ISSN 2278- 4136

ZDB-Number: 2668735-5
IC Journal No: 8192
Volume 1 Issue 6
Online Available at www.phytojournal.com

Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

Phytochemistry of Medicinal Plants

Mamta Saxena*1, Jyoti Saxena1, Rajeev Nema2, Dharmendra Singh2 and Abhishek Gupta2

1. Sarojini Naidu Government Girls Post Graduate (Autonomous) College, Shivaji Nagar, Bhopal -
462016 (M.P.), India. [E-mail: [email protected]]
2. Center for Microbiology & Bio-Technology Research and Training, Bhopal, India

Medicinal plants are a rich source of bioactive phytochemicals or bionutrients. Studies carried out during the past 2
3 decades have shown that these phytochemicals have an important role in preventing chronic diseases like cancer,
diabetes and coronary heart disease. The major classes of phytochemicals with disease-preventing functions are
dietary fibre, antioxidants, anticancer, detoxifying agents, immunity-potentiating agents and neuropharmacological
agents. Each class of these functional agents consists of a wide range of chemicals with differing potency. Some of
these phytochemicals have more than one function. There is, however, much scope for further systematic research in
screening Indian medicinal plants for these phytochemicals and assessing their potential in protecting against
different types of diseases
Keyword: Phytochemicals, Alkaloids, Terpenoids, Flavonoids, Saponins, Tannins and Phenolics.

1. Introduction In wide-ranging dietary phytochemicals are found

Phytochemicals (from the Greek word phyto, in fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts,
[3]
meaning plant) are biologically active, naturally seeds, fungi, herbs and spices . Broccoli,
occurring chemical compounds found in plants, cabbage, carrots, onions, garlic, whole wheat
which provide health benefits for humans further bread, tomatoes, grapes, cherries, strawberries,
than those attributed to macronutrients and raspberries, beans, legumes, and soy foods are
[1] [6]
micronutrients . They protect plants from common sources . Phytochemicals accumulate
disease and damage and contribute to the plants in different parts of the plants, such as in the
7
color, aroma and flavor. In general, the plant roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits or seeds .
chemicals that protect plant cells from Many phytochemicals, particularly the pigment
environmental hazards such as pollution, stress, molecules, are often concentrated in the outer
drought, UV exposure and pathogenic attack are layers of the various plant tissues. Levels vary
[2,3] from plant to plant depending upon the variety,
called as phytochemicals . Recently, it is [8]
clearly known that they have roles in the processing, cooking and growing conditions .
protection of human health, when their dietary Phytochemicals are also available in
intake is significant. More than 4,000 supplementary forms, but evidence is lacking that
[4]
phytochemicals have been cataloged and are they provide the same health benefits as dietary
[4]
classified by protective function, physical phytochemicals .
[5]
characteristics and chemical characteristics and
These compounds are known as secondary plant
About 150 phytochemicals have been studied in
[4]
detail . metabolites and have biological properties

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such as antioxidant activity, antimicrobial effect,

