Therapeutic Potential of Scopolamine and Its Adverse Effect
A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247). This special issue belongs to the section "Pharmacology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 October 2025 | Viewed by 144
Special Issue Editors
Interests: neuropharmacology and neuromodulation; oxidative stress and neurotransmitter dynamics; cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative diseases; bioactive compounds: flavonoids, polyphenols, and nutraceuticals; molecular docking and drug discovery; pharmacokinetics and drug delivery systems; laboratory animal behavior analysis using specialized software; environmental toxicology and ecotoxicological impact; zebrafish and other animal models in biomedical research; advanced laboratory techniques: western blot, PCR, HPLC, GC-MS, LC-MS/MS, antioxidant activity evaluation; AI-powered tools for data analysis, behavioral tracking, and drug discovery; nutrition and the role of bioactive compounds in metabolic and cognitive health
Interests: neurobiology; molecular biology; neuropharmacology; behavioral neuropsychopharmacology; phytomedicine and ethnopharmacology; neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson, Alzheimer); brain aging
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Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Scopolamine, a tropane alkaloid with strong anticholinergic properties, has been extensively used in medical practice for conditions such as motion sickness, postoperative nausea, and neurological disorders. However, its therapeutic potential is often counterbalanced by adverse effects, including cognitive impairment, neurotoxicity, and a risk of dependency. Ongoing research aims to optimize its clinical applications while minimizing unwanted side effects through innovative drug delivery systems, antioxidant therapies, and neuroprotective agents.
This Special Issue welcomes original research articles, reviews, and short communications exploring the pharmacology of scopolamine, with a focus on mitigating its side effects and expanding its therapeutic applications. We also encourage studies investigating natural bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids and polyphenols, in counteracting scopolamine-induced neurotoxicity and cognitive decline.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
- Molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic and toxic effects of scopolamine.
- Innovative drug delivery systems designed to reduce adverse effects.
- Scopolamine as a model for studying cognitive impairment, neurodegeneration, and oxidative stress.
- Synergistic effects of scopolamine with bioactive compounds (e.g., flavonoids, polyphenols, nutraceuticals) in modulating its neurotoxic impact.
- Computational and molecular docking studies to identify potential interactions with pharmacological targets.
- Alterations in neurotransmitter systems induced by scopolamine and potential avenues for restoration.
- Behavioral and cognitive studies in animal models, including zebrafish, investigating scopolamine-induced deficits and neuroprotection.
- Cell-based assays and in vitro studies exploring scopolamine-induced neurotoxicity and screening for potential neuroprotective compounds.
- Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of scopolamine, particularly in combination with neuroprotective agents.
- Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory strategies to mitigate scopolamine-induced neurotoxicity.
- Environmental considerations, including the presence of scopolamine in ecosystems, its degradation pathways, and potential risks to wildlife.
We invite contributions from researchers in medicinal chemistry, neuropharmacology, molecular biology, toxicology, and behavioral neuroscience to advance our understanding of scopolamine’s multifaceted effects.
Dr. Ion Brinza
Prof. Dr. Lucian Hritcu
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- scopolamine
- neuropharmacology
- neurodegenerative diseases
- drug delivery systems
- neuromodulation and neurotransmitters
- pharmacokinetics
- therapeutic strategies
- toxicology
- neurodevelopmental disorders
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