Plant extract (commonly referred to as “plant extract” or “extracts”) is a product obtained by extracting and concentrating specific active components from plants through appropriate solvents or physical and chemical methods, without altering the structure of these components. Depending on the extracted components, plant extracts can be categorized into various types such as glycosides, acids, polyphenols, polysaccharides, terpenes, flavonoids, and alkaloids. According to their physical form, they can be classified into plant oils, tinctures, powders, crystals, etc. Plant extracts can be widely used for health enhancement and other purposes, as raw materials for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, and dietary supplements.
Classification of Plant Extracts
- Alkaloids
Alkaloids are a class of nitrogen-containing organic compounds that have special physiological activities and medicinal effects. For example, ephedrine, found in Ephedra, is used for treating asthma; scopolamine, found in Scopolia, has antispasmodic and pain-relieving effects. - Glycosides (Glycosides)
Glycosides consist of sugar and non-sugar components. The sugar portion is consistent across all glycosides, while different types of aglycones have distinct physiological activities. For example, cardiac glycosides in Digitalis leaves have a strong heart-stimulating effect; ginsenosides in ginseng have effects such as tonifying qi, generating body fluids, and calming the mind. - Volatile Oils (Essential Oils)
Volatile oils, or essential oils, are liquid mixtures containing various compounds that have fragrance and volatility. They possess physiological activity and have multiple medical applications such as cough relief, asthma treatment, sweating, decongesting, expectorating, pain relief, and antimicrobial effects. Medicinal plants with high volatile oil content include Arborvitae, Magnolia, Cinnamomum, and Peppermint. - Tannins (Tannins)
Tannins are a mixture of polyphenolic compounds that occur in various plants, particularly abundant in plants from the families Salicaceae, Fagaceae, Polygonaceae, Rosaceae, Fabaceae, Myrtaceae, and Rubiaceae. For example, tannins found in the medicinal plant Rhus chinensis, known as Wubeizi, have astringent, antidiarrheal, and antiperspirant properties. - Other Components
These include sugars, amino acids, proteins, enzymes, organic acids, oils, waxes, resins, pigments, and inorganic substances, each with unique physiological functions, many of which are important drugs in clinical practice.
Development of the Plant Extract Industry
The plant extract industry is a rapidly growing sector that bridges the pharmaceutical, fine chemical, and agricultural industries. The export value of plant extracts in China exceeded that of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) products as early as 1999, making it a significant export item for the country. With the abundance of plant resources and increasing market demand, the global plant extract market has a bright future. In particular, in Europe and North America, plant extracts, whether as herbal medicine or dietary supplements, have become a burgeoning industry with annual sales approaching 8 billion USD.
Application Areas
Currently, plant extracts in China are widely used in pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, cosmetics, food, tobacco, and other industries as raw materials or excipients. As the plant extract industry continues to grow, more and more plant species are being utilized for industrial extraction. Currently, over 300 plant species have been industrialized for extraction.
Overall, the plant extract industry has vast potential, particularly with the global trend of green and healthy consumption driving increasing market demand.
