Phytochemical Analysis of Traditional Medicinal Plants Used by Indigenous Populations: Validating Ancient Wisdom Through Modern Science

Abstract

Traditional medicinal plants have served as the cornerstone of indigenous healthcare systems for millennia, representing an invaluable repository of ethnopharmacological knowledge. This comprehensive review examines the phytochemical composition of selected medicinal plants traditionally utilized by indigenous populations across diverse geographical regions, with particular emphasis on the scientific validation of their therapeutic properties through contemporary analytical methodologies. Recent advances in phytochemical screening, including high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, have enabled researchers to identify and quantify bioactive compounds responsible for the documented therapeutic effects. This investigation synthesizes current scientific evidence supporting the pharmacological efficacy of traditional medicinal plants, thereby bridging the gap between ancestral wisdom and modern pharmaceutical science. The findings demonstrate significant correlations between indigenous applications and scientifically validated bioactivities, particularly in antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. Furthermore, this review highlights the potential for drug discovery and development based on ethnobotanical knowledge, while emphasizing the critical importance of preserving indigenous intellectual property rights and promoting sustainable harvesting practices. The integration of traditional knowledge with contemporary scientific methodologies represents a promising paradigm for identifying novel therapeutic agents and validating time-tested healing practices, ultimately contributing to global healthcare advancement and biodiversity conservation.