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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
ISBN 978-1-119-68191-5
Cover image: Pixabay.Com
Cover design by Russell Richardson
Set in size of 11pt and Minion Pro by Manila Typesetting Company, Makati, Philippines Printed in the USA
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Preface
The term “phytopharmaceutical” is derived from a combination of two words; phyto, referring to plant and pharmaceutical referring to medicinal drugs. Medicinal plants have been used in traditional medicine practices since prehistoric times. These plants contain a variety of bioactive components—also known as phytochemicals—in the various parts of plants, i.e., stems, leaves, fruits and flowers. These components supplement the needs of the systems of the human body. This book covers a range of topics concerning the bioactive compounds from medicinal plants, including how bioactive molecules are isolated from medicinal plants; their available sources, biochemistry, structural composition and potential biological activities; and the importance of the application of phytopharmaceutical molecules from a health perspective. Also covered are pharmacological aspects of medicinal plants; the phytochemistry and biological activities of different natural products; ethnobotany and medicinal properties; a novel dietary approach for the management of various diseases and its therapeutic potential; and the importance of plant-derived pharmaceuticals and their potential range of application in different food and pharma industries.
Diverse technical facets of phytopharmaceuticals for potential use in systems of the human body are highlighted in this book, supplemented by oceans of information on food science and technology. We anticipate that this compilation will be suitable for scholars and researchers working in the academic field as well as those in the food, nutraceuticals and herbal trades. Included in the 22 chapters of the book is information on the following topics:
Chapter 1 deals with the screening of phytopharmaceuticals responsible for therapeutic efficacy. Also discussed are the techniques required for phytopharmaceutical quality control. Moreover, the chapter highlights the active ingredients of phytopharmaceuticals and their alignment with quantity estimation so that the therapeutic efficacy of herbs can be established.
Chapter 2 highlights the characterization of natural ingredients which have a wide range of uses in pharmaceutical, food and even cosmetic industries. It deals with extraction and covers implementation of adequate extraction techniques, the standardization of analytical procedures, and possible modifications for optimum release kinetics. An attempt is made to cover every aspect that could be effectively employed for nutraceutical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic applications.
Chapter 3 covers the extraction kinetics of essential oils and bioactives, with a particular emphasis on plants from the Lamiaceae family. A case study utilizing hydrodistillation and microwave-assisted hydrodistillation to obtain essential oils from Ziziphora clinopodioides Lam is presented in this chapter, which also covers experimental aspects of their extraction. In addition, certain properties and potential applications of the extracted volatiles are elucidated.
Chapter 4 deals with the adulteration in plant products. The chapter aims to integrate the regulation of good agricultural practice (GAP) and good manufacturing practice (GMP) to produce high-quality phytopharmaceuticals which are unadulterated, clean and in compliance with standards. Following a discussion on safe and effective phytopharmaceuticals, there is a discussion on the prevention of problems encountered due to adulteration.
Chapter 5 is an overview of some of the most commonly used traditional herbal remedies from the Balkan Peninsula. The plants described in this chapter have a long tradition of being used in folk medicine. These plants were first used extensively for the treatment of wounds and various injuries, and their application was mainly based on their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and keratolytic activity. The achieved results justified their utilization in traditional medicine, but also show their great potential for inclusion in modern preparations and official medication.
Chapter 6 discusses the production and application of bioactive peptides from plants, with a focus on their biological properties. The chapter deals with studies evaluating the production processes, functionality, and application of peptides, which provide more information on these peptides as important agents that have the potential to be used in medical, pharmaceutical, and food industries.
Chapter 7 deals with flavonoids and their potential in cancer treatment. The aim of this chapter is to generate various ideas that may be helpful in developing effective dietary strategies for cancer patients to manage and treat the disease.
Chapter 8 reports the use of phytomedicines, either by using extracts or different formulations, which is a long-standing practice for the management of contagious ailments. A powerful natural alternative in the form of phytomedicine may provide a sustainable and cost-effective solution.
Chapter 9 discusses the various traditional herbal remedies for male infertility. Various clinical and representative studies in animal or human models or in vitro are described that were found to be useful to estimate the broad potential aspects of medicinal herbs used in traditional practices to treat male infertility.
Chapter 10 highlights the current information available on phytopharmaceuticals used in dentistry. In light of scientific studies on the benefits of plant derivatives, information about integrating phytopharmaceuticals with today’s technology in the treatment of oral diseases is provided for dentists and their patients.
Chapter 11 describes the effects of plant polyphenols, particularly resveratrol, EGCG, quercetin, and chlorogenic acid, on endothelial functions. The chapter provides the latest information on the mechanism underlying the effects of these polyphenols on vascular endothelial cells with respect to cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention.
Chapter 12 sheds light on the paradoxical behavior of quercetin both in vitro and in vivo. It also determines the role quercetin plays in male reproductive system disorders. The future direction and limitation of quercetin for those