This study aims to review the latest developments in medicinal chemistry and its prospects in the development of future treatments. Through a comprehensive literature study approach, this study analyzes the latest innovations in drug design and development, including the use of computational technology, nanotechnology, and biological target-based approaches. The results show that the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies with conventional medicinal chemistry techniques has opened a new paradigm in more efficient and precise drug discovery. Personalization of treatment based on patient genetic profiles, development of new antibiotics to overcome antimicrobial resistance, and nanomaterial-based therapies are important trends in contemporary medicinal chemistry applications. This study concludes that the future of medicine will be greatly influenced by advances in medicinal chemistry, with the main challenges being safety, regulation, and accessibility.More intensive multidisciplinary collaboration is needed between chemists, biologists, pharmacologists, clinical medicine, and informatics to optimize the potential of medicinal chemistry in the future medicine revolution.

Degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's, diabetes mellitus, and cancer, are global health challenges whose prevalence increases with increasing life expectancy. Phytochemicals, bioactive compounds found in plants, have shown potential in preventing and inhibiting the development of these diseases. Compounds such as flavonoids, polyphenols, and glucosinolates have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective activities that can protect these body cells from oxidative damage and chronic inflammation. This study suggests that consuming phytochemical-rich foods, such as cruciferous vegetables, pigmented fruits, and certain spices, contributes to a reduced risk of degenerative diseases.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to measure the total phenolic content in papaya (Carica papaya L.) leaf and seed extracts and to evaluate their potential as anticancer agents based on their antioxidant activity. Methodology/approach: Location & Materials: Papaya leaves and seeds were sourced from Manoko, Bandung. Extraction: The samples were washed, dried at 45°C, powdered, and extracted with 70% ethanol using the reflux method. Analysis: Total phenolic content was measured using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer at 761 nm after reacting extracts with Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and sodium carbonate. Results were compared to a gallic acid standard curve. Supporting Methods: Literature review on medicinal chemistry and anticancer drug development, as well as qualitative analysis using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) for main phenolic compounds. Results/findings: Papaya leaf and seed extracts contain significant phenolic compounds, including flavonoids and phenolic acids. These phenolics contribute to antioxidant activity, which helps protect cells from oxidative damage linked to cancer. Previous studies show papaya leaf extract can act as an immunomodulator and anticancer agent, while papaya seed contains benzyl isothiocyanate, which inhibits cancer cell growth. Limitations: The study only measures total phenolic content and does not isolate or identify individual active compounds. Anticancer activity is inferred from phenolic content and literature, not directly tested in vivo or in clinical trials. Contribution: This research provides scientific evidence that papaya leaves and seeds are promising natural sources of phenolic compounds with antioxidant and potential anticancer properties. The findings support further research in pharmacy, medicinal chemistry, and oncology, especially for developing plant-based anticancer agents.

Orthosiphon stamineus Benth., commonly known as kumis kucing, is a widely recognized medicinal herb in traditional medicine, particularly valued for its diuretic properties. This study aims to evaluate the potential of active compounds in O. stamineus as diuretic agents through an in silico approach using molecular docking methods. A total of 98 compounds were screened against three diuretic target receptors: 1Z9Y (furosemide receptor), 3HS4 (acetazolamide receptor), and 3VHU (spironolactone receptor). The docking results revealed that lithospermic acid I, dicaffeoyl tartaric acid, and orthosiponone C exhibited lower binding energies compared to standard ligands, indicating higher affinity and stronger molecular interaction stability. Molecular visualization showed that these compounds formed specific interactions, such as hydrogen bonds and π-π stacking, resembling the binding mechanisms of synthetic diuretics. This study highlights the significant potential of O. stamineus to be developed into a natural diuretic phytopharmaceutical. However, further validation through in vitro and in vivo studies is necessary to confirm their efficacy and safety in complex biological systems.
 
 

COVID-19 is a viral respiratory disease that has caused a global health emergency and was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. The lack of certain drug molecules or treatment strategies for this disease is making it worse. Therefore, effective drug molecules are urgently needed to fight COVID-19. Specific therapies for the SARS-COV2 virus are still being developed in several countries around the world. One of the molecular targets that is thought to be specific to SARS-COV 2 is 3CLpro or the main protease of the COVID-19 virus which is an important enzyme to be able to replicate related viruses. The purpose of this study is to explore the role of medicinal chemistry in the development of anti-sars-cov 2 drugs through the exploration of bioactive compounds from natural sources, namely green tea. Green tea (Camellia sinensis) also contains eight native monomeric catechins or polyphenolic compounds. The method used was literature review with analysis of 3 selected articles from international databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Springer, as well as SINTA accredited national journals. The results showed that all test compounds except caffein had stronger binding energy than lopinavir. Epicatecin and catechin have the same binding energy value as lopinavir, which is -7.1 kcal/mol. Catechin gallate and epicatechin gallate have the strongest bond among all test compounds because they have the most negative AG, namely -9.0 and 8.2 kcal/mol.
 
 

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world, with the incidence rate continuing to increase every year. Conventional treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy often have limitations, especially related to selectivity towards cancer cells and toxic side effects caused to normal cells. Therefore, an alternative approach that is more effective and safe is needed. One promising approach is the utilization of bioactive compounds from natural materials that are optimized through a medicinal chemistry approach. This study aims to examine the potential of natural compounds such as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) from green tea, berberine from Berberis vulgaris, curcumin from turmeric (Curcuma longa), and cardiotonic steroids (CTS) from Digitalis purpurea and Nerium oleander as anticancer agents, as well as their optimization strategies through structural modification, increased stability, and modern delivery technology. The method used is a systematic literature review of scientific articles from 2020 to 2025 obtained through the PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases. The results of the study indicate that these compounds have various anticancer mechanisms of action, such as apoptosis induction, cell cycle inhibition, and activation of specific signaling pathways such as PI3K/Akt, MAPK, and ferroptosis. However, challenges such as low bioavailability, poor stability, and toxicity are still obstacles in their application. Through a medicinal chemistry approach, these compounds can be structurally modified or reformulated to improve their clinical effectiveness. In conclusion, the combination of natural wealth with medicinal chemistry innovation opens up great opportunities in the development of more selective, effective, and safe anticancer therapies in the future.
 
 

Cancer is a chronic disease that poses a major challenge to global health, with increasing mortality rates. Although conventional chemotherapy has been the mainstay of treatment, this approach has limitations, including non-selectivity leading to severe side effects. Therefore, the development of longer-term cancer therapies, such as targeted therapy and immunotherapy, is of great importance. Medicinal chemistry plays a role in the discovery of bioactive compounds, including xanthones from Garcinia mangostana, which exhibit anticancer activity. This article reviews the contribution of medicinal chemistry to cancer therapy through the analysis of molecular signaling pathways and ligand-target interactions, as well as the use of computational techniques in drug design. With this approach, it is expected to improve the effectiveness of therapy and the quality of life of cancer patients.