Introduction of Division of Pharmacognosy,
Phytochemistry and Narcotics

• The division consists of three sections engaged in research and testing work on crude drugs (herbal medicines) and narcotics. The major research subject is involved with the following areas: evaluation and standardization of herbal medicines to ensure their quality, efficacy and safety; development of chemically and genetically analyzing method of herbal medicines and unregulated drugs; evaluation of pharmacological activity of “Kampo” medicines; surveys of biologically active compounds in natural source; development of analytical method of narcotics, stimulants and other abused drugs; chemical evaluation of borderline products between pharmaceuticals and food. In addition, the division manages special scientific instruments such as 800MHz NMR, LC-NMR and tandem MS for common use in our ministry.

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  Specimens of crude drugs listed in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia.

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  Analyses of Kampo formulae for their quality assurance and standardization.

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  Narcotics, cannabis, new psychoactive substances and other illegal products

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  Tandem mass spectrometer for common uses