Natural products are categorized into major classes based on their chemical structures and biosynthetic origins:
: Assembled from acetate and malonate units via "assembly line" enzymes, producing complex structures like erythromycin. Bioactive Natural Products: Chemistry and Biology
Bioactive natural products represent a diverse array of chemical scaffolds evolved over millions of years to perform specific biological functions. These compounds, primarily secondary metabolites, serve as a cornerstone for modern drug discovery, contributing to approximately 24% of all approved drugs. 1. Classification and Chemical Diversity Natural products are categorized into major classes based
: Nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds often derived from amino acids. They frequently exhibit potent pharmacological effects, such as the analgesic properties of morphine. primarily secondary metabolites