Bioactive natural products represent a diverse array of chemical scaffolds evolved over millions of years to perform specific biological functions. These compounds, primarily secondary metabolites, serve as a cornerstone for modern drug discovery, contributing to approximately 24% of all approved drugs. 1. Classification and Chemical Diversity
Natural products are categorized into major classes based on their chemical structures and biosynthetic origins: Bioactive Natural Products: Chemistry and Biology
: Unlike many synthetic drugs, natural products often act through synergistic, multi-target mechanisms, influencing redox dynamics, membrane architecture, and signaling pathways simultaneously. 3. Modern Discovery Techniques Bioactive natural products represent a diverse array of
: Assembled from acetate and malonate units via "assembly line" enzymes, producing complex structures like erythromycin. primarily secondary metabolites
: Polyphenolic compounds like curcumin and quercetin, known for their significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective properties.