Therapeutic Efficacy of the Plant Bioactive Phytochemicals with Special Reference to Alkaloids, Terpenoids, Phenolics and Cardiac Glycosides

Abstract

Medicinal plants constitute a vital part of the environment and ecosystem, playing an integral role in human health at a global level. These have a historical background of pharmacological relevance for curing various health-related issues. The therapeutic role of plants lies in the wealth of active principles that reside in their various parts. The plant-derived compounds or phytochemicals, including alkaloids, phenolics, terpenoids and cardiac glycosides, have constantly been evaluated and served as a vital source for drug discovery against numerous ailments such as diabetes, cancer, oxidative stress, respiratory problems, inflammation, cardiovascular diseases etc. Plant alkaloids are a group of organic bioactive compounds comprising nitrogen atoms in its chemical structure. Terpenoids comprise isoprenoid units, phenolics are aromatic metabolites with phenol hydroxyl groups, whereas cardiac glycosides are bioactive secondary phytochemicals that comprise aglycone linked to sugar molecules. These metabolites are biosynthesized through various biochemical mechanisms or pathways in the plant system. The enthusiasm towards bioactive compounds in therapeutics is because of its least side effects. India is a rich source of medicinal plants, making it one of the chief contributors in the pharmaceutical industry. The present review will discuss the therapeutic efficacy of phytochemicals with special reference to alkaloids, terpenoids, phenolic compounds and cardiac glycosides.