"Use of Solid Timber Waste as Potential Raw Material for Novel Herbal Drugs: Multidisciplinary Research, Development, and Innovation"

Abstract

Solid timber waste obtained from wood industries contains chemical compounds that may be used in phytochemical and pharmacological studies, and possess great potential for use in drug discovery. For its use as a raw material by the pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical, and veterinary industries, multidisciplinary studies and planning are needed. In this study, the wood of 3 trees, Dipteryx odorata (Aubl.) Willd. (Fabaceae), Bowdichia nitida (Spr.) Benth (Fabaceae) and Myroxylon balsamum (L.) Harms (Fabaceae), was selected for phytochemical and pharmacological studies to evaluate antiproliferative activities in human tumor cells. The results obtained demonstrated the potential of solid wood residue a source of raw material for the discovery of pharmacologically active compounds. This source has been poorly explored, considering that it holds tremendous potential for the development of novel herbal drugs. However, it is necessary to implement a National Solid Waste Policy, proposing rules to improve management, classification and collection of solid waste generated by lumber based industries; which could allow a safe use of wood residues in phytochemical and pharmacological studies. The extracts studied demonstrate the potential to add value to non-timber forest products.