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Phytochemistry is the study of phytochemicals, which are chemicals derived from plants.Phytochemists strive to describe the structures of the large number of secondary metabolites found in plants, the functions of these compounds in human and plant biology, and the biosynthesis of these compounds.
Its seeds, leaves, bark, and flowers have been used medicinally for many centuries for treating joint pain, bladder and gastrointestinal problems, fever, leg cramps, and other conditions. It may be useful for treating chronic venous insufficiency. The raw plant materials are toxic unless processed. [7] Ageratina altissima: White snakeroot
Anthraquinone glycosides are found in medicinal plants such as rhubarb, cascara, and Alexandrian senna. [73] [74] Plant-based laxatives made from such plants include senna, [75] rhubarb [76] and Aloe. [66] The cardiac glycosides are powerful drugs from medicinal plants including foxglove and lily of the valley.
Eating a diet high in fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes and plant-based beverages has long-term health benefits, [17] but there is no evidence that taking dietary supplements of non-nutrient phytochemicals extracted from plants similarly benefits health. [4]
Certain herbs as well as common fruit interfere with cytochrome P450, an enzyme critical to much drug metabolism. [53] In a 2018 study, the FDA identified active pharmaceutical additives in over 700 analyzed dietary supplements sold as "herbal", "natural" or "traditional". [54]
As a dietary supplement or herb, guaraná seed is an effective stimulant: [1] it contains about twice the concentration of caffeine found in coffee beans (about 2–8% caffeine in guarana seeds, [2] compared to about 1–3% for coffee beans). [3] The additive has gained notoriety for being used in energy drinks.
[1] [2] [12] These chemicals were not present in grapefruit seed extracts prepared in the laboratory, and GSE preparations without the contaminants were found to possess no detectable antimicrobial effect. [1] Although citrus seed extract is sold in health food markets, [12] there is no good evidence for any antimicrobial activity. [1]
Brazzein is found in the extracellular region of oubli fruit, in the pulp tissue surrounding the seeds. After pentadin, discovered in 1989, brazzein is the second sweet-tasting protein discovered in the Oubli fruit. [3]