Bioactive secondary metabolites of medicinal and aromatic plants and their disease-fighting properties

Abstract

Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) play a vital role in traditional as well as modern medicine. According to World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 80% of total world's population still relies on ancient and traditional medicine for healthcare needs and MAPs serve as the backbone of traditional medicine. These MAPs synthesize various bioactive secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, resins, saponins, terpenes, volatile oils, etc., which have been eventually utilized by humans for their valuable role in treating wide array of disease. The structural diversity of these secondary metabolites is responsible for broad range of medicinal properties exhibited by them. The chapter will focus on various types of secondary metabolites inherited by MAPs and their role in traditional and modern healthcare system against various ailments.