Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Natural Products: A Pharmacognosy Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48047/Keywords:
pharmacognosy, natural products, drug discovery, methods, pharmacological activities, challenges, future perspectives.Abstract
Pharmacognosy, the study of natural products from plants, animals, and microorganisms, plays a vital role in modern pharmacy and medicine. This review provides a comprehensive overview of pharmacognosy, covering its historical development, methods, pharmacological activities of natural products, and challenges and future perspectives. The
historical overview highlights the traditional uses of natural products and the evolution of pharmacognosy as a scientific discipline. Methods in pharmacognosy, including the collection and identification of natural products, extraction and isolation techniques, and analytical methods for characterization, are discussed in detail. The pharmacological activities of natural products, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, and anticancer properties, are explored, emphasizing their importance in drug discovery and development. Challenges such as sustainability and conservation issues, as well as future perspectives including biotechnological approaches and integration with modern drug discovery, are also addressed.
