Biologically Active Compounds: Sources, Mechanisms of Action, and Applications
A special issue of Current Issues in Molecular Biology (ISSN 1467-3045). This special issue belongs to the section "Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026 | Viewed by 40
Special Issue Editors
Interests: biologically active compounds; antioxidant activity; anti-inflammatory activity; antitumor activity; natural antimicrobial compounds; natural antiviral compounds; medicinal plants
Interests: biologically active compounds; antioxidant activity; anti-inflammatory activity; antitumor activity; natural antimicrobial compounds; natural antiviral compounds; medicinal plants
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Biologically active compounds are of significant importance in biomedical research, disease prevention, and the development of innovative therapeutic, nutraceutical, and industrial products. Originating from a wide variety of natural and synthetic sources—including plants, microorganisms, marine organisms, and food-derived matrices—these compounds exhibit diverse biological properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, and neuroprotective activities. Despite substantial progress in their discovery and characterization, important challenges remain regarding the elucidation of their mechanisms of action, bioavailability, and safety.
Recent advances in analytical chemistry, molecular biology, and omics-based technologies have greatly enhanced our understanding of how biologically active compounds interact with biological systems at cellular and molecular levels. Such insights are essential for bridging the gap between fundamental research and real-world applications in medicine, food science, cosmetics, agriculture, and related fields. In parallel, growing attention is being directed toward sustainable sources, green extraction technologies, and innovative formulation strategies to improve efficacy and applicability.
This Special Issue aims to provide a multidisciplinary platform for high-quality original research articles and comprehensive reviews addressing the sources, mechanisms of action, and applications of biologically active compounds. Contributions focusing on novel bioactive molecules, advanced analytical and experimental approaches, structure–activity relationships, and emerging applications are of special interest.
Topics of Interest:
- Identification, isolation, and characterization of biologically active compounds;
- Natural sources of bioactive compounds (plants, microorganisms, marine organisms, and food-derived matrices);
- Synthetic and semi-synthetic biologically active compounds;
- Mechanisms of action at the molecular and cellular levels;
- Structure–activity relationships of bioactive molecules;
- Bioavailability, metabolism, and safety assessment;
- Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities;
- Neuroprotective, cardioprotective, and immunomodulatory effects;
- Advanced analytical, spectroscopic, and omics-based approaches;
- Innovative extraction, purification, and green technologies;
- Formulation strategies and delivery systems for bioactive compounds;
- Applications in medicine, nutraceuticals, functional foods, cosmetics, and agriculture;
- Sustainable production and industrial applications of biologically active compounds.
Assoc. Prof. Yulian Tumbarski
Assoc. Prof. Ivan Ivanov
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Current Issues in Molecular Biology is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- biologically active compounds
- natural products
- mechanisms of action
- structure–activity relationships
- bioavailability
- antioxidant activity
- antimicrobial activity
- anticancer activity
- omics approaches
- biomedical and industrial applications
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
