Plant-derived compounds in clinical trials

Plants remain an important source of new drugs, new drug leads and new chemical entities. The plant-based drug discovery resulted mainly in the development of anticancer and anti-infectious agents and continues to contribute to the new leads in clinical trials. A total of 91 plant-derived compounds in clinical trials as of September 2007 are described in this review. A summary of the plant-based drugs launched during 2000-2006 is given.