Chapter Ten - A comprehensive review of the ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of potential anticancer plants of the flora of Africa.

In the present review, the ethnomedicinal uses, the phytochemistry, and the pharmacological effects of established cytotoxic plants of the flora of Africa have been reported. The best botanical source of potential anticancer agents, as well as the best cytotoxic phytochemicals, were also identified and highlighted. The relationship between various health conditions in association with cancer was also given. It was shown that few evidenced cytotoxic are used to treat cancer as well as diseases with cancer-related symptoms, such as inflammatory diseases, parasitic infections, microbial and viral infections, cardiovascular diseases, central nervous system disorders, diabetes, and digestive system disorders. A total of 111 cytotoxic African medicinal plants belonging to 46 families are reported. Up to 50 potent African medicinal plants were identified as potentially suitable to fight at least one type of cancer. A total of 20 plants were identified to be suitable to fight the drug resistance of at least one type of cancer. One hundred and eight phytochemicals from African medicinal plants were identified as potentially suitable to fight at least one type of cancer. Phytochemicals identified as potent cytotoxic agents included 48 phenolics, 28 terpenoids, 26 alkaloids, 4 carbohydrates, and 2 fatty acids. A total of 42 phytoconstituents were identified to be suitable to fight the drug resistance of at least one type of cancer. This review constitutes a good collection for scientists, especially since it identifies new botanicals and phytochemicals that could undergo further in-depth studies to discover novel and powerful anti-cancer drugs. It also identifies the best classes of plant cytotoxic molecules, which could better guide scientists in the search for new anticancer agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]