Terpenoids, steroids, and phenolic compounds of medicinal plants

Phytochemical compounds are largely responsible for the multidimensional and wide medicinal effects of pharmaceutical plants. Phytochemical compounds are generally divided into two classes based on their roles in basic metabolic processes, that is, primitive and secondary metabolites (SMs). In this chapter, secondary chemical compounds from plants are discussed as important sources of medical benefits from plants. Terpenoids (or terpenes) are one of the most diverse natural product families, with over 40, 000 individual compounds that occur both primary and secondary in metabolism. Terpenoids are anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antibacterial, antimalarial, and antiviral, inhibit and remedy cardiovascular diseases, promote transdermal absorption, and have hypoglycemic effects. It is well-known that flavonoids and phenolic compounds are the most important bioactive factors and antioxidants that have enjoyed verbose importance due to their advantages for curing and preventing plenty of illnesses for humans. Several bioactivities of phenolic compounds are involved in their chemopreventive properties, including antimutagenic or anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, as well as their ability to boost apoptosis by inhibiting cell proliferation, inhibition of DNA binding, differentiation, migration, and blocking signaling. Conversely, plant steroids are mainly composed of sugars to form glycosides. Steroidal factors used to counter inflammatory disorders are glucocorticoids; long-term treatment causes intense side effects. As a result, it is imperative that research be undertaken to identify new phytochemicals that have a remedial potential without or with remarkably decreased side effects. In general, we argue about terpenoids, phenolic compounds, and steroids. This chapter aims to provide an overview of terpenoids and phenolic compounds as the interesting alternative originals for pharmaceutical and medicinal plants with anti-inflammatory effects and containing chemical constituents.