Natural products as reservoirs of novel therapeutic agents

Authors

  • Sadaf Mushtaq Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad-45320, Pakistan
  • Bilal Haider Abbasi Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad-45320, Pakistan; EA2106 Biomolécules et Biotechnologies Végétales, Université de Tours, 37200 Tours, France
  • Bushra Uzair Department of Bioinformatics & Biotechnology, Faculty of Basic & Applied Sciences, International Islamic University, Sector H-8, Islamabad, Pakistan
  • Rashda Abbasi Institute of Biomedical & Genetic Engineering (IBGE), Sector G-9/1, Islamabad, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2018-1174

Keywords:

bioactive, secondary metabolites, plants, animals, marine organisms, microbes

Abstract

Since ancient times, natural products from plants, animals, microbial and marine sources have been exploited for treatment of several diseases. The knowledge of our ancestors is the base of modern drug discovery process. However, due to the presence of extensive biodiversity in natural sources, the percentage of secondary metabolites screened for bioactivity is low. This review aims to provide a brief overview of historically significant natural therapeutic agents along with some current potential drug candidates. It will also provide an insight into pros and cons of natural product discovery and how development of recent approaches has answered the challenges associated with it.

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Published

2018-05-04

How to Cite

Mushtaq, S., Abbasi, B. H., Uzair, B., & Abbasi, R. (2018). Natural products as reservoirs of novel therapeutic agents. EXCLI Journal, 17, 420–451. https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2018-1174

Issue

Vol. 17 (2018)

Section

Review articles

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