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Focusing on phytochemicals and their potential for drug discovery, this book offers a comprehensive resource on poisonous plants and their applications in chemistry and in pharmacology.
Provides a comprehensive resource on phytotoxins, covering historical perspectives, modern applications, and their potential in drug discovery - Covers the mechanisms, benefits, risks and management protocols of phytotoxins in a scientific laboratory and the usefulness in drug discovery - Written and edited by leading researchers in phytochemistry, medicinal chemistry, analytical chemistry, toxicology, and more - Presents chapters in a carefully designed, clear order, making it an ideal resource for the academic researcher or the industry professional at any stage in their career
* Provides a comprehensive resource on phytotoxins, covering historical perspectives, modern applications, and their potential in drug discovery
* Covers the mechanisms, benefits, risks and management protocols of phytotoxins in a scientific laboratory and the usefulness in drug discovery
* Presents chapters in a carefully designed, clear order, making it an ideal resource for the academic researcher or the industry professional at any stage in their career
List of contents
List of Contributors xvii
List of Figures xxi
List of Tables xxiii
Preface xxv
Editors xxvii
1 Historical Use of Toxic Plants 1
Godwin Anywar
1.1 Introduction to Toxic Plants 1
1.2 Poisonous Plants as Sources of Traditional and Modern Medicines 2
1.3 Toxic Plants and Justice 4
1.3.1 Toxic Plants in Capital Punishment 4
1.3.2 Trial by Ordeal 4
1.4 Toxic Plants in Poisoned Weapons 6
1.4.1 Arrow Poisons 6
1.5 Plant Fishing Poisons/Piscicides/Ichthyotoxins 6
1.6 Poisonous Plants as Food 7
1.7 Poisonous Plants as Biopesticides 9
1.8 Toxic Psychoactive Plants for Recreational and Religious Purposes 9
1.9 Poisonous Plants in Warfare and Bioterrorism 10
1.10 Poisonous Plants as Carcinogens and Teratogens 11
1.11 Conclusion 12
References 12
2 Classification of Phytotoxins and their Mechanisms of Action 19
Andrew G. Mtewa, Chukwuebuka Egbuna, Kennedy J. Ngwira, Fanuel Lampiao, Umang Shah, and Thokozani Kachulu Mtewa
2.1 Introduction 20
2.1.1 Endophytic Phytotoxins 20
2.1.2 Secondary Metabolites 21
2.2 Possible Categorization 21
2.2.1 Biological Characteristics 21
2.2.2 Chemical Characteristics 22
2.3 Currently Available Classification Tools 24
2.4 Role of Phytotoxin Classification 25
2.4.1 Drug Discovery 25
2.4.2 Environmental Monitoring 25
2.4.3 Phytotoxins, Aquatic Life, and Water Quality 26
2.4.4 Air Contamination 26
2.4.5 Food Contamination 26
2.4.6 Security and Safety Services 27
2.4.7 Agricultural 27
2.5 Brief Mechanisms of Action 27
2.6 Conclusion 28
References 28
3 Poisonous Plants as Sources of Anticancer and Other Drugs 31
Félicien Mushagalusa Kasali, Andrew G. Mtewa, and Gaétan Tabakam
3.1 Introduction 31
3.2 Poisonous Plants in the Treatment of Cancer and Other Diseases 32
3.3 Poisonous Plant-Based Anticancer Drugs that are on the Market 33
3.4 Poisonous Plant-Based Drugs Against Other Diseases that are on the Market 33
3.5 Conclusion 33
References 75
4 Drugs in Clinical Practice from Toxic Plants and Phytochemicals 79
Tadele Mekuriya Yadesa, Patrick Engeu Ogwang, and Casim Umba Tolo
4.1 Introduction 80
4.2 Drugs in Clinical Practice from Toxic Plants 81
4.2.1 Curare 81
4.2.2 Drugs Acting on the Central Nervous System 81
4.2.2.1 Morphine 81
4.2.2.2 Cocaine 82
4.2.2.3 Ergot Alkaloids 83
4.2.3 Atropine, Scopolamine, and Hyoscyamine 84
4.2.4 Physostigmine and Other Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors 85
4.2.5 Antitumor Agents 85
4.2.5.1 Podophyllotoxin and Etoposide 85
4.2.5.2 Taxanes 86
4.2.5.3 Vincristine and Vinblastine 87
4.2.6 Other Drugs 88
4.2.6.1 Cardiac Glycosides 88
4.2.6.2 Colchicine 89
4.2.6.3 Coumarins 89
4.2.6.4 Nicotine and the Neonicotinoids 90
References 90
5 Toxicology and Health Benefits of Plant Alkaloids 95
Ibrahim Chikowe, Andrew G. Mtewa, and Duncan C. Sesaazi
5.1 Introduction 95
5.2 Pharmacological Properties of Alkaloids 97
5.3 Toxicological Properties of Alkaloids 100
5.4 Acute and Chronic Toxicities 100
5.4.1 Genotoxicity and Tumorigenicity 101
5.4.2 Lung Toxicity, Neurotoxicity, and Teratogenicity 102
5.5 Factors that Influence the Toxicological
About the author
ANDREW G. MTEWA trained in Medicinal Chemistry for his PhD under the WCAIR at the University of Dundee in Scotland and also at the Mbarara University of Science and Technology in Uganda. He teaches Chemistry at the Malawi University of Science and Technology in Malawi.
CHUKWUEBUKA EGBUNA, MICCON, AMRSC, is a chartered chemist, a chemical analyst, and an academic researcher. He obtained his BSc and MSc degrees in Biochemistry at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Anambra State, Nigeria. He is a PhD fellow in Nutritional Biochemistry/Toxicology with the World Bank Africa Centre of Excellence for Public Health and Toxicological Research (ACE-PUTOR), University of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
DR. G. M. NARASIMHA RAO is an Associate Professor of Botany at Andhra University, where he also obtained his MSc in Botany and M.Phil in Marine Algal Ecology.
Summary
Focusing on phytochemicals and their potential for drug discovery, this book offers a comprehensive resource on poisonous plants and their applications in chemistry and in pharmacology.
Provides a comprehensive resource on phytotoxins, covering historical perspectives, modern applications, and their potential in drug discovery - Covers the mechanisms, benefits, risks and management protocols of phytotoxins in a scientific laboratory and the usefulness in drug discovery - Written and edited by leading researchers in phytochemistry, medicinal chemistry, analytical chemistry, toxicology, and more - Presents chapters in a carefully designed, clear order, making it an ideal resource for the academic researcher or the industry professional at any stage in their career
* Provides a comprehensive resource on phytotoxins, covering historical perspectives, modern applications, and their potential in drug discovery
* Covers the mechanisms, benefits, risks and management protocols of phytotoxins in a scientific laboratory and the usefulness in drug discovery
* Presents chapters in a carefully designed, clear order, making it an ideal resource for the academic researcher or the industry professional at any stage in their career
