ABSTRACT
Humans have a long history of the use of higher plant extracts for the therapy of diverse maladies. Medicinal plants play a major role in the lives of many people worldwide, and their usage has increased significantly. Epidemiological studies have associated a reduced risk of infectious diseases and cancer with a diet high in fruits and vegetables, and have determined that molecules such as
-carotene
,
tocopherols
,
vitamin C
,
and
flavonoids
confer some of this protective benefit. Finding additional agents for human or agricultural use based upon higher plant extracts may contribute to increasing the number of plant compounds of potentially beneficial application.
