The Phytochemical Landscape of Herbal Plants: Insights and Implications

Abstract

In recent years, traditional plants and herbal products have gained considerable attention within the scientific community due to their reliable pharmacological properties and affordability. These attributes make them effective in managing various diseases. These plants have significantly contributed to rural livelihoods, with many people, including traditional healers, involved in the collection and trade of medicinal plants. The global demand for herbal medicines has increased, leading to the development of advanced new medicines. Many communities in developing countries rely heavily on medicinal plants due to high poverty rates, necessitating scientific support to validate their efficacy in treating diseases. Phytochemicals in pure compounds or standardized plant extracts offer unlimited opportunities for new drug development due to their unmatched chemical diversity. Key natural products, such as tannins, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, and alkaloids, are known for their anticancer activity. This review discusses the available reports on the phytochemicals found in commonly used herbal plants