Molecular understanding and modern application of traditional medicines: triumphs and trials.
Traditional medicines provide fertile ground for modern drug development, but first they must pass along a pathway of discovery, isolation, and mechanistic studies before eventual deployment in the clinic. Here, we highlight the challenges along this route, focusing on the compounds artemisinin, triptolide, celastrol, capsaicin, and curcumin.
Corson
Timothy W
TW
Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA.
Crews
Craig M
CM
D000818:Animals; D037621:Artemisinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000494:pharmacology; D003474:Curcumin / Q000494:pharmacology; D004224:Diterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D017277:Drug Approval; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004852:Epoxy Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D053978:Pentacyclic Triterpenes; D010616:Phenanthrenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology