Natural products have played a vital role in the development of organic chemistry (purified organic compounds isolated from natural sources) by providing hectic synthetic targets. The term, Natural product has been extended to commercial purposes like cosmetics, dietary supplements and food produced without any artificial ingredient.
Natural products are the active components of traditional and modern medicines. As the structural diversity of natural products helps in the chemical synthesis, and synthetic analogs can be prepared with improved potency and safety, these are often used as the starting points of drug discovery. In the field of organic chemistry, natural products are often defined as primary and secondary metabolites. Another definition limiting natural products to secondary metabolites is used in the fields of medicinal chemistry and pharmacognosy.
The development of traditional medicinal system including plants as a means of therapy back to the middle Paleolithic age (some 60,000 years ago). Ethno-medicine (use of plant by humans as a medicine) is a highly modified approach to drug discovery. It involves observation, description in experimental investigation/screening for possible medicinal and biological properties of indigenous drugs. It is based on chemistry, botany, pharmacology, physiology, biochemistry, anthropology, history and archaeology that contribute to the discovery of natural products with medicinal activity. According to W.H.O more than 60% of the world population uses ethno-medicine as part of their basic health care.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Sources of natural products
- Natural products from Plant sources
- Natural products from Animal sources
- Natural products from Microorganisms
- Natural products from Marine organisms
- Applications of natural products
- Drugs and Drug leads
- Cosmetics and perfumes
- Defence
- Pesticides
- Medicinal plants
- Ayurveda and Traditional medicines
- Positive contributions from traditional medicines
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This work explores the diverse world of natural products, examining their origins, applications, and significance in various fields. It delves into the historical and contemporary roles of natural products in medicine, highlighting the crucial impact they have had on drug discovery and development.
- The origins and sources of natural products
- The diverse applications of natural products in various fields
- The role of natural products in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery
- The importance of traditional medicine and its contributions to natural product research
- The potential and challenges associated with the sustainable utilization of natural resources
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The first chapter introduces the concept of natural products, defining them as chemical compounds generated by living organisms. It highlights their crucial role in the development of organic chemistry and drug discovery. The chapter also presents a table summarizing the diverse uses of various natural products derived from plants, including their corresponding chemical compounds and therapeutic actions. This introduction sets the stage for exploring the various sources and applications of natural products in subsequent chapters.
The second chapter delves into the sources of natural products, examining different biological origins. It covers the extraction of natural products from plants, animals, microorganisms, and marine organisms. This comprehensive overview provides a foundation for understanding the diversity and abundance of natural products found in nature.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Natural products, drug discovery, medicinal chemistry, pharmacognosy, traditional medicine, plant sources, animal sources, microorganisms, marine organisms, drug leads, cosmetics, perfumes, pesticides, Ayurveda, sustainable utilization, bioassays, structural modifications, total synthesis.
- Quote paper
- Dr. Faizan Danish Khaleel (Author), 2018, Natural products and its scope and applications, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/432094
