Introduction to Plant‐based Latex: Phytochemistry, Ethnopharmacology, Biological, and Pharmacological Activities

Latex-bearing plants have been known for their contribution to human health. Latex, a complex mixture produced in some plants, acts as a reservoir of secondary metabolites with high medicinal value. This semisolid exudation from plants contains several chemical components that are synthesized via different biosynthetic pathways and acts as their first line of defense. Recently, chemical components derived from natural plant latex and their synthetic analogs have been used in medicine as analgesics, antimicrobial agents, antiproliferatives, and anticancer drugs. Several ethnobotanical studies of latex plants have revealed the pharmacological potential of latex. However, the continuous exploitation of laticiferous plants for industrial and medicinal use has placed them at risk of extinction. Thus, several researchers have developed potential cultivation methods to conserve these plants.

This book presents the uses of latex and discusses prospects for its potential utilization in the pharmaceutical sector, agriculture, and industry. The recent advancement in plant-based latex has accelerated the development in all areas of natural products. This book illustrates cutting-edge advances in the field of plant-based latex and is a useful reference for teachers, undergraduate and postgraduate students, research scholars, and general readers.

Saurabh Bhatia is associate professor at the Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, Nizwa, Oman. He has more than 13 years of teaching and research experience. He possesses dual expertise in pharmaceutical science and food packaging science to explore the potential of biopolymer-based composite materials, especially edible films, coating materials, bioadhesives, and sublingual films. Dr Bhatia’s research has resulted in more than 109 peer-reviewed publications with citations exceeding 3900. He has authored 10 books in the area of pharmaceutical and food sciences.

Ahmed Al-Harrasi is a professor of organic chemistry and vice chancellor for graduate studies, research and external relations at the University of Nizwa, Oman. The budget of his interdisciplinary-funded projects exceeds USD 10 million. He has been a chair and an invited speaker at several international conferences. He is a referee for more than 15 international chemistry and biotechnology journals and has served as a guest editor in chemistry journals. Prof. Al-Harrasi has authored and co-authored more than 400 scientific papers, 2 books and 12 book chapters.

Dr Laleh Khodaie graduated from pharmacy faculty of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) in 2012. She is an assistant professor in both pharmacy and traditional medicine faculties of TUMS since 2012. She has more than 35 peer reviewed international publications and has presented several oral and poster presentations in international congresses. Dr Khodaie has taught different courses, including phytochemistry, pharmacognosy, instrumental analysis, fundamentals of Persian traditional medicine, and chemistry of natural compounds. She has participated in research conducted for the development of new drugs, has been the reviewer of near 10 peer-reviewed journals, and has supervised 20 PharmD and PhD theses.

Ajay Sharma is professor at the Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, India. He has more than 15 years of teaching and research experience. He has published more than 60 research articles in peer-reviewed journals, presented papers at national and international conferences, contributed to a book and two book chapters, and filed one Indian patent. Dr Sharma’s area of research includes drug discovery and development from natural sources, ethnopharmacology, natural product chemistry, metabolomics, plant biotechnology, and bioactivity-guided fractionation and bioconversions.