Natural Products: Pharmacological Insights and Advances
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 June 2026 | Viewed by 5
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Natural products, derived from plants, microorganisms, and marine organisms, have been the cornerstone of drug discovery for centuries, providing countless therapeutic agents and bioactive lead compounds. In the modern era, advancements in analytical chemistry, metabolomics, and molecular biology are driving a renaissance in this field. The intricate chemical structures of natural products offer unique opportunities to explore novel biological pathways and mechanisms of action, addressing pressing challenges in areas such as oncology, infectious diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders. Understanding their pharmacological potential at the molecular level is crucial for translating nature’s complexity into innovative healthcare solutions.
We are pleased to announce this Special Issue of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, titled “Natural Products: Pharmacological Insights and Advances” This collection aims to highlight cutting-edge research that bridges the gap between the chemistry of natural products and their pharmacological potential. It seeks to compile high-quality original research and comprehensive reviews that advance our understanding—from the chemical discovery to the detailed pharmacological characterization of natural compounds.
This topic aligns perfectly with the scope of IJMS, which emphasizes research on the molecular aspects of bioactive compounds and their interactions with biological systems. We encourage submissions that focus on, but are not limited to, the following themes:
- Discovery, isolation, and structural elucidation of novel natural products.
- Evaluation of diverse biological activities (e.g., anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective) in vitro and in vivo.
- In-depth elucidation of molecular and cellular mechanisms of action.
- Structure–activity relationship (SAR) studies.
- Advanced analytical and bioassay-guided methodologies.
- Preclinical evaluations and the translation of bioactivity into therapeutic leads.
- Reviews synthesizing current knowledge and future directions.
We look forward to receiving your original contributions to foster a comprehensive dialogue on how natural products continue to drive innovation in pharmacology.
Dr. Jialuo Huang
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 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. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. 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
- natural products
- biological activity
- pharmacology
- mechanism of action
- molecular targets
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.
