Abstract:
A natural product is a chemical compound or substance produced by a
living organism—that is, found in nature.[2][3] In the broadest sense,
natural products include any substance produced by life.[4][5] Natural
products can also be prepared by chemical synthesis (both semisynthesis
and total synthesis) and have played a central role in the
development of the field of organic chemistry by providing challenging
synthetic targets. The term natural product has also been extended for
commercial purposes to refer to cosmetics, dietary supplements, and
foods produced from natural sources without added artificial
ingredients.[6]Within the field of organic chemistry, the definition of
natural products is usually restricted to mean purified organic
compounds isolated from natural sources that are produced by the
pathways of primary or secondary metabolism.[7] Within the field of
medicinal chemistry, the definition is often further restricted to
secondary metabolites.[8][9] Secondary metabolites are not essential for
survival, but nevertheless provide organisms that produce them an
evolutionary advantage.[10] Many secondary metabolites are cytotoxic
and have been selected and optimized through evolution for use as
2
"chemical warfare" agents against prey, predators, and competing
organisms.[11]
