@article{Awuchi_2019, title={The Biochemistry, Toxicology, and Uses of the Pharmacologically Active Phytochemicals: Alkaloids, Terpenes, Polyphenols, and Glycosides}, volume={7}, url={https://jurnal.ugm.ac.id/v3/JFPS/article/view/666}, DOI={10.22146/jfps.666}, abstractNote={<p>The research focused on the biochemistry and the medicinal uses of alkaloids, terpenes,<br>polyphenols, and glycosides. Several parts of plants such as bark, root, leaf, stem, etc. are being used to<br>revert abnormalities back to normal, prevent illnesses, or allay symptoms. These plant parts contain<br>bioactive compounds such as terpenes, glycosides, polyphenols, and alkaloids. Alkaloids have a range<br>of pharmacological activities such as antiasthma (e.g. ephedrine), anticancer (e.g. homoharringtonine),<br>antimalarial (e.g. quinine). Other alkaloids possess stimulant (e.g. cocaine, caffeine, theobromine, nicotine)<br>and psychotropic activities (e.g. psilocin), and have been widely used as recreational drugs or<br>in entheogenic rituals. Alkaloids can be toxic too (e.g. tubocurarine, atropine). Although alkaloids act on<br>diverse metabolic systems in humans and animals, they almost uniformly induce a bitter taste. The<br>characteristics and number of the structures of phenol in polyphenols underlie the unique chemical,<br>physical, and biological (metabolic, therapeutic, toxic, etc.) properties of specific members of the class;<br>e.g. ellagitannin and tannic acid. Generally, foods often contain complex mixtures of polyphenols. Several<br>polyphenolic extracts, such as from grape seeds, olive pulp, maritime pine bark, or grape skin, are sold as<br>ingredients for functional foods, cosmetics, and dietary supplements. Terpenoids and terpenes are the<br>primary components of the essential oils of most types of flowers plants. Essential oils are used widely as<br>scents and fragrances in perfumery and also in traditional medicine, such as aromatherapy. Similarly,<br>many plant glycosides are used as medicines. Amygdalin and laetrile (a synthetic derivative) were<br>investigated as potential drugs for cancer treatment and were promoted as alternative medicine;<br>nevertheless, they are ineffective and dangerous. Pharmacologically active phytochemicals can have<br>useful applications, as well as safety concerns.</p&gt;}, number={3}, journal={Journal of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences}, author={Awuchi, Chinaza Godswill}, year={2019}, month={Nov.}, pages={131-150} }