India, June 19 -- image credit- shutterstock

Researchers at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Guwahati, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), are tracing the secrets held in the leaves, roots, and sap of the natural world, having comprehensively investigated various poisonous plant species and their phytochemical constituents.

The researchers emphasised that plants produce phytochemicals-natural compounds used for their own survival, which can also affect human biology. While some of these are toxic, others-when isolated and modified-hold immense medicinal promise.

The team hasreviewed existing literature and identified 70 poisonous plant species which are used tradi...