SOME ASPECTS OF BIOASSAY METHODS IN NATURAL-PRODUCT RESEARCH AIMED ATDRUG LEAD DISCOVERY

The objective of natural-product research aimed at drug lead discovery is to find unique bioactive molecules with improved biopharmaceutical properties or new modes of action. In order to discover such bioactiv e substances, different bioassays are used for detection, for guidance of the chemical isolation procedures and for preliminary biological c haracterization of new compounds, This article gives a brief update on current biological activities and discusses some essential, but occas ionally neglected, aspects of bioassay methods. Some future perspectiv es on the use of bioassay methods in the drug-discovery process are al so discussed.