European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

NATURAL PRODUCTS: A SOURCE OF NOVEL THERAPEUTIC AGENTS

Sabana Dabir*, Jyotisri Jibanendu Mohapatra, Goutam Sahoo, Jyotirmaya Biswal, Upendra Kumar Das,
Bitarkita Routray, Subhasmita Malick and Bijayalaxmi Jena

ABSTRACT

Natural products have been historically used as an inspiration and tools for the discovery and development of new
therapeutic agents and that has carved the path of modern medicine. The present work aims to review their
historical perspective, the traditional use as a starting point for the understanding of their evidence-based activities,
the evolution of discovery routes as a main contribution to the pharmacopeia among others. The main sources of
natural products, plants, microorganisms and marine life are reviewed. The mechanisms of action and nature of the
most recognized therapeutics will be analyzed. Applications of natural products and their derivatives to common
and rare diseases will also be covered. Some of the challenges of drug discovery and development starting from
natural products, supply issues, characterization and synthesis of the active principles will be discussed. Some of
the advances in current discovery and development strategies will be outlined as well as the expected contribution
of natural products to the discovery of new therapies for the treatment of infectious and non-communicable
diseases in the near future.

Keywords: Natural Products, Drug Discovery, Bioactive Compounds, Therapeutic Applications and Biodiversity Conservation.