Towards systematically assessing bioactivity of natural compounds or bio-ligands: Cannabidiol as an example

Abstract

It is estimated that 75-78% of all modern medicines are directly or indirectly derived from higher plants. Less than 5% of all plant species have been explored for their medical potential. Natural plant compounds rarely have side effects. This makes them a potent alternative to pharmaceutical drugs for chronic use. All active ingredients from plants are biological molecules. They have a complex biochemical pathway to produce a somatic effect on the human body. In order for plant materials to rival pharmaceutical drugs, they have to undergo the same pharmaceutical factors – namely measurement of its bioactivity, knowledge of its pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, and standardized quantities of active ingredient with the indential bioactive properties.