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Alkaloids—Nature's Curse or Blessing
Book reviews
. Threatening and management (sic) of natural product diversity (16 /17). The topic is, of course, very timely and it is exciting to see how F. Pietra explores it. Such a book has to be selective but the examples chosen by the author provide a useful introduction into the topic. Unfortunately, the book suffers from a large number of errors and oversights, e.g. ginkgolides from Ginkgo biloba (a very widely cultivated species) are presented as an example of endangered natural products (p. 287). Also, the species is used pharmaceutically as an extract and the pure compounds mentioned are thus not ‘endangered natural products’. Another problem are annoying typographical mistakes like St. Johns wart (p. 152), how¯ thorn (p. 156). The 3D figures which are used ¯ to illustrate the main points of the book are very difficult to interpret and often it is not possible to assign the figure’s text to the axes (e.g. pp. 102/104). The second book under review was commissioned by the Phytochemical Society of North America and is based on the annual meeting of this society in 2001. It focuses on an area which rapidly and fundamentally alters numerous fields of science and of the society as a whole-genomics. This new discipline aims at providing ‘a global view of cellular processes’ (back cover) and of understanding the pattern in which genes are expressed in an organism under different conditions (e.g. prior and after infection with a pathogen or during an organism’s development). Selected aspects are of genomics and its relevance for phytochemistry are explored in 13 chapters covering such diverse areas as . Bio-informatics and computational biology for plant functional genomics (P. Mendes, A. de la Fuente and St. Hoops). . Triterpenoid saponin biosynthesis in plants (A.E. Osborn and K. Haralampides). . Mutational approach to dissecting of flavonoid biosynthesis in Arabidopsis (B. Winkel /Shirley). . Sequence based approaches to alkaloid biosynthesis gene identification (T.M. Kutchan). . Functional genomics of Cytochrome P450 m plants (K.A. Feldmann et al.). The book provides a good overview of the role of phytochemistry at a time when other scientific approaches have become more fashionable. Today it is not yet possible to know whether the editors’ claim that genomics allows a ‘global view of cellular processes’ will in fact become reality, but the books provides good examples on how to integrate phytochemistry with genomic, protenomic and metabolomic research. The book is well edited and of interest to specialists in the field. Unfortunately, it is a very expensive book which presumably will only be available in specialized libraries.
269
Both books illustrated today’s relevance of phytochemistry. While new methodologies allow for a broadening of our understanding of the function of natural products, classical approaches will still be essential for understanding the basis of the enormous diversity of our world. Discussing new challenges in the field and illustrating the changes are the common underlying theme of these two books of interest to all concerned about phytochemistry and its role in science and society. Michael Heinrich Centre for Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, The School of Pharmacy, University of London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK E-mail: [email protected] PII: S 0 3 7 8 - 8 7 4 1 ( 0 2 ) 0 0 2 5 5 - 6
*
Alkaloids /Nature’s Curse or Blessing Edited by Manfred Hesse, Verlag Helvetica Chimica Acta, Zuerich (CH)/Wiley-VCH, Weinheim (DE), 2002. 413 pp.; index, references and notes for each chapter, ISBN 3-906390-24-1 (hardcover) [second ed. based on Alkaloide-Fluch oder Segen der Natur? 2000. Verlag Helvetica Chimica Acta Zuerich (CH)] £ 75 (ca. Euro 120)
During the second half of the 20th century natural products research had been at the forefront of the scientific developments in the area of plant biology and related disciplines. The structurally very complex, biologically often highly active and biogenetically diverse group of alkaloids had been at the centre of such research and, of course, they have yielded a large number of medically and or toxicologically important natural products like morphine, taxol, vinca alkaloids, galanthamine, but also strychnine, stephanine and its derivative aristolochic acid. This success is based on centuries of research on the biological activities of plants and their active constituents, starting with the isolation of the first alkaloid (morphine) by F.W.A. Sertuerner. M. Hesse, a specialist in natural products and NMR spectroscopy from the University of Zuerich, Switzerland has addressed this complex topic in a book of broad relevance to all interested in the biological activity of plants. In 11 chapters all important aspects of alkaloid chemistry and biology are covered, including: . Classification of alkaloids. . Their structure elucidation.
