As part of the series Topics in Heterocyclic Chemistry,thisvolumetitledBio- tiveHeterocyclesII presentscomprehensiveandup-to-datereviewsonselected topicsconcerning?avonoidsandanthocyaninsinplants,andheterocyclessuch as bioactive phenothiazines, phenoxazines, and related compounds. The v- ume isseparated into two sections mainly concentrating onthese two topics. There are abundant and diverse ?avonoids with carbohydrates and lipids, alkaloids (betalain alkaloids and other alkaloids), phenols (chromones, c- marins,lignans,quinines,andotherphenolics),terpenoids(monoterpenoids, sesquiterpene lactones, triperpenoid saponins, carotenoids, and other t- penoids), and minerals as micronutritionalphytochemicals in fruits and v- etables of our daily diets. Among these phytochemicals, the ?avonoids have speci?c functionality in relation to age-related diseases such as hypertension, diabetes,cardiacinfarction,cataracts,andcancer.Theauthorsofeachchapter inthe?rst sectionhave presented their evidence in relationtothemechanism ofthepreventative andtherapeutic ability ofthecompounds. The ?rst chapter, "Functionality of Anthocyanins as Alternative Medicine" byNoboruMotohashiandHiroshiSakagami,presentstheirantioxidantme- anism for anthocyanidins, which are present in common foods. It is possible that anthocyanins may have been used both preventatively and clinically as part of many "folklore medicines" worldwide and may have provided heal- carebene?tssincetheappearanceofmankindsome7.5millionyearsago.The review willinform the reader as to their functionalityand mechanism. The second chapter, "Bioactive Mechanism of Interaction between Ant- cyanins and Macromolecules Like DNA and Proteins" by Seetharamappa J- dappagari, Noboru Motohashi, Mamatha P.Gangeenahalli, and James H. N- smith, presents the biological activities of anthocyanins, and the interactions of anthocyanins with DNA and protein. Anthocyanins might protect against damage to health by some types of harmful oxidants through various me- anisms such as their antioxidative activity, protein active site binding, and chelating complex formation. The review presents the interesting interactive mechanism of anthocyanin-DNA complex formation.

Curcumin, a yellow edible pigment in turmeric, has been widely used as a flavor and dye in India and its surrounding countries since ancient times. In particular, among curcumonoids (diarylheptanoids), curcumin I, curcumin II, and curcumin III have been elucidated by many researchers not only in the food area but also in human health effects. Curcumonoids are roughly classified into linear-diarylheptanoids and cyclic-diarylheptanoids. In addition, because there are more glycosides of these two diarylheptanoids, diarylheptanoids form an enormous derivative. Both Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 in volume 1 will be discussed according to the following classification. First, plants containing diarylheptanoids were alphabetically started from the eyes, followed by family, genus, and plant name. Chapter 1, at least 9 orders, 12 families and 27 genera are known to contain plant diarylheptanoids as follows: order Fagales contain the most versatile 3 families 8 genera including family Betulaceae 5 genera (Alnus, Betula, Carpinus, Corylus and Ostrya), family Myricaceae 2 genera (Morella and Myrica), and family Casuarinaceae 1 genus (Casuarina). This is followed by order Zingiberales: 1 family 6 genera (Alpinia, Amomum, Curcuma, Hedychium, Renealmia, and Zingiber) of family Zingiberaceae; order Sapindales: 2 families 3 genera of family Burseraceae 2 genera (Boswellia and Garuga), and family Sapindaceae 1 genus (Acer); order Juglandales: 2 families 4 genera of Juglandaceae 3 genera (Juglans, Platycarya, and Pterocarya) and Rhoipteleaceae 1 genus (Rhoiptelea); order Fabales: 1 family Leguminosae 1 genus (Centrolobium); order Dioscoreales: 1 family Dioscoreaceae 2 genera (Dioscorea and Tacca); order Ericale: 1 family Actinidiaceae 1 genus (Clematoclethra); order Gentiales: 1 family Rubiaceae 1 genus (Pyrostria); and order Santalales: 1 family Santalaceae 1 genus (Viscum), respectively. In Chapter 2, at least 2 orders, 3 families and 3 genera are known to contain seaweed diarylheptanoids as follows: order Alismatales: 2 families 2 genera of family Cymodoceaceae 1 genus (Cymodoceaceae) and family Zosteraceae 1 genus (Zostera); and order Poecilosclerida.1 family Tedaniidae 1 genus (Tedania), respectively. Chapter 3, biological activity of diarylheptanoids were typically described as follows: Leishmanicidal and antiprotozoal activities, antitumor activities, anti-inflammatory effects, and inhibitory on nitric oxide production. Chapter 4, some selective extractions of curcumin was discussed.

