Mexican medicinal plants: extraordinary laboratories for therapeutic development
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22201/ceide.16076079e.2025.26.3.5Keywords:
traditional Mexican medicine, medicinal plants, secondary metabolites, natural products, pharmaceuticalsAbstract
Over the years, the use of medicinal plants has remained one of the most accessible health alternatives in communities around the world. Since plants lack mobility, they are vulnerable to experiencing environmental stress conditions, damage from microorganisms, and predators. To cope with these challenges, plants have developed various defense systems, including a sophisticated chemical system. This system involves the production of compounds known as secondary metabolites, phytochemicals, or natural products. These not only offer protection but also provide multiple benefits to our health. In this article, we invite you to learn what a medicinal plant is, how they produce substances with healing properties, and how Mexican medicinal flora is being studied for the development of new drugs.
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