Therapeutic Potential of Natural Psychoactive Drugs for Central Nervous System Disorders: A Perspective from Polypharmacology
Current Medicinal Chemistry – December 13, 2019
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Natural products like ayahuasca and cannabis show significant promise in treating central nervous system disorders, offering multi-target ligands that enhance efficacy and safety. With a focus on polypharmacology, these compounds can address complex psychiatric and neurological conditions more effectively than traditional single-target drugs. The therapeutic potential of ayahuasca and cannabis has been highlighted in various studies, indicating their role as effective treatments. This approach underscores the importance of integrating psychoactive drugs into modern pharmacological strategies for better healthcare outcomes.
Abstract
In the drug development, the formation of highly selective ligands has been unsuccessful in the treatment of central nervous system disorders. Multi-target ligands, from the polypharmacology paradigm, are being proposed as treatments for these complex disorders, since they offer enhanced efficacy and a strong safety profile. Natural products are the best examples of multi-target compounds, so they are of high interest within this paradigm. Additionally, recent research on psychoactive drugs of natural origin, such as ayahuasca and cannabis, has demonstrated the promising therapeutic potential for the treatment of some psychiatric and neurological disorders. In this text, we describe how research on psychoactive drugs can be effectively combined with the polypharmacology paradigm, providing ayahuasca and cannabis research as examples. The advantages and disadvantages are also discussed.