Traditional medicine (TM) is an integral part of many cultures. It has a rich history of use for the prevention and management of a wide variety of conditions. Recently, TM has become the subject of scientific research due to its potential to provide alternative treatments for a range of diseases. Here, we provide a review of the biochemical and clinical aspects of traditional medicine. Biomolecular aspects of traditional medicine consist primarily of interactions between a variety of bioactive compounds and their targets. This includes compounds from medicinal plants, herbs, and minerals as well as other sources. In addition, techniques such as fermentation, extraction, and fractionation have been developed to ensure the isolation of the biologically active molecules from the plant material. To date, numerous active compounds have been isolated and identified from medicinal plants used in TM, including alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, flavonoids, and tannins. These compounds have been characterized and linked to the various therapeutic actions of TM. The clinical efficacy of TM has been evaluated in numerous studies in recent years. A variety of diseases and disorders have been investigated, including obesity, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, inflammation, cancer, and neurological and infectious diseases. The evidence supports the use of TM in the treatment of some disorders. For example, phytochemicals such as alkaloids, terpene lactones, and flavonoids have displayed anti-inflammatory properties with potential therapeutic use in chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and asthma. Similarly, other compounds, such as flavonoids, have shown anti-tumor properties in preclinical studies, while triterpenes have demonstrated potential in the treatment of diabetes. In conclusion, traditional medicine offers a rich and promising alternative to address a variety of diseases and health concerns. Its biochemical complexity and therapeutic potential are now well-understood due to an influx of research focused on its efficacy. Further research is necessary to fully understand the biochemical nature and clinical potential of the compounds involved in traditional medicine.
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