**Preface XI**



Preface

using natural products.

validation and hit the drug cell interaction.

Natural products are a constant source of potentially active compounds for the treatment of various disorders. The Middle East and tropical regions are believed to have the richest sup‐ plies of natural products in the world. Plant derived secondary metabolites have been used by humans to treat acute infections, health disorders and chronic illness for tens of thou‐ sands of years. Only during the last 100 years have natural products been largely replaced by synthetic drugs. Estimates of 200 000 natural products in plant species have been revised upward as mass spectrometry techniques have developed. For developing countries the identification and use of endogenous medicinal plants as cures against cancers has become attractive. Books on drug discovery will play vital role in the new era of disease treatment

This book consists of 17 chapters and covers diverse topics from isolation, identification and

I would like to thank all contributors for their excellent effort regarding the drug discovery issues and I believe this book will provide significant knowledge to students and scientists.

> **Hany El-Shemy** Faculty of Agriculture Cairo University, Egypt

