The laboratory at FRLHT is perhaps the most unique among the laboratories/institutes involved in natural product research.

The uniqueness of the laboratory lies in the fact that all the activities are oriented towards Traditional Knowledge with a modern approach. It is a one-stop shop for all the requirement of people involved in the Herbal Sector.

The laboratory has been established for demonstrating the contemporary relevance of traditional health practices, development of traditional knowledge based medicines and for standardization of medicinal plant and product quality. It has been recognized as a certifying body by the department of ISM & H, Govt. of India.

INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITY

The laboratory has the requisite manpower and infrastructure for testing herbal medicines and to carry out research and development activities (R&D). Experienced and well-qualified scientists in the disciplines of Phytochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Microbiology and Molecular Biology are available for carrying out analytical work as required under the drug-testing mandate for ISM drugs. They are supported by field botanists and experts within FRLHT in the morphological and macroscopic identification of plants. The Lab works hand in hand with TSM group especially in the areas of Research and Product Development. ...more details

Phytochemical section
The laboratory is equipped with all the basic equipment for physico-chemical analysis, extraction, chemical analysis, and assay of chemical compounds by volumetric, gravimetric, spectrophotometric, HPLC & HPTLC techniques. Thin layer chromatography facilities for finger printing of the herbal medicine or the marker compounds are available for confirming the identity and authenticity of the medicine.

Biology Section

Microbiological Testing
A full-fledged microbiology section exists for testing bacterial and fungal contamination of herbal material with sterile testing facilities (Laminar flow hood). The laboratory has a collection of 8 spp. of fungal and bacterial cultures.

Biological Assays
 Antimicrobial assays using bacterial and fungal cultures
 Brine Shrimp bioassay for screening of bioactivity of plants and products
 Potato disk tumour assay for studying anti – tumour and neoplastic activity

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.

Molecular Biology Section
Seed fund provided by the Ministry for Environment and Forest, Govt. of India for studying the Genetic Diversity and Pharmacognosy studies of Medicinal Plants. The main purpose of this project is in identification of medicinal plants. By using molecular biology techniques such as DNA isolation and PCR, it is envisaged to develop DNA Fingerprints of some important but controversial plants. Further it is also proposed to develop DNA markers for authenticated medicinal plants, which would help in confirming the identity of a plant or plant-derived products.


OUR MAIN ACTIVITIES

1. Testing– > 90% of industry in the Traditional Medicine Sector is at a micro to small scale with turnover of a few lakhs of rupees. Most do not have laboratories for Quality Control as per GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) requirements of Govt. of India (Schedule T, Drugs & Cosmetic Act, 2000). The Laboratory at FRLHT undertakes Quality testing & Certification of raw drugs and finished products at a competitive fee. (Click here for the fee schedule). This is primarily for small-scale units manufacturing traditional medicines and who don’t have the facility of their own.

The laboratory has been accredited by the Department of Indian System of Medicine & Homeopathy for certifying the quality of Traditional Medicine (raw drugs & formulations). The Laboratory is also in the process of obtaining ISO accreditation....more details

2. Research - focused to develop quality standards for Traditional Medicines that are based on traditional knowledge that exists in Traditional Medical Systems such as the Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and folk tradition. ...more details

3. Consultancy - is a service offered to customers who need support in terms of product development based on traditional formulations but with modern convenience form, packaging and quality standards. We also undertake consultancies to improve processes and standardise existing products...more details

4. Training –The Laboratory undertakes training as per the users needs on Quality testing and Quality Control. It also trains students and researchers on the importance of Traditional Quality Standards based research in Phytochemistry of herbal medicines...more details

5. Database - A user-friendly computerized database information on pharmacogonosy and pharmacopoeial standards of over 250 medicinal plants are available. Pharmacological information including clinical reports on 300 plants has been compiled in the database. Database information on Pharmacognosy or Pharmacology can be provided at a cost of Rs. 500/- each. Specific needs for other medicinal plants for which Pharmacognosy/ pharmacological information is required can be made obtained on request on terms and conditions mutually acceptable. ..more details