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Chapter 5 Terpenoids, steroids, and phenolic compounds of medicinal plants

  • Maryam Mohammadi-Cheraghabadi and Saeid Hazrati
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Phytochemicals in Medicinal Plants
This chapter is in the book Phytochemicals in Medicinal Plants

Abstract

Phytochemical compounds are largely responsible for the multidimensional and wide medicinal effects of pharmaceutical plants. Phytochemical compounds are generally divided into two classes based on their roles in basic metabolic processes, that is, primitive and secondary metabolites (SMs). In this chapter, secondary chemical compounds from plants are discussed as important sources of medical benefits from plants. Terpenoids (or terpenes) are one of the most diverse natural product families, with over 40,000 individual compounds that occur both primary and secondary in metabolism. Terpenoids are anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antibacterial, antimalarial, and antiviral, inhibit and remedy cardiovascular diseases, promote transdermal absorption, and have hypoglycemic effects. It is well-known that flavonoids and phenolic compounds are the most important bioactive factors and antioxidants that have enjoyed verbose importance due to their advantages for curing and preventing plenty of illnesses for humans. Several bioactivities of phenolic compounds are involved in their chemopreventive properties, including antimutagenic or anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, as well as their ability to boost apoptosis by inhibiting cell proliferation, inhibition of DNA binding, differentiation, migration, and blocking signaling. Conversely, plant steroids are mainly composed of sugars to form glycosides. Steroidal factors used to counter inflammatory disorders are glucocorticoids; long-term treatment causes intense side effects. As a result, it is imperative that research be undertaken to identify new phytochemicals that have a remedial potential without or with remarkably decreased side effects. In general, we argue about terpenoids, phenolic compounds, and steroids. This chapter aims to provide an overview of terpenoids and phenolic compounds as the interesting alternative originals for pharmaceutical and medicinal plants with anti-inflammatory effects and containing chemical constituents.

Abstract

Phytochemical compounds are largely responsible for the multidimensional and wide medicinal effects of pharmaceutical plants. Phytochemical compounds are generally divided into two classes based on their roles in basic metabolic processes, that is, primitive and secondary metabolites (SMs). In this chapter, secondary chemical compounds from plants are discussed as important sources of medical benefits from plants. Terpenoids (or terpenes) are one of the most diverse natural product families, with over 40,000 individual compounds that occur both primary and secondary in metabolism. Terpenoids are anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antibacterial, antimalarial, and antiviral, inhibit and remedy cardiovascular diseases, promote transdermal absorption, and have hypoglycemic effects. It is well-known that flavonoids and phenolic compounds are the most important bioactive factors and antioxidants that have enjoyed verbose importance due to their advantages for curing and preventing plenty of illnesses for humans. Several bioactivities of phenolic compounds are involved in their chemopreventive properties, including antimutagenic or anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, as well as their ability to boost apoptosis by inhibiting cell proliferation, inhibition of DNA binding, differentiation, migration, and blocking signaling. Conversely, plant steroids are mainly composed of sugars to form glycosides. Steroidal factors used to counter inflammatory disorders are glucocorticoids; long-term treatment causes intense side effects. As a result, it is imperative that research be undertaken to identify new phytochemicals that have a remedial potential without or with remarkably decreased side effects. In general, we argue about terpenoids, phenolic compounds, and steroids. This chapter aims to provide an overview of terpenoids and phenolic compounds as the interesting alternative originals for pharmaceutical and medicinal plants with anti-inflammatory effects and containing chemical constituents.

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Preface V
  3. Contents VII
  4. About the editors XI
  5. List of contributors XIII
  6. Chapter 1 Habitat and distribution of medicinal plants 1
  7. Chapter 2 Threats and conservation of the medicinal plants 27
  8. Chapter 3 Culture, tradition, and indigenous practices on medicinal plants 53
  9. Chapter 4 Plants alkaloids and flavonoids: biosynthesis, classification, and medicinal uses 87
  10. Chapter 5 Terpenoids, steroids, and phenolic compounds of medicinal plants 105
  11. Chapter 6 Characterization techniques used for the analysis of phytochemical constituents 131
  12. Chapter 7 Medicinal bioactivity: anti-cancerous and anti-HIV activity of medicinal plants 153
  13. Chapter 8 Anti-cancerous and anti-HIV activity of medicinal plants 185
  14. Chapter 9 Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing activities of medicinal plants 205
  15. Chapter 10 Antioxidant activity of medicinal plants 227
  16. Chapter 11 Antidiabetic activity of selected Indian medicinal plants 247
  17. Chapter 12 Anti-coronavirus and antiviral activity of medicinal plants 269
  18. Chapter 13 Nanomaterials synthesis from medicinal plant extract 291
  19. Chapter 14 Bioactivity of nanoparticles synthesized from medicinal plants 315
  20. Chapter 15 Phytochemicals in drug discovery 331
  21. Chapter 16 Extraction and production of drugs from plant 347
  22. Index 369
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110791891-005

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Preface V
  3. Contents VII
  4. About the editors XI
  5. List of contributors XIII
  6. Chapter 1 Habitat and distribution of medicinal plants 1
  7. Chapter 2 Threats and conservation of the medicinal plants 27
  8. Chapter 3 Culture, tradition, and indigenous practices on medicinal plants 53
  9. Chapter 4 Plants alkaloids and flavonoids: biosynthesis, classification, and medicinal uses 87
  10. Chapter 5 Terpenoids, steroids, and phenolic compounds of medicinal plants 105
  11. Chapter 6 Characterization techniques used for the analysis of phytochemical constituents 131
  12. Chapter 7 Medicinal bioactivity: anti-cancerous and anti-HIV activity of medicinal plants 153
  13. Chapter 8 Anti-cancerous and anti-HIV activity of medicinal plants 185
  14. Chapter 9 Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing activities of medicinal plants 205
  15. Chapter 10 Antioxidant activity of medicinal plants 227
  16. Chapter 11 Antidiabetic activity of selected Indian medicinal plants 247
  17. Chapter 12 Anti-coronavirus and antiviral activity of medicinal plants 269
  18. Chapter 13 Nanomaterials synthesis from medicinal plant extract 291
  19. Chapter 14 Bioactivity of nanoparticles synthesized from medicinal plants 315
  20. Chapter 15 Phytochemicals in drug discovery 331
  21. Chapter 16 Extraction and production of drugs from plant 347
  22. Index 369
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