SEED BEARING TREES
The earliest seed plants to appear were the GYMNOSPERMS. The seed of a gymnosperm is said to be naked because it is not contained in a fruit. The most recent major branching point in plant evolution was a split in the seed plant lineage.
About 130 million years ago, the flowering plants, or ANGIOSPERMS diverged from the GYMNOSPERM lineage.
Flowers are complex reproductive structures that develop seeds within protective chambers. The great majority of modern plants - some 235,000 species - are angiosperms.
Plants can contain a variety of compounds including:
- amino acids
- carbohydrates
- lipids
- alkaloids
- volatile oils
- steroidal compounds
- terpenoids
- phenols
- glycosides.
Obviously, the plant has these compounds for their survival and function. The interesting question is why are some of these compounds also valuable to the health of animals.
Today, consumers in many developed countries have access to either synthesized drugs or drugs originally obtained from plant sources.
Why then has their been a resurgence in use of phytochemicals (plant derived)?
It has been estimated that in 1997, Americans spent nearly $12 billion for vitamins, minerals, herbals, sports supplements and specialty supplements.
Several millions of dollars will be required, (as well as extensive testing) before the drug can be made available to the consumer.
Can the drug company recoup its costs?
Is natural better than synthesized?
Is the consumer concerned that any plant chemical can be dangerous at the wrong dose?
