Bioactive Natural Products: Chemistry and Biology

Natural compounds, which have evolved their function over millions of years, are often more efficient than man–made compounds if a specific biological activity is needed, e.g. as an enzyme inhibitor or as a toxin to kill a cancer cell. This book comprising of sixteen technical chapters, highlights the chemical and biological aspects of potential natural products with an intention of unravelling their pharmaceutical applicability in modern drug discovery processes.
The synthesis, semi–synthesis and also biosynthesis of potentially bioactive natural products are covered. It also features chemical and biological advances in naturally occurring organic compounds describing their chemical transformations, mode of actions, and structure–activity relationships. 40 expert scientists from around the world report their latest findings and outline future opportunities for the development of novel and highly potent drugs based on natural products operating at the interface of chemistry and biology.
This book is aimed at natural products chemists, medicinal chemists, biotechnologists, biochemists, pharmacologists, as well as the pharmaceutical and biotechnological industries.

Bioactive natural compound target validation through global genomic approaches
High–throughput drug screening based on cancer signalling and its application in natural product screening
Activators and inhibitors od ADAM–10 for management of cancer and Alzheimer′s Disease
From marine organism to potential drug: Using innovative techniques for identifying novel compounds and modes of action
Marine natural products: biodiversity, biodiscovery and bioproduction
Naturally occurring antioxidants against oxidative stress–mediated organ dysfunctions
Structure and biological activity of the polyether ionophores and their semi–synthetic derivatives
The potential of depsipeptides from terrestrial and marine microorganisms in the fight against human protozoan disease
Biosynthesis of phenylpropanoids and their biological activities
Sequiterpene lactones and their semi–synthetic analogs as potential anticancer agents
Synthesis and pharmacology of flavaglines
Isoquinoline alkaloids and their analogs: nucleic acid and protein binding aspects and therapeutic potential
Neuropeptides: active neuromodulators in the pathophysiology of major affective disorders and suicidal behavior
Quantitative structure–toxicity relationship studies on natural insecticide pyrethrin and its analogs
Summary and outlook

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Having obtained his Ph.D. degree from Visva–Bharati University (India) in 1997, Dr. Goutam Brahmachari started his academic career in 1998 at the same University, where he is now a Full Professor of Organic Chemistry since 2011. At present, he is responsible for teaching courses in organic chemistry, green chemistry, natural products chemistry, and physical methods in organic chemistry. Several students have received their Ph.D. degree under the supervision of Professor Brahmachari during this period, and a dozen research fellows are presently working with him both in the fields of natural products and synthetic organic chemistry. He has authored and edited several books on organic synthesis and on the chemistry and pharmacology of natural products, and serves as a member of the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS), Kolkata.