Novel Bioactive Compounds Targeting Urinary Tract Disorders

Dear Colleagues,

Urinary tract disorders include urinary tract infections, overactive bladder, urolithiasis, interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome, acute or chronic kidney injury, nephropathy, and hypertensive kidney injury, all of which are major global health concerns. Despite advances in pharmacotherapy, current treatments often exhibit limited efficacy, adverse effects, or reduced responsiveness after long-term use. These gaps in management therefore underline the urgent need for novel bioactive compounds and molecular strategies capable of modulating inflammation, oxidative stress, crystal formation, bladder dysfunction, fibrosis, and renal hemodynamics.

The aim of this Special Issue is to compile high-quality research and reviews that explore novel bioactive molecules and their therapeutic potential against various urinary tract disorders. Contributions may include studies exploring natural products, semi-synthetic derivatives, synthetic small molecules, peptides, nanomaterials, or multifunctional compounds exhibiting pharmacological benefits across the urinary system. Studies addressing mechanisms of action, structure–activity relationships, molecular targets, pharmacokinetics, and translational prospects are particularly encouraged.

We welcome submissions covering but not limited to the following topics:

• New compounds with diuretic, nephroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, or antimicrobial activity;
• Molecules which prevent or reverse kidney stone formation, including modulators of calcium oxalate crystallization;
• Novel xanthine oxidase inhibitors and agents regulating uric acid metabolism;
• Bioactive compounds that target overactive bladder, detrusor overactivity, or lower urinary tract symptoms;
• Compounds active in renal fibrosis, tubular injury, oxidative pathways, RAAS signaling, or mitochondrial dysfunction;
• Intra-vesical or targeted renal delivery systems, such as nanoparticles and hydrogels;
• Mechanistic studies using in vitro, in vivo, or ex vivo models of urinary tract diseases;
• Clinical or translational assessments of emerging compounds with therapeutic potential.

Dr. Priscila de Souza
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. Pharmaceuticals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2900 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.