Medicinal properties of phytochemicals: A review

Abstract

Phytochemistry is associated with the study of phytochemicals produced by the plants. Phytochemicals are often categorized as primary and secondary metabolites. Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids are primary metabolite that means they are essential for the survival of the plants. Secondary metabolites are not pivotal for the survival of plants but determine their existence in the ecosystem. Phytochemicals present in plants possess varied bioactivities with abundant health advantages and have also been employed in conventional medicine system to treat a variety of ailments and diseases. In the present review therapeutic potential and brief mechanism of various classes of phytochemicals like polyphenols, flavanoids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, phytosterols and amino acids are discussed.