MEDICINAL PLANTS: Anti-Cancer and Cytotoxic Constituents

This book by Kabir et. al., describes chemical constituents as well as biological studies (anti-cancer, antioxidant, cytotoxic, antimicrobial, analgesic and antiinflamatory) of Polyalthia simiarum, Glochidion multiloculare, and Glochidion lanceolarium growing in Bangladesh. Twelve compounds were isolated of which one (2-Oxo-14,15-bisnor-3,11E-kolavadien-13-one) has been reported as a new compound (Kabir et al., 2010). The increase of cancer incidence and lack of appropriate anticancer agents have forced scientists to pharmaceutical and chemical investigation of anticancer agent from medicinal plants. Anti-cancer and cytotoxic activity test of different extractives and pure compounds of these plants showed significant results as well as antioxidant, antimicrobial, analgesic and antiinflamatory activities of these plant extractives have also been highlighted. The test procedures have been briefly discussed in the related chapters. This book would be a comprehensive and scientifically accurate guide to the students, naturalists, plant researchers, pharmacologists, drug researchers, phytochemists and herbal medicine practitioners.