Current Research in Pharmacognosy: A Focus on Biological Activities
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pharmacology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 June 2024 | Viewed by 4001
Special Issue Editors
2. Group of Bromatol, Pharmacognosy and Analyst Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: pharmacognosy; polyphenols; natural products
2. Centro de Investigação em Engenharia dos Processos Químicos e Produtos da Floresta (CIEPQPF), Universidade de Coimbra, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: pharmacognosy and phytochemistry; herbal medicinal products; essential oils
2. Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry (LAQV) of the Network of Chemistry and Technology (REQUIMTE), University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
Interests: pharmacognosy and phytochemistry; phenolic compounds; mass spectrometry; antioxidant activity; anti-inflammatory activity
Interests: immunopharmacology; pharmacotoxicology; innate immune cells; inflammation; immunotherapy
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Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Pharmacognosy is a multidisciplinary science devoted to the study of drugs from natural sources. Natural products have been traditionally used for centuries to enhance health and treat diseases, and since the beginning of the twenty-first century, the consumption of plant-derived products has increased significantly. Currently, modern medicine is still largely dependent on natural drugs: according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), 80% of the world’s population benefits from utilizing plants for the treatment of various diseases. However, only a small percentage of higher plants has been systematically investigated to elucidate their phytochemicals and identify their bioactive compounds. Therefore, it remains essential to continue to carry out research in order to discover novel bioactive and safe compounds, or natural sources of phytochemicals with significant pharmacological value. Crude drugs have a complex chemical composition and interactions between their components, such as synergism, are common and worthy of being assessed. Furthermore, the association between these biomolecules or with other conventional drugs may also contribute to increasing their efficacy and/or reducing their toxicity. Modern techniques and methodologies for isolation and the structural and biological characterization of phytochemicals are also included in the scope of pharmacognosy, being side-by-side with structure–activity relationship studies and molecular docking, which are determinant in a drug potential assessment. New knowledge about natural drugs and/or their biomolecules related to any of the subjects previously focused on and one or more biological activities referred to in the keywords will be an important contribution to this Special Issue.
Prof. Dr. Maria Teresa Batista
Dr. Carlos Cavaleiro
Dr. Artur Figueirinha
Dr. Maria Teresa Cruz
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- phytochemical characterization
- volatile biomolecules
- polyphenols
- anticancer
- anti-inflammatory
- antimicrobial
- antioxidant
- synergism
- toxicity
