Drug Repurposing Potential of Natural Products: Molecular Targets, Pharmacological Profiles, and Precision Therapeutic Strategies: A Narrative Review

Repurposing compounds is an important way to look at new uses for approved drugs. Natural products have a wide range of structural and pharmacologic diversity and have the potential to be applied in repurposing, especially for complex and chronic diseases. This is a narrative review of molecular targets, pharmacological properties and therapeutic strategies for repurposed natural compounds. Natural products are predicted to modulate pathways that include PI3K/Akt, NF-κB, and AMPK, all of which play a role in cancer, neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases, according to computational and systems level studies. The predicted mechanisms have been studied preclinically and pharmacological effects have been observed in experimental models; structure-activity relationship studies and semi-synthetic modifications have been examined to gain a more favorable bioavailability and target-related properties. Nevertheless, low solubility and high metabolism of phytochemicals, and their variable compositions, are significant limitations. While multi-omics and AI methods could help identify targets and aid precision medicine, predictions need experimental and clinical validation. The clinical evidence is limited and heterogeneous, and larger trials are needed to confirm efficacy and safety, and reported to have therapeutic effect for curcumin, resveratrol, and berberine. Standardization and regulatory variations, are also barriers to translation. In summary, combining computational prediction, preclinical evidence, and strong clinical data is crucial for natural product drug discovery.