Chapter Five: Pharmacologically active compounds from latex-bearing plants.

Plant latex is a milky-like fluid (sap) that is stored in plant specialized cells - laticifers. It contains a mixture of phytochemicals, proteins and enzymes, such as alkaloids, phenolics, terpenoids, defense proteins, proteases and chitinases. Most of these latex ingredients possess pharmacologic activity. Due to its curing effects, Chelidonium majus latex has been used in traditional folk medicine to treat skin warts and tubercles. Nowadays, natural plant latex derived molecules and their synthetic analogs are used in medicine as antimicrobial agents, analgesics, antiproliferative and anticancer drugs. Moreover, it has been reported that alkaloids and phenolics from the plant latex exhibit potential therapeutic effects against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Most of natural plant latex derived products are present in low amounts, difficult to isolate, possess poor bioavailability and stability. Recent advancements in nanotechnology offer advanced nanomaterials as nanocarriers of pharmacologically active latex natural agents. Conjugation of small natural latex compounds with nanoparticles, liposomes, micelles, nanodiamonds and carbon nanotubes allows to improve bioavailability and stability of these natural pharmacologically active latex compounds. Furthermore, nanoscience approach provides time-controlled and site-specific delivery of potential therapeutics from latex, what gives new promising perspectives for their future use in medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]