Unveiling the Therapeutic Potential and Conservation Strategies for Rare and Endangered Medicinal Plants in Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Comprehensive Review
Authors:   Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab-140401, India, Rastogi Sonali , Verma Ritu ,   Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab-140401, India, Raju Rajapandi ,   St. John’s College of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Research, Kattappana – 685 515, Idukki, Kerala, India, Narayanan Venkateshan ,   Arulmigu Kalasalingam College of Pharmacy Krishnankoil – 626 126, Srivilliputtur, Tamilnadu, India, Mundada Pooja Anand ,   R. C. Patel Institute of Pharmacy, Shirpur, District Dhule, Maharashtra, India, Maheshwari Rakhee ,   People’s University, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India, Pandhare Yuvraj ,   Shree Pushpasen Sawant College of Pharmacy kudal. Sindhudurga, India, Tiwari Ruchi ,   PSIT-Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology (Pharmacy), Kanpur-Agra-Delhi National, NH 19, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh 209305, India
Published: September 2024

Introduction: Incorporating rare and threatened healing plants from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) into modern medicine is a hopeful way to expand treatment choices and encourage the long-term use of plant resources. These plants have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for a long time. They have powerful healing properties, including the ability to reduce inflammation and fight cancer. They also protect nerves and the heart. Method: A thorough study of all the scientific studies, clinical trials, ethnobotanical surveys, and conservation reports that were found were all looked at in relation to rare and threatened medical plants used in TCM. We looked through databases like PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for relevant pieces. Studies published in peer-reviewed journals, reports from reputable conservation organisations, and written down traditional knowledge were all considered to be relevant. Results: Key results show that plants like Dendrobium, Panax notoginseng, Taxus chinensis, and Cistanche deserticola can be used as medicines and that there are good ways to protect them. Some of the conservation methods that have been named are agroforestry, community-based management, current breeding techniques, and sustainable gathering. Collaboration in research, clinical trials, personalised medicine, regulatory harmonisation, and public education programs are all part of the integration with modern medicine. These programs try to solve problems like scientific proof, protection, and cultural integration. Conclusion: When rare and threatened medical plants from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are used in modern medicine, it can improve health and help protect wildlife. Using both old information and new science discoveries together can lead to new treatments and long-term uses for these plant materials. Large-scale clinical studies, new ways of growing plants, and looking into how TCM herbs and regular drugs can work together should be the main topics of future study. For global healthcare to improve and for these important plant resources to be used in the long term, academics, healthcare workers, lawmakers, and local communities must work together.