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Key research themes
1. How do natural products and their bioactive substances contribute to drug discovery and therapeutic development?
This research theme investigates the role of natural products (NPs), including plant secondary metabolites and compounds from other biological sources, as reservoirs of bioactive substances that have historically and currently driven drug discovery. It focuses on the chemical diversity, structural complexity, and biological specificity of these naturally-derived compounds as lead compounds or templates for new pharmaceuticals. The research explores methods of identification, extraction, structural elucidation, and optimization (e.g., structure-activity relationships) to develop effective therapeutic agents against a range of diseases, including cancer, infectious diseases, chronic inflammatory disorders, and metabolic syndromes. Understanding these aspects aids in leveraging nature’s diversity for novel medicines and overcoming challenges such as multidrug resistance and drug toxicity.
Key finding: This review traces the evolution of natural product research and highlights how plant secondary metabolites, shaped by millions of years of evolution, possess immense chemical diversity and specificity, making them invaluable... Read more
Key finding: The paper provides evidence that over 50% of drugs approved between 1981 and 2010 have natural origins or are derived from natural products. It underscores natural products’ rich chemical diversity and biological friendliness... Read more
Key finding: This special issue highlights multiple studies demonstrating anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, and antidiabetic activities of natural products. For example, it reports enhanced anti-inflammatory... Read more
Key finding: This editorial synthesizes recent advances in applying structure-activity relationships (SAR) and quantitative SAR (QSAR) techniques to natural products, facilitating rational drug design and optimization of bioactive natural... Read more
2. What are the methodologies and challenges for isolating, quantifying, and evaluating bioactive compounds from natural sources?
This theme focuses on the extraction, isolation, purification, and analytical techniques used to identify, characterize, and assess the potency and total bioactivity of natural compounds. It includes bioactivity-guided fractionation, chromatographic separation, spectroscopic analysis, and in vitro bioassays. The research also addresses challenges such as preserving synergistic interactions, quantifying retention/loss of activity during purification, and establishing structure-activity relationships. Methodological advances are critical for transitioning from crude extracts to defined bioactive compounds suitable for pharmaceutical or nutraceutical applications.
Key finding: This study introduces a quantitative formula to evaluate the total bioactivity preserved during bioactivity-guided purification of plant extracts, accounting for compound concentration changes and potency alterations. The... Read more
Key finding: The review comprehensively discusses factors influencing microalgal biomass production and the yield of bioactive compounds, including cultivation parameters (temperature, pH, light). It emphasizes integrated technologies for... Read more
Key finding: This paper details optimized extraction parameters (70% ethanol, 50°C, 6 h) to achieve over 50% extraction yield of key bioactive components including flavonoids and terpene trilactones from Ginkgo biloba callus cultures.... Read more
Key finding: This review synthesizes current in vitro assays and screening strategies for assessing biological activities of natural products, including cytotoxicity testing in mammalian cell lines and target-based high-throughput... Read more
Key finding: The review analyzes the surge in patenting bioactive compounds for food, nutraceutical, and feed industries, emphasizing novel extraction techniques from agricultural residues and food waste, characterizing bioactive... Read more
3. What are the health benefits and toxicological considerations of bioactive compounds derived from plants and natural sources?
This theme encompasses research on the physiological effects, therapeutic benefits, and safety concerns of bioactive natural products when consumed as functional foods, herbal medicines, or pharmaceutical candidates. It covers antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, antimicrobial, and metabolic modulating activities, alongside discussion of toxicity profiles, potential adverse effects, and dosage considerations. Understanding the dual nature of bioactive compounds—therapeutic versus toxic—is crucial for safe and effective application in human health.
Key finding: The paper documents diverse classes of plant bioactives—flavonoids, anthocyanins, tannins—with a focus on their chemical structures, dietary sources, and health-promoting effects such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory... Read more
Key finding: This review systematically highlights that while plant bioactive compounds offer beneficial therapeutic effects, many such as cyanogenic glycosides, lectins, and protease inhibitors also possess toxicological risks including... Read more
Key finding: The article emphasizes the rising global use of natural products for disease prevention and health promotion, citing their complex chemical structures and multifaceted biological activities. It discusses clinical evidence... Read more
Key finding: This commentary evaluates medicinal plants and natural products against synthetic drugs, emphasizing fewer and milder side effects, cost-effectiveness, and cultural acceptability of natural remedies. It reviews common... Read more
Key finding: This review integrates the applications of natural bioactive compounds in food matrices for health benefits and preservation effects, discussing their antioxidative and antimicrobial roles, extraction from various sources... Read more