Medicinal Plant Research in Africa
Pharmacology and Chemistry
- 1st Edition - June 19, 2013
- Editor: Victor Kuete
- Language: English
The pharmacopoeias of most African countries are available and contain an impressive number of medicinal plants used for various therapeutic purposes. Many African scholars have… Read more
Description
Description
Key features
Key features
- The book contains data of biologically active plants of Africa, plant occurring compounds and synthesis pathways of secondary metabolites
- This book explores the essence of natural substances from African medicinal plants and their pharmacological potential
- The authors are world reknowned African Scientists
Readership
Readership
Table of contents
Table of contents
About the Editor
Preface
List of Contributors
1. Monoterpenes and Related Compounds from the Medicinal Plants of Africa
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Biosynthesis and Structural Diversity
1.3 Monoterpenes Isolated from African Medicinal Plants and Their Pharmacological Activities
1.4 New Monoterpenes Isolated in African Medicinal Plants
1.5 Other Monoterpenes in African Medicinal Plants
1.6 Conclusion
References
2. Sesquiterpenes from the Medicinal Plants of Africa
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Biosynthesis and Structural Diversity
2.3 Pharmacological Activities of Sesquiterpenes Isolated from African Medicinal Plants
2.4 New Sesquiterpenes Isolated from Medicinal Plants of Africa
2.5 Other Sesquiterpenes in Medicinal Plants of Africa
2.6 Conclusion
References
3. Diterpenoids from the Medicinal Plants of Africa
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Biosynthesis and Structural Diversity
3.3 Nomenclature and Identification of Diterpenoids
3.4 Pharmacological Activities of Diterpenoids Isolated from African Medicinal Plants
3.5 Conclusions
References
4. Triterpenes and Steroids from the Medicinal Plants of Africa
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Biosynthesis and Structural Diversity
4.3 Phytochemical Detection of Triterpenoids and NMR Identification
4.4 Nomenclature of Triterpenoids
4.5 New Triterpenoids Isolated from African Medicinal Plants
4.6 Triterpene and Steroids Isolated from African Medicinal Plants and Their Pharmacological Activities
4.7 Other Triterpenoids from African Medicinal Plants
4.8 Conclusions
References
5. Essential Oils from the Medicinal Plants of Africa
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Classification of Essential Oils
5.3 Chemical Composition of Essential Oils
5.4 Biological Activity of Essential Oils from African Medicinal Plants
5.5 Conclusion
References
6. Simple Phenols, Phenolic Acids, and Related Esters from the Medicinal Plants of Africa
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Biosynthesis of Phenolic Compounds and Structural Diversity
6.3 Simple Phenols, Phenolic Acids, and Related Ethers Isolated from African Medicinal Plants and Their Pharmacological Activities
6.4 New Simple Phenols, Phenolic Acids, and Related Ethers Isolated in African Medicinal Plants
6.5 Other Simple Phenols, Phenolic Acids, and Related Ethers in African Medicinal Plants
6.6 Conclusions
References
7. Phenylpropanoids and Related Compounds from the Medicinal Plants of Africa
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Biosynthesis of Phenylpropanoids and Structural Diversity
7.3 Phenylpropanoids Isolated from African Medicinal Plants and Their Pharmacological Activity
7.4 New Phenylpropanoids Isolated in African Medicinal Plants
7.5 Conclusion
References
8. Coumarins and Related Compounds from the Medicinal Plants of Africa
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Biosynthesis and Structural Diversity
8.3 Detection of Coumarin in Plant Extracts
8.4 Pharmacological Activity of Coumarins Isolated from African Medicinal Plants
8.5 New Coumarins Isolated in African Medicinal Plants
8.6 Other Coumarins in African Medicinal Plants
8.7 Coumarin-Related Compounds from African Medicinal Plants
8.8 Conclusion
References
9. Flavonoids and Related Compounds from the Medicinal Plants of Africa
