Revista de Farmacognosia e Produtos Naturais

From Plants to Pharmaceuticals Secondary Metabolites in Drug Development

Abstract

Kutan Cheikh

The quest for novel drugs and therapeutic agents has always been a central pursuit in medical science. Throughout history, nature has served as an abundant source of inspiration for pharmaceutical research, with plants emerging as a treasure trove of bioactive compounds. Among the various classes of natural products, secondary metabolites have garnered significant attention due to their diverse chemical structures and pharmacological activities. Secondary metabolites are organic compounds synthesized by plants, fungi and bacteria, which are not directly involved in primary metabolic processes such as growth and development but play crucial roles in ecological interactions and defense mechanisms. These compounds exhibit remarkable structural diversity, ranging from simple phenolic compounds to complex alkaloids and terpenoids. Secondary metabolites often possess pharmacological properties, making them valuable resources for drug discovery and development.