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Historically, plants have provided a source of inspiration for novel drug compounds, as plant derived medicines have made large contributions to human health and well-being. Therefore, the use of traditional medicine and medicinal plants in most developing countries, as a basis for the maintenance of good health, has been widely observed. Scientists throughout the world are trying to explore the valuable resources of medicinal plants to help the suffering humanity. Furthermore, in the world more than 30% of the pharmaceutical preparations are based on plants. The primary benefits of using plant derived medicines are that they are relatively safer than synthetic alternatives, offering profound therapeutic benefits and more affordable treatment Some of the very important bioactive compounds found in medicinal plants are alkaloids, glycosides, triterpenoid, steroids, coumarin, anthraquinone, saponin and phenol compounds which is effective against bacteria, virus and fungi. The plants compounds also inhibit the cancer cell. .

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The author Dr.V.Duraipandiyan, M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D., B.L.I.S., worked as Research professor at Division of Ethnopharmacology, Entomology Research Institute,Loyola College, University of Madras, Tamil Nadu, India. He did Ph.D in the field of bioactive compounds from medicinal plants.Presently he is working as Asst.Professor at King Saud University

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