The Use of Plants as Phytobiotics: A New Challenge

The search for bioactive compounds of natural origin, also called phytobiotics, has become a major challenge for industrialists, farmers, and scientists alike. Phytobiotics are compounds known for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic, immunomodulatory, hypolipidemic, detoxifying, flavoring, and digestive-stimulating properties. These beneficial effects of phytobiotics depend on the part of the plant used (bark, leaves, stem, roots, fruit, flower, seeds) or their extract. Regarding their classification, there are several types of active compounds derived from plants, also grouped under the name of secondary metabolites such as tannins, polyphenols, terpenes, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, cyanides, and glycosides. Concerning their role, phytobiotics are used as feed additives to improve growth performance, nutritional status, and biochemical parameters of humans and animals. They can also be used ethno-medically for the prophylaxis and curative treatment of diseases such as diabetes, obesity, kidney stones, insomnia, gout, hemorrhoids, acne, and eye problems.