Secondary metabolites
are defined as the cell constituents, which are not essential for survival. They
act as defence chemicals .They includes alkaloids, essential oil, glycosides (steroids
and phenolics), terpenoids, latex, tannins etc. Invitro culture (Suspension culture) of some plant species produce some specific metabolites in large amounts than the intact cells do. They are immense use in medicine especially various alkaloids.
 For example: Shikonine is a dye produced by the cells Lithospermum eryrorhizon.Vincristine is used as anticancer agent produced by Vinca rosea. Digoxin controls cardiovascular disorders and Pyrithrin used as insecticide.
 For example: Shikonine is a dye produced by the cells Lithospermum eryrorhizon.Vincristine is used as anticancer agent produced by Vinca rosea. Digoxin controls cardiovascular disorders and Pyrithrin used as insecticide.
                       Plant species and Secondary metabolites
Product
|
Plant sp (Source)
|
Uses
|
Artemisin
|
Artemisisa sp
|
Antimalarial
|
Atropin , Hyoscyamine
|
Atropa belladona
|
|
Azadirachtin
|
Azadiracta
indica (Neem)
|
insecticidal
|
Anthraquinone
|
Cassia tora
|
Useful in agriculture and food industries
|
Berberine
|
Coptis
japonica
|
Antibacterial
Anti inflammatory
|
Capsaicin
|
Capsicum annum
|
Cures rheumatic pain
|
Codeine
|
Papaver sp
|
Analgesic
|
Camptothecine
|
Campatotheca accuminata
|
Anticancer
|
Cephalotaxine,
Harringtonia
|
Cephalotaxus
harringtonia
|
Antitumour and antileukaemic substances
|
Diosgenia
|
Dioscorea deltoidea
|
Useful in chemical industry
|
Ephedrine
|
Ephedra
foliate
|
Useful in Pharmacy
|
Rescerpine, Rescinnamine
|
Ravwolfia serpentine
|
Useful in Pharmacy
|