Fruits and vegetables contain abundant nutraceuticals or phytochemicals such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins, enzymes, dietary ?bers, min- als, antioxidants, ?avonoids, and anthocyanins and other diverse components including trace chemicals. Interestingly, the ?avonoids and anthocyanins in phytochemicals could be signi?cantly associated with reductions of risk of cardiovascular disease, macular degeneration, and improvements and prev- tions of many other diseases. Actually, ?avonoids and anthocyanins in plants could play a very important role in our daily health. Our ancestors used them as part of daily life for dyestuffs and folklore medicines. Evidentially, the bene?ts of colorful ?avonoids and anthocyanins have been con?rmed by the results of many researchers. As part of the series Topics in Heterocyclic chemistry, this volumetitled Bioactive Heterocycles II presents comprehensive and up-to-date reviews on - lected topics concerning mainly the usefulness for human health of ?avonoids and related compounds, Sophora ?avonoids and their functions in Sophora species (Leguminosae), the relationship of biological activity with the diverse structures of heterocycles by quantum chemical calculation, advances in bio- tive mesoionic heterocycles, and the spectroscopic properties and application of bioactive phenothiazines including also benzo a]phenothiazines

Fruits and vegetables contain abundant nutraceuticals or phytochemicals such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins, enzymes, dietary ?bers, min- als, antioxidants, ?avonoids, and anthocyanins and other diverse components including trace chemicals. Interestingly, the ?avonoids and anthocyanins in phytochemicals could be signi?cantly associated with reductions of risk of cardiovascular disease, macular degeneration, and improvements and prev- tions of many other diseases. Actually, ?avonoids and anthocyanins in plants could play a very important role in our daily health. Our ancestors used them as part of daily life for dyestuffs and folklore medicines. Evidentially, the bene?ts of colorful ?avonoids and anthocyanins have been con?rmed by the results of many researchers. As part of the series Topics in Heterocyclic chemistry, this volumetitled Bioactive Heterocycles II presents comprehensive and up-to-date reviews on - lected topics concerning mainly the usefulness for human health of ?avonoids and related compounds, Sophora ?avonoids and their functions in Sophora species (Leguminosae), the relationship of biological activity with the diverse structures of heterocycles by quantum chemical calculation, advances in bio- tive mesoionic heterocycles, and the spectroscopic properties and application of bioactive phenothiazines including also benzo a]phenothiazines

Worldwide, human life is headed for longevity. On the other hand, humans have a desire to stay healthy and live longer. However, synthetic drugs are immediately effective, but some drugs can cause serious side effects. From about 100 to 150 years ago, humans have used all diseases for treatment and prevention, using natural resources such as plants, animals and minerals. These natural ingredients can minimise side effects etc. even after long-term administration. In addition, these natural ingredients can also control chronic toxicity etc. in a concentration-dependent manner. Based on these ideas, this book will focus on plant ingredients and plants that can be expected to maintain health until this longevity.

