Phytochemicals as potential biopharmaceutical agents

Phytochemicals are molecules derived from the secondary metabolism of plants. The primary function of these molecules is to act as a defensive system against biological and nonbiological stress factors. Phytochemicals also play a role in plant reproduction as they might provide color to fruits and flowers (attracting pollinators). Phytochemicals have always played a role in medicine; in folk medicine, phytochemicals are used worldwide in medicinal plants as the active agents against several ailments. Recent studies have shown that phytochemicals can be used as drugs against communicable and noncommunicable diseases. This chapter presents this work and shows the reader the potential biopharmaceutical applications of terpenes, alkaloids, phenolic compounds, and glucosinolates.