Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. Production of terpenes and terpenoids. 3. The origin and evolution of terpenoid messengers. 4. Specific properties of terpenoids. 5. Functions of natural terpenoids in the interrelationships between organisms. 6. Terpenoids in practice. 7. Natural terpenoids to the benefit of human health. 8. Prospectus and suggestions for further research. Epilogue. References. General reading. Glossary. Index.

This book introduces the methodology for collection and identification of herbal materials, extraction and isolation of compounds from herbs, in vitro bioassay, in vivo animal test, toxicology, and clinical trials of herbal research. To fully understand and make the best use of herbal medicines requires the close combination of chemistry, biochemistry, biology, pharmacology, and clinical science. Although there are many books about traditional medicines research, they mostly focus on either chemical or pharmacological study results of certain plants. This book, however, covers the systematic study and analysis of herbal medicines in general – including chemical isolation and identification, bioassay and mechanism study, pharmacological experiment, and quality control of the raw plant material and end products.

This unique book is a collaborative effort between researchers at Rutgers University and colleagues from numerous institutions in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. It will be the first book to document more than 200 of the most important medicinal plants of Central Asia, many whose medicinal uses and activities are being described in English for the first time. The majority of the plants described grow wild in Central Asia with some being endemic, while other species have been introduced to Central Asia but are commonly used in regional plant based medicine. The book contains four introductory chapters. The first and second chapters cover the geography, climate and vegetation of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, respectively. The third chapter provides a brief history of medicinal plant use and science in Central Asia and the fourth chapter contains general information about phytochemistry. The fifth chapter comprises the bulk of the book and covers 208 medicinal plant species. Nearly all species have one or more high quality, color photographs. Three useful appendices have been included. The first is a glossary of botanical and ecological terms, the second is a glossary of chemistry terms and the third is a glossary of medical terms. During the preparation of this manuscript we found there to be a deficiency in quality reference resources for the translation of many of the technical terms associated with the different branches of science covered in this book. In order to make our job easier we compiled glossaries over the course of preparing the manuscript and have included them feeling that they will be an extremely valuable resource for readers. ​

This reference book contains a comprehensive selection of the most frequently used assays for reliably detecting pharmacological effects of potential drugs, including tests for cardiovascular, analgesic, psychotropic, metabolic, endocrine, respiratory, renal, and immunomodulatory activities. Each of the over 700 assays comprises a detailed protocol with the purpose and rationale of the method, a description of the experimental procedure, a critical assessment of the results and their pharmacological and clinical relevance, and pertinent references. Identification of specific tests is facilitated by the enclosed CD-ROM which allows for a quick and full text research. An appendix with guidelines and legal regulations for animal experiments in various countries will help to plan these experiments properly in accordance with the welfare of laboratory animals.

Bioactive compounds produced by natural sources, such as plants, microbes, endophytic fungi, etc., can potentially be applied in various fields, including agriculture, biotechnology and biomedicine. Several bioactive compounds have proved to be invaluable in mediating plant-microbe interactions, and promoting plant growth and development. Due to their numerous health-promoting properties, these compounds have been widely used as a source of medication since ancient times. However, there is an unprecedented need to meet the growing demand for natural bioactive compounds in the flavor and fragrance, food, and pharmaceutical industries. Moreover, discovering new lead molecules from natural sources is essential to overcoming the rising number of new diseases. In this regard, natural bioactive compounds hold tremendous potential for new drug discovery. Therefore, this field of research has become a vital area for researchers interested in understanding the chemistry, biosynthetic mechanisms, and pharmacological activities of these bioactive metabolites. This book describes the basics of bioactive plant compounds, their chemical properties, and their pharmacological biotechnological properties with regard to various human diseases and applications in the drug, cosmetics and herbal industries. It offers a valuable asset for all students, educators, researchers, and healthcare experts involved in agronomy, ecology, crop science, molecular biology, stress physiology, and natural products.

Honey typically has a complex chemical and biochemical composition that invariably includes complex sugars, specific proteins, amino acids, phenols, vitamins, and rare minerals. It is reported to be beneficial in the treatment of various diseases, such as those affecting the respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems, as well as diabetes mellitus and certain types of cancers; however, there is limited literature describing the use of honey in modern medicine. This book provides evidence-based information on the pharmaceutical potential of honey along with its therapeutic applications and precise mechanisms of action. It discusses in detail the phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of honey, highlighting the economic and culturally significant medicinal uses of honey and comprehensively reviewing the scientific research on the traditional uses, chemical composition, scientific validation, and general pharmacognostical characteristics. Given its scope, it is a valuable tool for researchers and scientists interested in drug discovery and the chemistry and pharmacology of honey.