Preface

Plants provide food for a large part of the human population and are an important source of carbohydrates, oils and fats, proteins; in addition, wood and fibers and their derivates obtained by human technological findings are widely used as basic components of our life.

The plant uses come from the past. Since ancient times, humans were able to colonize continents and live in regions having different environmental conditions in which different species of plants were present. Humans learned to use them as foods, tools to survive in the environment and treatment for ailments and health problems with the consequence that different cultures of interaction and use of plants developed and contributed to established practices of traditional medicine. The pharmaceutical properties of plants interested scientists and the progress of science occurred over time, with the consequence that a large number of molecules were identified and characterized. Such molecules, known also as Natural Compounds, were named Secondary Metabolites, mainly present in plant cells and tissues, and playing fundamental roles in plant reproduction and defense from predators and competitors in the environment. With the improvement of science and technology, a large number of plant derived pharmaceuticals have been developed and are presently in the market. Nowadays, a detailed investigation of biodiversity and a careful evaluation and validation of the practices of traditional medicine are associated with an intense research activity in progress in many countries for discovering new plant bioactive molecules potentially useful for new pharmaceuticals for humans, domesticated animals and agriculture.

The study of Natural Substances is an exciting way to learn biology and investigate bioactive molecules for possible applications in different fields. This book, the first of a series of three books, provides a collection of chapters on different plant molecules both in terms of their biological functions in the plant body and applications, especially at the pharmaceutical level, and aims to stimulate further interest in the search for new findings from plants. The chapters are written by leading scientists in their respective fields of interest and provide an up-to date review and future perspectives on each topic. Throughout this book and the other books which will consist of the series, students, teachers, health care practitioners and researchers interested in the study of secondary metabolites will get a useful background for their respective interests.

We wish to thank our colleagues from different universities and countries who encouraged us in the organization of this book and Prof. Giancarlo Statti for the foreword. A special thank also to the Bentham staff, who supported and accompanied us along with the development of the book.