TEST BANK
Goodman and Gilman's The
Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics
14th Edition
Author(s)Laurence Brunton; Bjorn Knollmann
Print ISBN: 9781264258079
,Question 1
A research group begins investigating a plant traditionally used for
treating fever. Several purified compounds are isolated, and one
produces reproducible biological activity in laboratory assays. Which
feature of this approach best explains why medicinal plants have
historically contributed to drug discovery?
,A. Plants routinely produce compounds that are already optimized for
human pharmacokinetics
B. Natural products can provide chemically diverse molecules with
biological activity that serve as starting points for drug discovery
C. Plant-derived compounds generally have greater therapeutic
selectivity than synthetic compounds
D. Compounds obtained from plants do not require subsequent toxicity
or efficacy evaluation
Correct Answer:
B. Natural products can provide chemically diverse molecules with
biological activity that serve as starting points for drug discovery
Rationale:
B is correct because natural products can supply structurally diverse
molecules that interact with biological systems and can therefore
become starting points for isolation, characterization, and subsequent
optimization. The historical progression from medicinal plants toward
modern drug discovery is explicitly part of Chapter 1.
A is incorrect because being naturally produced does not mean that a
compound has favorable absorption, distribution, metabolism,
excretion, or toxicity characteristics.
C is incorrect because natural origin does not guarantee selectivity;
many natural products interact with multiple biological targets.
D is incorrect because natural products still require extensive evaluation
of efficacy, safety, pharmacology, and drug-like properties.
Question 2
, A compound isolated from a medicinal plant produces a desired
biological effect, but the amount available from the plant is very small.
Which next step would most directly support further drug-discovery
work?
A. Assume the compound cannot be developed because it is naturally
occurring
B. Characterize its chemical structure and investigate methods for
reproducible production or chemical modification
C. Proceed directly to clinical use because the plant has a history of
traditional use
D. Discard the compound and restrict screening to proteins already
approved as drug targets
Correct Answer:
B. Characterize its chemical structure and investigate methods for
reproducible production or chemical modification
Rationale:
B is correct because identification of a biologically active natural
product is a starting point rather than the endpoint of discovery.
Chemical characterization, reproducible access to the compound, and
possible modification allow systematic investigation of its potential as a
drug candidate.
A is incorrect because limited natural abundance does not
automatically eliminate development potential; synthesis,
semisynthesis, cultivation, or other production strategies may be
possible.
C is incorrect because traditional use can provide a useful starting clue
but does not substitute for controlled pharmacological and safety
Goodman and Gilman's The
Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics
14th Edition
Author(s)Laurence Brunton; Bjorn Knollmann
Print ISBN: 9781264258079
,Question 1
A research group begins investigating a plant traditionally used for
treating fever. Several purified compounds are isolated, and one
produces reproducible biological activity in laboratory assays. Which
feature of this approach best explains why medicinal plants have
historically contributed to drug discovery?
,A. Plants routinely produce compounds that are already optimized for
human pharmacokinetics
B. Natural products can provide chemically diverse molecules with
biological activity that serve as starting points for drug discovery
C. Plant-derived compounds generally have greater therapeutic
selectivity than synthetic compounds
D. Compounds obtained from plants do not require subsequent toxicity
or efficacy evaluation
Correct Answer:
B. Natural products can provide chemically diverse molecules with
biological activity that serve as starting points for drug discovery
Rationale:
B is correct because natural products can supply structurally diverse
molecules that interact with biological systems and can therefore
become starting points for isolation, characterization, and subsequent
optimization. The historical progression from medicinal plants toward
modern drug discovery is explicitly part of Chapter 1.
A is incorrect because being naturally produced does not mean that a
compound has favorable absorption, distribution, metabolism,
excretion, or toxicity characteristics.
C is incorrect because natural origin does not guarantee selectivity;
many natural products interact with multiple biological targets.
D is incorrect because natural products still require extensive evaluation
of efficacy, safety, pharmacology, and drug-like properties.
Question 2
, A compound isolated from a medicinal plant produces a desired
biological effect, but the amount available from the plant is very small.
Which next step would most directly support further drug-discovery
work?
A. Assume the compound cannot be developed because it is naturally
occurring
B. Characterize its chemical structure and investigate methods for
reproducible production or chemical modification
C. Proceed directly to clinical use because the plant has a history of
traditional use
D. Discard the compound and restrict screening to proteins already
approved as drug targets
Correct Answer:
B. Characterize its chemical structure and investigate methods for
reproducible production or chemical modification
Rationale:
B is correct because identification of a biologically active natural
product is a starting point rather than the endpoint of discovery.
Chemical characterization, reproducible access to the compound, and
possible modification allow systematic investigation of its potential as a
drug candidate.
A is incorrect because limited natural abundance does not
automatically eliminate development potential; synthesis,
semisynthesis, cultivation, or other production strategies may be
possible.
C is incorrect because traditional use can provide a useful starting clue
but does not substitute for controlled pharmacological and safety
