Both Asia and Africa are home to many plants that can be used for the treatment of many diseases and their medicinal properties are gaining interest in western societies. Medicinal plants from Asia and Africa are used for their healing abilities and also have a symbolic meaning in communities. The importance of traditional autochthonous plant remedies plays a crucial role in the health of millions of people of these two continents. Even today, traditional medicine represents the dominant medical system for millions of people showing a significant impact on health care practices. Therefore, traditional operators still represent a vital part of regional healthcare systems. For this reason, pharmaceutical industries consider traditional medicine as a source for the identification of bioactive compounds that can be used in the preparation of synthetic drugs. Biologically Active Natural Products from Asia and Africa: A Selection of Topics guides the reader to information about new natural products from these regions and the different ways to use them to treat or alleviate many of the most common diseases. The volume presents nine topics covering a number of facets of natural product medicine including: - pharmaceutical analysis of anti-diabetic herbal medicines from Bangladesh and local retailers - caffeine intake and the risk of female infertility - pharmaceutical analysis of Urena sinuata (bur mallow) - anti-CHIKV activities of diterpenes and their derivatives - anti-inflammatory nanogel for the treatment of psoriasis - antlithiatic properties of Moroccan medicinal plants - ethnobotanic, phytochemical and biological activities of Aristolochia longa L. (pipevine) - wound healing potential of combined extracts of stem bark and leaves of sphenocentrum jollyanum (an African shrub) This is a handy reference for specialists and R&D experts in pharmaceutical chemistry who wish to be informed about current knowledge on developing natural remedies in Asia and Africa

Diabetes and the Eye familiarizes the reader with the relationship between diabetes mellitus and the visual system. It presents a discussion about the diabetes epidemic and the many ways the disease can cause vision loss, with several types of vision disorders covered in separate chapters. Information about new frontiers in the treatment of ophthalmic disorders is also presented to reflect the advances being made in the clinic. Key features: - presents detailed coverage of vision loss in diabetes in 12 organized and easy to read chapters - includes a discussion on the diabetes epidemic - covers a wide range of vision disorders, of different parts of the eye - includes information on current practices in eye care and management for diabetic patients - includes information about relevant diagnostic tools This book serves as a useful handbook for medical students, residents in ophthalmology, community and academic ophthalmologists, as well as members of the internal medicine and family practice communities.

Frontiers in Clinical Drug Research – HIV is a book series that brings updated reviews to readers interested in learning about advances in the development of pharmaceutical agents for the treatment of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and other disorders associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The scope of the book series covers a range of topics including the medicinal chemistry and pharmacology of natural and synthetic drugs employed in the treatment of AIDS (including HAART) and resulting complications, and the virology and immunological study of HIV and related viruses. Frontiers in Clinical Drug Research – HIV is a valuable resource for pharmaceutical scientists, clinicians and postgraduate students seeking updated and critically important information for developing clinical trials and devising research plans in HIV/AIDS research. The fifth volume of this series features 5 chapters that cover these topics: - Clinical Eradication of Latent HIV Reservoirs: Where Are We Now? - HIV-1 Genotypic Drug Resistance Testing and Next-Generation Sequencing - Current and Promising Multiclass Drug Regimens and Long-Acting Formulation Drugs in HIV Therapy - Role of Nanotechnology in HIV Diagnosis and Prognosis - Preventive and Therapeutic Features of Combination Therapy for HIV

Frontiers in Clinical Drug Research - Anti-Cancer Agents is a book series intended for pharmaceutical scientists, postgraduate students and researchers seeking updated and critical information for developing clinical trials and devising research plans in anti-cancer research. Reviews in each volume are written by experts in medical oncology and clinical trials research and compile the latest information available on special topics of interest to oncology and pharmaceutical chemistry researchers. The sixth volume of the book features reviews on these topics: · Immunomodulating Agents in The Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia · Potential Natural Products for Prostate Cancer Management · Inhibition of Key Protein-Protein Interactions by Small Molecules for Cancer Drug Design · Efficacy of Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy (HAIC) For Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma · Targeting Cancer Stem Cells: Implications in Health and Disease

