Contemporary Phytomedicines

The focus of this book is on the actions of plant steroids, including withanolides and cardio-active glycosides. Plant derived steroids have a wide application in the medical and the pharmaceutical industries, and this book features descriptions of medicinal plants containing phytosteroids. In addition, the book highlights the importance of phytosteroids and related compounds in herbal medicines. For example, recent research on the anticancer potential of withanolides has opened up new ways to treat cancer. The book also discusses the botanical aspects of medicinal plants containing cardio-active glycosides, an important class of phytochemicals with tremendous therapeutic value.