Summary of these eight titles is made as follows: Chapter 1: Ginkgo biloba has long been used as a folklore medicine in China, India and these neighboring countries. Ginkgo biloba contains diverse phytochemicals such as terpene trilactones (bilobalide and ginkgolides A, B, C and J), flavonol glycosides, biflavones, proanthocyanidins, alkylphenols, simple phenolic acids, 6-hydroxykynurenic acid, 4-O-methylpyridoxine and polyprenols. Gincholinic acid in ginkgo nuts showed very limited cytotoxicity and inhibits human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease activity to effectively suppress HIV infection; Chapter 2: Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) (Rei-shi) mycelia (MAK) can be expected to prevent or alleviate organ damage as a functional food; Chapter 3: Water soluble carotenoids of yellow plant pigment in saffron and gardenia are mainly crocetin (1) and its glycosyl ester. crocetin-MGE (3) was rapidly absorbed. Crocetin-MGE (3) is rapidly and efficiently absorbed as such and is metabolized to crocetin (1); Chapter 4: Function of 3'-epirutein (3) in total xanthophyll feeding orally in rats has been evaluated. As a result, the dose-corrected Cmax and AUC0-24h of (3R,3'R,6'R)-lutein (1) appeared to be doubled in presence of 3'-epilutein (3); Chapter 5: Green tea was examined for bilateral ovariectomized (estrogen deficient) postmenopausal rat model to affect memory, learning and cognition. Green tea showed to provide neuroprotection, and probably support neurogenesis for human health, from the perspective of histopathology; Chapter 6: Daily consumption of fruits is essential to have a daily healthy life. However, it is hard to say that they are taking enough fruits because of expensive fruit, and their consciousness of health to their fruits. However, regular fruit intake is known to reduce the incidence of lifestyle diseases such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes and so on. For this reason, the authors tried to prevent these lifestyle diseases by low cost unusual fruits in Africa; Chapter 7: Three kinds of vegetables inhabiting sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) were selected as plant-derived functional ingredients. As a result, three uncommon vegetables showed health benefits against measles, yawning, conjunctivitis, hypertension, liver dysfunction, ocular pain, ear pain, breast cancer and other diseases; Chapter 8: The fruit of the Annonacea family has been used as a folk medicine. The main functional ingredient in Annonacea is acetogenin and its analogs. Acetogenins have been known for a wide range of effects such as antitumor action, antiparasitic action, antibacterial insecticidal action, immunosuppressive action and so on. These diverse effects of acetogenins have been suggested to be promising for the development of new drugs to treat various diseases such as lifestyle diseases.

In India and the surrounding countries, turmeric has long been used as a traditional folk medicine for treating and preventing various diseases as well as a spice for culinary purposes. Recent studies have shown that turmeric is effective as an antioxidant, antibacterial, antihypertensive, anti-diabetic and anti-myocardial infarction. In South America particularly in Mexico diverse tropical and subtropical fruits can be found. These fruits and herbs have been used as prescriptions for Mexican folk medicine. Among these formulations, mention is made especially of fruits and vegetables having cardiometabolic effects. Arthrospira maxima (spirulina) is generally known as an oxygenic photosynthetic bacteria and is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). The following chapters describe in detail preventions and treatments concerning medicinal fruits and herbs found in the abovementioned sites: Chapter One: The Phytochemicals and Health Benefits of Curcuma longa Linn. (Turmeric) (Family: Zingiberaceae); Chapter Two: Cardiometabolic Effects of Functional Foods and Phytochemicals within Mexican Folklore Medicine (Part 1); Chapter Three: Cardiometabolic Effects of Functional Foods and Phytochemicals within Mexican Folklore Medicine (Part 2); and Chapter Four: Arthrospira maxima (Spirulina): Protection against Mitomycin C-Induced Dominant Lethal Mutations. These chapters will provide more advanced information to researches in studying new drug designs of phytochemicals.

