Ethnobotany & Traditional Medicine (ETM)

Scope/Vision
Objectives

Ethnobotany provides a valuable framework for understanding and utilizing the rich diversity of medicinal plants in traditional medicine. It bridges traditional practices with modern scientific methodologies, contributing to the development of effective, culturally relevant healthcare solutions. The division aims to bring new innovations and knowledge in the traditional use of indigenous systems of medicine such as Siddha, Ayurveda, Unani, and Homeopathy using advanced multiomics technologies. Omics technologies enable the identification and characterization of novel bioactive compounds in medicinal plants, facilitating new drug discovery and development. Elucidates the molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of traditional remedies, providing scientific evidence for their efficacy. Ethnobotanical knowledge can facilitate the integration of traditional medicine with modern healthcare systems.

● Metabolite profiling of Ayurvedic and Siddha formulations, Churna and herbal decoctions and Unani and Homeopathic medicines using mass spectrometry-based metabolomics.
● Molecular profiling to find active principles and targets of tribal medicines.
● Mass spectrometry-based identification of active principles of traditional medicines.
● Identification of common metabolites or substitutes in Ayurvedic drug substitutes.
● Molecular barcoding and quality assurance for traditional and local/tribal medicines.
● Identification of molecular targets and establishing the molecular mechanism of action of Ayurvedic drugs by multi-omics approaches.
● Drug repurposing of identified active compounds from the traditional medicines