Characterization and Biological Activity of Some Phytochemicals

In developing countries, medicinal plants play an important role in treating a wide array of human disorders. A considerable number of modern drugs have been isolated or derived from plant materials. More than 80% of the world population now depend on medicinal plants which contribute to the primary healthcare of different communities. This is mainly due to the side effects of several synthetic drugs and the unaffordable cost of modern drugs. Medicinal plants include bioactive constituents (steroids, alkaloids,flavonoids, ... etc) which are very helpful in treating various ailments.The flavonoids are a large group of natural products and they are generally water soluble found in plant and brightly colored and divided according to molecular structure into: flavonols, flavanones, catechins, flavones, anthocyanins, isoflavones, aurones, and chalcones. Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants against free radicals and are described as free-radical scavengers. This activity is attributed to their hydrogen-donating ability.