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Pharmacology and Toxicology of Synthetic and Natural Products
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Pharmacology and Toxicology of Synthetic and Natural Products

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pharmacology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 November 2025 | Viewed by 2341

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Sherif T.S. Hassan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Applied Ecology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague, Czech Republic
Interests: gene; infectious diseases; herpesviruses; pharmacology and toxicology; molecular medicine; oncology and hematology; cardiovascular diseases; natural products; drug discovery; analytical and bioanalytical techniques
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The field of pharmacology and toxicology is dedicated to understanding how various substances interact with biological systems, assessing both their therapeutic benefits and potential risks. In recent years, growing interest in the comparative study of synthetic and natural products has emerged, fueled by the increasing popularity of natural remedies and the ongoing development of synthetic drugs. Both categories offer unique advantages and challenges: natural products are often perceived as safer due to their origin, while synthetic drugs are designed for specific therapeutic targets. However, both can have complex effects on the human body, requiring thorough investigations of their pharmacodynamics and toxicological profiles.

This Special Issue on "Pharmacology and Toxicology of Synthetic and Natural Products" delves into the intricate mechanisms of action, therapeutic potential, and safety profiles of these compounds. It covers a broad spectrum of topics, including molecular pathways, adverse effects, dose–response relationships, and interactions between synthetic and natural products. Additionally, it explores the development of novel therapeutics and the use of advanced technologies in drug screening and toxicology assessments. By examining short-term and long-term risks and therapeutic optimization, this Special Issue provides valuable insights for researchers, clinicians, and policymakers. Through this collection, readers will gain a deeper understanding of the dynamic and often complex relationships between synthetic and natural compounds, enhancing their knowledge of how these products can be used safely and effectively in modern medicine.

Dr. Sherif T. S. Hassan
Guest Editor

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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

  • pharmacology and toxicology
  • pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
  • synthetic drugs
  • natural products
  • drug interactions
  • molecular mechanisms
  • therapeutic potential
  • adverse effects
  • dose–response relationship
  • drug safety and efficacy

