Recent Advances on the Role of Topological Indices in Drug Discovery Research

Implementation of novel and biocompatible polymers in drug design is an emerging and rapidly growing area of research. Even though we have a large number of polymer materials for various applications, the biocompatibility of these materials remains as a herculean task for researchers. Aptamers provide a vital and efficient solution to this problem. They are usually small (ranging from 20 to 60 nucleotides, single-stranded DNA or RNA oligonucleotides which are capable of binding to molecules possessing high affinity and other properties like specificity. This review focuses on different aspects of Aptamers in drug discovery, starting from its preparation methods and covering the recent scenario reported in the literature regarding their use in drug discovery. We address the limitations of Aptamers and provide valuable insights into their future potential in the areas regarding drug discovery research. Finally, we explained the major role of Aptamers like medical imaging techniques, application as synthetic antibodies, and the most recent application, which is in combination with nanomedicines.

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Open Innovation in Drug Discovery research comes of age

Drug Discovery Today ◽

10.1016/j.drudis.2012.11.015 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 18 (7-8) ◽

pp. 315-317 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Duncan B. Judd

Keyword(s):

Drug Discovery ◽

Open Innovation ◽

Discovery Research ◽

Drug Discovery Research

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Modern Approaches in the Discovery and Development of Plant-Based Natural Products and Their Analogues as Potential Therapeutic Agents

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules27020349 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 27 (2) ◽

pp. 349

Author(s):

Asim Najmi ◽

Sadique A. Javed ◽

Mohammed Al Bratty ◽

Hassan A. Alhazmi

Keyword(s):

Natural Products ◽

Drug Discovery ◽

Natural Product ◽

Therapeutic Agents ◽

Throughput Capacity ◽

Scientific Interest ◽

Comprehensive Overview ◽

Natural Sources ◽

Discovery Research ◽

Drug Discovery Research

Natural products represents an important source of new lead compounds in drug discovery research. Several drugs currently used as therapeutic agents have been developed from natural sources; plant sources are specifically important. In the past few decades, pharmaceutical companies demonstrated insignificant attention towards natural product drug discovery, mainly due to its intrinsic complexity. Recently, technological advancements greatly helped to address the challenges and resulted in the revived scientific interest in drug discovery from natural sources. This review provides a comprehensive overview of various approaches used in the selection, authentication, extraction/isolation, biological screening, and analogue development through the application of modern drug-development principles of plant-based natural products. Main focus is given to the bioactivity-guided fractionation approach along with associated challenges and major advancements. A brief outline of historical development in natural product drug discovery and a snapshot of the prominent natural drugs developed in the last few decades are also presented. The researcher’s opinions indicated that an integrated interdisciplinary approach utilizing technological advances is necessary for the successful development of natural products. These involve the application of efficient selection method, well-designed extraction/isolation procedure, advanced structure elucidation techniques, and bioassays with a high-throughput capacity to establish druggability and patentability of phyto-compounds. A number of modern approaches including molecular modeling, virtual screening, natural product library, and database mining are being used for improving natural product drug discovery research. Renewed scientific interest and recent research trends in natural product drug discovery clearly indicated that natural products will play important role in the future development of new therapeutic drugs and it is also anticipated that efficient application of new approaches will further improve the drug discovery campaign.

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