An exploration of the critical role of plant-derived natural products in the discovery and development of pharmaceutical agents

Illustrated throughout with a rich collection of rare and historical images, Medicinal Chemistry of Plant-Derived Natural Products provides a complete overview of the role of plants in drug discovery and development. Divided into five parts on carbohydrates, polyphenols, terpenes, steroids, and alkaloids, this book contains a wealth of primary information and references, including seminal publications and contemporary reviews.

Medicinal Chemistry of Plant-Derived Natural Products includes essential information covering:

• Antidiabetic agents and sources such as glycosides, type-II antidiabetic agents, phlorizin and related gliflozins
• Antitumor agents and sources including anthraquinone glycosides, podophyllum and related antitumor agents, taxanes: paclitaxel, docetaxel, and cabazitaxel, flavones and cyclin dependent-kinase (CDKs) inhibitors, triterpenes and saponins, antitumor vinca alkaloids
• Antimalarials such as artemisia, artemisinin and related agents
• Natural products and derivatives including polyphenols, balsams and oils, coumarins, chromones and furochromones, cannabis and cannabinoids
• Alkaloids and related drugs such as ephedra and adrenergic drugs, piperidine and pyridine alkaloids, colchicine, tropane alkaloids, atropine and anticholinergic drugs, amaryllidaceae alkaloids, galantamine, indole alkaloids, physostigmine and related carbamates

Ideal for students, graduates, and researchers in academia and industry, Medicinal Chemistry of Plant-Derived Natural Products offers invaluable insights into the journey of transforming plants into pharmaceuticals.

Enrique Ravina studied pharmacy at the University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain, where he obtained his PhD in 1969 and was appointed Professor of Organic Chemistry in 1975. Since 1981 he has been Professor of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the same University. He is a member of the Spanish Royal Academy of Pharmacy, a founding member of the Spanish Society of Medicinal Chemistry and a member of the American Chemical Society.