Advantages Of Natural Products In Drug Discovery

Advantages Of Natural Products In Drug Discovery

Natural products in drug discovery have shaped the history of medicine and therapeutics. The advantages of natural products in drug discovery will then be discussed in this article.

Nature Had It First

It is undeniably true, how nature is the best source of the cure. The more a person is closer to nature, the better he becomes. It seems like nature has a special connection with humans. 

Medicine proves that true. Natural products include animals, minerals, and plants. These have been sources of treatment. 

The Advantages of Natural Products in Drug Discovery

Enormous Structural And Chemical Diversity

Do you know that about 40% of the chemical scaffolds in natural products are not found in today’s medicinal chemistry? And thus, about 45% of today’s top drugs are from natural products. 

Tested Biological History

Natural products can communicate with other molecules as well. As a result, making it an effective drug.

This fact is often overlooked. But natural products have more binding characteristics. This is in comparison with the synthetics.

Samples of Drug Discovery From Nature

From The Leaves

Digitoxin and Digoxin come from the leaves of Digitalis Purpurea. These are Cardiac Glycosides. This is for treating heart failures and irregular heartbeats.

Another, eucalyptus oil comes from the leaves of eucalyptus. This is a vital element of cough syrup. Also, Eucalyptus oil is considered as an essential oil. That treats nasal congestion, asthma, and even as a tick repellant. Furthermore, this is also effective in treating arthritis and skin ulcers.

Our third example is nicotine. Nicotine comes from tobacco leaves. This has a similar effect to caffeine. Because Nicotine can act as a stimulant. It increases one’s heart rate. Also, it helps with the sensory information processing, tension ease, and mind sharpening.

Flowers Are Sources Too

The first example is morphine. Morphine comes from Poppy Papaver Somniferum. Morphine is effective in pain management. This works in the brain, and it affects the way your body feels towards pain.

On the other hand, vincristine and vinblastine come from Vinca Rosea. This is a chemotherapy drug. What it does is that it inhibits the growth of cancer cells. It stops the cancer cells from splitting into two. Thus, is also effective in stopping cancer growth.

Rosewater tonic comes from roses. This is a good part of skincare. It helps lessen the appearance of crow’s feet. Most especially, also wrinkles. It smoothes out the skin. And it helps prevent new wrinkles from forming too.

Fruits Wonders

Senna pods are also good laxatives. The leaves and its fruit are used for medicinal purposes. Moreover, this is also used in prior colonoscopy tests.

Calabar beans too source physostigmine. This is also used for treating glaucoma. Also with delayed gastric emptying.

Moreover, treatment for poisoning also comes from the Ipecacuanha Roots. These roots source the Emetine. This is taken by the mouth. Furthermore, it works by encouraging vomiting from suspected poisoning.

Conclusion

Though often overlooked, history shows how natural products are effective sources for drugs. 

May further studies be conducted from natural products. 

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