modulation of detoxification enzymes, 2. The Journey of Medicinal Plant Research
stimulation of the immune system, decrease of An assessment of the previous trends and impact of
platelet aggregation and modulation of hormone research into the phytochemistry on medicinal
metabolism and anticancer property. There are plants of the world is quite desirable before
more than thousand known and many unknown considering recent trends. After centuries of
phytochemicals. It is well-known that plants empirical use of herbal preparation, the first
produce these chemicals to protect themselves, isolation of active principles alkaloids such as
but recent researches demonstrate that many th
morphine, strychnine, quinine etc. in the early 19
phytochemicals can also protect human against century marked a new era in the use of medicinal
[9]
diseases . plants and the beginning of modern medicinal
plants research. Emphasis shifted away from plant
derived drugs with the tremendous development of
synthetic pharmaceutical chemistry and microbial
fermentation after 1945. Plant metabolites were
mainly investigated from a phytochemical and
chemotaxonomic viewpoint during this period.
Over the last decade, however, interest in drugs of
plant and probably animal origin has grown
[10]
steadily . Utilization of medicinal plants has
almost doubled in Western Europe during that
period. Ecological awareness, the efficacy of a good
number of phytopharmaceutical preparations, such
as ginkgo, garlic or valerian and increased interest
of major pharmaceutical companies in higher
medicinal plants as sources for new lead structures
has been the main reasons for this renewal of
interest. With the development of chemical science
and pharmacognosy physicians began to extract
chemical products from medicinal plants. A few
examples of the products extracted from medicinal
plants are - in 1920, quinine was isolated from
Fig.1: Phytochemistry of medicinal Cinchona by the French pharmacist, Peletier &
plants. Caventou. In the mid-nineteenth century, a German
chemist, Hoffmann obtained Aspirin from the bark
of the willow. With the active principles in
medicinal plants identified and isolated, plant-based
Phytochemicals are not essential nutrients and are prescriptions began to be substituted more and more
not required by the human body for sustaining with pure substances, which were more powerful
life, but have important properties to prevent or to 11
and easier to prescribe and administer .
fight some common diseases. Many of these Phytomedicine almost went into extinction during
benefits suggest a possible role for st
the first half of the 21 century due to the use of the
phytochemicals in the prevention and treatment
of disease, Because of this property; many more powerful and potent synthetic drug.
researchers have been performed to reveal the However, because of the numerous side effects of
beneficial health effects of phytochemicals. The these drugs, the value of medicinal plants is being
purpose of the present review is to provide an rediscovered as some of them have proved to be
overview of the extremely diverse
phytochemicals presents in medicinal plants.
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Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

as effective as synthetic medicines with fewer or normalizing blood pressure and clotting, and
[3,13]
no side effects and contraindications. It has been improving arterial elasticity . Phytochemicals
proved that although the effects of natural may detoxify substances that cause cancer. They
remedies may seem slower, the results are appear to neutralize free radicals, inhibit enzymes
sometimes better on the long run especially in that activate carcinogens, and activate enzymes
[12] that detoxify carcinogens. For example, according
chronic diseases . to data summarized by Meagher and Thomson,
genistein prevents the formation of new
3. Biological Activities of Phytochemicals capillaries that are needed for tumor growth and
The phytochemicals present in plants are [5]
metastasis . The physiologic properties of
responsible for preventing disease and promoting relatively few phytochemicals are well
health have been studied extensively to establish understood and more many research has focused
their efficacy and to understand the underlying on their possible role in preventing or treating
mechanism of their action. Such studies have [3]
cancer and heart disease . Phytochemicals have
included identification and isolation of the also been promoted for the prevention and
chemical components, establishment of their treatment of diabetes, high blood pressure, and
biological potency both by in vitro and in vivo [4]
macular degeneration . While phytochemicals
studies in experimental animals and through are classified by function, an individual
epidemiological and clinical-case control studies compound may have more than one biological
in man. Study findings suggest that function serving as both an antioxidant and
13
phytochemicals may reduce the risk of coronary antibacterial agent . Bioactive and Disease-
heart disease by preventing the oxidation of low- preventing phytochemicals present in plant are
density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, reducing shown in Table 1.
the synthesis or absorption of cholesterol,
Table 1. Bioactive Phytochemicals In Medicinal Plants.

Classification Main groups of compounds Biological function

NSA Cellulose, hemicellulose, gums, Water holding capacity, delay in nutrient

(Non-starch poly- mucilages, pectins, lignins absorption, binding toxins and bile acids
saccharides.)
Antibacterial & Terpenoids, alkaloids, phenolics Inhibitors of micro-organisms, reduce the risk
Antifungal of fungal infection

Antioxidants Polyphenolic compounds, flavonoids, Oxygen free radical quenching, inhibition of

carotenoids, tocopherols, ascorbic acid lipid peroxidation

Anticancer Carotenoids, polyphenols, curcumine, Inhibitors of tumor, inhibited development of

Flavonoids lung cancer, anti-metastatic activity
Detoxifying Reductive acids, tocopherols, phenols, Inhibitors of procarcinogen activation,
Agents indoles, aromatic isothiocyanates, coumarins, inducers of drug binding of carcinogens,
flavones, carotenoids, retinoids, cyanates, inhibitors of tumourogenesis
phytosterols

