Biochemistry & Pharmacology: Open Access
Open Access
ISSN: 2167-0501
+44-20-4587-4809
ISSN: 2167-0501
+44-20-4587-4809
A. Thangathirupathi
Accepted Abstracts: Biochem & Pharmacol
Herbal medicines are a multi-billion dollar industry in the United States with more than 1500 botanicals sold as dietary supplements or ethnic traditional medicines. Herbal dietary supplements are not subject to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) pre-market approval to assure their safety or efficacy. Toxicological research involving laboratory animals is necessary to ensure and enhance human and animal health and protection of the environment. The WHO has recognized the contribution and value of the herbal medicines used by a large segment of world?s population. Toxicology is the study of how chemical substances interact with living systems and affect normal processes, and the use of this information to predict safe exposure levels. Toxicological research and testing helps us to live safely and to derive benefit from natural substances while avoiding harm. Toxicologists are involved in the evaluation of household products, medicines and the effects of incidental and occupational exposure to natural and manufactured substances. Toxicology also helps us develop the best treatments in accidental over exposure. Toxicologists know that no substance is risk-free. Some doses actually have beneficial effects, as we all know from use of medicines. But increasing exposure to most substances will, at some point, cause harmful effects. Substances are considered toxic at that level. For example, digitalis is a plant product that has been used with great benefit to treat heart irregularities, but too large a dose will cause death. Oxygen provides another example of how increasing the dose can turn a safe compound into a toxic one.
A. Thangathirupathi has completed Ph.D. at the age of 40 years from The Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University, Chennai, India. At present, he is the principal of Sankaralingam Bhuvaneswari College of Pharmacy, Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu, a premier institute for pharmacy education in India. He has published more than 32 papers in reputed journals and serving as member in various professional societies such as CPCSEA, IPGA, APTI and IPS. He has received the Best Teacher award from The Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University, Chennai on 24 Nov 2012 for exemplary contribution to the profession of pharmacy.