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 1802 KiB  
Article
Genistein and Vanadate Differentially Modulate Cortical GABAA Receptor/ATPase Activity and Behavior in Rats via a Phenol-Sensitive Mechanism
by Sergey A. Menzikov, Danila M. Zaichenko, Aleksey A. Moskovtsev, Sergey G. Morozov and Aslan A. Kubatiev
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(12), 5731; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26125731 - 15 Jun 2025
Viewed by 416
Abstract
Although some GABAA receptor subtypes are involved in both the passive permeability of anions and the ATP-dependent recovery of neuronal anion concentrations, the molecular mechanisms that ensure the coordination of passive and active transport processes remain unclear. Here we used fluorescence measurements [...] Read more.
Although some GABAA receptor subtypes are involved in both the passive permeability of anions and the ATP-dependent recovery of neuronal anion concentrations, the molecular mechanisms that ensure the coordination of passive and active transport processes remain unclear. Here we used fluorescence measurements to investigate the role of genistein (tyrosine kinase inhibitor) and vanadate (tyrosine phosphatase and ATPase inhibitor) in modulating GABAAR-mediated [Cl−]i/[HCO3−]i changes and ATPase activity in rat cortical neurons and HEK 293FT cells expressing the heteropentameric α2β3γ2 GABAAR isoform. We found that genistein plays an important role in the inhibition of passive GABAAR-mediated Cl− influx and Cl−ATPase activity, whereas vanadate plays an important role in the inhibition of Cl−, HCO3−ATPase activity and ATP-dependent recovery of [HCO3−]i via changes in the formation of the phosphorylated intermediate. The effect of blockers was significantly restored in the presence of phenol. In behavioral experiments, the administration of phenol has been established to induce tremors and head twitching in rats, with the involvement of GABAAR/ATPase in these behavioral responses. Genistein can reduce the adverse effects of phenol, thereby confirming the interaction of these chemicals when binding to binding receptor sites. While our data demonstrate the opposing roles of genistein and vanadate in modulating GABAAR/ATPase function in a bicarbonate-dependent manner. Such multidirectional systems are considered to be bistable elements involved in the regulatory mechanisms of synaptic plasticity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacology and Toxicology of Synthetic and Natural Products)
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11 pages, 1210 KiB  
Communication
Avasimibe Abolishes the Efficacy of Fluvastatin for the Prevention of Cancer in a Spontaneous Mouse Model of Breast Cancer
by Anjana Bhardwaj, Alexander Koh, Rhea Bhala, Janvi Sandhu, Zhenlin Ju, Leslie Faye Cando, Jing Wang and Isabelle Bedrosian
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(6), 2502; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26062502 - 11 Mar 2025
Viewed by 876
Abstract
The cholesterol biosynthesis pathway is upregulated during breast cancer development and progression. Inhibition of the aberrantly upregulated cholesterol pathway by statins reduces breast tumor incidence and burden by 50% in SV40 C3(1) TAg mice, a mouse model of triple negative breast cancer. We [...] Read more.
The cholesterol biosynthesis pathway is upregulated during breast cancer development and progression. Inhibition of the aberrantly upregulated cholesterol pathway by statins reduces breast tumor incidence and burden by 50% in SV40 C3(1) TAg mice, a mouse model of triple negative breast cancer. We hypothesized that fluvastatin’s preventive efficacy could be further enhanced by co-targeting the statin-induced restorative feedback pathways that tightly control the cholesterol pathway and are involved in resistance to statins. Acyl-coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT)2 is a cholesterol esterification gene that is upregulated in statin-resistant MCF10.DCIS cells, and in mammary tumors of statin-non-responsive SV40 C3(1) TAg mice. In support of this hypothesis, a combination of fluvastatin and avasimibe effectively inhibited the cell growth of statin-resistant MCF10.DCIS cells. However, this combination failed to prevent breast tumor formation in SV40 C3(1) TAg mice. Although avasimibe inhibited fluvastatin-induced ACAT2 mRNA expression in the breast tissue of the combination-treated mice, confirming that avasimibe effectively hit its target, the fluvastatin and avasimibe combination was completely ineffective in preventing breast cancer in vivo, with approximately 90% of mice developing tumors by 22 weeks, similar to the vehicle control group animals. These findings, along with avasimibe’ s known interactions with CYP450 gene family members, suggest that AVA abrogates the efficacy of fluvastatin through enhanced metabolism of fluvastatin in vivo. The findings reported in this brief communication provide a cautionary note for studies proposing the use of avasimibe in combination therapy for cancer prevention and treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacology and Toxicology of Synthetic and Natural Products)
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Review

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17 pages, 621 KiB  
Review
Mechanistic Perspectives on Herpes Simplex Virus Inhibition by Phenolic Acids and Tannins: Interference with the Herpesvirus Life Cycle
by Sherif T. S. Hassan
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(13), 5932; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26135932 - 20 Jun 2025
Viewed by 511
Abstract
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a prevalent and persistent human pathogen belonging to the family Herpesviridae and classified as an alpha-herpesvirus. It comprises two distinct types, HSV-1 and HSV-2, which together infect a significant portion of the global population and pose substantial public [...] Read more.
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a prevalent and persistent human pathogen belonging to the family Herpesviridae and classified as an alpha-herpesvirus. It comprises two distinct types, HSV-1 and HSV-2, which together infect a significant portion of the global population and pose substantial public health challenges. HSV-1 is typically associated with oral herpes, while HSV-2 primarily causes genital herpes; both are characterized by recurrent lesions, latent infection, and mucocutaneous discomfort. Conventional antiviral drugs such as acyclovir and its derivatives are limited by drug resistance, potential toxicity, and their inability to eradicate latent viral reservoirs. These limitations have prompted increasing interest in alternative therapeutic strategies. Phenolic acids and tannins, plant-derived polyphenolic compounds, have attracted considerable attention due to their potent antiviral properties against various viruses, including HSV. This review summarizes current research on phenolic acids and tannins as promising natural antivirals against HSV, with a focus on their mechanisms of action and efficacy in disrupting multiple stages of the HSV life cycle. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacology and Toxicology of Synthetic and Natural Products)
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