Other Alkaloids, terpenoids, volatile flavor Neuropharmacological agents, anti- oxidants,

compounds, biogenic amines cancer chemoprevention

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Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry flavonoids, phenolic acids, and polyphenols.
Phenolic are hydroxyl group (-OH) containing

4. Classification of Phytochemicals
The exact classification of
phytochemicals could have not been
performed so far, because of the wide
variety of them. In resent year
Phytochemicals are classified as
primary or secondary constituents,
depending on their role in plant
metabolism. Primary constituents
include the common sugars, amino
acids, proteins, purines and pyrimidines
of nucleic acids, chlorophylls etc.
Secondary constituents are the
remaining plant chemicals such as
alkaloids, terpenes, flavonoids, lignans,
plant steroids, curcumines, saponins,
phenolics, flavonoids and
glucosides[14]. Literature survey
indicate that phenolics are the most
numerous and structurally diverse
plant phytocontituents. (Figure 2).

Other
10%

Terpenoi
Phenolics
ds &
45%
Steroids
27%

Alkaloids
18%

Fig.2: Pie chart representing the major groups of plant

Phytochemicals.

5. Phenolics
Phenolic phytochemicals are the largest category
of phytochemicals and the most widely
distributed in the plant kingdom. The three most
important groups of dietary phenolics are
 The term phenolic acids, in general, designates
phenols that possess one carboxylic acid
functional group. Naturally occurring phenolic
class of chemical compounds where the (-OH) acids contain two distinctive carbon frameworks:
bonded directly to an aromatic hydrocarbon the hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic
group. Phenol (C6H5OH) is considered the structures (Figure3). Hydroxycinnamic acid
simplest class of this group of natural compounds are produced as simple esters with
compounds. Phenolic compounds are a large and glucose or hydroxy carboxylic acids. Plant
complex group of chemical constituents found in phenolic compounds are different in molecular
[15]
plants . They are plant secondary metabolites, structure, and are characterized by hydroxylated
[17]
and they have an important role as defence aromatic rings . These compounds have been
compounds. phenolics exhibit several properties studied mainly for their properties against
beneficial to humans and its antioxidant oxidative damage leading to various degenerative
properties are important in determining their role diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases,
as protecting agents against free radical-mediated inflammation and cancer. Indeed, tumour cells,
disease processes. Flavonoids are the largest including leukaemia cells, typically have higher
[16] levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) than
group of plant phenols and the most studied .
Phenolic acids form a diverse group that includes normal cells so that they are particularly sensitive
[18]
the widely distributed hydroxybenzoic and to oxidative stress . Many papers and reviews
hydroxycinnamic acids. Phenolic polymers, describe studies on bioavailability of phenolic
commonly known as tannins, are compounds of acids, emphasizing both the direct intake through
high molecular weight that are divided into two food consumption and the indirect bioavailability
classes: hydrolyzable and condensed tannins. deriving by gastric, intestinal and hepatic
[19]
metabolism .
6. Phenolic acids

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Table 2: The Major Classes of Phenolic Compounds in Plants

