Modern Natural Products Drug Discovery and Its Relevance to Biodiversity Conservation

Abstract

Natural products continue to provide a diverse and unique source of bioactive lead compounds for drug discovery, but maintaining their continued eminence as source compounds is challenging in the face of the changing face of the pharmaceutical industry and the changing nature of biodiversity prospecting brought about by the Convention of Biodiversity. This review provides an overview of some of these challenges, and suggests ways in which they can be addressed so that natural products research can remain a viable and productive route to drug discovery. Results from International Cooperative Biodiversity Groups (ICBGs) working in Madagascar, Panama, and Suriname are used as examples of what can be achieved when biodiversity conservation is linked to drug discovery.

Identification of a Dual Inhibitor of Janus Kinase 2 (JAK2) and p70 Ribosomal S6 Kinase1 (S6K1) Pathways

“…Natural bioactive compounds provide a wealth of structural diversity, and their investigation for targeted therapies can offer promising opportunities to identify novel anticancer agents and aid in the understanding of cancer cell signaling (20,21). Ginger (Zingiber officinale) has been reported to exhibit strong chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic properties in various cancer models, underlining its potential for clinical application (22)(23)(24)(25)(26).…”

Cuttings as an Alternative for Propagation of Tillandsia recurvata: An Epiphytic Species of Ethnobotanic Value

“…Many wild plant species are extracted from their environment because they are of ornamental value [1] and/or represent a source of chemical compounds (i.e., natural products with therapeutic properties) [2], which give them a measure of ethnobotanical value [3]. However, chronic extraction of plants can negatively impact populations and have repercussions at both community and ecosystem levels [4].…”

GC-MS profile of antimicrobial and antioxidant fractions fromCordia rothiiroots

“…According to an analysis, 50% of the marketed drugs during 1981 to 2006 originated from natural products e.g., morphine, quinine, artemisinin, etc. (Kingston 2011). Free radical species are responsible for various diseases including cardiovascular, diabetes mellitus and neurodegenerative disorders (Valko et al 2007).…”