Dear Colleagues,

Secondary metabolites comprise a diverse group of molecules produced by higher plants that are not directly involved in the normal growth, development, or reproduction of the plants that produce them. Nevertheless, a growing body of research indicates that they may display multiple effects beneficial for the general well-being of human organisms. These effects include both non-specific ones that affect the whole organism, such as antioxidant or anti-inflammatory effects, and more specific effects that target just one organ or system, such as laxative, myorelaxant, or antitussive effects, to name a few. Among the plant secondary metabolites used as therapeutic agents are flavonoids, terpenes, cardiac glycosides, alkaloids, anthraquinone derivatives, and many others. They may be a part of prescription drugs (such as atropine or digoxine), or be incorporated into various phytochemical preparation or food supplements. However, for proper testing of the pharmacological activity of a secondary metabolite, it should be identified or isolated from the plant material and subjected to the appropriate biological assays.

This Special Issue is dedicated to the “Identification and Therapeutic Properties of Secondary Metabolites of Medicinal Plants” including, but not limited to, their isolation and structure determination, as well as chromatographic methods for their analysis in plant materials. Furthermore, submissions related to the in vivo, in vitro, and in silico study of their pharmacological activities are strongly encouraged.

Prof. Dr. Marijana Zovko Končić
Dr. Michał Tomczyk
Guest Editors

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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Metabolites 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 2700 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.

• antioxidant activity
• bioactivity
• chromatography
• phytochemistry
• phytotherapy
• plant secondary metabolites
• polyphenols