Preface

Nature provides mankind with an amazing diversity of chemical structures, which is accompanied with corresponding variety of biological activities. This volume of presents the discovery of new bioactive natural products that have been clinically tested for use as drugs.

Silva et al. in chapter 1 cover all recent patents on natural products in clinical trial to treat schistosomiasis- a neglected tropical diseases found in about 70 tropical and subtropical countries.

Salem et al. in two separate chapters 2 and 4 of this volume describe natural products used to treat metabolic disorders and cardiovascular diseases. A brief outline of the pathophysiology of metabolic disorders is provided in chapter 2. The chapter includes all natural products based drug therapies that are currently applied in clinical trials attributed to metabolic disorders. In chapter 4 those natural products that are specifically used to cure cardiovascular diseases have been discussed with special emphasis on their efficacy and safety under preclinical studies and clinical trials.

Fluorine-containing natural products possess remarkable bioactivities. Statistical data regarding the role of fluorine in medicinal chemistry and drug design is very well established. Zhuang et al. in chapter 3 summarize the use of fluorinated natural products in drug development in a comprehensive way.

Prevalence of various ocular diseases is high, but few remedies are available. Interestingly, natural compounds are also used for the prevention of ocular diseases. Johar et al. describe several avenues for the application of natural compounds in the prevention and treatment of various ocular diseases in chapter 5. The chapter also covers probable mechanisms responsible for the disease formation, identification of targets, and the evaluation of candidate molecules by in silico, in vitro and in vivo assays. It is hoped that the readers will enjoy reading the wide-ranging and comprehensive reviews contributed by eminent scholars.

We would like to thank the editorial staff of Bentham Science Publishers, particularly Ms. Asma Ahmed, Mr. Obaid Sadiq and Mr. Mahmood Alam for their constant support.