Revista de farmacognosia y productos naturales

Pharmacognostic studies of medicinal plants encompass a broad spectrum of scientific investigations aimed at understanding and utilizing the therapeutic potential of natural substances derived from botanical sources. These studies are integral to the fields of pharmacology, botany, chemistry, and medicine, combining traditional knowledge with modern scientific methods to explore the diverse chemical constituents, biological activities, and potential health benefits of medicinal plants. Botanical identification forms the foundational step in pharmacognostic studies of medicinal plants. It involves the meticulous examination of plant specimens to accurately identify and classify them according to their botanical characteristics. Botanical identification encompasses detailed assessments of plant morphology, including features such as leaf shape, size, arrangement, stem characteristics, flower structure, and fruit morphology.

Biotechnological methods have revolutionized the production and modification of natural products, offering sustainable and efficient approaches to harness the therapeutic potential of diverse biological sources. Natural products, derived from plants, microorganisms, marine organisms, and fungi, represent a rich reservoir of bioactive compounds with pharmaceutical, agricultural, and industrial applications. Biotechnological techniques leverage genetic engineering, metabolic engineering, fermentation technologies, and bioprocessing strategies to enhance the production, optimize the biosynthesis, and modify the chemical structure of natural products.Plant biotechnology encompasses a range of techniques for the genetic manipulation and cultivation of plants to enhance the production of natural products with medicinal and agricultural significance. Plant tissue culture and micropropagation techniques enable the propagation of plant cells, tissues, and organs under sterile conditions, facilitating the rapid multiplication of elite plant genotypes and the production of secondary metabolites in vitro.

Natural products have long been a cornerstone of pharmacology and drug discovery, providing a vast repository of bioactive compounds with diverse therapeutic potentials. This review explores the bioactivity and pharmacological properties of various natural products, focusing on their mechanisms of action, efficacy, and therapeutic applications. We examine a range of compounds derived from plants, fungi, and marine organisms, highlighting their roles in the development of novel treatments for diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disorders, and microbial infections. Key topics include the mechanisms underlying their bioactivity, the challenges in translating these compounds into clinical therapies, and current advancements in enhancing their bioavailability and efficacy. This synthesis of current research underscores the continued importance of natural products in the search for new and effective pharmacological agents.

Isolation and purification techniques are fundamental in natural products chemistry, as they enable the extraction of bioactive compounds from complex biological matrices. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of contemporary methods employed in the isolation and purification of natural products. It discusses traditional techniques such as solvent extraction, liquid-liquid partitioning, and chromatographic methods including column chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Additionally, it explores advanced methodologies such as Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE), molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), and preparative chromatography. The advantages, limitations, and applications of each technique are analyzed to offer insights into their role in the development of pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and other valuable products. The review underscores the importance of combining multiple techniques to achieve high purity and yield, and it highlights recent innovations and future directions in the field.