- Email: [email protected]
Biochemical Targets of Plant Bioactive Compounds
Copyright © NISC Pty Ltd
South African Journal of Botany 2005, 71(3&4): 451 Printed in South Africa — All rights reserved
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY EISSN 1727–9321
Book Review
Biochemical Targets of Plant Bioactive Compounds Gideon Polya 2003; Taylor & Francis Inc., New York, USA; CRC Press, Catalogue No. TF1656 Hardback, 864 pages ISBN 0–415–30829–1; price US$199.95 e-mail: [email protected]
Worldwide, there is tremendous interest in bioactive compounds from plants. This is manifested in many ways, but perhaps most spectacularly by the current resurgence in traditional medicinal research. This book, as a pharmacological reference guide to the sites of action and biological effects of bioactive compounds, is therefore timely and of enormous benefit to researchers across a wide scientific spectrum. The book contains a great deal of information, put together by a person who spent his working life in this field of research. The use of tables allowed the author to assemble an enormous body of information in a user-friendly way. There is also a wealth of data of a general historical nature. This serves as an incentive to just browse through the pages and pick up information, thereby extending general knowledge. For me at least, this was an added stimulus to add the book to my library. The book is divided into 14 chapters. Chapters 1 and 2 are of a more general nature and serve as introductory and explanatory chapters for the remaining 12, which deal more with specific biological
responses. Each of the subsequent chapters has a short introduction and then a wealth of scientific information about the respective compounds, their botanical origin and the biochemical/physiological responses they regulate/influence. There is a valuable appendix on the structures of key parent compounds referred to throughout the volume. The bibliography is very short and no attempt was made to produce a list of the thousands of papers that must have been consulted during preparation. Their inclusion would have defeated the objective of the book, which is to bring together as much information as possible. The book concludes with four very valuable indices: dealing with compounds; plant genera; common plant names; and subject matter. This makes it very easy to trace information. Personally, I found this to be a valuable text for students, academics and researchers. I am pleased to have it in my library and am of the opinion that it should be on the shelves of all libraries of higher education and research institutes.
Johannes van Staden Research Centre for Plant Growth and Development, School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, University of KwaZuluNatal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209 e-mail: [email protected]
South African Journal of Botany 2005, 71(3&4): 451 Printed in South Africa — All rights reserved
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY EISSN 1727–9321
Book Review
Biochemical Targets of Plant Bioactive Compounds Gideon Polya 2003; Taylor & Francis Inc., New York, USA; CRC Press, Catalogue No. TF1656 Hardback, 864 pages ISBN 0–415–30829–1; price US$199.95 e-mail: [email protected]
Worldwide, there is tremendous interest in bioactive compounds from plants. This is manifested in many ways, but perhaps most spectacularly by the current resurgence in traditional medicinal research. This book, as a pharmacological reference guide to the sites of action and biological effects of bioactive compounds, is therefore timely and of enormous benefit to researchers across a wide scientific spectrum. The book contains a great deal of information, put together by a person who spent his working life in this field of research. The use of tables allowed the author to assemble an enormous body of information in a user-friendly way. There is also a wealth of data of a general historical nature. This serves as an incentive to just browse through the pages and pick up information, thereby extending general knowledge. For me at least, this was an added stimulus to add the book to my library. The book is divided into 14 chapters. Chapters 1 and 2 are of a more general nature and serve as introductory and explanatory chapters for the remaining 12, which deal more with specific biological
responses. Each of the subsequent chapters has a short introduction and then a wealth of scientific information about the respective compounds, their botanical origin and the biochemical/physiological responses they regulate/influence. There is a valuable appendix on the structures of key parent compounds referred to throughout the volume. The bibliography is very short and no attempt was made to produce a list of the thousands of papers that must have been consulted during preparation. Their inclusion would have defeated the objective of the book, which is to bring together as much information as possible. The book concludes with four very valuable indices: dealing with compounds; plant genera; common plant names; and subject matter. This makes it very easy to trace information. Personally, I found this to be a valuable text for students, academics and researchers. I am pleased to have it in my library and am of the opinion that it should be on the shelves of all libraries of higher education and research institutes.
Johannes van Staden Research Centre for Plant Growth and Development, School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, University of KwaZuluNatal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209 e-mail: [email protected]