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Drug discovery from natural sources.
Young-Won Chin1, Marcy J Balunas, Hee Byung Chai
1Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
The AAPS Journal
|June 27, 2006
Summary
Natural products from plants and marine life are vital sources for new medicines. Research highlights over 20 drugs launched from 2000-2005, demonstrating the ongoing importance of natural compounds in drug discovery.
Area of Science:
- Natural Product Chemistry
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Organic compounds from nature have a long history in medicine.
- Natural products serve as valuable templates for synthetic drug development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent drug approvals derived from natural sources.
- To underscore the significance of natural products in contemporary drug discovery.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of new drugs launched between 2000 and 2005.
- Analysis of drug origins from terrestrial and marine organisms.
Main Results:
- Over 20 new drugs were launched between 2000 and 2005.
- These drugs originated from diverse natural sources, including plants, microorganisms, and marine life.
- Many natural products and their analogs are currently in clinical trials.
Conclusions:
- Natural products remain a critical resource for developing new therapeutic agents.
- The chemical diversity of natural compounds supports ongoing innovation in drug discovery.