Dear Colleagues,

Plant-based drug discovery is currently a foremost topic in the realm of cancer research, presenting a tapestry of recent advances and promising opportunities in cancer treatment. This evolving field has witnessed an inspiring surge in research breakthroughs, which entice researchers and healthcare practitioners to join the effort to uncover more medicinal plants.

Recent studies have unveiled that medicinal plants embody a treasure trove of bioactive compounds, which are potential candidates for combating cancer. Through more in-depth investigations, the molecular intricacies and potential to halt cancer’s progression of these compounds were brought to light, thanks to the highly refined extraction processes and the advanced characterization techniques. A better understanding of the pharmacological mechanisms underpinning these compounds, from inducing programmed cell death to thwarting aberrant signalling pathways, offer a spectrum of therapeutic possibilities.

The synergistic effects of plant-derived compounds and established cancer treatments also represent a subject of research. This potent combination holds the potential to amplify treatment efficacy while reducing side effects, presenting a holistic approach to patient care. Meanwhile, in the field of personalized medicine, the identification of reliable biomarkers, which can track treatment progress and efficacy, helps pave the way for developing therapeutic interventions tailored to the actual individual needs.

The translational potential of plant-based drugs is corroborated by the discovery of medicinal values confirmed in the laboratory and subsequent testing in clinical trials. Clinical evaluation of many plant-derived compounds is underway, and the breakthrough results can potentially revamp the cancer therapy paradigms.

The vibrant and dynamic research landscape of plant-based drug discovery is filled with aspiring researchers and clinicians who would like to innovate and transform cancer treatment using the nature’s offerings with cutting-edge science. We have a strong belief that the plant-based drugs will join forces with the standard, modern cancer treatments in the battle against cancer, when their synergistic anticancer effects are reproducibly proven.

We invite researchers to contribute their original research, reviews, and perspectives on a variety of topics within the realm of plant bioactives and drug discovery. Potential subtopics include, but are not limited to:
• Natural Product Isolation and Structural Elucidation. This subtopic focuses on the extraction, isolation, and structural characterization of plant-derived bioactive compounds, which have anticancer potential.
• Pharmacological Mechanisms. This subtopic showcases studies that attempt to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic properties of plant-derived compounds, including interactions with cellular targets and signaling pathways.
• Synergistic Interactions. This subtopic showcases studies that investigate the synergistic effects of a combination of plant bioactives or the interactions between plant-derived compounds and conventional drugs.
• Ethnobotanical and Traditional Knowledge. This subtopic presents research highlights regarding the traditional use of plants in various cultures and the integration of medicinal plants into modern treatments.
• Biotechnological Approaches. This subtopic focuses on the advances in biotechnology, metabolic engineering, and synthetic biology for the production and optimization of plant bioactives.
• Pharmacokinetics and Formulation. This subtopic aims to present the new knowledge about the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of plant-derived compounds and the formulation strategies to aid in the clinical translation of plant-derived compounds.
• Preclinical and Clinical Studies. This subtopic welcomes papers on in vitro and in vivo investigations, as well as clinical trials, with emphasis on the efficacy, safety, and therapeutic potential of plant bioactives.
• Bioinformatics and Data Mining. This subtopic welcomes papers that present the utilization of bioinformatics tools and data mining techniques to predict and prioritize potential plant-derived drug candidates for use in cancer treatment.

Dr. Johra Khan
Guest Editor

Manuscripts should be submitted via our online editorial system at https://www.biolifesas.org/journalx_brha/authorLogOn.action by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to start your submission. Manuscripts can be submitted now or up until the deadline. All papers will go through peer-review process. Accepted papers will be published in the journal (as soon as accepted) and meanwhile listed together on the special issue website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts will be thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. Please visit the Instruction for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. Submitted manuscripts should be well formatted in good English.