Natural Sources of Drugs

Study Notes

Plants: Many drugs are derived from plants, such as:
- Morphine from opium poppy (Papaver somniferum)
- Digoxin from foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
- Vinblastine from Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus)
Animals: Some drugs come from animals, including:
- Heparin from pig intestines
- Insulin from pig or cow pancreas (although most is now produced recombinantly)
Microorganisms: Microbes are a source of various drugs, such as:
- Antibiotics like penicillin from Penicillium mold
- Tetracycline from Streptomyces bacteria

Chemical Synthesis: Many drugs are created entirely in a laboratory through chemical reactions, such as:
- Aspirin
- Ibuprofen
- Antidepressants like fluoxetine (Prozac)
Semi-Synthetic Sources: Some drugs are derived from natural sources but undergo significant chemical modification, including:
- Semi-synthetic opioids like hydrocodone and oxycodone from opium
- Semi-synthetic antibiotics like ampicillin from penicillin

Genetic Engineering: Recombinant DNA technology allows for the production of drugs through genetically modified organisms, such as:
- Insulin from bacteria
- Human growth hormone from bacteria
- Vaccines like HPV and Hepatitis B from yeast or bacteria

Marine Sources: Some drugs are derived from marine organisms, including:
- Anti-cancer drugs like trabectedin from sea squirts
- Pain relievers like ziconotide from cone snails
Fermentation: Fermentation processes can be used to produce drugs, such as:
- Antibiotics like erythromycin from bacteria
- Statins for cholesterol reduction from fungi

Plants are a source of many drugs, including morphine from opium poppy, digoxin from foxglove, and vinblastine from Madagascar periwinkle.
Animals provide some drugs, such as heparin from pig intestines and insulin from pig or cow pancreas (although most insulin is now produced recombinantly).
Microorganisms like Penicillium mold and Streptomyces bacteria are used to produce antibiotics like penicillin and tetracycline.

Chemical synthesis in a laboratory is used to create drugs like aspirin, ibuprofen, and fluoxetine (Prozac).
Semi-synthetic sources involve deriving drugs from natural sources but with significant chemical modification, resulting in drugs like hydrocodone and oxycodone from opium, and ampicillin from penicillin.

Genetic engineering enables the production of drugs through genetically modified organisms, such as insulin from bacteria, human growth hormone from bacteria, and vaccines like HPV and Hepatitis B from yeast or bacteria.

Marine organisms are a source of some drugs, including anti-cancer drugs like trabectedin from sea squirts, and pain relievers like ziconotide from cone snails.
Fermentation processes are used to produce drugs like antibiotics like erythromycin from bacteria, and statins for cholesterol reduction from fungi.