Biologically Active Natural Compounds

Plants have provided humankind the essentials of life, including food, raw materials for clothing and shelters, and medicinal agents throughout the ages. The plant kingdom may be an important source of safer or more effective substitutes for synthetically produced chemicals. In fact, natural products especially glycosides represent a rich source of active substances that can be employed against diseases. According the aim of this study, biologically active natural products were isolated and structurally determined from endemic plant species Cephalaria scoparia, Cephalaria elmaliensis and Cephalaria gazipashensis (Dipsacaceae). Totally 36 compounds, 12 of which are new antimicrobially active triterpenic glycosides from three Cephalaria species were submitted to the literature by us. Thus, these compounds can be use as additive materials for different industrial areas. In the near future, the increase of collaborative researches will be one of the most important challenges for humankind in the search for new and more effective bioactive compounds from natural products. Currently, plant-derived chemicals play an important role in the discovery and development of modern technologies.