In East Asia, Korean ginseng has long been used as a private medicine and nourishing tonic, used for maintaining physical strength as well as treating and preventing various diseases. Coffee is known for preventing lifestyle diseases such as high blood pressure, myocardial infarction, diabetes and dementia, and has adjuvant effects. In India, Semecarpus anacardium L. f has been used as a cure for private medicine and has been used as various disease treatments. In fact, Semecarpus anacardium L. f. contains bioactive ingredients such as antioxidant compounds. Mexican peppers with bright variegated colors are rich in plant pigmentation. Among these plant dyes, in particular, authors describe the correlation between carotenes and functionality, as well as the challenges to prevent and treat these diseases. A detailed explanation of these four titles is made as follows: Volume 10 mainly describes the effects, preventions and treatments of ginseng, including its folklore remedy as phytochemicals as follows: Chapter One: Medicinal Phytochemicals and Health Effects of Panax ginseng (Korean Ginseng); Chapter Two: Coffee's Phytochemicals: From Biosynthesis to Health Benefits; Chapter Three: Nature-Inspired Phytochemicals and the Pharmacological Activities of Herbal Plants of the Anacardiaceae Family and Semecarpus anacardium L.f; and Chapter Four: Carotenoids from Mexican Peppers and Their Benefical Effects. These chapters will provide more advanced information to researches in the region of new drug designs for phytochemicals.

Herbal or plant ingredients demonstrate beneficial effects against human disease treatment and prevention. These ingredients are collectively referred to as phytochemicals. Volume 9 describes these ingredients, their pharmacological actions and novel detection methods with regard to herbal remedies such as Chimonanthus praecox (wintersweet), a green revolution to increase the detection of new ingredients and ingredients, and the typical tropical fruit known as jackfruit. This volume mainly describes their effects, preventions and treatments, including their roles as folklore remedies: Chapter 1: Medicinal Phytochemicals and Health Effects of Chimonanthus praecox (Wintersweet) Based on Their Evidences; Chapter 2: The Green Revolution in Nanotechnology: Sustainable Preparation of Nanoparticles from Phytochemicals and Their Applications; and Chapter 3: The Phytochemicals and Health Benefits of Artocarpus heterophyllus (Jackfruit). These chapters will provide more advanced information to researches in the region of new drug designs of phytochemicals.

Bioactive phytochemicals contribute immensely to the operations and functions that occur within human beings. Scientists have coined the term nutraceuticals to describe any plant-based biochemical substances that positively affect physical condition and status. They promote health benefits and serve many purposes, such as acting as antioxidants, cancer inhibitors, hepatoprotectants, hypertensive inhibitors, and possessing antidiabetic and antidepressant properties, among other qualities. With these characteristics in mind, the authors describe how these nutraceuticals aid in the prevention and treatments of diseases. The authors intend for their research to aid in the further exploration and discovery of new drug designs and applications for nutraceuticals.

Interestingly, vegetables and fruits represent different medicinal effects for age-related diseases such as hypertension, different types of cancers, myocardial infarct, diabetes, and many others. Numerous medicinal plants have been used as traditional medicines (folk medicines) in many counties. Each chapter of Volume 6 describes the components and the health effects of nutritional fruits and vegetables.. These include: the tropical fruit baobab (Adansonia digitata), followed by food enriched with antioxidative phytocomponents, which promotes vision protection, phytochemicals and biological activity with black sesame seed pigment, clinical effects of bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus) on eyestrain, and improved electrochemical measurements of antioxidants such as flavonoids and anthocyanins in human health. These chapters will provide more advanced information to researchers studying new pharmaceutical drug designs.

Today, the vegetables and fruits humans ingest daily contain a multitude of compounds; these include polyphenols, dietary fibers, organosulfides, isothiocyanates, biominerals protease inhibitors and other essential components. Almost all of these phytochemicals are beneficial components for the wellbeing of the human body. Each chapter of Volume 4 describes the phytochemicals and their experimental facts along with the clinical applications that will aid in understanding the purpose of this series.

Epidemiologically, nutritious values of vegetables and fruits have been the focus for daily health maintenance and disease prevention. Health phytochemicals such as carotenoids, flavonoids, anthocyaninsm, betalains, vitamines, minerals as well as three major nutrients have been found in vegetables and fruits. Each chapter of Volume 3 describes these phytochemicals and their experimental facts and clinical applications.