S.N. Number of carbon atom Basic skeleton Class

C
1. 6 6 Simple phenols
Benzoquinones

2. 7 C6-C1 Phenolic acids

3. 8 C6-C2 Acetophenones
Tyrosine derivatives

4. 9 C6-C3 Hydroxycinnamic acid, Coumarins

5. 10 C6-C4 Naphthoquinones

6. 13 C6- C1-C6 Xanthones

7. 14 C6- C2-C6 Stilbenes

8. 15 C6- C3-C6 Flavonoids

9. 18 (C6- C3)2 Lignans

10. 30 (C6- C3-C6 ) 2 Bioflavonoids

11. N (C6- C3-C6)n Condensed tannins

In addition Phenolic acid compounds and natural compounds such as sterols, alcohols,
functions have been the subject of a great number glucosides and hydroxyfatty acids. Varied
of agricultural, biological, chemical and medical biological activities of phenolic acids were
studies. In recent years, the importance of reported. Increases bile secretion, reduces blood
antioxidant activities of phenolic compounds and cholesterol and lipid levels and antimicrobial
their potential usage in processed foods as a activity against some strains of bacteria such as
staphylococcus aureus are some of biological
natural antioxidant compounds has reached a new [21]
level and some evidence suggests that the activities of phenolic acids . Phenolics acid
biological actions of these compounds are related possesses diverse biological activities, for
[20] instance, antiulcer, anti- inflammatory,
to their antioxidant activity . 22
antioxidant , cytotoxic and antitumor,
[23]
5.1 Activity of Phenolic Acids antispasmodic, and antidepressant activities .
Phenolic compounds are famous group of 6. Flavonoids
secondary metabolites with wide pharmacological
activities. Phenolic acid compounds and functions Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds that are
ubiquitous in nature. More than 4,000 flavonoids
have been the subject of a great number of
have been recognised, many of which occur in
agricultural, biological, chemical and medical vegetables, fruits and beverages like tea, coffee
studies. Phenolic compounds in many plants are [24]
polymerized into larger molecules such as the and fruit drinks . The flavonoids appear to have
proanthocyanidins (PA; condensed tannins) and played a major role in successful medical
treatments of ancient times, and their use has
lignins. Moreover, phenolic acids may arise in persisted up to now. Flavonoids are ubiquitous
food plants as glycosides or esters with other

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among vascular plants and occur as aglycones, flavonols ) or its dihydroderivative (flavanones
glucosides and methylated derivatives. More than and flavan-3-ols ). The position of the benzenoid
4000 flavonoids have been described so far substituent divides the flavonoids into two
within the parts of plants normally consumed by classes: flavone (2-position) and isoflavone (3-
humans and approximately 650 flavones and position). Most flavonoids occur naturally
[25]
1030 flavanols are known . Small amount of associated with sugar in conjugated form and,
aglycones (i.e., flavonoids without attached within any one class, may be characterized as
sugar) are frequently present and occasionally monoglycosidic, diglycosidic, etc. The glycosidic
represent a considerably important proportion of linkage is normally located at position 3 or 7 and
the total flavonoid compounds in the plant. the carbohydrate unit can be L-rhamnose, D-
Figure 4, represents major flavonoids structures. glucose, glucorhamnose, galactose or
The six-membered ring condensed with the [26]
arabinose .
benzene ring is either -pyrone (flavones and

COOH COOH COOH COOH

OH
HO OH

OCH 3 OH
OH
[1 ] [2] [3 ] [4 ]

COOH COOH COOH COOH

OCH 3 OH H 3 CO OCH 3

OH OH OH
[5 ] [6 ] [7 ] [8 ]

Hydroxybenzoic acid are Benzoic acid [1], Salicylic acid [2], Vailinilic acid [3], Gallic acid [4] and Hydroxycinnamic aid
are Cinnamic acid [5], Ferulic acid [6], Sinapic acid [7] and Caffeic acid [8].

Fig. 3. Structures of the important naturally occurring phenolic acids.

6.1 Activity of Flavonoids inflammatory as well as antitumor activities but

Flavonoids have gained recent attention because the best-described property of almost every group
of their broad biological and pharmacological of flavonoids is their capacity to act as powerful
activities in these order Flavonoids have been antioxidants which can protect the human body
reported to exert multiple biological property from free radicals and reactive oxygen species.
including antimicrobial, cytotoxicity, anti- The capacity of flavonoids to act as antioxidants

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depends upon their molecular structure. The activity, enzyme inhibition, antimicrobial activity,
position of hydroxyl groups and other features in oestrogenic activity, anti-allergic activity,
the chemical structure of flavonoids are antioxidant activity, vascular activity and
[27]
important for their antioxidant and free radical cytotoxic antitumor activity . Flavonoids
scavenging activities. On the other hand constitute a wide range of substances that play
flavonoids such as luteolin and cathechins, are important role in protecting biological systems
better antioxidants than the nutrients antioxidants against the harmful effects of oxidative processes
such as vitamin C, vitamin E and -carotene. on macromolecules, such as carbohydrates,
[28]
Flavonoids have been stated to possess many proteins, lipids and DNA .
useful properties, containing anti-inflammatory

O O
O
OH

O O
2 -p h eny l-ch ro m en -4 -o 3-Hydroxy-2-phenyl-chrom en- O
ne 2-phenyl-chrom en-4-
F lav o n e s 4-one one
Flavanol
Flavanone
O O O

OH OH

O O

3-Hydroxy-2-p 3-phenyl-chromen-4- 2 -p h e n y l- c h ro m e n
one -3 -o l
henylchromen-
Isoflavone Flavan-3-ols
4-one

Flavanonol 3-Hydroxy-2-phenyl chromenylium

+
O
Anthocyanidine or Flavylium salt

OH

Fig.4. Chemical structures of some representative flavonoids.

