Natural Product Drug Discovery

Natural product drug discovery involves identifying and developing medicines derived from naturally occurring sources such as plants, fungi, bacteria, or marine organisms. Researchers explore these organisms to find compounds with potential therapeutic effects, then study and modify them to develop safe and effective drugs. This approach leverages nature's chemical diversity, historically providing many important medicines. The process includes extracting compounds, testing their biological activity, and optimizing their properties, ultimately transforming natural substances into pharmaceuticals that can treat various health conditions.