ETHNOBOTANY-GUIDED MODERN DRUG DISCOVERY: TRANSLATING TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE INTO BIOACTIVE LEAD COMPOUNDS

Ethnobotany, the systematic study of traditional plant knowledge, has historically served as a cornerstone of drug discovery, with approximately 70% of modern pharmaceuticals tracing their origins to natural products derived from traditional medicine. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of contemporary methodologies for translating ethnobotanical knowledge into bioactive lead compounds. We critically examine the integration of ethnobotanical field surveys, modern pharmacological screening, and advanced chemical characterization techniques that collectively enable the systematic discovery of novel drug candidates. Recent advances in metabolomics, high-throughput screening, and computational approaches have significantly enhanced the efficiency of ethnobotany-guided drug discovery. However, significant challenges persist, including the erosion of traditional knowledge, biopiracy concerns, and the need for sustainable sourcing. This review explores successful case studies, evaluates the effectiveness of various screening strategies, and identifies research gaps in the translation of ethnobotanical leads to clinically viable therapeutics. We propose a framework for ethical and sustainable ethnobotany-guided drug discovery that respects indigenous knowledge rights while accelerating the identification of new medicines.