Biotechnological strategies for natural bioactive compounds: From discovery to therapeutic applications (Review)

Bioactive compounds, derived from plants, microorganisms and marine organism biomolecules have been long known to have varied therapeutic properties and to be the future development of drugs. The discovery, production and optimisation of these compounds have undergone major progress through advancements in biotechnology, which have allowed these compounds to be used sustainably and efficiently to utilise natural resources. The present review identifies the key biotechnological approaches used in the discovery and development of natural bioactive compounds (NBCs), such as plant tissue culture, microbial fermentation, metabolic engineering, synthetic biology and omics‑based approaches. Such technologies enable the discovery of new biosynthetic pathways, the activation of biosynthetic gene clusters and metabolic flux optimisation to improve the production and stability of high‑value secondary metabolites. Moreover, newer methods of extraction and characterisation have enhanced the isolation and structural examination of bioactive molecules of various biological sources. NBCs exhibit antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti‑inflammatory and anticancer properties through mechanisms, such as the inhibition of microbial cell wall synthesis, the scavenging of reactive oxygen species, the modulation of inflammatory signalling pathways and the induction of the apoptosis of cancer cells. Lastly, the issues related to large scale production, regulatory licensure and sustainable use of natural resources are presented and discussed, as well as future opportunities in incorporating state of art biotechnological devices to hasten the discovery and development of NBCs to be used in pharmaceutical and biomedical applications.