Natural antiemetics: an overview.

Area of Science:

• Ethnobotany
• Pharmacology
• Natural Product Chemistry

Background:

• Emesis (vomiting) is a common symptom with significant impact on patient well-being.
• Current anti-emetic drugs can cause adverse effects, driving the search for safer alternatives.
• Natural products have historically been a rich source of therapeutic agents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the anti-emetic potential of plants documented globally.
• To consolidate scientific evidence on plant-based anti-emetics.
• To guide the discovery of novel, safe anti-emetic compounds from natural sources.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature search for studies on plant anti-emetic effects.
• Inclusion of ethnobotanical data and scientific investigations.
• Analysis of data from various animal models of emesis.

Main Results:

• A review of 245 plant species from 78 families exhibiting anti-emetic properties.
• Evidence of anti-emetic activity from plant extracts and isolated secondary metabolites.
• Documentation of traditional uses and scientific validation across different cultures.

Conclusions:

• The reviewed plants represent a valuable resource for identifying novel anti-emetic leads.
• Isolated secondary metabolites with anti-emetic effects warrant further investigation and sourcing.
• This review provides a foundation for developing safer, plant-derived anti-emetic medications.