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Planta Med 2014; 80(14): 1154-1160
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1368549
Perspectives
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Useful Methods for Targeted Plant Selection in the Discovery of Potential New Drug Candidates

Sianne L. Schwikkard
1   Natural Products Research Group, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom
2   School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
,
Dulcie A. Mulholland
1   Natural Products Research Group, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom
2   School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 24 September 2013
revised 27 April 2014

accepted 04 May 2014

Publication Date:
12 June 2014 (online)

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Abstract

The efficient and effective selection of appropriate plants for investigative purposes in a drug discovery program is of crucial importance for a successful outcome. A variety of approaches have been used by researchers with varying levels of success. A variety of different approaches to plant selection are discussed, including the ethnomedicinal approach, some ecological approaches, and the use of combinatorial and computational methodologies.

Key words

biodiversity - targeted selection - ethnomedicine - drug discovery
 

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