Editor: Simone Carradori

Series Title: Medicinal Chemistry Lessons From Nature

Terpenes

Volume 2

eBook: US $79 Special Offer (PDF + Printed Copy): US $133
Printed Copy: US $93
Library License: US $316
ISSN: 2972-3396 (Print)
ISSN: 2972-340X (Online)
ISBN: 978-981-5123-65-4 (Print)
ISBN: 978-981-5123-64-7 (Online)
Year of Publication: 2023
DOI: 10.2174/97898151236471230201

Introduction

Medicinal chemists around the world have been inspired by nature and have successfully extracted chemicals from plants. Research on enzymatic modifications of naturally occurring compounds has played a critical role in the search for biologically active molecules to treat diseases.

This book set explores compounds of interest to researchers and clinicians. It presents a comprehensive analysis about the medicinal chemistry (drug design, structure-activity relationships, permeability data, cytotoxicity, appropriate statistical procedures, molecular modelling studies) of different compounds. Each chapter brings contributions from known scientists explaining experimental results which can be translated into clinical practice.

Volume 2 gives (1) a detailed overview of the sesquiterpenes polypharmacology, (2) an interesting journey around the world of cannabinoids that reveals the development of new synthetic Δ9-THC derivatives, (3) the design of specific formulations to overcome the volatility of small sized terpenes-based essential oils, (4) an update on the latest generations of endoperoxides endowed with antimalarial activity and finally (5) a summary of MedChem strategies to fix the most common issues in formulating terpene derivatives (like low potency and poor solubility).

The objective of this book set is to fulfill gaps in currently acquired knowledge with information from the recent years. It serves as a guide for academic and professional researchers and clinicians.

Preface

Natural products are often used in drug development due to their ability to provide unique and chemically diverse structures unmatched by any synthetic chemical collection. Medicinal Chemists have always been inspired by nature because natural products are often perceived as safer and for their capability to interact with biological targets. Indeed, in recent years, there has been emerging research on traditional herbal medicines based on their efficacy in the treatment of diseases for which they have been traditionally applied.

Conversely, natural compounds suffer from several issues such as scarce availability and seasonality, high differences in the production/extraction/isolation, low purity in commercial products from worldwide suppliers, and side effects. Moreover, due to their chemical complexity and the optional presence of different chiral centers, the total synthesis of a natural compound can be also challenging and expensive.

This book series would propose the latest discoveries in the field of compounds inspired by nature and obtained by chemical/enzymatic modification of a natural compound in the search for biologically active molecules for the treatment of human/animal ailments and permit the disposal of a wider arsenal for clinicians. The natural compounds are grouped into three clusters. The chapters are built in the following format: • General background on the (phyto)chemistry of the scaffold; • General background on the pharmacological profile of the scaffold; • Description of the proposed derivatives and their potentialities with respect to the parent compounds (with a particular emphasis on the synthetic approaches and structure-activity relationships); • In silico analysis of the crucial interactions with the biological target, when available; • Clinical studies and patent surveys (if available) on the new and proposed structures.

The readership of this book is represented primarily by Academies, Researchers, Specialists in the pharmaceutical field, Industry sector, Contract Research Organizations and hospitals dealing with clinical research.

Simone Carradori
Department of Pharmacy
G. d Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara
Italy