Most food nutrition contains the phytochemicals for human health. Carotenoids and polyphenols, such as flavonoids and phenolic acids, might be especially responsible for their anti-oxidative capacity in vegetables and fruits. This volume will also focus on the relationship between their structure and functions.

Dietary anthocyanins and flavonoids in vegetables, fruits and grain corms have their diverse functions to human dietary life. Topics discussed in this book include original findings and reviews such as their distributions, extractions, separations, characterisation, stability, functions, biosynthesis pathway, the regulation of the biosynthetic enzymes by anthocyanins and flavonoids, food colors, and molecular biology such as a relationship of biomolecule with anthocyanins or flavonoids in vegetables and fruits. Kiwifruits, muscadine berries, colour rices, Justicia species, strawberry, a Brazilian fruit of jabuticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora), jujube berry fruits, grapes, bilberries, taro as a vegetable and corn, and other fruits have been included in this book.

Dietary anthocyanins and flavonoids in vegetables, fruits and grain corms have their diverse functions to human dietary life. Topics discussed in this book include original findings and reviews such as their distributions, extractions, separations, characterization, stability, functions, biosynthesis pathway, the regulation of the biosynthetic enzymes by anthocyanins and flavonoids, food colours, and molecular biology such as a relationship of biomolecule with anthocyanins or flavonoids in vegetables and fruits. Kiwifruits, muscadine berries, color rices, Justicia species, strawberry, a Brazilian fruit of jabuticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora), jujube berry fruits, grapes, bilberries, taro as a vegetable and corn, and other fruits have been included in this book.

Curcumin, which is contained in turmeric in India and surrounding areas, has been widely used for colorants such as curry for thousands of years. Recent studies of curcuminn have reported that curcumin is effective in preventing and treating lifestyle-related diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, dementia, liver disease, heart failure and eye strain. This volume contains the following contents: In Chapter 1, curcumin, also known as diferuloylmethane is a primary and essential constituent of turmeric (Curcuma longa) rhizomes with numerous biological activities. Curcumin was established to benefit in the treatment of inflammatory conditions, metabolic syndrome, pain as well as in controlling inflammatory and degenerative eye conditions including cancers. In addition, curcumin aided in the control of ailments associated with kidneys. These numerous therapeutic benefits of curcumin supplementation were accredited to its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Some of these activities by curcumin were attributed through its interference with aberrant cellular signaling pathways that resulted in many diseases such as cancer, arthritis and other inflammatory diseases. In recent times curcumin is available in multiple formulations including capsules, cosmetics, energy drinks, ointments, soaps and tablets. Curcumin was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as "Generally Recognized As Safe" (GRAS) and curcumin excellent tolerability and safety were established through clinical trials, even at relative high doses. Since 4000 years, turmeric has been used to treat a variety of ailments. Turmeric is used in religious ceremonies as well as textile dyeing owing to its vibrant orange color. In Ayurveda and Chinese traditional medicine (CTM), turmeric is often expended as anti-inflammatory agent in the treatment of digestive and liver ailments, skin diseases including wounds. Turmeric has been consumed in different forms in various countries due to curcumin beneficial effects. In USA, turmeric is used in mustard sauce, cheese, butter, and chips, as a preservative and a coloring agent. In Chapter 2, Curcuma longa L. belongs to the ginger family. It is widely cultivated and distributed in South and Southeast Asia. Besides gastronomic uses, Curcuma is one of the main plants used throughout the folklore medicine such as Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Chinese medicine. To date, traditional medicinal treatments have been increasing worldwide to treat common diseases. Therefore, this chapter focused on the curcuma's essential oil beneficial properties. The antifungal and antibacterial activities of curcuma's essential oil are highly important due to become natural methods to prevent food deterioration and extend shelf life caused by Aspergillus, Fusarium or Colletotrichum genus. Moreover, Curcuma's essential oil exhibits antimicrobial activities against pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus niger that cause diverse infections in humankind. According to these properties, Curcuma's essential oil may be an ecofriendly alternative to produce antimicrobial and anti-fungicides agents with important industrial applications. Chapter 3, flavanones are one of the most diverse and widespread group belongs to the subclass of flavanoids. They contain hydroxyl and methoxy groups and occupy a prominent position in the plant kingdom due to the wide variety of multi-directional pharmacological properties. The discovery of vital molecules by isolation and synthesis of natural products from medicinal plants has always been a challenge in the field of natural products chemistry. Syzygium samarangense is a famous plant belongs to the family Myrtaceae and widely cultivated and grown thought out India for their edible fruits. Then, here, one of the family Myrtaceae contains diarylheptanoids (curcuminoids). Then, Chapter 3 reviews the isolation and semisynthesis of typical biocomponents other than diarylheptanoids (curcuminoids) for Syzygium samarangense (water apple. wax apple), a family Myrtaceae. The fruit pulp and leaves of water apple is a rich source of phenols, flavonoids, triterpenoids, chalcones, tannins, and several antioxidant compounds and as a result, it is believed to have great potential health benefits and is used in traditional medicine to cure diabetes. Syzygium samarangense was reported to posses antidiabetic activity, antihyperglycemic activity, spasmolytic, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory activity. Basing on the excellent pharmacological properties of Syzygium samarangense, we have selected the stem bark of Syzygium samarangense, extracted with different organic solvents, subjected to acid hydrolysis and then purified by using preparative HPLC. 7-Hydroxy flavanone was isolated and then subjected to semi synthesis by using different substituted isoxazoles and cinnamic acid. The present chapter discusses the isolation of 7-hydroxy flavanone from the stem bark of Syzygium samarangense and also explored the facile synthesis of 7-hydroxyflavanone with isoxazoles and cinnamic acids.

