Harnessing the Power of Natural Products in Drug Discovery

Background: Natural products and their structural analogues have historically played a crucial role in pharmacotherapy, especially in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. However, various challenges including screening, isolation, characterization and effectiveness contributed to a decline in natural product research within the pharmaceutical industry. Purpose: This review explores the enduring use of natural compounds in folk medicine with special focus on drug discovery inspired by multifaceted molecular roles of small molecules from natural sources. The article also aims to elucidate how modern modifications of these compounds can lead to the development of innovative molecules with enhanced pharmacological potential & can have good pharmaceutics profile. Methods: To accomplish these objectives, literature has been surveyed from PUBMED, MEDLINE, EMBASE etc. like search engines, for pinpointing detailed technological developments that empower natural product-based drug discovery. Various case studies are incorporated in terms of folklore usage, in process drug discoveries and small molecules scientifically founded with signalling pathway bio stimulation. Conclusions: The journey of natural products from nature to clinic is very complex and time taking. In this pipeline, if attention can be drawn to some major aspects, it will lead to a paradigm shift in drug discovery processes. This can be witnessed by folklore usage of natural products and up laddering multifaceted concepts of small and lead molecule.