Topic Editors

1. School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315832, China
2. College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
1. School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315832, China
2. College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China

Research on Natural Bioactive Product-Based Pesticidal Agents—2nd Edition

Abstract submission deadline
1 December 2025
Manuscript submission deadline
28 February 2026
Viewed by
1418

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

At present, chemical pesticides remain an effective means to control pests. However, the consequent problems of pest resistance and resurgence, with serious repercussions such as chemical pesticide residues that impact food safety, human health, and the ecological environment, remain. Given that natural bioactive product-based pesticides originate from secondary metabolites of plants, fungi, bacteria, and other natural sources, which are produced under the selective forces driving co-evolution between organisms and the environment (life and non-life), they often experience less or slower resistance development and are more eco-friendly. Therefore, the application of natural bioactive products, which represent a priceless source of green pesticides, has received increasing attention. Conversely, when compared with chemical pesticides, to improve their agricultural properties, using them as lead compounds for structural optimization is highly desirable. Bioactive natural products, as an invaluable source for structural diversity and biological activity, can promote, either directly or indirectly, the discovery of green pesticide candidates. In particular, the study of their mechanisms of action against pests is also important for the development of pesticidal agents.

Therefore, as a part of this Topic, entitled “Research on Natural Bioactive Product-Based Pesticidal Agents—2nd Edition”, we will present three recent achievements in this field, namely, the isolation and structural elucidation of natural bioactive products (NBPs), structural modification of NBPs, and discovery of the mechanisms of NBPs as pesticidal agents. Original research articles and review articles addressing major issues related to natural bioactive product-based pesticidal agents are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Min Lv
Prof. Dr. Hui Xu
Topic Editors

Keywords

  • natural bioactive product
  • plants (fungi, bacteria, or other natural sources)
  • secondary metabolites
  • isolation
  • structural modification
  • mechanism of action
  • green pesticides
  • agricultural activity
  • control efficacy
  • structural elucidation

Participating Journals

Journal Name Impact Factor CiteScore Launched Year First Decision (median) APC
Agrochemicals
agrochemicals
- - 2022 16.7 Days CHF 1000 Submit
Agronomy
agronomy
3.3 6.2 2011 17.6 Days CHF 2600 Submit
Insects
insects
2.7 5.1 2010 16.7 Days CHF 2600 Submit
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
ijms
4.9 8.1 2000 16.8 Days CHF 2900 Submit
Marine Drugs
marinedrugs
4.9 9.6 2003 13.7 Days CHF 2900 Submit
Toxins
toxins
3.9 7.5 2009 20.3 Days CHF 2700 Submit
Agriculture
agriculture
3.3 4.9 2011 19.2 Days CHF 2600 Submit
Biology
biology
3.6 5.7 2012 16.4 Days CHF 2700 Submit

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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18 pages, 5879 KiB  
Article
Design, Synthesis, and Herbicidal Activity of Novel 5-Acylbarbituric Acid Derivatives Containing a Pyrimidinedione Moiety
by Ke Chen, Shumin Wang, Shuyue Fu, Wei Gao, Junehyun Kim, Phumbum Park, Rui Liu and Kang Lei
Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 777; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040777 - 22 Mar 2025
Viewed by 182
Abstract
In continuation of our efforts to identify novel herbicide lead compounds with enhanced activity, a series of eighteen 5-acylbarbituric acid derivatives containing a pyrimidinedione moiety were designed and synthesized. Their herbicidal activities were subsequently evaluated in the greenhouse. Bioassay results demonstrated that most [...] Read more.
In continuation of our efforts to identify novel herbicide lead compounds with enhanced activity, a series of eighteen 5-acylbarbituric acid derivatives containing a pyrimidinedione moiety were designed and synthesized. Their herbicidal activities were subsequently evaluated in the greenhouse. Bioassay results demonstrated that most of the newly synthesized compounds exhibited significant herbicidal efficacy at a dosage of 150 g ha−1, with compounds BA-I-2, BA-II-2, BA-III-2, and BA-III-5 achieving complete inhibition of the tested weeds. Further investigation into the herbicidal spectrum revealed that compounds BA-II-2 and BA-III-2 displayed excellent herbicidal activity against 14 and 13 out of 16 tested weed species, respectively, with inhibition rates exceeding 80% at dosages as low as 18.8 g ha−1. More promisingly, compound BA-III-2 was found to be safe for Triticum aestivum at a dosage of 37.5 g ha−1. Molecular mode of action studies, including phenotypic observations, membrane permeability evaluations, and molecular docking, suggested that BA-III-2 may function as a protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase (PPO) inhibitor. The present work indicates that BA-III-2 holds potential as a PPO-inhibiting herbicide for effective weed control in wheat fields and is expected to provide important theoretical foundations for the development of novel and highly efficient herbicides. Full article
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28 pages, 4193 KiB  
Review
4(3H)-Quinazolinone: A Natural Scaffold for Drug and Agrochemical Discovery
by Ke Chen, Shumin Wang, Shuyue Fu, Junehyun Kim, Phumbum Park, Rui Liu and Kang Lei
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(6), 2473; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26062473 - 10 Mar 2025
Viewed by 430
Abstract
4(3H)-quinazolinone is a functional scaffold that exists widely both in natural products and synthetic organic compounds. Its drug-like derivatives have been extensively synthesized with interesting biological features including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antimalarial, antibacterial, antifungal, and herbicidal, etc. In this review, we [...] Read more.
4(3H)-quinazolinone is a functional scaffold that exists widely both in natural products and synthetic organic compounds. Its drug-like derivatives have been extensively synthesized with interesting biological features including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antimalarial, antibacterial, antifungal, and herbicidal, etc. In this review, we highlight the medicinal and agrochemical versatility of the 4(3H)-quinazolinone scaffold according to the studies published in the past six years (2019–2024), and comprehensively give a summary of the target recognition, structure–activity relationship, and mechanism of its analogs. The present review is expected to provide valuable guidance for discovering novel lead compounds containing 4(3H)-quinazolinone moiety in both drug and agrochemical research. Full article
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10 pages, 2067 KiB  
Article
Euphraticanoids N–T: Aromadendrane-Type Diterpenes and Sesquiterpenes with Fungicidal Activities from Populus euphratica Resins
by Qinbin Jiang, Yun-Yun Liu, Danling Huang and Yong-Xian Cheng
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(5), 2187; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26052187 - 28 Feb 2025
Viewed by 373
Abstract
Seven previously undescribed terpenoids, including five prenylaromadendrane-type diterpenes euphraticanoids N–R (15) and two aromadendrane-type sesquiterpenes, euphraticanoids S and T (6 and 7), were isolated from Populus euphratica resins. Their structures, including their absolute configurations, were elucidated by [...] Read more.
Seven previously undescribed terpenoids, including five prenylaromadendrane-type diterpenes euphraticanoids N–R (15) and two aromadendrane-type sesquiterpenes, euphraticanoids S and T (6 and 7), were isolated from Populus euphratica resins. Their structures, including their absolute configurations, were elucidated by HRESIMS and spectroscopic analysis, ECD calculations, and crystallographic methods. In addition, an evaluation of the fungicidal activities of compound 1 was carried out, resulting in the discovery of 1 as a fungicidal candidate lead compound with an EC50 of 15.7 and 68.6 mg/L against Curvularia mebaldsii and Fusarium graminearum, respectively. Full article
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