7. Tannin groups: Gallotannins, ellagitannins, complex

[34,35,36]
From a chemical point of view it is difficult to tannins, and condensed tannins (Figure 5).
define tannins since the term encompasses some
[29,30] (1) Gallotannins are all those tannins in which
very diverse oligomers and polymers . It
might be said that the tannins are a heterogeneous galloyl units or their meta-depsidic derivatives
group of high molecular weight polyphenolic are bound to diverse polyol-, catechin-, or
compounds with the capacity to form reversible triterpenoid units.
and irreversible complexes with proteins (2) Ellagitannins are those tannins in which at
(mainly), polysaccharides (cellulose, least two galloyl units are CC coupled to each
hemicellulose, pectin, etc.), alkaloids, nucleic other, and do not contain a glycosidically linked
[31,32,33]
acids and minerals, etc . On the basis of catechin unit.
their structural characteristics it is therefore
possible to divide the tannins into four major
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(3) Complex tannins are tannins in which a legume forages, legume trees like Acacia spp.,
catechin unit is bound glycosidically to a Sesbania spp., in grasses i.e; sorghum, corn,
[37]
gallotannin or an ellagitannin unit. etc . Several health benefits have been
(4) Condensed tannins are all oligomeric and recognized for the intake of tannins and some
polymeric proanthocyanidins formed by linkage epidemiological associations with the decreased
of C-4 of one catechin with C-8 or C-6 of the frequency of chronic diseases have been
[38]
next monomeric catechin. established .
Tannins are found commonly in fruits such as
grapes, persimmon, blueberry, tea, chocolate,

Tannin

Gallotannin Ellagitannin Complex tannin Condense tannin

Fig.5. Classification of tannins.

7.1 Activity of Tannins incidence of deadly illnesses such as AIDS and

42]
In medicine, especially in Asian (Japanese and various cancers+ . The search for new lead
Chinese) natural healing, the tannin-containing compounds for the development of novel
plant extracts are used as astringents, against pharmaceuticals has become increasingly
diarrhoea, as diuretics, against stomach and important, especially as the biological action of
[39]
duodenal tumours , and as antiinflammatory, tannin-containing plant extracts has been well
antiseptic, antioxidant and haemostatic [43,44]
documented .
[40]
pharmaceuticals . Tannins are used in the
dyestuff industry as caustics for cationic dyes 8. Alkaloids
(tannin dyes), and also in the production of inks Alkaloids are natural product that contains
(iron gallate ink). In the food industry tannins are heterocyclic nitrogen atoms, are basic in
used to clarify wine, beer, and fruit juices. Other character. The name of alkaloids derives from the
industrial uses of tannins include textile dyes, as alkaline and it was used to describe any
antioxidants in the fruit juice, beer, and wine [45]
industries, and as coagulants in rubber nitrogen-containing base . Alkaloids are
41 naturally synthesis by a large numbers of
Production . Recently the tannins have attracted organisms, including animals, plants, bacteria and
scientific interest, especially due to the increased fungi. Some of the fires natural products to be

