Potential uses of bioactive compounds of medicinal plants and their mode of action in several human diseases

Abstract

Herbal medicines are the prime source of medical care for a great proportion of the population of the developing world. The control of human diseases by the use of plant products has several advantages besides being cheap to produce; they are biodegradable and readily available. Majority of the plant extracts have been found effective to combat human pathogenic bacteria without toxic side effects and environmental hazards. In the recent past, microbial infections such as candidiasis, tuberculosis, cryptococcosis, and salmonellosis have been increased partly due to HIV/AIDS pandemic. There is renewed interest in the search for plants with antimicrobial activity leading to various plants including Azadirachta indica, Camellia sinensis, Hypericum perforatum, and Allium sativum among others being investigated, and they displayed considerable antimicrobial activity. The possible mechanism of action of bioactive compounds of medicinal plants in traditional medicine has been demonstrated. Mechanism of action of these compounds in humans can largely be attributed to cytotoxicity, gene silencing, and immunopotentiation. The aim of the present chapter is to enlighten the potential medicinal properties of bioactive compounds of medicinal plants and also highlight their mode of action.