An ethnopharmacological perspective on natural products: From the Greek pharmacopoeias to the European pharmacopoeia
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: In ethnopharmacology, historical texts provide crucial insights by revealing the continuity of traditional medicines, while also serving as valuable sources for the discovery of bioactive natural products and potential new therapeutics. From 1828 to 2009, five official editions of the Greek Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Gr.) were published, prior to full alignment with the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.). Despite this rich history, the content and significance of Greece's officinal herbal products remain largely unexplored. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aims to investigate the inclusion of natural products, especially herbal products, in the official Greek Pharmacopoeias and to compare them with those listed in the European Pharmacopoeia 11. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The analysis examined Ph. Gr. I (1868), II (1924), III (1974), IV (1989; with Addenda, 1990-1994), and V (2009), alongside the Bavarian Pharmacopoeia (1822) and Ph. Eur. 11. RESULTS: A total of 298 herbal drug aggregates were identified across 94 botanical families. Herbal monographs reached their highest count in Ph. Gr. I, declined in the following editions, and increased again in Ph. Gr. V. Comparative analysis with Ph. Eur. 11 showed that 86 were previously listed in Ph. Gr. I, 59 in II, 55 in III, 44 in IV, and 142 in V. Notably, 74 herbal monographs introduced in Ph. Gr. I are still present in Ph. Eur. 11. Additional entries include natural metabolites, animal-derived products, antibiotics, enzymes, hormones, vaccines, and vitamins. CONCLUSION: This is the first systematic review of natural product inclusion in the Greek Pharmacopoeias. The enduring inclusion of many herbal products in Ph. Eur. underscores their significant value in pharmaceutical science.
Source: Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Institution: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,740
OpenAlex ID: W7137146832