Medicinal
plants have been indispensable in the development of lead compounds for the
management of human health. However, herbal remedies have not been explored
maximally in modern therapeutics for the management of drug-resistant diseases,
re-emerging diseases, metabolic syndrome, etc.
Several
secondary metabolites with proven efficacious pharmacological effects have been
identified from plants, some isolated but unfortunately never developed into a marketable
pharmaceutical product.
Thus,
this chapter provides resourceful information on the secondary metabolites of herbal
plants with great pharmacological potential. Databases such as JSTOR, Science Direct,
Google, PubMed, and Medline were explored for relevant information on this concept.
A
spectrum of plant secondary metabolites with potent antibactarial, antiviral, antimalarial,
anticancer, antidiabetic activities in different plant species were collated, the
class of these metabolites and mechanism of action was compiled.
An
acquaintance with efficacious secondary metabolites used in the management of various
diseases will serve as a basic tool for Ethnomedical Scientists in the
integration of folkloric knowledge in contemporary medicine for the formulation
of herbal remedies with superior pharmacological relevance than conventional
medicine.
Keywords: Antibactarial, Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Antimalarial, Antiviral, Secondary metabolites.
