PROMISING BIOACTIVE NATURAL COMPOUNDS IN PHARMACY

Nature has always provided a reliable foundation for pharmaceutical discovery and therapeutic development. From traditional medicine to modern pharmacology, natural products remain essential sources of bioactive molecules. Phenolic compounds are especially important because of their structural diversity and wide-ranging biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer effects. However, many of these molecules have not yet achieved broad clinical use. This volume, titled Promising Bioactive Natural Compounds in Pharmacy, presents a systematic, critical evaluation of bioactive natural molecules—primarily phenolic constituents—with significant therapeutic potential that have not yet reached clinical approval. The work re-emphasizes the strategic and scientific importance of plant-derived drug discovery in modern pharmaceutical research. Prepared with contributions from researchers across Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, this study offers a descriptive compilation of selected natural compounds and addresses their chemical properties, mechanisms of action, and translational potential through a holistic approach. Within the scope of the book, prominent compounds such as Chlorogenic acid, Ellagic acid, Berberine, Genistein, Lutein, Oleocanthal, Fisetin, Thymoquinone, Oleuropein, Boswellic acid, Auraptene, Magnolol, Pinosylvin, Citrulline, Crocin/Crocetin, Luteolin, Sesamol, Hesperetin, Naringenin, Capsaicin, EGCG, Pinostrobin, Myricetin, Oleandrin, Alliin, Astaxanthin/Zeaxanthin, Betulinic acid, Harpagoside, Astringin, Nobiletin and Tangeretin are thoroughly examined. Each chapter of the book is structured in a standardized format covering all critical dimensions of the drug development process: • Introduction and natural sources • Structural properties • Extraction, detection, and purification methods • Biological activities (in vitro and in vivo studies) • Pharmacokinetic profiles and clinical studies • Therapeutic applications and dosage • Toxicological information • Drug–drug and drug–herb interactions Despite their potent pharmacological effects, many natural compounds face major obstacles to clinical translation because of low oral bioavailability and poor membrane permeability. The respective chapters evaluate advanced formulation strategies developed to overcome these constraints, such as liposomes, micelles, and innovative nano-formulations. Comprehensive clinical trials and formulation optimization are needed to clarify the therapeutic positioning and future clinical applicability of these molecules. This work reflects a collaboration that synthesizes the experience of senior scientists with the dynamic investigative approaches of early-career researchers. Meticulous reviews by the volume editors and chapter peer reviewers have maintained the book’s conceptual integrity and scientific quality. We hope this book will serve as a comprehensive reference for researchers, academicians, clinical specialists, and industry professionals working in natural product chemistry, pharmacology, pharmacognosy, and drug development. Our objective is to provide an evidence-based, strategic direction for future research on translating phenolic and other plant-derived bioactive molecules into targeted therapeutic applications. Editorial Board Ayşe KURUÜZÜM UZ PhD, Professor Funda Nuray YALÇIN PhD, Professor Didem ŞÖHRETOĞLU PhD, Professor