The Pharmacological Intelligence Funnel Theory as a New Integrative Paradigm for Translating Traditional Knowledge into Standardized Phytomedicines
Main Article Content
Abstract
Traditional medical knowledge, particularly in biodiversity-rich regions such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, represents the
cumulative outcome of several centuries of empirical experimentation. Despite its high informational value, this knowledge remains largely
excluded from modern healthcare systems due to the lack of scientific rigor, mechanistic validation, and standardization. This article proposes
an original conceptual framework, termed the Pharmacological Intelligence Funnel (PIF), which explains how traditional knowledge can be
systematically transformed into standardized phytomedicines. This framework integrates, within a sequential filtration process, ethnobotanical
documentation, in silico molecular modeling, and experimental biological validation, progressively reducing uncertainty while increasing
scientific robustness. By positioning traditional knowledge as an intelligent entry point rather than an obstacle, this model offers a pathway
toward local pharmaceutical innovation, addressing public health needs, and strengthening health sovereignty in low- and middle-income
countries.
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