Editorial on the Special Issue “Natural Compounds Applications in Drug Discovery and Development”

Nature is an amazing source of natural bioactive compounds derived from numerous species of plants, marine bacteria, and fungi [1]. Today, advanced scientific and technological strategies allow researchers to systematically explore and manipulate the therapeutic potential of these natural resources. The high structural diversity of natural compounds offers important advantages in drug discovery through the wide variety of chemical scaffolds [2,3].

In contrast to synthetic compounds, which often rely on limited chemical libraries, natural products provide a wide range of molecular structures refined by evolution for specific biological activities [4]. This structural complexity and their inherent affinity for biological targets (enzymes, receptors, and signaling pathways implicated in various diseases), make natural compounds valuable starting points for drug development efforts [5]. Besides their pharmacological properties, natural compounds often possess favorable pharmacokinetic and safety profiles, crucial features in drug development. Past research has led to compounds that have improved bioavailability and are well tolerated in the human body, thus minimizing the risk of adverse effects. In addition, the biodegradability and sustainability of natural products aligns with the increasing focus on green drug discovery processes [6].

The applications of natural compounds in drug discovery are vast, encompassing various therapeutic areas such as fungal and bacterial infections, cancer, neurogenerative diseases, and many metabolic disorders [7]. Looking ahead, natural compounds continue to inspire drug discovery design, sustained by technological advances such as high-throughput screening, computational modeling, and synthetic biology. By exploring the richness of biodiversity, researchers can open new therapeutic opportunities and address today’s challenging medical needs [4].

In drug discovery and development, searching for effective and safe treatments often leads scientists to explore the wonders of nature. It has always been known that natural compounds have played a key role in medicine, generating a multitude of bioactive molecules with diverse therapeutic potential [8].

Considering the enormous potential of natural products reflected in the design, discovery, and development of new drugs, we introduce a Special Issue in the Processes journal entitled “Natural Compounds Applications in Drug Discovery and Development”. This Special Issue comprises 10 original research articles out of 18 submitted for consideration under the rigorous peer review process of the Processes journal (acceptance rate of 55.55%). Open-access ensures high visibility and accessibility of the submitted articles, allowing researchers worldwide to access the latest research in the natural compounds field, regardless of their institutional affiliations or financial resources. It also promotes transparency and reproducibility, leading to broader dissemination of research findings and enhancing articles’ impact and citation rates (Figure 1).

The 10 articles of the Special Issue (Figure 1) cover a wide range of topics that provide new insights into exploring the vast array of natural products and highlight the latest advances and applications in the field. Starting from the extraction, synthesis, and computational exploration of various natural compounds, continuing with the testing of their biological activity, the elucidation of the mechanisms of action and repositioning, and reaching the evaluation of drug-like properties, the influence of extraction methods, synthesis, and characterization, this collection contributes to the ongoing efforts to utilize the therapeutic potential of plants in the fight against challenging diseases. The comprehensive review of these articles showcases the efforts of researchers in the fight against various cancers, inflammation, and diabetes by proposing new candidates with enhanced pharmacological and safety profiles, while highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of modern pharmaceutical research (Figure 2).

In conclusion, the research articles of this Special Issue offer a new perspective on the exploration of natural compounds, representing an infinite quest at the intersection of science, medicine, and nature. By applying innovative approaches and technologies, natural resources remain the best alternative to design new safe and sustainable candidates [9,10,11]. Leveraging natural resources as active components in medicine offers advantages since numerous bioactive compounds derived from plants are already part of our everyday diets. Even as technologies and methods for drug design and development have evolved, remember to consider the extensive potential of the natural world to deliver new and innovative treatments.