Toxicological Survey of African Medicinal Plants provides a detailed overview of toxicological studies relating to traditionally used medicinal plants in Africa, with special emphasis on the methodologies and tools used for data collection and interpretation. The book considers the physical parameters of these plants and their effect upon various areas of the body and human health, including chapters dedicated to genotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and specific organs and systems.Following this discussion of the effects of medicinal plants is a critical review of the guidelines and methods in use for toxicological research as well as the state of toxicology studies in Africa. With up-to-date research provided by a team of experts, Toxicological Survey of African Medicinal Plants is an invaluable resource for researchers and students involved in pharmacology, toxicology, phytochemistry, medicine, pharmacognosy, and pharmaceutical biology. - Offers a critical review of the methods used in toxicological survey of medicinal plants - Provides up-to-date toxicological data on African medicinal plants and families - Serves as a resource tool for students and scientists in the various areas of toxicology

PROTA 11 deals with the medicinal plants of Tropical Africa. Because the group is very large, it has been subdivided into 4 volumes. This volume, PROTA 11(2), describes 409 medicinal plants in 146 review articles. All articles are illustrated with geographic distribution maps and many with botanical line drawings.

Over six chapters, this book deals with different aspects of parasitic plants, from generalities to specific case studies. A large part of the book deals with holoparasites that cause damage in agriculture, such as those of the genus Cuscuta. Their biology, forms of management, interaction with hosts as transmitting vectors, and even their phytochemistry and medicinal uses are analyzed. Cases of parasitic plants approached from the cultural relationship with humans are presented for an area of Africa, as well as a review of the biology of the American genus Lophophytum, a holoparasite that is not harmful to agriculture and is even in danger of conservation.

An important prerequisite for successful conservation is a good understanding of what we seek to conserve. Nowhere is this more the case than in the fight to protect plant biodiversity, which is threatened by human activity in many regions worldwide. This book is written in the belief that tools that enable more people to understand biodiversity can not only aid protection efforts but also contribute to rural livelihoods. Among the most important of those tools is the field guide. Plant Identification provides potential authors of field guides with practical advice about all aspects of producing user-friendly guides which help to identify plants for the purposes of conservation, sustainable use, participatory monitoring or greater appreciation of biodiversity. The book draws on both scientific and participatory processes, supported by the experience of contributors from across the tropics. It presents a core process for producing a field guide, setting out key steps, options and techniques available to the authors of a guide and, through illustration, helps authors choose methods and media appropriate to their context.

Wild fruits play an important role in mitigating hunger in the developing world. As a sustainable and natural food source in rural areas, these fruits have a strong effect on regional food security and poverty alleviation. This makes the utilization of wild foods incredibly important for native populations both in terms of food security and economics. There are many traditional methods for wild fruit harvesting, indigenous tree and plant domestication and cultivation passed down through generations that are sustainable and economically viable, ultimately contributing to a better quality of life for large sections of the developing world. To date there has not been a reference work focusing on the full scope of wild fruits from their growth and chemical makeup to their harvest, distribution, health effects and beyond. Wild Fruits: Composition, Nutritional Value and Products adequately fills this gap, expansively covering the utilization of multi-purpose wild fruits in regions worldwide. Effects on quality of life, food security, economics and health are extensively covered. Over 31 wild fruit species are examined, with individual chapters focusing on each species' phytochemical constituents, bioactive compounds, traditional and medicinal uses and chemical composition. Harvest, post-harvest and consumption methods are covered for each, as are their overall effect on the food security and economics of their native regions. This book is essential for researchers in search of a comprehensive singular source for the chemical makeups and cultivation of indigenous wild fruits and their many benefits to their native regions.

Essential Oils in Food Preservation, Flavor and Safety discusses the major advances in the understanding of the Essential Oils and their application, providing a resource that takes into account the fact that there is little attention paid to the scientific basis or toxicity of these oils. This book provides an authoritative synopsis of many of the complex features of the essential oils as applied to food science, ranging from production and harvesting, to the anti-spoilage properties of individual components. It embraces a holistic approach to the topic, and is divided into two distinct parts, the general aspects and named essential oils. With more than 100 chapters in parts two and three, users will find valuable sections on botanical aspects, usage and applications, and a section on applications in food science that emphasizes the fact that essential oils are frequently used to impart flavor and aroma. However, more recently, their use as anti-spoilage agents has been extensively researched. - Explains how essential oils can be used to improve safety, flavor, and function - Embraces a holistic approach to the topic, and is divided into two distinct parts, the general aspects and named essential oils - Provides exceptional range of information, from general use insights to specific use and application information, along with geographically specific information - Examines traditional and evidence-based uses - Includes methods and examples of investigation and application

This book is focused on clarifying the anticancer effects (i.e., apoptotic, antiproliferative, antimetastatic, antiangiogenic) and mechanisms of most of the medicinal plants found in the world against solid and/or hematological cancers.