Biological Activities and Structure–Activity Relationships of Natural and Non-Natural Compounds
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Bioactives and Nutraceuticals".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 October 2025 | Viewed by 667
Special Issue Editor
Interests: drug delivery; nanomedicine; hydrogels; antioxidant compound; cancer; pediatric therapy; nanoparticles; neurodegenerative diseases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
This Special Issue (SI) aims to explore the relationship between the chemical structure of compounds and their biological activities, focusing on both natural and synthetic substances and investigating their drug delivery.
Natural compounds, derived from plants, animals, and microorganisms, often possess complex structures that contribute to their diverse pharmacological effects, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. This Special Issue aims to highlight various examples of natural compounds and their mechanisms of action, emphasizing how their structural features influence biological interactions.
In parallel, we aim to examine non-natural or synthetic compounds designed to mimic or enhance the biological activities of their natural counterparts. These compounds, created through chemical modifications or entirely new synthetic routes, offer opportunities to overcome the limitations of natural substances, such as poor bioavailability or toxicity. Structure–activity relationships (SARs) are crucial in this context as they provide insights into how modifications to molecular structures can alter biological outcomes.
Modern approaches to SAR studies, including computational modeling, which facilitate the identification of key structural elements responsible for specific biological activities, are discussed.
Additionally, this Special Issue addresses advancements in drug delivery systems, which are critical for optimizing the efficacy and safety of both natural and synthetic compounds. Different techniques in drug delivery, including targeted delivery, nanoparticle-based systems, and controlled release mechanisms, are discussed in relation to enhancing the therapeutic potential and minimizing the side effects of these compounds.
Dr. Eleonora Russo
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- natural compounds
- synthetic compounds
- biological activities
- structure–activity relationship (SAR)
- bioavailability
- toxicity
- computational modeling
- drug delivery
- nanomedicine
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