PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF PLANT SECONDARY METABOLITES

Abstract     Secondary metabolites and their pharmacological activity are examined in this presentation. Secondary metabolites are organic molecules that are not involved in the normal growth and development of organism. They are synthesized primarily by plants. The classification of secondary metabolites include terpenoids, alkaloids, phenolics, Tannin, Glycosides and saponins. Secondary metabolites have become very popular because of their health benefits. Some of the pharmacological activities attributed to them include: anti-allergic, anti-cancer, anti—oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti—coagulant, immune function, anti-diarrhea, anti-depressant etc. some of secondary metabolites are use as nutritional supplements (such as sterols found in natural in plants, animals and fungi). It can also be used in the production of insecticides and dye etc. natural products are an important source of drug in pharmaceutical industry, more deeply we understand them, and the easier it is for scientist to intervene in alleviating different kind of disease.