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Drug Discovery Based on 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: 31 July 2024 | Viewed by 659

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
1. Channelopathy Research Center (CRC), Dongguk University College of Medicine, 32 Dongguk-ro, Ilsan Dong-gu, Gyeonggi-do, Goyang 10326, Republic of Korea
2. Department of Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dongguk University, 27 Dongguk-ro, Ilsan Dong-gu, Gyeonggi-do, Goyang 10326, Republic of Korea
Interests: allergy; atopy; inflammation; natural products; ion channels; pain; pruritus; sensory; nerve; drug discovery; mechanism

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Introduction: The journal aims to serve as a comprehensive platform for the dissemination of cutting-edge research and advancements in the field of Drug Discovery Based on Natural Products. Focused on bridging the gap between traditional medicine and modern pharmacology, the journal welcomes contributions that explore the vast reservoirs of bioactive compounds found in nature.

Key Themes and Topics:

  1. Identification and Characterization of Bioactive Compounds:
    • Exploration of novel compounds from plants, microbes, marine organisms, and other natural sources.
    • Methods for isolation, purification, and structural elucidation of bioactive molecules.
  2. Pharmacological Activities and Mechanisms:
    • In-depth studies on the pharmacological properties of natural products.
    • Investigations into the mechanisms of action underlying the therapeutic potential of these compounds.
  3. Synergies with Modern Drug Development:
    • Integration of natural products into drug development pipelines.
    • Synergies between natural and synthetic compounds for enhanced therapeutic efficacy.
  4. Emerging Technologies in Natural Product Research:
    • Application of omics technologies (genomics, proteomics, metabolomics) in natural product research.
    • Computational approaches for the prediction of bioactivity and drug-likeness.

We invite researchers, academicians, pharmaceutical professionals, and those with an interest in drug discovery, pharmacology, and natural product research to present their original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that contribute to the understanding of natural product-based drug discovery. Manuscripts employing interdisciplinary approaches are particularly encouraged. By providing a dedicated platform for the exchange of knowledge, IJMS aims to foster collaboration and accelerate advancements in the dynamic and evolving field of Drug Discovery Based on Natural Products.

Dr. Woo-kyung Kim
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.

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

  • drug discovery
  • bioactive compounds
  • pharmacological activities and mechanisms
  • omics technologies

Published Papers (1 paper)

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11 pages, 2125 KiB  
Article
Regulation of T Lymphocyte Functions through Calcium Signaling Modulation by Nootkatone
by Ji Min Lee, Jintae Kim, Su Jin Park, Joo Hyun Nam, Hyun Jong Kim and Woo Kyung Kim
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(10), 5240; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25105240 - 11 May 2024
Viewed by 480
Abstract
Recent advancements in understanding the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying immunological responses have underscored the critical involvement of ion channels in regulating calcium influx, particularly in inflammation. Nootkatone, a natural sesquiterpenoid found in Alpinia oxyphylla and various citrus species, has gained attention for its [...] Read more.
Recent advancements in understanding the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying immunological responses have underscored the critical involvement of ion channels in regulating calcium influx, particularly in inflammation. Nootkatone, a natural sesquiterpenoid found in Alpinia oxyphylla and various citrus species, has gained attention for its diverse pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory effects. This study aimed to elucidate the potential of nootkatone in modulating ion channels associated with calcium signaling, particularly CRAC, KV1.3, and KCa3.1 channels, which play pivotal roles in immune cell activation and proliferation. Using electrophysiological techniques, we demonstrated the inhibitory effects of nootkatone on CRAC, KV1.3, and KCa3.1 channels in HEK293T cells overexpressing respective channel proteins. Nootkatone exhibited dose-dependent inhibition of channel currents, with IC50 values determined for each channel. Nootkatone treatment did not significantly affect cell viability, indicating its potential safety for therapeutic applications. Furthermore, we observed that nootkatone treatment attenuated calcium influx through activated CRAC channels and showed anti-proliferative effects, suggesting its role in regulating inflammatory T cell activation. These findings highlight the potential of nootkatone as a natural compound for modulating calcium signaling pathways by targeting related key ion channels and it holds promise as a novel therapeutic agent for inflammatory disorders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Drug Discovery Based on Natural Products)
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