The Constituents of Medicinal Plants; An Introduction to the Chemistry and Therapeutics of Herbal Medicine

by Andrew Pengelly; Kerry Bone

• ISBN13: 9780851998077
• ISBN10: 0851998070
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-04-29
• Publisher: Cab Intl

Summary

During recent years, herbal medicine has become an increasingly scientifically based system of healing. Due to demands from both the public and medical establishments, studies leading to the scientific explanation of plant therapeutic capabilities are allowing this practice to gain increasing credibility and acceptance within the medical community. This book provides an introduction to the complex area of plant constituents and the therapeutic activities associated with them.

Table of Contents

Foreword	viii
Preface	x
1 Introduction to phytochemistry	1	(14)
Introduction	1	(1)
Phytochemical basis of herbal medicines	2	(1)
Biosynthesis of organic compounds	3	(2)
The structures of organic compounds	5	(5)
Organic acids	10	(2)
Synergism	12	(3)
2 Phenols	15	(14)
Simple phenols	15	(1)
Phenylpropanoids	16	(2)
Salicylates and salicins	18	(2)
Lignans	20	(1)
Coumarins	21	(2)
Stilbenes	23	(1)
Quinones	24	(1)
Miscellaneous phenolic compounds	25	(4)
3 Polyphenols-tannins and flavonoids	29	(14)
Tannins	29	(4)
Flavonoids	33	(5)
Anthocyanins	38	(5)
4 Glycosides	43	(16)
Introduction	43	(1)
Cyanogenic glycosides	44	(2)
Phenylpropanoid glycosides	46	(2)
Anthraquinones	48	(2)
Glucosinolates (mustard oil glycosides)	50	(3)
Iridoid glycosides	53	(6)
5 Terpenes	59	(14)
Introduction	59	(1)
Monoterpenes	60	(1)
Sesquiterpenes	61	(3)
Diterpenes	64	(2)
Bitter principles	66	(2)
Triterpenes	68	(1)
Tetraterpenes	68	(5)
6 Triterpenoids and saponins	73	(12)
Introduction	73	(1)
Phytosterols	74	(1)
Saponins	74	(6)
Cardiac glycosides	80	(2)
Free triterpenes	82	(3)
7 Essential oils and resins	85	(26)
Essential oils	85	(17)
Resins	102	(9)
8 Fixed oils and alkamides	111	(10)
Introduction	111	(1)
Omega 3 and 6 essential fatty acids	112	(3)
Alkamides	115	(6)
9 Polysaccharides	121	(12)
Introduction	121	(1)
Gums	121	(3)
Pectins	124	(1)
Mucilages	124	(1)
Properties of gums and mucilages	124	(2)
Immunostimulating polysaccharides	126	(3)
Fructans	129	(4)
10 Alkaloids	133	(28)
Introduction	133	(1)
Properties of alkaloids	133	(2)
Classification of alkaloids	135	(1)
Pyridine-piperidine alkaloids	135	(4)
Quinoline alkaloids	139	(1)
Isoquinoline alkaloids	140	(3)
Tropane alkaloids	143	(3)
Quinolizidine alkaloids	146	(1)
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids	147	(1)
Indole alkaloids	148	(3)
Steroidal alkaloids	151	(1)
Alkaloidal amines	152	(2)
Purine alkaloids	154	(1)
Amino acids	155	(1)
Lectins	156	(5)
Index	161