This new edition of the book by Jean Bruneton has been revised

and expanded by over 200 pages, to reflect the most

recent advances (natural or semisynthetic substances) as well as

the most recent contributions to the therapeutic arsenal (antimalarial,

antitumor, or antiretroviral agents).

Building upon biosynthetic relationships, the author describes

the different classes of metabolites and the drugs that produce

them. Organized in four parts (primary metabolites; phenolics,

shikimates and acetates; terpenes and steroids; alkaloids), the

book develops, for each class, phytochemical generalities, distribution,

biosynthesis, extraction and quantitation methods, and

biological aspects. For each raw material, it presents the origin,

identity, production, composition, uses, processing, and optimization:

thus a considerable amount of botanical, chemical, analytical,

pharmacological, and therapeutic data is gathered into a particularly

coherent compilation; for each product, the therapeutic

indications and recommended usage are specified.

An extensive index (about 3,000 entries) and nearly 500 recent

references represent a valuable starting point for the reader's own

literature search.

This «encyclopedia» of pharmacognosy and phytochemistry is

written for students, educators, and professionals using plant

resources in pharmacy, cosmetology, perfumery, botany, food

technology, and other fields.