Main description:

Toxicological Survey of African Medicinal Plants provides a detailed overview of toxicological studies relating to traditionally used medicinal plants in Africa, with special emphasis on the methodologies and tools used for data collection and interpretation. The book considers the physical parameters of these plants and their effect upon various areas of the body and human health, including chapters dedicated to genotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and specific organs and systems.

Following this discussion of the effects of medicinal plants is a critical review of the guidelines and methods in use for toxicological research as well as the state of toxicology studies in Africa. With up-to-date research provided by a team of experts, Toxicological Survey of African Medicinal Plants is an invaluable resource for researchers and students involved in pharmacology, toxicology, phytochemistry, medicine, pharmacognosy, and pharmaceutical biology.

Contents:

1. Toxicological Societies in Africa: Roles and Impact in Policy Making and Living Conditions 2. Ethical Issues for Animal use in Toxicological Research in Africa 3. Critical Review of the Guidelines and Methods in Toxicological Research in Africa 4. Discordant Results in Plant Toxicity Studies in Africa: Attempt of Standardization 5. Acute and Subacute Toxicities of African Medicinal Plants 6. Subchronic and Chronic Toxicities of African Medicinal Plants 7. Toxic Plants Used in African Traditional Medicine 8. Cytotoxicity of African Medicinal Plants Against Normal Animal and Human Cells 9. Genotoxicity and Teratogenicity of African Medicinal Plants 10. Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity of African Medicinal Plants 11. Hepatotoxicity and Hepatoprotective Effects of African Medicinal Plants 12. Nephrotoxicity and Nephroprotective Potential of African Medicinal Plants 13. Cardiotoxicity and Cardioprotective Effects of African Medicinal Plants 14. Neurotoxicity and Neuroprotective Effects of African Medicinal Plants 15. Toxicity and Beneficial Effects of Some African Plants on the Reproductive System 16. African Plants with Dermatological and Ocular Relevance 17. Toxicity and Protective Effects of African Medicinal Plants on the Spleen and Lung 18. Safe African Medicinal Plants for Clinical Studies 19. Harmful and Protective Effects of Terpenoids from African Medicinal Plants 20. Harmful and Protective Effects of Phenolic Compounds from African Medicinal Plants 21. Health Effects of Alkaloids from African Medicinal Plants 22. Physical, Hematological, and Histopathological Signs of Toxicity Induced by African Medicinal Plants 23. Biochemical Parameters in Toxicological Studies in Africa: Significance, Principle of Methods, Data Interpretation, and Use in Plant Screenings