Natural product

Natural product

A Natural product is a chemical compound or substance produced by a living organism—that is, found in nature. In the broadest sense, natural products include any substance produced by life. Natural products can also be prepared by chemical synthesis (both semi-synthesis and total synthesis) and have played a central role in the development of the field of organic chemistry by providing challenging synthetic targets.

History

The term "natural product" has been used since the 19th century, although the first systematic study dates back to the Ancient times. The study of natural products involves the scientific investigation of biological entities, including plants, animals and microbes, as well as the pharmaceutical and pharmacological properties of their chemical constituents.

Classification

Natural products may be classified according to their biological function, biosynthetic pathway, or source. The broad classifications include Carbohydrates, Proteins, Lipids, and Nucleic acids.

Role in drug discovery

Natural products have been the source of most of the active ingredients of medicines. For example, aspirin is derived from the bark of the willow tree. Many of the drugs used to treat cancer, high blood pressure, and asthma, as well as those that act as analgesics or anti-inflammatory agents, are also derived from natural products.

See also

• Pharmacognosy
• Phytochemistry
• Medicinal plants
• Herbalism
• Traditional medicine

References

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External links

• Natural Products Association
• Natural Product Updates

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