Table Of ContentPoisonous Plants and Phytochemicals
in Drug Discovery
Poisonous Plants and Phytochemicals
in Drug Discovery
Edited by
Andrew G. Mtewa
Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, WCAIR,
School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
Chemistry Section, Malawi Institute of Technology,
Malawi University of Science and Technology, Limbe, Malawi
Pharmbiotechnology and Traditional Medicine Center (PHARMBIOTRAC),
Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Mbarara University of
Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
Chukwuebuka Egbuna
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Chukwuemeka
Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Anambra State, Nigeria
Nutritional Biochemistry and Toxicology Unit, World Bank Africa Centre
of Excellence, Centre for Public Health and Toxicological Research
(ACE-PUTOR), University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt,
Rivers State, Nigeria
G.M. Narasimha Rao
Department of Botany, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, Andhra
Pradesh, India
This edition first published 2021
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Mtewa, Andrew G., 1985– editor. | Egbuna, Chukwuebuka, editor. |
Rao, G. M. Narasimha, 1985– editor.
Title: Poisonous plants and phytochemicals in drug discovery / [edited by]
Andrew G. Mtewa, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery,
WCAIR, School of Life Sciences, Dundee University, Dundee, Scotland,
Chukwuebuka Egbuna, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural
Sciences, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Nigeria, G.M.
Narasimha Rao, Department of botany, Andhra, Visakhapatnam, I, India.
Description: First edition. | Hoboken, NJ : Wiley, 2021. | Includes index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2020020090 (print) | LCCN 2020020091 (ebook) | ISBN
9781119650232 (cloth) | ISBN 9781119650270 (adobe pdf) | ISBN
9781119650256 (epub)
Subjects: LCSH: Botanical chemistry. | Poisonous plants–Toxicology. |
Poisonous plants–Therapeutic use. | Phytotoxins. | Phytochemicals.
Classification: LCC QK865 .P65 2021 (print) | LCC QK865 (ebook) | DDC
572/.2–dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020020090
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020020091
Cover Design: Wiley
Cover Image: © Anusorn Nakdee/Shutterstock
Set in 9.5/12.5pt STIXTwoText by SPi Global, Pondicherry, India
Printed in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
I dedicate this book to Thoko, Collins, Jed, and Michelle. You guys keep motivating.
Andrew
vii
Contents
List of Contributors xvii
List of Figures xxi
List of Tables xxiii
Preface xxv
Editors xxvii
1 Historical Use of Toxic Plants 1
Godwin Anywar
1.1 Introduction to Toxic Plants 1
1.2 Poisonous Plants as Sources of Traditional and Modern Medicines 2
1.3 Toxic Plants and Justice 4
1.3.1 Toxic Plants in Capital Punishment 4
1.3.2 Trial by Ordeal 4
1.4 Toxic Plants in Poisoned Weapons 6
1.4.1 Arrow Poisons 6
1.5 Plant Fishing Poisons/Piscicides/Ichthyotoxins 6
1.6 Poisonous Plants as Food 7
1.7 Poisonous Plants as Biopesticides 9
1.8 Toxic Psychoactive Plants for Recreational and Religious Purposes 9
1.9 Poisonous Plants in Warfare and Bioterrorism 10
1.10 Poisonous Plants as Carcinogens and Teratogens 11
1.11 Conclusion 12
References 12
2 Classification of Phytotoxins and their Mechanisms of Action 19
Andrew G. Mtewa, Chukwuebuka Egbuna, Kennedy J. Ngwira,
Fanuel Lampiao, Umang Shah, and Thokozani Kachulu Mtewa
2.1 Introduction 20
2.1.1 Endophytic Phytotoxins 20
viii Contents
2.1.2 Secondary Metabolites 21
2.2 Possible Categorization 21
2.2.1 Biological Characteristics 21
2.2.2 Chemical Characteristics 22
2.3 Currently Available Classification Tools 24
2.4 Role of Phytotoxin Classification 25
2.4.1 Drug Discovery 25
2.4.2 Environmental Monitoring 25
2.4.3 Phytotoxins, Aquatic Life, and Water Quality 26
2.4.4 Air Contamination 26
2.4.5 Food Contamination 26
2.4.6 Security and Safety Services 27
2.4.7 Agricultural 27
2.5 Brief Mechanisms of Action 27
2.6 Conclusion 28
References 28
3 Poisonous Plants as Sources of Anticancer and Other Drugs 31
Félicien Mushagalusa Kasali, Andrew G. Mtewa, and
Gaétan Tabakam
3.1 Introduction 31
3.2 Poisonous Plants in the Treatment of Cancer and Other Diseases 32
3.3 Poisonous Plant-Based Anticancer Drugs that are on the Market 33
3.4 Poisonous Plant-Based Drugs Against Other Diseases that are
on the Market 33
3.5 Conclusion 33
References 75
4 Drugs in Clinical Practice from Toxic Plants and Phytochemicals 79
Tadele Mekuriya Yadesa, Patrick Engeu Ogwang, and
Casim Umba Tolo
4.1 Introduction 80
4.2 Drugs in Clinical Practice from Toxic Plants 81
4.2.1 Curare 81
4.2.2 Drugs Acting on the Central Nervous System 81
4.2.2.1 Morphine 81
4.2.2.2 Cocaine 82
4.2.2.3 Ergot Alkaloids 83
4.2.3 Atropine, Scopolamine, and Hyoscyamine 84
4.2.4 Physostigmine and Other Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors 85
