Overview: The fact that, of the approximately 600,000 plant species existing on the earth, only some 5 % have been specifically investigated chemically or pharmacologi- cally, is a challenge to chemists spezializing in na- tural substances and to pharmacologists. In view of the limited number of research capacities and the ever- diminishing financial means, this challenge can only be met if, together with an improvement and refinement of methods of analysis, medicinal plant research is carried out on a broader interdisciplinary basis, with comparable, scientifically recognized screening method
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