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Biosynthesis and Structural Diversity
9.3 Characterization of Flavonoids in Plant Extracts
9.4 Pharmacological Activities of Flavonoids and Related Compounds Isolated from African Medicinal Plants
9.5 Flavonoids and Related Compounds Newly Identified in African Medicinal Plants
9.6 Conclusions
References
10. Quinones and Benzophenones from the Medicinal Plants of Africa
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Biosynthesis and Structural Diversity
10.3 Quinones and Benzophenones Isolated from African Medicinal Plants
10.4 Benzophenones Identified in African Medicinal Plants
10.5 Structural Elucidation of Quinones
10.6 Conclusion
References
11. Xanthones and Anthranoids from the Medicinal Plants of Africa
11.1 Introduction
11.2 Biosynthesis and Structural Diversity
11.3 Characterization of Xanthones and Anthrones in Plants
11.4 Xanthones Isolated from African Medicinal Plants and Their Pharmacological Activities
11.5 Pharmacological Activities of Anthrones Identified in African Medicinal Plants
11.6 Some Particular Aspects of New Xanthones Isolated in African Medicinal Plants
11.7 Other Xanthones Identified in African Medicinal Plants
11.8 Conclusion
References
12. Lignans and Stilbenes from African Medicinal Plants
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Biosynthesis of Lignans and Stilbenes
12.3 Diversity of Lignans and Stilbenes
12.4 Pharmacological Activity of Lignans and Stilbenes Isolated from African Medicinal Plants
12.5 New Lignans with Undefined Pharmacological Activity Isolated in African Medicinal Plants
12.6 Stilbenes from African Medicinal Plants with Undefined Pharmacological Activity
12.7 Other Lignans Identified in African Medicinal Plants
Conclusion
References
13. Tannins and Related Compounds from Medicinal Plants of Africa
13.1 Introduction
13.2 Biosynthesis and Structural Diversity
13.3 Pharmacological Activity of Tannins and Their Monomers Isolated from African Medicinal Plants
13.4 New Tannins Isolated in African Medicinal Plants
13.5 Other Tannins or Tannin Monomers from African Medicinal Plants
References
14. Alkaloids from the Medicinal Plants of Africa
14.1 Introduction
14.2 Biosynthesis and Structural Diversity
14.3 Detection of Alkaloids
14.4 Pharmacological Activity of Alkaloids Isolated from African Medicinal Plants
14.5 Some Particular Aspects of New Alkaloids Isolated in African Medicinal Plants
14.6 Conclusion
References
15. Ceramides, Cerebrosides, and Related Long Chains Containing Derivatives from the Medicinal Plants of Africa
15.1 Introduction
15.2 Biosynthesis and Structural Diversity
15.3 Structure Elucidation and Nomenclature of Ceramides
15.4 Pharmacological Activity of Ceramides and Cerebrosides Isolated from African Medicinal Plants
15.5 New Ceramides and Cerebrosides Isolated in African Medicinal Plants
15.6 Conclusions
References
16. Antibacterial, Antifungal, and Antiviral Activities of African Medicinal Plants
16.1 Introduction
16.2 Distribution and Diversity
16.3 Antibacterial Activity
16.4 Antifungal Activity
16.5 Antiviral Activity
16.6 Concluding Remarks
Acknowledgment
References
17. Antimalarial and Other Antiprotozoal Products from African Medicinal Plants
17.1 Introduction
17.2 The Costs of Malaria and Other Protozoan Diseases to the African Population
17.3 Pharmacological Activity of Medicinal Plants
17.4 Antiprotozoal Herbal Medicine from African Medicinal Plants: Clinical Safety and Efficacy Research
17.5 The Way Forward
17.6 Conclusion
References
18. Antiproliferative Potential of African Medicinal Plants
18.1 Introduction
18.2 Cancer Concern in Africa
18.3 Cytotoxicity of African Medicinal Plants
18.4 Mechanistic Studies with Cytotoxic Natural Products of African Medicinal Plants
18.5 Conclusions
References
19. Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Activities of African Medicinal Plants
19.1 Introduction
19.2 Medicinal Plants with Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Activities
19.3 Conclusion
References
