Small Molecules for Gonadal Diseases
A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Medicinal Chemistry".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2027 | Viewed by 533
Editor
Interests: small molecules; hypoxia inducible factor-1a; follicular development; luteal formation and degeneration; transcriptome and proteome; polycystic ovary syndrome
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Gonadal diseases, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), testicular dysfunction, and prostate-related disorders, represent a major global health burden, contributing to infertility, endocrine imbalance, and increased risk of metabolic and neoplastic complications. Despite significant advances in reproductive biology and endocrinology, effective therapeutic strategies remain limited, particularly those targeting the underlying molecular mechanisms.
In recent years, small molecules have emerged as promising tools for both mechanistic explorations and therapeutic interventions in gonadal diseases. These compounds—including endogenous metabolites, natural products, and synthetic agents—can modulate key signaling pathways such as oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, autophagy, and metabolic reprogramming. Increasing evidence highlights their roles in regulating gonadal microenvironment homeostasis, steroidogenesis, vascular function, and germ cell development.
This Special Issue aims to collect high-quality original research articles, reviews, and short communications focusing on the discovery, characterization, and application of small molecules in gonadal physiology and pathology. Particular attention will be given to studies elucidating molecular mechanisms, identifying novel therapeutic targets, and exploring translational potential.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Small molecules in ovarian diseases (e.g., PCOS, ovarian insufficiency);
- Small molecules in testicular injury and male infertility;
- Small molecules in prostate diseases (e.g., prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate cancer);
- Regulation of steroidogenesis and endocrine function;
- Oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death pathways in gonadal tissues;
- Small-molecule-mediated modulation of vascular and metabolic pathways;
- Drug discovery, pharmacokinetics, and therapeutic evaluation;
- Natural products and bioactive compounds targeting gonadal diseases.
We warmly invite researchers to contribute their latest findings to this Special Issue in order to advance the understanding and treatment of gonadal disorders through innovative small-molecule approaches.
Prof. Dr. Zhengchao Wang
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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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-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2700 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
- small molecules
- gonadal diseases
- polycystic ovary syndrome
- testicular dysfunction
- prostate diseases
- oxidative stress
- inflammation
- reproductive biology
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