Bioactive Phytochemicals from Medicinal Plants: Formulation and Therapeutic Potential
A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Biopharmaceutics".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026
Special Issue Editors
Interests: bioactive phytochemicals from medicinal plants; herbal extract standardisation and quality control; stability studies of botanical formulations; green extraction and sustainable processing techniques; phytochemical synergy and combinatorial effects; dose optimisation and safety profiling of plant extracts; integration of traditional medicine insights into formulation design; in vitro and in vivo evaluation of therapeutic efficacy; mechanistic studies on antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities; translational approaches for chronic disease therapeutics
Interests: chemistry and biological activities of natural products; antischistosomal compounds; propolis and medicinal plants
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Advances in the study of bioactive phytochemicals derived from medicinal plants have revealed a wealth of compounds exhibiting potent therapeutic activities against chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, neurodegenerative conditions, and cancer. Despite these promising bioactivities, the journey from plant to patient remains impeded by variability in extract composition, limited stability, inconsistent dosing, and suboptimal delivery systems. This Special Issue brings together cutting-edge research and critical reviews aimed at overcoming these challenges by exploring standardised extraction protocols, novel green-processing techniques, and rigorous quality-control measures. Emphasis is placed on understanding the synergistic interactions among phytochemicals, optimising dosage regimens through in vitro and in vivo pharmacological assays, and integrating traditional knowledge with contemporary biopharmaceutical approaches. Readers will discover innovative strategies that enhance extract stability, improve therapeutic index, and facilitate translation into clinical settings. By highlighting interdisciplinary collaborations that span natural product chemistry, pharmacology, pharmaceutics, and clinical research, this Special Issue aims to accelerate the development of reliable, evidence-based botanical therapeutics for the management of chronic health conditions.
Significant progress in bioactive phytochemicals from medicinal plants has illuminated their potential as multi-targeted therapeutics for chronic diseases. Yet, challenges remain in ensuring reproducible extract quality, efficient delivery, and demonstrable clinical benefit. Innovations in herbal extract standardisation, stability assessment, and green extraction techniques are addressing these gaps. At the same time, insights into phytochemical synergy and dose optimisation reinforce the translation of traditional remedies into evidence-based interventions.
This Special Issue aims to showcase original research and review articles that contribute to advancing current knowledge in areas including, but not limited to, the following:
- Standardisation and quality control of medicinal‑plant extracts;
- Stability studies and shelf‑life evaluation of phytochemical formulations;
- Eco-friendly extraction methodologies and process optimisation;
- Mechanistic studies on phytochemical synergy and combinatorial effects;
- Integration of traditional medicine insights into modern formulation approaches;
- Dose optimisation and safety profiling of botanical therapeutics;
- In vitro assays assessing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, neuroprotective, and cardiometabolic activities;
- In vivo assays evaluating the therapeutic effects of phytochemical formulations;
- Preclinical and clinical studies demonstrating therapeutic efficacy in chronic disease contexts.
We welcome contributions that bridge ethnobotanical wisdom and modern biopharmaceutics, fostering the development of next-generation botanical drugs with robust formulation and proven therapeutic potential.
Dr. Radhia Aitfella Lahlou
Prof. Dr. Ademar Alves Da Silva Filho
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- bioactive phytochemicals
- medicinal plants
- standardisation
- green extraction
- phytochemical synergy
- dose optimisation
- formulation
- chronic disease therapeutics
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