Abstract
Animal models are crucial in biomedical research, facilitating the understanding of human diseases at the molecular and cellular levels. At the same time, animal models aid in molecular screening for drug discovery and development. In this review article, we extensively discuss two critical points: the importance of animal models and the bioactive compounds. During the discussion of the importance of animal models, we explore how they aid in understanding disease mechanisms and progression, as well as genetic diseases, drug discovery and development, and drug repurposing. To discuss the importance of bioactive compounds, we illustrate their impact on human health and disease, as well as their industrial applications. Finally, we discuss the various studies on bioactive compounds that have been conducted using different animal models. To highlight the various studies on bioactive compounds using animal models, we categorized them under two headings: mammalian animal models and non-mammalian animal models. Again, for mammalian animal models, we explained various studies on bioactive compounds in mice, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, ferrets, and gerbils. Similarly, for non-mammalian animal models, we illustrated the different studies on bioactive compounds using zebrafish, Drosophila melanogaster, and Caenorhabditis elegans. The work will be beneficial in various ways in the field. First, using animal models, researchers can develop effective next-generation therapies for a number of human diseases utilizing bioactive compounds. Second, during drug development using bioactive compounds, researchers can assess the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of these compounds in an animal model. Third, the ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) properties of these bioactive compounds can be studied in animal models before clinical trials. Ultimately, the scientific combination between bioactive compounds and animal models will facilitate the advancement of scientific and biomedical discoveries implicating bioactive compounds.