In vitro screening of plant extracts and phytopharmaceuticals: Novel approaches for the elucidation of active compounds and their mechanisms

The advantages of cell culture systems for the screening of active compound s of plant extracts and phytopharmaceuticals are discussed and exemplified for hepatocytes and nerve cells. Recent developments and new experimental t echniques allow easy access even to complex specific functions of these cel ls and render it possible to draw conclusions about molecular mechanisms. T hese in vitro approaches, therefore, may contribute essentially to the redu ction of animal use in such studies. Furthermore, they may give full insigh t into not only the therapeutic potential but also the possible dangers of phytopharmaceuticals and may eventually lead to hints on new therapeutic fi elds that can be further explored.