Biochemistry of Bioactive Compounds

Biochemistry of Bioactive Compounds

• Bioactive compounds are chemicals or components found in plants and animals.
• They have an effect on the body, either as a whole or specific tissues/cells.
• They promote good health and wellness.
• Some have been shown to prevent cancer, heart disease, and other illnesses.

Bioactive Compounds of Plant Origin

• These bioactive compounds are also called phytochemicals or secondary metabolites.
• They possess health/wellness benefits in humans and animals.

Naturally Bioactive Secondary Metabolites

• Alkaloids: Organic nitrogen derivatives (amines). Over 10,000 known with various structures.
• Flavonoids: Hydroxylated polyphenolic derivatives. Categories include flavonols, flavanone, flavonol, flavones, anthocyanidin, protoanthocyanidin, isoflavone, charcone, aurone, flavandiol.
• Phenolic Acids: Aromatic derivates with carboxyl and hydroxyl groups, divided into hydroxybenzoic acids (e.g., Gallic acid) and hydroxycinnamic acids (e.g., caffeic acid).
• Terpenes: Natural isoprenoids. Varied structures based on isoprene units (e.g., hemiterpene, monoterpene, etc.). About 30,000 types known.
• Saponins: Chemical derivatives. Contain sapogenin compounds linked to glycone parts (oligosaccharides).
• Tannins: High molecular weight polyphenols; categorized as condensed tannins (proanthocyanidins) and hydrolysable tannins (e.g., gallotannins, caffetannins).

Pharmacological Properties of Various Compound Types

• Terpenoids: Antimicrobial, antiviral, anthelmintic, antibacterial, anticancer, antimalarial, and anti-inflammatory.
• Phenolic Acids: Anticarcinogenic, antimutagenic, anti-inflammation, and anti-allergic.
• Alkaloids: Antispasmodic, antimalarial, analgesic, diuretic, local anesthetic, antihypertensive, antiasthma, antimalarials, diuretic, and bactericidal.
• Flavonoids: Antioxidant, cardiovascular protective, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antiviral, and antibacterial.
• Saponins: Antitumor, antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, immunostimulant, antihypoglycemic, antihepatotoxic, hepatoprotective, anticoagulant, neuroprotective, antioxidant.
• Tannins: Antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic, diuretics, hemostatic, anti-mutagenic, metal ion-chelators, and antiseptic.

Important Molecules by Category

• Alkaloids: Caffeine, piperine, atropine, berberine, morphine, quinine, cocaine, nicotine, strychnine, codeine, ephedrine, dopamine, serotonin, vinblastine, vincristine, brucine, capsaicin, solanine, choline.
• Terpenes: Hemiterpene (isoprene), isovaleric acid; Monoterpene (limonene, eucalyptol, menthol, nerol, citral), etc.
• Flavonoids: Flavones (luteolin, diosmetin, apigenin), Flavonols (quercetin, myricetin, rutin, kaempferol), Flavonones (hesperetin, naringenin), Flavanonol (silymarin, taxifolin), Isoflavones (daidzin, genistin), Anthocyanidin (cyanidin, delphinidin, peonidin, petunidin).
• Phenolic Acids: Cinnamic acid, benzoic acid, ferulic acid, coumaric acid, caffeic acid, salicylic acid, gallic acid.
• Saponins: Panaxadiol, diosgenin.

Introduction (Herbal Medicine)

• Nature can cure the human body with natural substances, not inorganic chemicals or drugs.
• Medicinal properties come from chemical compounds (phytochemicals/secondary metabolites) in plants.

Herbal Medicine: Definition and Prospects

• WHO defines herbal medicine as preparations/finished products of whole plants, parts of plants, or extracts intended for human use.
• Herbal medicine has multiple names (botanical medicine, phytomedicine, complementary medicine).
• It provides antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and pharmacological properties to treat ailments (HIV/AIDS, dementia, cancer, etc.).

Trends and Development in Herbal Medicine

• Herbal medicine has evolved due to technology and societal developments.
• Advancements include proper packaging, manufacturing practices (e.g., correct herb selection, proper consultation, hygienic production, and monitored prescriptions/sales), and the creation of databases and information platforms.
• Research and development (R&D) has led to the conceptualization and launch of programs to investigate traditional uses and consequently generate data to commercialize traditional medicines.
• Education and training play a role in this (e.g., Ethno-botany, Phytomedicine added to tertiary and research curricula).

Global Herbal Medicine Market

• The global herbal medicine market has a significant size and value (e.g., USD 84.5 billion in 2019).
• This industry involves different applications and forms for products, and has significant regional markets.
• Global and regional participants in the industry (e.g., leading players, country regulations, and accreditation) were analyzed.

Trends in Africa

• Africa has significant traditional usage of herbal medicine.
• Many countries have established or improved traditional medicine practices and systems.
• There's been increased interest and involvement of well-educated people in herbal medicine (demystifying it and increasing acceptability).

Future Perspectives in Herbal Medicine

• Africa must push for regulations and policies for comprehensive, qualified, and accredited traditional medicinal practitioners.
• Emphasis on raising standards linked to international practices through inter-country collaborations
• Essential to incorporate effective systems for capacity building, research, and the production of traditional herbal medicines of high standards.