Despite continuing scientific and commercial interests in cancer research
around drug discovery, both less developed and developed countries are still trapped in
the grip of this deadly and dreadful disease. Naturally occurring compounds represent
approximately 50% of the chemotherapeutic agents, which have so far been brought to
the market for cancer treatment. Traditional preparations have been the major source of
cancer treatment in Africa, with traditional healers making regular use of these plants
for the treatment of cancer and other ailments, since the continent is endowed with a
rich floral bio-diversity. Africa's medicinal plants are known to biosynthesize
interesting chemical structures with promising biological activities Thus, natural
products from the African continent hold a premise for drug discovery and it is
expected that the next generation of drugs, including potential anti-cancer drugs or the
scaffolds necessary for the synthesis of new anti-cancer drugs could be lodged in
African plants. We present some promising natural products for the anticancer drug
development from African flora.
Keywords: Africa, Cancer, Medicinal plants, Natural products.