Nature-Inspired Scaffolds in Medicinal Chemistry: An Old Push for Modern Drug Discovery—Second Edition

Dear Colleagues,

Following the success of the first Special Issue, “Nature-Inspired Scaffolds in Medicinal Chemistry: An Old Push for Modern Drug Discovery”, we are launching a second edition titled “Nature-Inspired Scaffolds in Medicinal Chemistry: An Old Push for Modern Drug Discovery—Second Edition” and invite submissions from selected experts in this field.

Natural products inspire the generation of pharmaceutical products.

Since ancient times, they have been a source of active ingredients for the management and treatment of various diseases and conditions, becoming the bedrock of traditional medicine, especially in the countries where more expensive alternatives are not available. In recent years, thanks to the sensitization to nature-related thematics and the advancements in screening, isolation, characterization, and optimization methodologies, we have witnessed a renaissance of natural products research, whose sources are finally considered as both valued resources and treasures to preserve. For this reason, natural products are being increasingly used for modern drug design and discovery, resulting in extensive research in the pharmaceutical field, resulting in satisfactory outcomes concerning disorders still lacking effective medication. This Special Issue calls for researchers to contribute and share their work concerning the following:

1. Original research/review articles concerning the extraction of metabolites from plants, characterization of newly identified products, and semi-synthesis of potentially bioactive compounds with nature-derived scaffolds;
2. Original research/review articles concerning the bioactivity of natural/semisynthetic compounds against relevant disease conditions and how their therapeutic effect is exerted;
3. Original research/review articles concerning alternative synthetic ways to obtain naturally occurring bioactive molecules or simplified/optimized analogs, with evident advantages with respect to natural matrix integrity and overall yield;
4. Original research/review articles concerning the incorporation of biologically active natural/semisynthetic compounds in polymeric matrixes for the preparation of new bioactive materials suitable for food or surface preservatives, as well as human medication devices.

Dr. Patrícia Rijo
Guest Editor

Dr. Elizabeth de Abreu Lopes
Guest Editor Assistant

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