Studies on Anticancer Agents from Natural Sources. The Tabernaemontana Divaricata (L.) R. Br. ex Roem. & Schult.

Abstract from the year 2014 in the subject Medicine - Alternative Medicine, grade: 1, , course: M. Pharm., language: English, abstract: Herbal medicines are in great demand over the world for primary health care because of their efficacy, safety and lesser side effects. Traditional use of medicines is recognized as a way to potential future medicines. Of the top 34 top marketed drugs for different diseases, 14 are natural compounds and natural products are main sources of anticancer agents. There are several higher plant species that need to be explored as a source of anticancer agents.

The recent great advances in medical treatment and scientific technology include many anticancer agents. The search for new anticancer agents focuses on not only synthetic compounds, but also natural products. This thesis is an approach to identify new lead molecules from the natural sources against breast cancer. Guided by the folklore knowledge, Tabernaemontana divaricata was chosen as the plant for study.

This plant is explored as per literature, and studied with regard to its phytochemical and pharmacological activities. The work has been focused towards isolation and characterization of the phytoconstituents from the leaves of the plant, which can show potent inhibitory activity against proliferation of breast cancer, and also act as novel lead molecule for development of potent anticancer drug/agent.