The continuing need for taxonomic input in phytochemical research

Whether in phytochemistry, food science, drug discovery or other relevant fields, correct botanical identification based on a voucher herbarium specimen is critical for successful research. Examples are presented on the practices of the two senior investigators of this review during their collaborative work for the past several decades, in following appropriate and correct taxonomic protocols in phytochemical research as part of the discovery of bioactive lead compounds as potential candidates for therapies against cancer and other diseases. One example is the case when voucher herbarium specimens dating back >60 years were used in identifying a species of Stevia as a source of the steviol glycoside class of sweeteners. Furthermore, the involvement of a taxonomic specialist in correcting the misidentification of the source plant of the potent rocaglate derivative, silvestrol (18), was shown to be of great value. This has led not only to the use of the correct name of the plant concerned but also enabled further work on the large-scale re-isolation and the more extensive biological testing of the prototype members of this class of antitumor and antiviral secondary metabolites.