Natural Compounds Applications in Drug Discovery and Development

Nature is a valuable source for the development and design of drug lead compounds that could significantly impact the treatment of serious diseases, enhancing health and wellbeing. Herbal systems play a fundamental role in healthcare, as 60% of chemotherapeutic agents are derived from natural sources. The emergence of cutting-edge technologies and methods that improve the drug design process has provided new ways of processing complex natural products, using their structures to develop new and innovative drug candidates with superior properties. Current drug discovery and development trends focus on the latest applications of natural products in the fight against some of the most difficult-to-treat diseases.

In this light, the Special Issue covers a wide range of topics that provide new insights into exploring the vast array of natural products and underlines the recent advances and applications in the field. The articles of the Special Issue emphasize researchers' efforts to combat various cancers, inflammation, and diabetes by applying extraction, synthesis, and computational techniques in conjunction with experimental testing to deliver better therapeutic candidates with fewer side effects, ultimately leading to safer, more effective, and affordable treatments for patients. By integrating advanced scientific techniques with natural biodiversity exploration, it ensures that the potential of natural products is fully explored in an attempt to address unmet medical needs.