individuals which are currently seeking better management of diseases
(Mancha-Ramirez and Slaga 2016). Medicinal plants produce a wide array of
phytoconstituents which include alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, saponins,
glycosides, polysaccharides and tannin, which are intensively investigated for their
bioactive effects. They are today, the main quarry for discovering promising lead
candidates and play an imperative role in the upcoming drug development programs
(Sharifi-Rad et al. 2018a, b, c; Salehi et al. 2018). They have low cost, ease of
availability and least side effects which make plant-based preparations the main key
player of all available therapies, especially in rural areas (Arya et al. 2011).
Moreover, many plants provide a rich source of bioactive phytochemicals, which are
free from undesirable side effects and possess powerful pharmacological actions
(Abdolshahi et al 2018; Mishra et al. 2018a, b; Sharifi-Rad et al. 2018a, b, c; Singab
et al. 2014;). These plants also have been an exemplary source of drugs with many of
the currently available drugs being obtained directly or indirectly from them
(Abdolshahi et al. 2018; Mishra et al. 2018a, b; Arumugam et al. 2013). Despite the
presence of drugs in the pharmaceutical market, the treatment of most diseases with
medicinal plants is often successful. Herbal medicines and plant components with
insignificant toxicity and no side effects are notable therapeutic options for the
treatment of diseases around the world (Bahare et al. 2019). Furthermore, reliance on
the use of medicinal plants that is increasing in the industrialised societies has been
traced to the extraction of bioactive natural compound from medicinal plants and
development of several drugs and chemotherapeutics from these plants as well as
from traditionally used rural herbal remedies (Baliga et al. 2011). Validated pharmacological properties of the bioactive natural compounds are antiviral, antifungal,
antibacterial, free radical scavenging and antitoxic effect, Gastroprotective effects,
anti-inflamatory, Hepatoprotective effects, antidiabetic activities, Cardioprotective
effects, Radioprotective effects, Chemopreventive effects, Anticlastogenic effects,
Antineoplastic effects, Neuropsychopharmacological effects, Antipyretic effects,
Anti-diarrheal effects, Antifertility activity, Anti-allergic effects, Hypolipidemic
effects (Baliga et al. 2011; Jabeen and Javaid 2010).
2.4.4 Cosmetics
Bioactive natural compounds used in the production of herbal products have today
gained increase acceptance and popularity, expanding which are sold as herbal
cosmetics (Ribeiro et al. 2015; Lee et al. 2013). Phenolic components such as
quercetin, kaempherol and carbohydrates such as glucose, galacturonic acid, arabinose and rhamnose are some of the substances present in the chemical composition of many medicinal plants that the cosmetic industry has interest in them as
anti-aging and moisturizers products (Zhang et al. 2011; Ribeiro et al. 2015). Dry
skin is a common problem among the human populace. Its main characteristic is a
phenomenon called xerosis, which is a rough peeling and appearance. To accomplish the main function of the human skin as a barrier provider between the internal
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75
(Mancha-Ramirez and Slaga 2016). Medicinal plants produce a wide array of
phytoconstituents which include alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, saponins,
glycosides, polysaccharides and tannin, which are intensively investigated for their
bioactive effects. They are today, the main quarry for discovering promising lead
candidates and play an imperative role in the upcoming drug development programs
(Sharifi-Rad et al. 2018a, b, c; Salehi et al. 2018). They have low cost, ease of
availability and least side effects which make plant-based preparations the main key
player of all available therapies, especially in rural areas (Arya et al. 2011).
Moreover, many plants provide a rich source of bioactive phytochemicals, which are
free from undesirable side effects and possess powerful pharmacological actions
(Abdolshahi et al 2018; Mishra et al. 2018a, b; Sharifi-Rad et al. 2018a, b, c; Singab
et al. 2014;). These plants also have been an exemplary source of drugs with many of
the currently available drugs being obtained directly or indirectly from them
(Abdolshahi et al. 2018; Mishra et al. 2018a, b; Arumugam et al. 2013). Despite the
presence of drugs in the pharmaceutical market, the treatment of most diseases with
medicinal plants is often successful. Herbal medicines and plant components with
insignificant toxicity and no side effects are notable therapeutic options for the
treatment of diseases around the world (Bahare et al. 2019). Furthermore, reliance on
the use of medicinal plants that is increasing in the industrialised societies has been
traced to the extraction of bioactive natural compound from medicinal plants and
development of several drugs and chemotherapeutics from these plants as well as
from traditionally used rural herbal remedies (Baliga et al. 2011). Validated pharmacological properties of the bioactive natural compounds are antiviral, antifungal,
antibacterial, free radical scavenging and antitoxic effect, Gastroprotective effects,
anti-inflamatory, Hepatoprotective effects, antidiabetic activities, Cardioprotective
effects, Radioprotective effects, Chemopreventive effects, Anticlastogenic effects,
Antineoplastic effects, Neuropsychopharmacological effects, Antipyretic effects,
Anti-diarrheal effects, Antifertility activity, Anti-allergic effects, Hypolipidemic
effects (Baliga et al. 2011; Jabeen and Javaid 2010).
2.4.4 Cosmetics
Bioactive natural compounds used in the production of herbal products have today
gained increase acceptance and popularity, expanding which are sold as herbal
cosmetics (Ribeiro et al. 2015; Lee et al. 2013). Phenolic components such as
quercetin, kaempherol and carbohydrates such as glucose, galacturonic acid, arabinose and rhamnose are some of the substances present in the chemical composition of many medicinal plants that the cosmetic industry has interest in them as
anti-aging and moisturizers products (Zhang et al. 2011; Ribeiro et al. 2015). Dry
skin is a common problem among the human populace. Its main characteristic is a
phenomenon called xerosis, which is a rough peeling and appearance. To accomplish the main function of the human skin as a barrier provider between the internal
2 An Introduction to Bioactive Natural Products …
75