1st Edition

Biochemical Targets of Plant Bioactive Compounds A Pharmacological Reference Guide to Sites of Action and Biological Effects

By Gideon Polya Copyright 2003

    When introduced to the human body, bioactive metabolites produced by plants for self defense bind to particular biochemical targets, most notably to proteins involved in signaling by hormones and neurotransmitters. This, essentially, is the basis for the effects of herbal medicine. While herbal medicine preparations may act by complex synergistic interactions, molecular explanations of herbal medicine efficacy and side effects ultimately require definition of the biochemical targets of individual plant bioactive constituents.

    Biochemical Targets of Plant Bioactive Compounds is a comprehensive and user-friendly reference guide to biochemical targets of plant defensive compounds. With 500 pages of tables, it presents a mine of succinctly summarized information relating to bioactive compound structures, plant sources, biochemical targets and physiological effects that can be readily accessed via chemical compound, plant genus, plant common name and subject indexes. With introductory chapters providing reviews of the structural diversity of plant defensive compounds and biochemistry, this book is an invaluable reference for biomedical professionals in the fields of alternative/complementary medicine, natural product chemistry, toxicology, pharmacology, and botany.

    PLANT DEFENSIVE COMPOUNDS AND THEIR MOLECULAR TARGETS
    Introduction
    Organization and Scope of the Book
    Description of the Tables
    Using the Tables
    The Structural Diversity of Plant Defensive Compounds
    Plant Alkaloids
    Plant Phenolics
    Plant Terpenes
    Other Plant Compounds

    BIOCHEMISTRY - THE CHEMISTRY OF LIFE
    Introduction - Water-based Life
    Protein Structure
    Enzymes and Ligand-binding Proteins
    Metabolic Strategies
    Inhibition of Biochemical Processes by Plant Defensive Compounds

    NEUROTRANSMITTER- AND HORMONE-GATED ION CHANNELS
    Introduction - Electrical Signaling in Excitable Cells
    Ionotropic Neurotransmitter Receptors - Neurotransmitter-gated Ion Channels
    Structure and Function of Ionotropic Receptors

    ION PUMPS, LIGAND- AND VOLTAGE-GATED ION CHANNELS
    Introduction
    Ion Pumps
    Voltage-gated Na+ Channels
    Ligand-Regulated and Voltage-gated K+ Channels
    Voltage-gated Ca2+ Channels
    Ligand-gated Ca2+ Channels
    Chloride Transport and Voltage-regulated Chloride Channels

    PLASMA MEMBRANE G PROTEIN-COUPLED RECEPTORS
    Introduction - Signaling Via Heterotrimeric G Proteins
    G Protein-coupled Hormone and Neurotransmitter Receptors
    Hormones and Neurotransmitters Acting Via G Protein-coupled Receptors
    Activation of Specific G Protein-coupled Receptors
    Leucocyte- and Inflammation-related G Protein-linked Receptors
    Other G Protein-coupled Receptors

    NEUROTRANSMITTER TRANSPORTERS AND CONVERTERS
    Introduction
    Synthesis of Neurotransmitters
    Release of Neurotransmitters from Synaptic Vesicles
    Re-uptake of Neurotransmitters into Neurons and Synaptic Vesicles
    Neurotransmitter Degradation

    CYCLIC NUCLEOTIDE-, Ca2+- AND NITRIC OXIDE-BASED SIGNALING
    Introduction
    Ca2+- and Calmodulin-dependent Enzymes
    Adenylyl Cyclase
    Membrane-bound and Soluble Guanylyl Cyclases
    Nitric Oxide Synthesis
    Cyclic AMP- and Cyclic GMP-dependent Protein Kinases
    Protein Kinase Homologies and Phosphoprotein Phosphatases
    Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases

    SIGNAL-REGULATED PROTEIN KINASES
    Introduction
    Cyclic AMP-dependent Protein Kinase
    Cyclic GMP-dependent Protein Kinase
    Protein Kinase C
    Ca2+ -calmodulin-dependent Protein Kinases
    AMP-dependent Protein Kinase
    Receptor Tyrosine Kinases
    Protein Kinase B
    Cytokine Activation of the JAK/STAT Pathway
    Cell Cycle Control
    Receptor Serine/Threonine Kinases
    Other Protein Kinases
    Phosphoprotein Phosphatases

    GENE EXPRESSION, CELL DIVISION AND APOPTOSIS
    Introduction
    Regulation of Gene Expression in Prokaryotes
    Regulation of Transcription in Eukaryotes
    RNA Processing and Translation
    Control of Translation
    Protein Processing and Post-translational Modification
    Protein Targeting
    Cell Division and Apoptosis
    HIV-1 Infection and HIV-1 Replication
    Plant Compounds Interfering with Gene Expression

    TASTE AND SMELL PERCEPTION, PHEROMONES AND SEMIOCHEMICALS
    Introduction
    Sweet Taste Receptors
    Bitter Taste Receptors
    Salty Taste Perception
    Sour Taste Perception
    Umami (Glutamate Taste Perception)
    Odorant Perception
    Animal Pheromones and Other Animal Bioactivities Produced by Plants
    Other Plant Semiochemicals Affecting Animal Behavior
    Odoriferous Animal Metabolites of Ingested Plant Compounds

    AGONISTS AND ANTAGONISTS OF CYTOSOLIC HORMONE RECEPTORS
    Introduction
    Steroid Hormones
    Non-steroid Cytosolic Hormone Receptor Ligands
    Plant Bioactives Affecting Cyctosolic Receptor-mediated Signaling

    POLYNUCLEOTIDES, POLYSACCHARIDES, PHOSPHOLIPIDS AND MEMBRANES
    Introduction
    Polynucleotides
    Polysaccharides and Oligosaccharides
    Phospholipids and Membranes

    INHIBITORS OF DIGESTION AND METABOLISM
    Introduction
    Glycohydrolases
    Proteases
    Glycolysis and Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle
    Mitochondrial Electron Transport and Oxidative Phosphorylation
    Gluconeogenesis
    Solute Translocation

    ANTI-INFLAMMATORY, ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIDIABETIC PLANT COMPOUNDS
    Introduction
    Adhesion and Movement of Inflammatory Leucocytes
    Chemokines
    Phagocytosis
    Kinins, Cytokines, Platelet Activating Factor and Eicosanoids
    Plant-derived Anti-inflammatory Compounds
    Diabetes Mellitus and Plant Antidiabetic Compounds
    Summary

    Appendix
    Bibliography
    Compound Index
    Plant Genus Index
    Plant Common Names Index
    Subject Index
    Abbreviations

    Biography

    Gideon Polya

    "This book contains a wealth of data on the chemical structure, source, biochemical targets, and physiological effects of the bioactive compounds in plants."
    - JACS, 2004

    "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, South African Journal of Botany