270
Book reviews
. Artifacts (i.e. compounds obtained during the extraction and separation of biological material). . Chiroptical properties. . Alkaloid synthesis. . Alkaloids and chemotaxonomy. . Biological significance. . Historical aspects. . Active principles from selected alkaloid sources and their historical and cultural significance. The book is very well written and includes a large number of chemical line drawings and many excellent illustrations. It is of great interest to researchers in a large diversity of fields including ethnopharmacology and ethnopharmacy, natural product biology, spectroscopy and organic chemistry. A particularly laudable part is the detailed discussion of the history of research on alkaloids, which demonstrates the interdisciplinary nature of these scientific endeavours. Its excellent
presentation makes it useful for undergraduate classes in pharmacy and chemistry, too. M. Hesse not only was able to transmit his fascination for natural products to other researchers, but he also provides an excellent summary of all relevant aspects of alkaloid biology and chemistry. Michael Heinrich Centre for Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, The School of Pharmacy, University of London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK E-mail: [email protected] PII: S 0 3 7 8 - 8 7 4 1 ( 0 2 ) 0 0 2 5 6 - 8
. Threatening and management (sic) of natural product diversity (16 /17). The topic is, of course, very timely and it is exciting to see how F. Pietra explores it. Such a book has to be selective but the examples chosen by the author provide a useful introduction into the topic. Unfortunately, the book suffers from a large number of errors and oversights, e.g. ginkgolides from Ginkgo biloba (a very widely cultivated species) are presented as an example of endangered natural products (p. 287). Also, the species is used pharmaceutically as an extract and the pure compounds mentioned are thus not ‘endangered natural products’. Another problem are annoying typographical mistakes like St. Johns wart (p. 152), how¯ thorn (p. 156). The 3D figures which are used ¯ to illustrate the main points of the book are very difficult to interpret and often it is not possible to assign the figure’s text to the axes (e.g. pp. 102/104). The second book under review was commissioned by the Phytochemical Society of North America and is based on the annual meeting of this society in 2001. It focuses on an area which rapidly and fundamentally alters numerous fields of science and of the society as a whole-genomics. This new discipline aims at providing ‘a global view of cellular processes’ (back cover) and of understanding the pattern in which genes are expressed in an organism under different conditions (e.g. prior and after infection with a pathogen or during an organism’s development). Selected aspects are of genomics and its relevance for phytochemistry are explored in 13 chapters covering such diverse areas as . Bio-informatics and computational biology for plant functional genomics (P. Mendes, A. de la Fuente and St. Hoops). . Triterpenoid saponin biosynthesis in plants (A.E. Osborn and K. Haralampides). . Mutational approach to dissecting of flavonoid biosynthesis in Arabidopsis (B. Winkel /Shirley). . Sequence based approaches to alkaloid biosynthesis gene identification (T.M. Kutchan). . Functional genomics of Cytochrome P450 m plants (K.A. Feldmann et al.). The book provides a good overview of the role of phytochemistry at a time when other scientific approaches have become more fashionable. Today it is not yet possible to know whether the editors’ claim that genomics allows a ‘global view of cellular processes’ will in fact become reality, but the books provides good examples on how to integrate phytochemistry with genomic, protenomic and metabolomic research. The book is well edited and of interest to specialists in the field. Unfortunately, it is a very expensive book which presumably will only be available in specialized libraries.
269
Both books illustrated today’s relevance of phytochemistry. While new methodologies allow for a broadening of our understanding of the function of natural products, classical approaches will still be essential for understanding the basis of the enormous diversity of our world. Discussing new challenges in the field and illustrating the changes are the common underlying theme of these two books of interest to all concerned about phytochemistry and its role in science and society. Michael Heinrich Centre for Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, The School of Pharmacy, University of London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK E-mail: [email protected] PII: S 0 3 7 8 - 8 7 4 1 ( 0 2 ) 0 0 2 5 5 - 6
*
Alkaloids /Nature’s Curse or Blessing Edited by Manfred Hesse, Verlag Helvetica Chimica Acta, Zuerich (CH)/Wiley-VCH, Weinheim (DE), 2002. 413 pp.; index, references and notes for each chapter, ISBN 3-906390-24-1 (hardcover) [second ed. based on Alkaloide-Fluch oder Segen der Natur? 2000. Verlag Helvetica Chimica Acta Zuerich (CH)] £ 75 (ca. Euro 120)
During the second half of the 20th century natural products research had been at the forefront of the scientific developments in the area of plant biology and related disciplines. The structurally very complex, biologically often highly active and biogenetically diverse group of alkaloids had been at the centre of such research and, of course, they have yielded a large number of medically and or toxicologically important natural products like morphine, taxol, vinca alkaloids, galanthamine, but also strychnine, stephanine and its derivative aristolochic acid. This success is based on centuries of research on the biological activities of plants and their active constituents, starting with the isolation of the first alkaloid (morphine) by F.W.A. Sertuerner. M. Hesse, a specialist in natural products and NMR spectroscopy from the University of Zuerich, Switzerland has addressed this complex topic in a book of broad relevance to all interested in the biological activity of plants. In 11 chapters all important aspects of alkaloid chemistry and biology are covered, including: . Classification of alkaloids. . Their structure elucidation.
270
Book reviews
. Artifacts (i.e. compounds obtained during the extraction and separation of biological material). . Chiroptical properties. . Alkaloid synthesis. . Alkaloids and chemotaxonomy. . Biological significance. . Historical aspects. . Active principles from selected alkaloid sources and their historical and cultural significance. The book is very well written and includes a large number of chemical line drawings and many excellent illustrations. It is of great interest to researchers in a large diversity of fields including ethnopharmacology and ethnopharmacy, natural product biology, spectroscopy and organic chemistry. A particularly laudable part is the detailed discussion of the history of research on alkaloids, which demonstrates the interdisciplinary nature of these scientific endeavours. Its excellent
presentation makes it useful for undergraduate classes in pharmacy and chemistry, too. M. Hesse not only was able to transmit his fascination for natural products to other researchers, but he also provides an excellent summary of all relevant aspects of alkaloid biology and chemistry. Michael Heinrich Centre for Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, The School of Pharmacy, University of London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK E-mail: [email protected] PII: S 0 3 7 8 - 8 7 4 1 ( 0 2 ) 0 0 2 5 6 - 8