Poisonous Plants and Phytochemicals in Drug Discovery Poisonous Plants and Phytochemicals in Drug Discovery Edited by Andrew G. Mtewa Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, WCAIR, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK Chemistry Section, Malawi Institute of Technology, Malawi University of Science and Technology, Limbe, Malawi Pharmbiotechnology and Traditional Medicine Center (PHARMBIOTRAC), Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda Chukwuebuka Egbuna Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Anambra State, Nigeria Nutritional Biochemistry and Toxicology Unit, World Bank Africa Centre of Excellence, Centre for Public Health and Toxicological Research (ACE-PUTOR), University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria G.M. Narasimha Rao Department of Botany, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India This edition first published 2021 © 2021 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, except as permitted by law. Advice on how to obtain permission to reuse material from this title is available at http://www.wiley.com/go/permissions. The right of Andrew G. Mtewa, Chukwuebuka Egbuna, and G.M. Narasimha Rao to be identified as the editors of the editorial material in this work has been asserted in accordance with law. Registered Office John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA Editorial Office 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA For details of our global editorial offices, customer services, and more information about Wiley products visit us at www.wiley.com. Wiley also publishes its books in a variety of electronic formats and by print-on-demand. Some content that appears in standard print versions of this book may not be available in other formats. Limit of Liability/Disclaimer of Warranty In view of ongoing research, equipment modifications, changes in governmental regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to the use of experimental reagents, equipment, and devices, the reader is urged to review and evaluate the information provided in the package insert or instructions for each chemical, piece of equipment, reagent, or device for, among other things, any changes in the instructions or indication of usage and for added warnings and precautions. While the publisher and authors have used their best efforts in preparing this work, they make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this work and specifically disclaim all warranties, including without limitation any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. No warranty may be created or extended by sales representatives, written sales materials or promotional statements for this work. The fact that an organization, website, or product is referred to in this work as a citation and/or potential source of further information does not mean that the publisher and authors endorse the information or services the organization, website, or product may provide or recommendations it may make. This work is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering professional services. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation. You should consult with a specialist where appropriate. Further, readers should be aware that websites listed in this work may have changed or disappeared between when this work was written and when it is read. Neither the publisher nor authors shall be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Mtewa, Andrew G., 1985– editor. | Egbuna, Chukwuebuka, editor. | Rao, G. M. Narasimha, 1985– editor. Title: Poisonous plants and phytochemicals in drug discovery / [edited by] Andrew G. Mtewa, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, WCAIR, School of Life Sciences, Dundee University, Dundee, Scotland, Chukwuebuka Egbuna, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Nigeria, G.M. Narasimha Rao, Department of botany, Andhra, Visakhapatnam, I, India. Description: First edition. | Hoboken, NJ : Wiley, 2021. | Includes index. Identifiers: LCCN 2020020090 (print) | LCCN 2020020091 (ebook) | ISBN 9781119650232 (cloth) | ISBN 9781119650270 (adobe pdf) | ISBN 9781119650256 (epub) Subjects: LCSH: Botanical chemistry. | Poisonous plants–Toxicology. | Poisonous plants–Therapeutic use. | Phytotoxins. | Phytochemicals. Classification: LCC QK865 .P65 2021 (print) | LCC QK865 (ebook) | DDC 572/.2–dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020020090 LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020020091 Cover Design: Wiley Cover Image: © Anusorn Nakdee/Shutterstock Set in 9.5/12.5pt STIXTwoText by SPi Global, Pondicherry, India Printed in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 I dedicate this book to Thoko, Collins, Jed, and Michelle. You guys keep motivating. Andrew vii Contents List of Contributors xvii List of Figures xxi List of Tables xxiii Preface xxv Editors xxvii 1 Historical Use of Toxic Plants 1 Godwin Anywar 1.1 Introduction to Toxic Plants 1 1.2 Poisonous Plants as Sources of Traditional and Modern Medicines 2 1.3 Toxic Plants and Justice 4 1.3.1 Toxic Plants in Capital Punishment 4 1.3.2 Trial by Ordeal 4 1.4 Toxic Plants in Poisoned Weapons 6 1.4.1 Arrow Poisons 6 1.5 Plant Fishing Poisons/Piscicides/Ichthyotoxins 6 1.6 Poisonous Plants as Food 7 1.7 Poisonous Plants as Biopesticides 9 1.8 Toxic Psychoactive Plants for Recreational and Religious Purposes 9 1.9 Poisonous Plants in Warfare and Bioterrorism 10 1.10 Poisonous Plants as Carcinogens and Teratogens 11 1.11 Conclusion 12 References 12 2 Classification of Phytotoxins and their Mechanisms of Action 19 Andrew G. Mtewa, Chukwuebuka Egbuna, Kennedy J. Ngwira, Fanuel Lampiao, Umang Shah, and Thokozani Kachulu Mtewa 2.1 Introduction 20 2.1.1 Endophytic Phytotoxins 20 viii Contents 2.1.2 Secondary Metabolites 21 2.2 Possible Categorization 21 2.2.1 Biological Characteristics 21 2.2.2 Chemical Characteristics 22 2.3 Currently Available Classification Tools 24 2.4 Role of Phytotoxin Classification 25 2.4.1 Drug Discovery 25 2.4.2 Environmental Monitoring 25 2.4.3 Phytotoxins, Aquatic Life, and Water Quality 26 2.4.4 Air Contamination 26 2.4.5 Food Contamination 26 2.4.6 Security and Safety Services 27 2.4.7 Agricultural 27 2.5 Brief Mechanisms of Action 27 2.6 Conclusion 28 References 28 3 Poisonous Plants as Sources of Anticancer and Other Drugs 31 Félicien Mushagalusa Kasali, Andrew G. Mtewa, and Gaétan Tabakam 3.1 Introduction 31 3.2 Poisonous Plants in the Treatment of Cancer and Other Diseases 32 3.3 Poisonous Plant-Based Anticancer Drugs that are on the Market 33 3.4 Poisonous Plant-Based Drugs Against Other Diseases that are on the Market 33 3.5 Conclusion 33 References 75 4 Drugs in Clinical Practice from Toxic Plants and Phytochemicals 79 Tadele Mekuriya Yadesa, Patrick Engeu Ogwang, and Casim Umba Tolo 4.1 Introduction 80 4.2 Drugs in Clinical Practice from Toxic Plants 81 4.2.1 Curare 81 4.2.2 Drugs Acting on the Central Nervous System 81 4.2.2.1 Morphine 81 4.2.2.2 Cocaine 82 4.2.2.3 Ergot Alkaloids 83 4.2.3 Atropine, Scopolamine, and Hyoscyamine 84 4.2.4 Physostigmine and Other Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors 85