Topic overview

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Natural products have contributed directly to important medicines, including morphine, quinine, digoxin, artemisinin, and paclitaxel. Pharmacognosy also supplies lead structures that can be modified into semisynthetic or synthetic drugs. The field uses analytical methods such as HPLC, GC-MS, and NMR to isolate and characterize phytochemicals, then supports their improvement through structure–activity relationship studies. Further contributions include standardizing herbal products, validating their pharmacological effects and safety, and translating traditional knowledge into scientifically assessed therapies. Modern approaches—including omics, bioinformatics, AI, and bioprospecting—broaden the search for useful compounds. Biotechnology can help provide natural products sustainably, while regulatory guidance and pharmacovigilance support the quality and safety of botanical medicines.