Suresh PS, Kumari S, Sahal D, Sharma U. Innate functions of natural products: A promising path for the identification of novel therapeutics.
Eur J Med Chem 2023;
260:115748. [PMID:
37666044 DOI:
10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115748]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
In the course of evolution, living organisms have become well equipped with diverse natural products that serve important functions, including defence from biotic and abiotic stress, growth regulation, reproduction, metabolism, and epigenetic regulation. It seems to be the organism's ecological niche that influences the natural product's structural and functional diversity. Indeed, natural products constitute the nuts and bolts of molecular co-evolution and ecological relationships among different life forms. Since natural products in the form of specialized secondary metabolites exhibit biological functions via interactions with specific target proteins, they can provide a simultaneous glimpse of both new therapeutics and therapeutic targets in humans as well. In this review, we have discussed the innate role of natural products in the ecosystem and how this intrinsic role provides a futuristic opportunity to identify new drugs and therapeutic targets rapidly.
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