Obesity is a complex health problem, caused by a number of factors such as excessive food intake, lack of physical activity, genetic predisposition, endocrine disorders, medications and psychiatric illnesses. The incidence of obesity among populations in both the developing and the developed world has reached epidemic proportions. In response to this, efforts to control and treat obesity have also been vigorously pursued, ranging from activities focused on raising awareness about lifestyle changes to the discovery and development of safe and effective anti-obesity drugs. Anti-obesity Drug Discovery and Development is a book series focused on this very important area of healthcare research. Each volume presents insightful updates on pharmaceutical research and development for clinical researchers and healthcare professionals involved in obesity treatment programs. The fifth volume of this series is a compilation of 6 reviews of interesting topics on the subject that highlight different aspects of obesity treatment and management, some of which are novel approaches. Topics covered in this volume include: - the effect of sleep on weight and obesity management - AMPK as a postulated target for metabolic syndrome and obesity - Harnessing addiction neuroscience to treat obesity - Current treatment of obesity versus the next generation of anti-obesogenic drugs: an ecologically and sustainable approach to health - Leptin and leptin sensitizers for the treatment of obesity related conditions - MicroRNAs as targets for the management of obesity

Stem cell and regenerative medicine research is an important area of clinical research which promises to change the face of medicine as it will be practiced in the years to come. Challenges in the 21st century to combat diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and retinal disorders, among others, may well be addressed employing stem cell therapies and tissue regeneration techniques. Frontiers in Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research brings updates on multidisciplinary topics relevant to stem cell research and their application in regenerative medicine. The series is essential reading for researchers seeking updates in stem cell therapeutics and regenerative medicine. Volume 10 includes 5 chapters on these topics: -Novel drugs and their stem cell-based targets for osteoporosis: challenges and proceedings -The role of cancer stem cells in disease progression and therapy resistance -Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth in tissue regeneration -The fate of toxicological studies: from animal models to stem cell-based methods -Effect of material properties on differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells

Herbal Medicine: Back to the Future compiles expert reviews on the application of herbal medicines (including Ayurveda, Chinese traditional medicines and alternative therapies) to treat different ailments. The book series demonstrates the use of sophisticated methods to understand traditional medicine, while providing readers a glimpse into the future of herbal medicine. This volume presents reviews of plant based therapies useful for treating different infectious diseases. The list of topics includes some niche reviews in this area including a review of the neem plant, the historical use of herbs in infectious disease therapy in Russia, and natural remedies from garlic, among other topics., The topics included in this volume are: - Improving anti-microbial activity of allicin and carvacrol through stabilized analogs and nanotechnology - Plant phenolics as an alternative source of antimicrobial compounds - Herbal medicine in Russia’s history: the use of herbal medicine for infectious diseases in Russia’s history - Azadirachta indica (neem) in various infectious diseases - Contribution of novel delivery systems in the development of phytotherapeutics This volume is essential reading for all researchers in the field of natural product chemistry and pharmacology. Medical professionals involved in internal medicine who seek to improve their knowledge about herbal medicine and alternative therapies for tropical and other infectious diseases will also benefit from the contents of the volume.

Frontiers in Clinical Drug Research – Diabetes and Obesity is a book series that brings updated reviews to readers interested in advances in the development of pharmaceutical agents for the treatment of two metabolic diseases – diabetes and obesity. The scope of the series covers a range of topics including the medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, molecular biology and biochemistry of natural and synthetic drugs affecting endocrine and metabolic processes linked with diabetes and obesity. Reviews in this series also include research on specific receptor targets and pre-clinical / clinical findings on novel pharmaceutical agents. Frontiers in Clinical Drug Research – Diabetes and Obesity is a valuable resource for pharmaceutical scientists and postgraduate students seeking updated and critically important information for developing clinical trials and devising research plans in the field of diabetes and obesity research. The sixth volume of this series features 6 reviews which are informative guides to therapy and drug administration in diabetes and metabolic syndrome, for both the medical specialist and the pharmacologist. - The failing heart in diabetes with special emphasis on prevention - Flavonoids as prominent anti-diabetic agents - Chemosensor in glucose monitoring, advances and challenges - Synergistic drugs and polyherbal formulations for obesity: current status and future prospectives - Urge for herbal anti-diabetic medicines towards clinical and therapeutic implications - Curcuma longa as dietary supplement and diabetes mellitus: evidence from experimental studies