studies in animals.