20. Antidiabetes Activity of African Medicinal Plants
20.1 Introduction
20.2 Diabetes Worldwide and in Africa
20.3 Pharmacological Activities of Medicinal Plants
20.4 Conclusion
References
21. Antioxidant Activity of African Medicinal Plants
21.1 Introduction
21.2 Sources of Antioxidants
21.3 African Medicinal Plants with Antioxidant Potential
21.4 Conclusions
References
22. African Medicinal Plants Acting on the Reproductive, Cardiovascular, and Central Nervous Systems
22.1 Introduction
22.2 African Traditional Medicine
22.3 Pharmacological Activities of Medicinal Plants
22.4 Conclusion
References
23. Legislation on Medicinal Plants in Africa
23.1 Introduction
23.2 The Status of Medicinal Plants in Some African Countries
23.3 Legislation in the Areas of Medicinal Plants
23.4 Conclusions
References
24. Medicinal Plants Market and Industry in Africa
24.1 Introduction
24.2 Current Status and Trend in Medicinal Plant Resources in Africa
24.3 Trade and Marketing
24.4 Phytopharmaceutical Manufacturing Companies
24.5 Supply of Medicinal Plants in Africa
24.6 Overview of Local Trade in Some Selected African Countries
24.7 Medicinal Plant Products Industry and Manufacturing
24.8 Conclusions
References
Review quotes
Review quotes
"...a felicitous overview that is well represented and destined to boost well deserved interest in African medicinal plant research."—Herbalgram, May-July 2014
Product details
Product details
- Edition: 1
- Published: June 19, 2013
- Language: English
About the editor
About the editor
VK
Victor Kuete
Professor Victor Kuete is a distinguished Cameroonian scientist and Full Professor of Pharmacognosy at the University of Dschang, where he also serves as Director of the Centre for Study, Research, and Development of Natural Resources and Technologies. His career spans over two decades of groundbreaking research in natural product pharmacology, with a particular focus on African medicinal plants as sources of antimicrobial, antiviral, and anticancer agents. Kuete’s research program emphasizes the mechanisms of action of bioactive compounds, especially against multidrug-resistant (MDR) phenotypes, and has contributed significantly to the global understanding of ethnopharmacology. He has authored more than 500 scientific publications, over 120 book chapters, and several influential books, including Medicinal Plant Research in Africa (2013), Biodiversity, Natural Products and Cancer Treatment (2014), Toxicological Survey of African Medicinal Plants (2014), and African Medicinal Spices and Vegetables (2017). His more recent works, such as African Plants to Fight Bacterial Resistance (2023) and African Plant-Based Products as a Source of Potent Drugs to Overcome Cancers and Their Chemoresistance (2024–2025), further consolidate his reputation as a leading voice in pharmacognosy. Internationally, Kuete has been awarded numerous prestigious fellowships, including TWAS (2007), AUF (2008), DAAD (2009), Alexander von Humboldt (2012–2014, 2015–2018), and Tubitak (2016). These fellowships facilitated collaborations with leading scientists across Europe, Asia, and Africa, strengthening his global research network. His work has been widely cited, with over 26,000 citations and an h-index above 95, placing him among the top 100 African scientists according to the AD Scientific Index. Beyond research, Professor Kuete plays a vital role in mentorship and academic leadership, having supervised dozens of Master’s and PhD theses, many of whose graduates now hold senior academic positions across Africa. He also serves as Editor-in-Chief of Investigational Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology, alongside editorial roles in several international journals, reinforcing his influence in shaping the field of ethnopharmacology and drug discovery. Professor Kuete’s career exemplifies the integration of traditional African medicine with modern pharmacological science, positioning him as a global leader in the search for novel therapeutic agents to address pressing health challenges such as cancer, infectious diseases, and drug resistance.