Skip to main content

Toxicological Survey of African Medicinal Plants

  • 2nd Edition - June 5, 2026
  • Latest edition
  • Editor: Victor Kuete
  • Language: English

Toxicological Survey of African Medicinal Plants, Second Edition bridges traditional knowledge with modern science, providing a comprehensive and detailed overview of toxico… Read more

Back to School

Start strong. Study with purpose.

Save up to 25% on trusted learning resources

Description

Toxicological Survey of African Medicinal Plants, Second Edition bridges traditional knowledge with modern science, providing a comprehensive and detailed overview of toxicological studies related to traditionally used African medicinal plants with special emphasis on practical insights and scientifically validated methodologies, and tools used for data collection and interpretation. Completely revised and updated, the book considers the physical parameters of novel plants and their effect on specific areas of the body and overall human health, including chapters dedicated to genotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and specific organs and systems.

The new edition also considers advances in omics approaches and the increased use of advanced analytical techniques to understand plant toxicity and improved the identification of toxic compounds in medicinal plants. With contributions from a distinguished team of researchers in the field, this book is an invaluable resource for researchers, advanced students and postgraduates, industry professionals, and policymakers who require an integrated understanding of toxicology, pharmacology, ethnopharmacology, as well as regulatory and policy frameworks for African medicinal plants.

Key features

  • Provides a completely updated and revised resource with up-to-date toxicological data on African medicinal plants and families
  • Offers a critical review and updates of the methods used in a toxicological survey of medicinal plants
  • Highlights African plants that are pharmacologically active, coupled with low toxicity
  • Examines safe botanicals based on their investigated toxicity profiles, which can be recommended for further preclinical and clinical studies in the context of drug development
  • Integrates new data and topics such as toxicogenomics and herbal-drug interactions into relevant chapters

Readership

Researchers, scientists, advanced students and postgraduates in toxicology, pharmacology, phytochemistry, medicine, pharmacognosy, and pharmaceutical biology and industry professionals in natural products and drug discovery

Table of contents

1. Toxicological Societies in Africa and Their Implication in Policy Making and Living Conditions

2. Advancements in Managing Ethical Concerns Regarding Animal Use in Toxicological Research in Africa

3. Critical Review of the Guidelines and Methods in Toxicological Research in Africa: New Advances

4. Discordant Results in Plant Toxicity Studies in Africa: Established Standards and Recent Advances

5. Acute and Subacute Toxicities of African Medicinal Plants

6. Subchronic and Chronic Toxicities of African Medicinal Plants: An Updated Review

7. Toxic Plants Used in African Traditional Medicine: An Update

8. Cytotoxicity of African Medicinal Plants Against Normal Animal and Human Cells: An Updated Review

9. Genotoxicity and Teratogenicity of African Medicinal Plants: An Updated Review

10. Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity of African Medicinal Plants: An Update

11. Hepatotoxicity and Hepatoprotective Effects of African Medicinal Plants: An Update From 2014 To Present

12. Nephrotoxicity and Nephroprotective Potential of African Medicinal Plants: An Updated Review

13. Cardiotoxicity and Cardioprotective Effects of African Medicinal Plants

14. Neurotoxicity and Neuroprotective Effects of African Medicinal Plants

15. Toxicity and Beneficial Effects of Some African Plants on the Reproductive System

16. Update on African Plants Relevant to Dermatology and Ophthalmology

17. Toxicity and Protective Effects of African Medicinal Plants on the Spleen and Lung: An Updated Review

18. Safe African Medicinal Plants for Clinical Studies

19. Update on the Harmful and Protective Effects of Terpenoids from African Medicinal Plants

20. Harmful and Protective Effects of Phenolic Compounds from African Medicinal Plants

21. Health Effects of Alkaloids from African Medicinal Plants: A Review from 2014 to Present
22. Physical, Hematological, and Histopathological Signs of Toxicity Induced by African Medicinal Plants

23. Biochemical Parameters in Toxicological Studies in Africa: An Update for their Significance, Principle of Methods, Data Interpretation, and Use in Plant Screenings

Product details

  • Edition: 2
  • Latest edition
  • Published: June 5, 2026
  • 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

View book on ScienceDirect

Read Toxicological Survey of African Medicinal Plants on ScienceDirect