A review on natural products with cage-like structure

Area of Science:

• Natural Product Chemistry
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Natural products are crucial sources for novel drug leads due to their diverse structures and bioactivities.
• Cage-like compounds, particularly caged xanthones and tetrodotoxin (TTX), are prevalent in nature and exhibit significant biological effects.
• The unique structural features and potent activities of cage-like compounds make them a focal point in chemical and biological research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review cage-like compounds isolated from natural drugs since 1956.
• To summarize the diverse structures and broad biological activities of these compounds.
• To provide insights into the biosynthesis of selected cage-like compounds.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of scientific publications since 1956.
• Compilation and classification of structurally diverse cage-like compounds from natural sources.
• Summary of reported biological activities and biosynthetic pathways.

Main Results:

• Identification and cataloging of numerous cage-like compounds from natural drugs.
• Documentation of a wide spectrum of biological activities associated with these compounds.
• Overview of advancements in understanding the biosynthesis of key cage-like molecules.

Conclusions:

• Cage-like compounds from natural sources represent a rich resource for drug discovery.
• Further research into their biosynthesis can facilitate the development of novel therapeutic agents.
• This review serves as a reference for exploring new natural compounds and innovative drug applications.