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Medicinal Plant Research in Africa

Advances in Pharmacology and Chemistry

  • 2nd Edition - April 16, 2025
  • Latest edition
  • Editor: Victor Kuete
  • Language: English

Medicinal Plant Research in Africa, second edition is an updated and complete reference on the pharmacology of most relevant African species and their phytochemical proper… Read more

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Description

Medicinal Plant Research in Africa, second edition is an updated and complete reference on the pharmacology of most relevant African species and their phytochemical properties. Although pharmacopoeias of most African countries are available and contain an impressive number of medicinal plants used for various therapeutic purposes, however there was no global standard book on the nature and specificity of chemicals isolated in African medicinal plants. This book has set the standard when it first published in 2013 and now is updated with novel phytochemicals belonging to diverse classes of terpenoids, phenolics, and alkaloids. The first chapter cover monoterpenes and related phytochemicals and is followed by sesquiterpenes on chapter two. Chapter tri reviews diterpenoids and chapter four provides an overview of triterpenes and steroids. Essential oils, simple phenols, phenolic acids and related esters come next in chapters five and six, respectively. The following chapters cover coumarins, flavonoids, quinones, xanthones, lignans and stilbenes. Tannins, alkaloids, and ceramides. Chapters 15 to 20 focus on specific health conditions starting with antibiotic infection, antimalarial and other antiprotozoal diseases, cytotoxic and anticancer activity, anti-inflammatory and analgesic action, antidiabetic botanicals and the applications of African plant phytochemicals on reproductive, cardiovascular, and central nervous systems conditions. The final chapter covers the market and industry updates since the first edition published. "Medicinal Plant Research in Africa, 2 Ed." provides a complete overview of the main phytochemical principles present in the African flora and their pharmaceutical use. Pharmaceutical scientists, Ethnopharmacists, botanists, and medicinal chemists will benefit from the content organization and the inclusion of the most recent methods for structural identification of phytochemicals, pharmacological techniques, and data interpretation.

Key features

  • Covers novel chemical structures, and new pharmacological data
  • Highlights how phytochemicals can help overcome drug resistance
  • Provides updated methods for structural identification of phytochemicals, pharmacological techniques, and data interpretation

Readership

Academia basic science researchers in pharmacology and medicinal chemistry

Table of contents

1. Monoterpenes and Related phytochemicals from the Medicinal Plants of Africa

2. Sesquiterpenes reported from the Medicinal Plants of Africa and their pharmacology

3. Review of diterpenoids from the Medicinal Plants of Africa

4. Triterpenes and Steroids from the Medicinal Plants of Africa

5. Essential Oils from the Medicinal Plants of Africa

6. Simple Phenols, Phenolic Acids, Related Esters from the Medicinal Plants of Africa, and potential drug discovery

7. Coumarins and Related Compounds from the Medicinal Plants of Africa and drug discovery

8. Flavonoids, isoflavonoids, and related phytochemicals from the Medicinal Plants of Africa Chapter 9. Quinones and Benzophenones identified from the Medicinal Plants of Africa

10. Xanthones identified in the Medicinal Plants of Africa

11. Chemistry and Pharmacology of Lignans and Stilbenes reported in African Medicinal Plants

12. Tannins and Related Compounds from Medicinal Plants of Africa

13. Alkaloids from the Medicinal Plants of Africa

14. Ceramides, Cerebrosides, and Related Long Chains Containing Derivatives identified from the Medicinal Plants of Africa

15. Update of the Antibacterial, Antifungal, and Antiviral botanicals and phytochemicals

16. Antimalarial and Other Antiprotozoal Products from African Medicinal Plants

17. Cytotoxic and anticancer botanicals and phytochemicals of the flora of Africa

18. Anti-Inflammatory, modulatory, and Analgesic Activities of African Medicinal Plants and their derivatives

19. Antidiabetic botanicals and phytochemicals from African Medicinal Plants: An update of 10 years finding

20. African Medicinal Plants Acting on the Reproductive, Cardiovascular, and Central Nervous Systems

21. Progress in Medicinal Plants Market and Industry in Africa from 2013

Product details

  • Edition: 2
  • Latest edition
  • Published: June 18, 2025
  • Language: English

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.

Affiliations and expertise
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon

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