Source of Drugs

Source of Drugs includes natural, synthetic, and biotechnological origins such as plants, animals, minerals, and microorganisms.

Drugs can be obtained from various natural, semi-synthetic, synthetic, and biotechnological sources.

1. Natural Source of Drugs

These are substances directly obtained from nature – plants, animals, microorganisms, or minerals.

1. 1. Plant Sources

      • Many traditional and modern medicines originate from plants.
      • Parts used: leaves, bark, roots, seeds, flowers.
      • Examples:
        • Morphine – Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum)
        • Atropine – Belladonna plant (Atropa belladonna)
        • Quinine – Cinchona bark
        • Digoxin – Foxglove plant (Digitalis purpurea)

   2. Animal Sources

      • Some drugs are extracted from animal tissues, fluids, or hormones.
      • Examples:
        • Insulin – Pancreas of pigs or cattle (now replaced by recombinant insulin)
        • Heparin – Intestinal mucosa of pigs
        • Thyroid extract – From animal thyroid glands

   3. Microbial Sources

      • Antibiotics and other drugs produced by bacteria and fungi.
      • Examples:
        • Penicillin – Penicillium notatum
        • Streptomycin – Streptomyces griseus
        • Erythromycin – Streptomyces erythraeus

   4. Mineral Sources

      • Drugs derived from inorganic minerals.
      • Examples:
        • Magnesium sulfate – Used as a laxative and anticonvulsant.
        • Iron – For treating anemia.
        • Lithium – Mood stabilizer in bipolar disorder.

2. Semi-Synthetic Drugs

   • These are natural substances that have been chemically modified to enhance properties such as efficacy, stability, or safety.
   • Examples:
     • Ampicillin – Modified from penicillin.
     • Heroin – Derived from morphine.
     • Hydrocortisone – From natural cortisol.

3. Synthetic Drugs

   • Entirely man-made using chemical synthesis in laboratories.
   • Allows precise control over drug structure and properties.
   • Often cheaper and more stable than natural sources.
   • Examples:
     • Paracetamol (acetaminophen)
     • Omeprazole
     • Sulfonamides
     • Benzodiazepines

4. Biotechnological Sources (Recombinant DNA Technology)

   • Use of genetic engineering, cell cultures, or recombinant DNA to produce complex biologics.
   • Allows for the production of human-identical proteins and hormones.
   • Examples:
     • Recombinant insulin (human insulin) – Produced by inserting human insulin gene into E. coli.
     • Erythropoietin – Stimulates red blood cell production in anemia.
     • Monoclonal antibodies – For autoimmune diseases and cancers.

5. Marine Source of Drugs

   • A growing area of pharmacology, drugs are isolated from marine organisms like sponges, algae, and sea snails.
   • Examples:
     • Ziconotide – From cone snail venom (used for chronic pain).
     • Trabectedin – From sea squirt, used in cancer treatment.

Thank you for reading from Firsthope's notes, don't forget to check YouTube videos!