Biological Activity of Natural Compounds in Medicinal Applications

Natural compounds derived from plants, fungi and marine organisms have long served as valuable sources for therapeutic agents. These molecules, including alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids and phenolic acids, exhibit a wide spectrum of bioactivities such as antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, antimicrobial and anticancer effects. Their mechanisms often involve modulation of oxidative stress, inhibition of key metabolic and signalling enzymes, disruption of microbial membranes or interference with cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis pathways. Advances in extraction techniques, analytical chemistry and molecular modelling have deepened our understanding of structure–activity relationships and facilitated the optimisation of bioactive extracts. In addition, novel delivery systems—such as hydrogels, nanoparticles and encapsulation—have improved bioavailability and target specificity, opening new avenues for topical, oral and parenteral administration. The global significance of this field is underscored by the continued search for safer, more cost‐effective alternatives to synthetic drugs, particularly in areas of antimicrobial resistance, chronic inflammation and metabolic disorders. Integration of traditional knowledge with modern screening platforms has accelerated the discovery of promising leads, while rigorous toxicological studies ensure the safety profile of candidate compounds. Interdisciplinary collaborations among botanists, pharmacologists, chemists and clinicians are driving the translation of natural product research into clinically relevant formulations.

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Biological Activity of Natural Compounds in Medicinal Applications publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in biological activity of natural compounds in medicinal applications across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Phenolic compounds: Aromatic molecules bearing one or more hydroxyl groups on a benzene ring, known for antioxidant properties.

Flavonoids: A class of polyphenolic secondary metabolites that scavenge free radicals and modulate signalling pathways.

IC50: The concentration of a substance required to inhibit a biological or enzymatic activity by 50%.

DPPH assay: A colourimetric test measuring free‐radical scavenging capacity based on 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl reduction.

Essential oils: Volatile, complex mixtures of plant‐derived compounds, often obtained by distillation, with diverse bioactivities.

Hydrogel: A three‐dimensional, hydrophilic polymer network capable of holding large amounts of water, used for controlled delivery.

References

1. Decoding Chemical Profiles, Biological Functions, and Medicinal Properties of Liquidambar orientalis Extracts Through Molecular Modeling and Bioinformatic Methods. Food Frontiers (2025).
2. GC-MS Profiling and Biomedical Applications of Essential Oil of Euphorbia larica Boiss.: A New Report. Antioxidants (2023).
3. Antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities of chemical constituents from twigs of Mosla chinensis Maxim. Natural Products and Bioprospecting (2024).