Recently, much evidence has shown that phytochemicals are essential for daily health maintenance just like essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. However, some of these components are not able to produce within our bodies. Therefore, we must intake these phytochemicals from external sources. Based on the above fact, this book mainly describes the phytochemicals and their effects, including preventions and treatments as follows: Chapter One: Medicinal Phytochemicals and Health Effects of Henbit Lamium amplexicaule L. Based on Their Evidences; Chapter Two: Natural Carotenoids: Occurrence, Structure, Synthesis and Their Dietary Absorption; Chapter Three: The Phytochemicals and Health Benefits of Murraya koenigii; Chapter Four: Bioactive Compounds from Lippia citriodora: Application in Diseases Prevention; and Chapter Five: Food for Mental Cognition and Brain Health. These chapters will provide more advanced information to researches in the academic region of advanced novel drug designs using phytochemicals.

Diverse phytochemical functions on vegetables and fruits are discussed. Each chapter of Volume 5 describes the components and health effects. These include: the nutritional/benfetial compounds of turmeric, followed by the mechanism and exacerbation of neuronal damage after cerebral ischemia on protective effects of a mushroom Ganoderma lucidum mycelia, anti-arthritis medicinal compounds for arthritis and joint ailments, medicinal phytochemicals and health effects in a tropical fruit Garcinia indica (kokum), as well as the metabolomic investigation of Vaccinium myrtillus (bilberry). These chapters will provide more advanced information to researchers studying novel chemotherapeutic development.

Vegetables and fruits with diverse natural colours contain abundant functional phytochemicals such as carotenoids, anthocyanins and betalains. Additionally, these phytochemicals also contain vitamins, essential amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids, minerals, food enzymes and other plant components. This book describes the relationship of evidence-based functions and mechanisms of the phytochemicals in vegetables and fruits, and foods including cereal crops, nuts, beans, seafood and others. Research has been found that a higher intake of fruits and vegetables has been epidemiologically associated with an improvement of and lower risk and treatment for many diseases such as cancer, hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis and others.