Medicinal plants are a major source of remedies for the treatment of human
ailments in under-developed and developing countries. Traditional or alternative
medicines were practiced in ancient civilizations for the cure of human ailments. In
recent years, natural products play a vital role in drug discovery for life-threatening
ailments like cancer, malaria, diabetes, and cardiovascular problems. Due to the
advancement of scientific techniques, isolated phytochemicals can be developed as a
medicine for lifestyle and chronic disorders. Herbal medicinal products are also
developed for effective treatment of several diseases like cancer, malaria, diabetes,
cardiovascular complications, etc. Recently,drug discovery from plants for the
treatment of cancer has become more focused, leading to the discovery of novel
anticancer drugs such as paclitaxel, docetaxel, topotecan, irinotecan, vincristine, and
vinblastine, etc. In this book chapter, we have discussed important medicinal plants and
bioactive natural products for the treatment or management of diabetes mellitus,
cancer, obesity, and cardiovascular complications.
Keywords: Bioactive Phytochemicals, Cancer, Cardiovascular Complications,
Drug Discovery, Diabetes Mellitus, Herbal Medicine, Natural Product.