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isolated from medicinal plants were alkaloids to the heterocyclic ring system they contain are
when they first obtained from the plants materials listed below.
th
in the early years of 19 century, it was found
that they were nitrogen containing bases which Pyrrolidine alkaloids: they contain pyrrolidine
formed salts with acid. Hence they were known ( tetrahydropyrrole) ring system. E.g Hygrine found in
as the vegetable alkalis or alkaloids and these Erythroxylum coca leaves.
alkaloids are used as the local anesthetic and
46] Pyridine alkaloids: they have piperidine
stimulant as cocaine+ . Almost all the alkaloids
have a bitter taste. The alkaloid quinine for (hexahydropyridine) ring system. E.g Coniine, piperine
example is one of the bitterest tasting substances and isopelletierine.
-5
known and is significantly bitter (1x10 ) at a
[47] Pyrrolidine-pyridine alkaloids: the heterocyclic ring
molar concentration . system present in there alkaloids is Pyrrolidine-
Alkaloids are so numerous and involve such a pyridine.E.g Myosmine, Nicotine alkaloid found in
variety of molecular structure that their rational tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plant.
classification is difficult. However, the best
approach to the problem is to group them into Pyridine-piperidine alkaloids:This family of alkaloids
families, depending on the type of heterocyclic contains a pyridine ring system join to a piperidine ring
[48]
ring system present in the molecule . For system the simplest member is Anabasine alkaloid
historicxal reasons as also because of their isolated from poisonous Asiatic plant anabasis aphyllan.
structural complexities, the nomenclature of
Quinoline Alkaloids: These have the basic heterocyclic
alkaloids has not been systematized. The names
ring system quinoline .E.g Quinine occurs in the bark of
of individual members are, therfour, generally
cinchona tree.It has been used for centuries for treatment
derived from the name of the plant in which they
of malaria.Synthetic drugs such as primaquinine have
occur, or from their characteristic physiological largely replace quinine as an anti-malarial.
activity.the various classes of alkaloids according
Isoquinoline alkaloids: They contain heterocyclic rig
system isoquinoline. E.g Opium alkaloids like narcotine,
papaverine, morphine, codeine, and heroine.

O O

N CH3 N CH3 N

CH3 H H CH3
Hygrine [1] Coniine [2] Isopelletierine [3]
CH 3CO

N NH

N
N H
H3C C3H6NH 2
N N N

H3C H
Nicotine [4] Mysomine [5] Anabasine [6] Primaquinine [7]
HO CH CH CH2

CH2 HO

CH HC CH
2
N O
CH3CO
N
CH3
HO

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Quinine [8] Morphine [9]

Fig. 6. Structures of the important naturally occurring alkaloids.

8.1. Activity of Alkaloids are widespread in nature, mainly in plants as

Alkaloids are significant for the protecting and constituents of essential oils. Their building
survival of plant because they ensure their block is the hydrocarbon isoprene,
survival against micro-organisms (antibacterial CH2=C(CH3)-CH=CH2. Terpene hydrocarbons
and antifungal activities), insects and therefore have molecular formula (C5H8) n and
herbivores (feeding deterrens) and also against they are classified according to the number of
other plants by means of allelopathically active isoprene units[53].
chemicals[49]. The useof alkaloids containing
9.1 Hemiterpenoids: Consist of a single
plants as dyes, spices, drugs or poisons can be
traced back almost to the beginning of isoprene unit. The only hemiterpene is the
civilization. Alkaloids have many Isoprene itself, but oxygen-containing
pharmacological activities including derivatives of isoprene such as isovaleric acid
antihypertensive effects ( many indole and prenol is classify as hemiterpenoids.
alkaloids), antiarrhythmic effect (quinidine,
spareien), antimalarial activity (quinine), 9.2 Monoterpenoids: Biochemical
andanticancer actions (dimeric indoles, modifications of monoterpenes such as
vincristine, vinblastine). These are just a few oxidation or rearrangement produce the related
example illustrating the great economic monoterpenoids. Monoterpenoids have two
importanceof this group of plant isoprene units. Monoterpenes may be of two
[50]
constituents . Some alkaloids have stimulant types i.e linear (acyclic) or contain rings e.g.
property as caffeine and nicotine, morphine are Geranyl pyrophosphate, Eucalyptol, Limonene,
used as the analgesic and quinine as the Citral, Camphor and Pinene.
antimalarial drug[46].
9.3 Sesquiterpenes: Sesquiterpenes have three
9. Terpenoids isoprene units e.g. Artemisinin, Bisabolol and
The terpenoids are a class of natural products Fernesol, oil of flowers, or as cyclic
which have been derived from five-carbon compounds, such as Eudesmol, found in
isoprene units. Most of the terpenoids have Eucalyptus oil.
multi cyclic structures that differ from one
another by their functional groups and basic 9.4 Diterpenes: It composed for four isoprene
carbon skeletons. These types of natural lipids units. They derive from geranylgeranyl
can be found in every class of living things, and pyrophosphate. There are some examples of
therefore considered as the largest group of diterpenes such as cembrene, kahweol,
natural products[51]. Many of the terpenoids are taxadiene and cafestol. Retinol, retinal, and
commercially interesting because of their use as phytol are the biologically important
flavours and fragrances in foods and cosmetics compounds while using diterpenes as the base.
examples menthol and sclareol or because they
are important for the quality of agricultural 9.5 Triterpenes: It consists of six isoprene
products, such as the flavour of fruits and the
units e.g. Lanosterol and squalene found in
fragrance of flowers like linalool[52]. Terpenes
wheat germ, and olives.

