Natural Product-Inspired DNA-Encoded Libraries: Expanding Chemical Space, Screening, and Target Deconvolution

DNA-encoded library (DEL) technology is a highly efficient platform for identifying novel chemical matter in early drug discovery. By linking the power of chemistry and genetics, DEL has significantly advanced high-throughput screening. Natural products (NPs), including the bioactive constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs), possess highly diverse chemical scaffolds shaped by evolution. Having served as the foundation for clinical treatments for millennia, they remain a vital source of drug leads. While DEL technology is widely established in targeted screening, its application in NPs research remains under explored. This review summarizes the current status of DEL-based NPs research and discusses its potential in target deconvolution.