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9.6 Tetraterpenoids: It contains eight isoprene

units which may be acyclic like lycopene,
monocyclic like gamma-carotene, and bicyclic
like alpha- and betacarotenes.

O
CHO

-Pinene [1] Limonine [2] Citral [3] Camphor [4] Abietic acid [5]

CHO
CH 2 OH

Vitamin A [6] Retinene [7]

OH

OH Farnesol [9]

Eudesmol [8]

HO

Lanosterol [10] Squalene [11]

-Carotene [12]

Lycopene [13]

Fig. 7: Structures of the important terpenes of each class.

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9.7 Activity of Terpenes

Among plant secondary metabolites terpenoids 10. Saponin
are a structurally most diverse group; they Saponins are a group of secondary metabolites
function as phytoalexins in plant direct defense, found widely distributed in the plant kingdom
or as signals in indirect defense responses which They form a stable foam in aqueous solutions
[54] such as soap, hence the name saponin.
involves herbivores and their natural enemies .
Many plants produce volatile terpenes in order to Chemically, saponins asa group include
attract specific insects for pollination or otherwise compounds that are glycosylated steroids,
to expel certain animals using these plants as triterpenoids, and steroid alkaloids. Two main
food. Less volatile but strongly bitter-tasting or types of steroid aglycones are known, spirostan
toxic terpenes also protect some plants from and furostan derivatives (Figure 8A,B,
[55]
being eaten by animals (antifeedants) . Last, respectively). The main triterpene aglycone is a
[57]
but not least, terpenes play an important role as derivative of oleanane (Figure 8C) . The
signal compounds and growth regulators carbohydrate part consists of one
(phytohormones) of plants, as shown by or more sugar moieties containing glucose,
preliminary investigations. In addition, terpenoids galactose, xylose, arabinose, rhamnose, or
can have medicinal properties such as anti- glucuronic acid glycosidically linked to a
carcinogenic (e.g. perilla alcohol), antimalarial sapogenin (aglycone). Saponins that have one
(e.g. artemisinin), anti-ulcer, hepaticidal, sugar molecule attached at the C-3 position are
antimicrobial or diuretic (e.g. glycyrrhizin) called monodesmoside saponins, and those that
activity and the sesquiterpenoid antimalarial drug have a minimum of two sugars, one attached to
artimisinin and the diterpenoid anticancer drug the C-3 and one at C-22, are called bidesmoside
[53,56] [58]
taxol. . saponins .

Fig.8: Basic structure of steroid (A & B) and triterpenoid saponin (C)

10.1 Activity of Saponins plants, and their multiple effects in animal cells
The physiological role of saponins in plants is not and on fungi and bacteria, only a few have
yet fully understood. While there is a number of a addressed their function in plant cells. Many
publication describing their identification in saponins are known to be antimicrobial, to inhibit
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Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

mould, and to protect plants from insect attack. 12. Acknowledgement

Saponins may be considered a part of plants The authors express gratitude Dr. Shobna Bajpai
defence systems, and as such have been included maroo, Principal Sarojini Naidu Government
in a large group of protective molecules found in Girls (Post Graduate Autonomous) College and
plants named phytoanticipins or CMBT Laboratory, Bhopal, for kind support.
[59]
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